Nominations Now Open for 2008 GRAND Pioneer Awards

The GRAND Pioneer Award recognizes the industry's best practices for grassroots and political involvement, and nominations are being accepted now for grassroots activities over the past year. The deadline for nominations is March 31, and there is no fee to enter.

"It is important to take the opportunity to recognize IDFA member companies who have been engaged in grassroots outreach on behalf of the industry, a critical part of our legislative success," said IDFA Senior Vice President Jerry Slominski.

Examples of grassroots involvement include:

• Hosting a plant tour for local/state/federal legislators or policymakers
• Responding to IDFA action alerts on priority dairy policy issues
• Contacting (phone, email, letter, fax) legislators on a priority dairy policy issue
• Conducting a face-to-face meeting with state/federal legislators/policymakers to discuss dairy policy issues important to the company
• Attending the IDFA Washington Conference in June
• Hosting/attending a political fund-raiser or "meet and greet" for congressional representatives
• Disseminating IDFA News Update stories, issue papers, action alerts or website information to company executives and employees

Companies that have accomplished any of the political involvement activities listed above are encouraged to complete a Grassroots Activity Update Form (.pdf), which serves as the nomination form. For information about the award criteria, click here. (.pdf).

The 2008 honors will be awarded during the spring boards of directors meetings in April. Submissions should include activity from March 2007 through March 2008 and must be received by March 31, 2008.

For more information on GRAND and the GRAND Pioneer Award, click here or contact Ashley Ruch, IDFA manager of political programs, at aruch@idfa.org or 202-220-3534.

Posted March 3, 2008