WHAT IS THE AMEU/JOHN F. & SHARON MAHONEY AWARD FOR SERVICE?
AMEU’s Board of Directors established this initiative in 2022 to continue and expand Executive Director Emeritus John Mahoney’s decades-long commitment to American understanding of the Middle East, its people and cultures, and our important inter-connections. The Board established the Award in recognition and appreciation of John and Sharon’s unending contributions, and in hopes that this annual award – and the meaningful cash grant it carries— will broaden and deepen American understanding of the Middle East region.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR NOMINEES?
Candidates for the award must be at least 16 years old by September 1st of a given year. Beyond that, eligibility is not restricted by nationality, gender, creed, etc. The committee may elect to consider nominations of organizations or institutions on an exceptional basis, and an awardee must be able to receive the award and the accompanying $5000 honorarium.
WHO CAN NOMINATE A CANDIDATE?
Starting in 2023, anyone may make a nomination for consideration, though preference will be given to nominees put forward by AMEU’s Board of Directors or its Selection Committee. During the 2022 inaugural year, only nominations by AMEU’s Board and Selection Committee will be entertained.
HOW DOES THE NOMINATIONS PROCESS WORK?
All nominations must be made by email to
AMEUMahoneyAward@gmail.com. In addition to name and essential contact information, nominations should include a brief statement (1-2 sentences) on behalf of the candidate and describing the nature of a nominee’s contributions. The Selection Committee will gather information independently, and information that might not be readily available to the Selection Committee may be submitted as a part of the nomination. The committee will consider a full complement of candidates September 1st, and will deliberate for up to ten weeks.
WHEN ARE NOMINATIONS MADE?
Nominations can be received on a rolling basis by the Nominations Committee between January 1st and September 1st each year. Nominations should not be submitted between September and December each year.
HOW IS A NOMINATION SUBMITTED?
Nominations may be made by email to
AMEUMahoneyAward@gmail.com. Nominations may also be submitted by mail to 475 Riverside Drive Suite 245, New York, NY 10115
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE SUBMITTED MY NOMINATION?
All eligible nominations received by the Sept 1st deadline will be referred to the Selection Committee for consideration. The selection process from that point forward will be kept strictly confidential until the announcement is made to the AMEU Board of Directors in mid-November.
WHAT CRITERIA IS USED IN SELECTING AN AWARDEE?
Nominees will be considered based on criteria to be devised by each year’s cohort of Selection Committee members. In addition to commitment and dedication and impact, factors such as innovation, leadership, and traction may also be considered. In terms of the mechanics of selection, the committee may elect to use a system like rank choice voting, or acclamation, or veto.
WILL NOMINEES BE CONTACTED BY THE COMMITTEE?
Only the finalist and the Runner-Up will be contacted. (In the event a finalist is unable to receive the award in a given year, the award will revert to a Runner-Up.
WHEN/HOW WILL THE AWARD BE ANNOUNCED?
Each year’s Award will be announced at the Fall meeting of the AMEU Board and, a Board resolution will name the committee’s selection. The announcement will subsequently be made public via the website and on social media.
WHO IS THE SELECTION COMMITTEE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A Selection Committee is established by the AMEU Board President for the sole purpose of selecting each year’s awardee. The President shall serve as Chair, and the committee shall include a minimum of seven members, of which a majority shall be AMEU Board members. Not including the chair, all members shall serve either a two- or three-year term. AMEU’s Executive Director shall staff the committee. To ensure maximum independence, the committee deliberations will be kept private, and the Board will be informed once a decision has been reached.
QUESTIONS?
Questions or clarifications about the Award may be directed to AMEU’s Executive Director at
ameu@aol.com.