Washington State Governor Gary Locke offered special recognition for Nancy Domanico and the positive impact her leadership and efforts made with so many. He states: “Both the blind and their families have been affected forever by her tremendous efforts. All those she touched by her mission of outreach to the blind will remember her for her leadership and devotion to their cause.”

As a lasting tribute to Nancy Domanico and her dedication, the Lilac Services For The Blind is proud to introduce the annual Nancy Domanico Award For Distinguished Service To The Blind. The purpose of the award is to recognize the outstanding contributions of a volunteer serving the blind and partially sighted who resides and volunteers within the 15 counties of Washington and Idaho served by the Lilac Services For The Blind.

The Lilac Services For The Blind extends its deepest gratitude to volunteers who assist people with blindness and partial sight.

The Award

The year 2004 is the fourth year for this award. The Lilac Services For The Blind provides nomination forms. A person (nominator) can nominate a volunteer (nominee) who meets eligibility and nominating procedure requirements. The Nomination Selection Committee is responsible for evaluating nomination forms and selecting award recipients.

The Nomination Selection Committee is currently accepting nominations. The deadline to receive nominations is October 1, 2004, at 4:30 p.m.

The Nomination Selection Committee will choose the award recipient who will be guest of honor at a ceremony to be held at a luncheon on October 19, 2004. Other nominees will also be given recognition at the ceremony. The award is a beautiful plaque with the recipient's name engraved in his or her honor. The award recipient's name will also be permanently displayed at the Lilac Services For The Blind's new Hall of Honor.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the nominator can nominate a person who resides and volunteers within the 19 counties of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho served by the Lilac Services For The Blind. The eligible counties are as follows:

Eastern Washington: Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman.

Northern Idaho: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone.

The nominee must be a volunteer who is not paid or otherwise compensated for his or her time.

Nominees who are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses but do not receive any other compensation are eligible.

Members of the Lilac Services For The Blind Board of Directors are not eligible for this award.

Prior award nominees are eligible.

Nominating Procedures

1) Nomination forms are available in standard and large print, Braille and cassette from the Lilac Services For The Blind. Forms can be printed out in standard print from the agency’s web site at www.lilacblindfoundation.org in the section entitled Nancy Domanico Service Award. Nominators may contact the agency at (509) 328-9116, 1-800-422-7893 or e-mail info@lilacblindfoundation.org to request nomination forms. E-mail requests should include name, address, telephone number including area code and nomination form choice of standard print, large print, Braille or cassette.

2) The nomination form must be filled out completely and legibly (printed or typed).
Nominators requesting cassette will be provided additional nomination instructions.

3) Any incomplete or unsigned nomination form disqualifies the nomination.

4) Pertinent supplementary information such as letters, published articles, videotapes and pictures may be submitted along with the nomination form. Nomination forms and all supplementary information become the property of the Lilac Services For The Blind.

5) Please submit nomination forms and pertinent supplementary information to the Lilac Services For The Blind, Attention: Nomination Selection Committee, 1212 N. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201. Deadline to receive nominations is October 1, 2004, at 4:30 p.m.

6) The Nomination Selection Committee may request additional information from nominees or nominators.

7) The Nomination Selection Committee may nominate more than one volunteer.

8) The decision of the Nomination Selection Committee is final.

Selection Criteria

Nominations will be evaluated based on the specific criteria as follows:

1) Nominee met eligibility and nominating procedure requirements.
2) Nominee provided a needed service for people with blindness/partial sight.
3) Amount of time devoted to the volunteer service.
4) How active the nominee was in providing the volunteer service.
5) The level of positive impact and change the volunteer service produced.
6) Other related activities the nominee initiated or participated in.

Click here for the Submission Form.