Award Purpose

The Excellence in Member Engagement Award recognises an association team or individual who has delivered a defined campaign, programme, or initiative that has significantly enhanced member value, retention, participation or connection.

This award celebrates intentional design, measurable outcomes and sustained impact — not simply activity volume.

Before starting your submission, you may wish to review the full list of questions.

Download the PDF version of the submission form here to see all questions and prepare your responses before completing the online form.

 

Friday 29th May 2026 (Friday)
Applications close

June 2026
Judging period

1 July 2026 (Wednesday)
Finalists announced

5 August 2026
Winners announced at the Associations Matter Awards Dinner

ELIGIBILITY

This award is open exclusively to current financial members of NZSAE.

To be eligible:

• The submitting organisation must be a current financial member of NZSAE.
• The initiative must have been implemented within the past three years.
• The submission must clearly identify the individual or team responsible for delivery.
• The submission must be endorsed by the Chief Executive or Executive Director.

Nominees who are not current financial members of NZSAE at the time of nomination must complete membership prior to submission closing in order for the nomination to proceed.

Board members of NZSAE and members of the judging panel are not eligible to enter.

Provide a brief overview of:

Organisation purpose and scope
Membership size and structure
The engagement challenge the initiative was designed to address

Describe the campaign, programme or initiative.

Include:

• Objectives
• Target audience
• Timeline
• Strategic alignment
• Resources allocated

Judges are looking for intentional design, not ad hoc activity.

Explain how the initiative was delivered.

Include:

• Channels used
• Technology integration
• Member touchpoints
• Internal collaboration
• Governance oversight (if applicable)

Provide clear evidence of impact.

Examples may include:

• Membership growth or improved retention rates
• Increased participation or engagement metrics
• Revenue improvement
• Improved member satisfaction scores
• Volunteer activation
• Programme uptake

Submissions must demonstrate measurable outcomes wherever possible.

Describe:

How the initiative has been sustained or embedded
Lessons learned
How the approach may inform future engagement practice

One written endorsement required (maximum 500 words).

Must be from:

• Chief Executive or Executive Director (if submitted by staff/team)
  or
• Board Chair or President (if submitted by CEO)
  Provide:

 

For each referee, provide:

• Full name
• Position
• Organisation
• Relationship to nominee
• Email address

Upload referee statements below.