1) Who They Are: Explain how the nominee's character, heart, and soul radiates authenticity and compassion and how these qualities ripple through their profession, passions, community, or life. Detail how their influence is deeply rooted in their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact, whether through lived experiences, innovative professional achievements, selfless community contributions, or the inspiring way they navigate through life. Show us who they are at the core and how their story embodies the true essence of influence as they inspire and uplift those around them, serving as a shining example of the transformative power of a life lived with purpose and heart.
Prompt - Describe a particular moment where the nominee's character, values, and heart made an impact or resonated with you. What happened? How did it make you or someone else feel? We want to hear the story of who this person is on a deeper level. (If self-nominating, share a story of how your character shone through and the takeaway someone had from an encounter with you. Paint the picture of your heart, soul, and who you are in your daily life.)
2) The Hurdle: The WIN Awards takes on the Kintsugi approach. It is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique and instead of repairing an item like new, the 400-year-old technique actually highlights the challenges as a part of the design. By unmasking ourselves we live an authentic life while inspiring others to turn our pains into pearls. Detail a hurdle or challenge the nominee has tackled and overcame. The obstacles, resistance, and wisdom from those experiences are the gold that fills the cracks of our lives.
Prompt: Make sure to explain how this situation directly pertains to the category for which you are applying for. What challenges, issues, or limitations did the nominee face? What made them want to get gritty and tackle the obstacle? If you are self-nominating, describe the nature of the challenge, the actions you took to address it, and the positive outcomes or impact that resulted from your efforts. Did you learn anything about yourself? This is about highlighting the power of the human spirit.
3) The How & Why: Give an example of how the personal drive of the nominee has motivated them to become an inspiration in their community. Please share the "how" and the "why" their influence is felt by their efforts to uplift those around them.
Prompt: How has the nominee used their position, platform, and/outreach to positively and meaningfully influence their community and beyond? If you are self-nominating, share more details about yourself—what drives you? Why is community important to you? Connect these aspects as it relates to the category being considered for.
4) The Impact: Demonstrate where the nominee has broken down barriers, provoked change, made an impact, or inspired their community. Please provide examples of how they have actively fostered a supportive and inclusive culture and cultivated influence in their field or award category. What's their legacy?
Prompt: Explain why the nominee deserves the selected award by detailing where the influence is felt. Provide specific examples of how the nominee demonstrated impact. E.g. initiative, leadership, teamwork, creativity or innovation, etc. If you are self-nominating, explain how your influence impacts the sphere of your selected category and where you see your legacy going. Provide specifics and detailed examples along with any data or statistics that support the outcome.