2022 Democracy Awards - Nomination Form for Innovation and Modernization

Innovation and Modernization Overview

This award focuses on how a congressional office uses creativity and an eye toward the future to better facilitate the Member’s roles as legislator, representative, and manager, or can encompass the work a Member does to improve the institution of Congress. This can be demonstrated either by example or by proposing innovations and modernization of the institution. This can include website improvements, social media, and interactive communications tools to enhance office productivity, institution-wide efficiency measures, and conscious efforts to bring Congress into the 21st century. We expect to see that an office demonstrates innovation and modernization through specific practices that are thoroughly integrated either into the individual office’s work or work on behalf of Congress overall.

For example:

Constituent feedback and interaction
Office efficiency measures
Workplace flexibility
Legislative research
Committee work
Member briefings/information-sharing
Staff management and communication
Member and staff mobility and effectiveness

PLEASE NOTE:
It may be necessary for CMF to learn more about your office’s policies and processes in order to evaluate your nomination fully and assess your practices against those of other nominees. We will do this by interviewing select staffers and reviewing certain documents. We understand the sensitive nature of this information and would keep it completely confidential.

By completing the following application for a Democracy Award, you are indicating that your office is prepared to be interviewed by CMF and submit requested documents as part of the review process. If you have any questions or issues in submitting your nomination, please contact CMF@CongressFoundation.org.