PBS member station WTCI-TV honors local individuals and organizations dedicated to helping the community and all its citizens to reach their best potential with the 2012 WTCI Be More Awards. The awards, which are nationally recognized among PBS stations, recognize excellence in the local nonprofit community, bringing much deserved accolades to those who share WTCI’s commitment to offer everyone opportunities to “Be More.”

The Be More Awards celebration and luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Awards will be offered in nine categories, each honoring a different aspect of making a positive difference in the lives of people within the WTCI viewing area. Tickets are available at www.BeMoreAwards.com.

Finalists by Category
(Listed alphabetically)

Be More…Artistic
Arts & Culture Award
Chattanooga Kids on the Block
Friends of the Festival
Orange Grove Center, Inc.

Be More…COLLABORATIVE
Partnership Award
Creative Discovery Museum
Volunteers in Medicine
YMCA

Be More…ENTERTAINING
Special Events Award
Ballet Tennessee
Memorial Health Care System
Ronald McDonald House Charities

Be More…INNOVATIVE
Innovation Award
Ballet Tennessee
Chattanooga Kids on the Block
Tri State Therapeutic Riding Center

Be More…IMPACTFUL
Local Service Award
Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County
Creative Discovery Museum
Greater Chattanooga Area American Red Cross

Be More…KNOWLEDGEABLE
Educational Outreach Award
Chattanooga Kids on the Block
Medical Foundation of Chattanooga
Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies

The Be More…Courageous (Individual Leadership) Award includes 16 people nominated for the award. The winner will be announced at the ceremony. Nominees are Ann Ball, Hayley Bates, Monique Berke, Ricky Brown, Rebecca Cannon, Jay Craven, Ellen Heavilon, Ruth Holmberg, Peggie Kilpatrick, Stacy Lightfoot, Mike Pollock, Walter Puckett, MD, Lorie Street Runge, Shannon Shaver, Jordan Thomas and Sue Anne Wells.

The Be More Encouraged (Judges’ Choice) Award and Be More Engaging (People’s Choice) Award do not have finalists. The winner will be announced at the event.

Category descriptions:

Be More … COLLABORATIVE
Partnership Award: Strong partnerships are critical to nonprofit organizations and help all those involved leverage resources and broaden their community impact in unique ways. This award recognizes an organization that has extended its reach into the community by developing meaningful partnerships. An example would be an organization that collaborates with other organizations to recruit and diversify its volunteer base.

Be More … INNOVATIVE
Innovation Award: innovation and creativity set many nonprofits apart. This award recognizes an organization that displays the most imaginative and creative use of original ideas to achieve its mission. Examples include resourcefulness (i.e. limited budget) in creating a new project, program, or event, or developing a unique and inventive method to bring a particular initiative to fruition.

Be More … IMPACTFUL
Local Service Award: This award recognizes an organization that has responded to a community need and is making a significant difference in the community as measured by specific outcomes and by participation in its programs. An example would be an organization that demonstrates qualitative and quantitative outcomes.

Be More…KNOWLEDGEABLE
Educational Outreach Award: Many nonprofit organizations provide a variety of educational and enrichment services to the community. This award recognizes an organization that strives to educate the community through guidance, knowledge and/or a mentorship program. Examples include a program/project aimed at improving specific aspects of community life and introducing and/or conducting community enrichment programs.

Be More … ENTERTAINING
Special Events Award: Special events can achieve a multitude of goals and the organization that demonstrates the most successful special event based on measurable objectives – will take home this honor. This could be related to a series of events, or one particularly original special event or fundraiser to recognize, salute, assist, celebrate people or businesses, brand your organization and/or build/strengthen relationships with supporters.

Be More … ARTISTIC
Arts and Culture Award: Culturally-based organizations contribute to the spirit of adventure and exploration through education in the arts and bring rich and engaging experiences to audiences who might not otherwise have opportunities to witness or be an active participant. This award will recognize outstanding achievement specifically for arts, culture and performance based programs.

Be More … DEVOTED
Individual Leadership Award: Many nonprofit organizations have been profoundly and positively impacted by volunteer leaders who selflessly serve with above and beyond devotion. This award recognizes an individual who is a giving, visionary leader, often taking risks to make a difference in the community. Examples include someone who has founded a nonprofit, advocated tirelessly for societal change or led an organization through difficult times.

Be More … ENCOURAGED
Judges’ Choice Award: The Judges’ Choice Award is given to an organization demonstrating an overall appeal due to its original and extraordinary approach to its respective endeavor and/or providing an independent voice for those less heard. Not necessarily driven by an organization’s measurable results, this award is decided entirely by the WTCI Be More Award™ judges based on majority vote and consensus.

Be More … ENGAGING
People’s Choice Award: PBS and WTCI are a service by the public, for the public. That is why this prestigious award recognizes the local organization that is most connected to the community and the people it serves.

Winners will be announced at the 2012 WTCI Be More Awards ceremony at the Chattanooga Convention Center on March 6. Featuring a keynote address by Rebecca Eaton, executive producer for the PBS series Masterpiece and recently named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2011, the luncheon will be a celebration of the best in the Chattanooga area’s nonprofit community. Local business leaders and nonprofit professionals will come together with WTCI viewers to recognize the winners.

Sponsors for the 2012 WTCI Be More Awards include Blood Assurance, Diversified Companies LLC, First Tennessee Foundation, Hamico Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Tennessee, First Volunteer and Johnson Hickey & Murchison CPA.