John Cook Award Nomination Process

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO THE JOHN COOK AWARD

What is the John Cook Award? The John Cook Award honors a VCA Counselor “for long and meritorious service to VCA and the Counseling profession.” The Award’s first recipient was John Cook, who was one of the five Founders of the VCA Foundation. Dr. Cook played a pivotal role in creating the VCA Foundation, providing financial support, and perpetuating its vision and purpose. Dr. Cook was a nationally recognized, untiring advocate of the counseling profession. More about John Cook and the VCAF Founders.

Who can nominate for the Award? Historically, an elected member of the VCA Foundation Board has nominated someone for the Award, and the full VCA Foundation Board chooses the recipient.

Beginning in 2021, the opportunity to nominate has been extended to the Leaders of the VCA Board of Directors – elected officers of VCA, its Chapters and its Divisions. Nominees should receive the endorsement of the group making the nominations.

PART II: WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUESTED ON THE JOHN COOK AWARD NOMINATION FORM ?

• Contact information for the Nominee. (Name, mailing address, email, preferred phone, preferred email)
• Contact information for the Nominator.
• A supporting letter of recommendation for the Nominee, signed by the the President of the nominating organization.
• A personal resume of the Nominee, showing work experience, professional roles and activities, awards, and other related involvement, which highlights the Nominee’s qualifications for the Award.
• All of the above will be submitted via an electronic form, linked below.

PART III: SELECTION PROCEDURE

1. The John Cook Award Selection Committee Chair, will gather the supporting documents submitted for each Nominee and submit them to the VCA Foundation John Cook Award Committee.

2. The VCAF John Cook Award Committee will consist of three or
more previous recipients of the Award and shall devise a
procedure for reviewing and evaluating the information for each
candidate.

3. The Award Committee will make a recommendation to the VCAF
Board for the most deserving nominee, or prioritize all the
presented nominations, if the Award Committee deems all
nominees qualified for the Award.

4. The VCAF Board will choose the recipient of the Award from the
Nominees presented by the Committee, by secret ballot, either in
person or by electronic polling.

5. The President of the VCAF will notify the recipient of the Award.

6. The VCAF will notify all Nominees of the results of the selection
process.

7. The Award will be formally presented at the VCA Convention
Awards Program.

8. Nominations must be submitted by September 9th, 2024,
via the online Google form linked below.

More information about John Cook and this Award available at
https://vcafoundation.org/john-cook_award/

QUESTIONS? Contact Linda Grubba, Chair, John Cook Award
Nomination Committee: (vcalindagrubba@gmail.com)

• Complete the necessary information on the Form.
• Copy and paste, or attach:
  1. A Letter of Recommendation for the Nominee,
  2. A Resume of the Nominee.
• Submit all information required to the Chair of the John Cook Award Committee, Linda Grubba (vcalindagrubba@gmail.com), no later than September 9, 2024.