Community members in northeast Oklahoma are encouraged to vote online for their favorite nominations for the 2011 Regional Collaboration Awards, “Celebrating our Successes.”
To cast your vote, go to www.neokregion.org. Online voting will continue until Friday, October 7.
Five regional collaborations will be honored at the 2011 Northeast Oklahoma Summit to be held on Thursday, October 13 at Rogers State University, in Claremore.
The Emerging Collaboration Award will be given to a collaboration that was formed within the last three years. A mature collaboration whose impact can be measured will receive the Successful Collaboration Award. The Innovative Collaboration Award will be presented to a partnership not previously attempted in the northeastern region of Oklahoma. A business or organization that “gives back” or makes a significant contribution to its community, county or region will be given the Community Champion Award. The Crossing Borders Collaboration Award will be presented to a collaboration that encompasses two or more communities or partnerships working together to create a benefit to multiple communities.
Winners of the Emerging Collaboration, Successful Collaboration, Innovative Collaboration and Community Champion awards will receive $2,000 to help fund future projects. The Crossing Borders award winner will receive $5,000 to assist with project initiatives.
The Northeastern Oklahoma Regional Collaborative is made up of over 60 communities and organizations in northeastern Oklahoma that are dedicated to the growth, prosperity and vitality of northeastern Oklahoma and its communities. The collaborative promotes regionalism throughout the area it serves by leveraging resources that exist within the region and communicating the history and culture of northeastern Oklahoma.
The 2011 Northeast Oklahoma Summit will engage community leaders in implementing a regional plan aimed at improving the competitiveness and strengthening the long-term economic well-being of the region. Issues such as workforce development, education, infrastructure, and business expansion are a few of the areas to be addressed.