Top

2022 TAHRA Annual Awards - Accepting Nominations


Do you know someone who did great things in the HR world in 2022? Did you look up to another HR professional and consider them a model for other HR professionals?  Help us recognize and reward them with one of our annual awards! This year, we will be accepting nominations for four individual awards, the Richard J. Messer Excellence in Human Resources Management, New Professional, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the HR Department of ONE Awards. You may nominate colleagues or yourself (self-nominations are encouraged and expected) by filling out the nomination form (link below). Awards will be presented at our March program meeting.

Deadline to submit awards is February 15th.  

NOMINATION FORM

Richard J. Messer Excellence in Human Resources Management Award

This is the highest award that can be received in the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association. This special award is designed to recognize outstanding leadership and achievements in the field of human resources. The recipient is an individual who serves as a role model for others, sets the standard by which others are measured and unselfishly gives of themselves to the betterment of TAHRA, the human resources profession and the community. Any current member of TAHRA with at least 3 years of membership, with the exception of the Awards Committee participants, is eligible to be nominated. The award is named in Honor of Rick Messer who was one of the founding members of TAHRA who became a National Chairman of SHRM as well as the founding Chairman of HRCI.

Award Criteria

Award Criteria

  • Must be a current TAHRA Member with 3 years minimum of membership
  • At least 3 years in the HR field
  • Hold HR certification with SHRM or HRCI
  • Involvement in community or on TAHRA board or committee

Recipient Receives

  • $500 cash donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice
  • 1 year free TAHRA membership with prepaid program meetings
  • Special commemorative plaque
  • Recognition in the TAHRA newsletter and on our website  

Example reasons to nominate:
Contribution to the HR field through written articles, teaching, publications, etc or providing expertise/services to non-profit organizations or specific HR projects.
Significant contribution to nominees company related to strategic efforts, innovative approaches, or contributions going above and beyond typical duties.

New Professional Award

This special award is designed to recognize an outstanding new professional in our organization. Any TAHRA member with five years or less experience in the human resources field, with the exception of the Awards Committee participants, is eligible to be nominated.

Award Criteria

  • Must be a current TAHRA member
  • Less than 5 years in HR field
  • Hold HR certification with SHRM or HRCI

Recipient Receives

  • $250 cash donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice
  • 1 year free TAHRA membership and prepaid program meetings
  • Special commemorative plaque
  • Recognition in the TAHRA newsletter and on our website 

Example reasons to Nominate:
Demonstrating significant growth in the HR field of work such as researching new processes, increasing in knowledge, etc. 
Significant contribution to nominees company related to new ideas, new approaches to getting work done, or going above and beyond typical duties.

DEI Award 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes a chapter member or a company who actively promotes or advances DEI work in their organization or the community. Nominees will be evaluated based on the impact of their DEI work. Any TAHRA member, with the exception of the Awards Committee participants, is eligible to be nominated.

Award Criteria

  • Nominee or someone from the organization is a current TAHRA member
  • Holds training or some form of credentials in DEI work or the company offers training in DEI
  • Involvement in community or on TAHRA board or committee

Recipient Receives

  • $250 cash donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice
  • 1 year free TAHRA membership and prepaid program meetings
  • Special commemorative plaque
  • Recognition in the TAHRA newsletter and on our website 

Example reasons to Nominate:
Significant contribution to an organization’s DEI effort or significant contribution to the communities or volunteer organizations DEI efforts.

Department of ONE Award

The Department of ONE Award recognizes a chapter member who has demonstrated an outstanding effort in operating and managing as the sole HR Professional for their company. Nominees will be evaluated based on their resilience, persistence, determination, or the impact of their work. Any TAHRA member, with the exception of the Awards Committee participants, is eligible to be nominated. 

Award Criteria

  • Must be a current TAHRA member
  • Must be the only person in the HR Department for your company

Recipient Receives

  • $250 cash donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice
  • 1 year free TAHRA membership and prepaid program meetings
  • Special commemorative plaque
  • Recognition in the TAHRA Newsletter and on our website

Example reasons to Nominate:
Professional contributions to the successful operation of the HR Department where the nominee is the sole HR practitioner.