Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards

Why it matters

Every day throughout Arizona, non-elected public servants are contributing to their communities and civic life, working collectively to shape the future of our state. To recognize actions that are creating a better future for all Arizonans, the Center for the Future of Arizona presents the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Award.

How it works

Awarded in three categories – Community Builder, Emerging Leader, and Civic Leader – honorees exemplify the impact that dedicated and talented people have connecting communities and engaging citizens, just as Gabe Zimmerman did in his role as Director of Community Outreach for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

With the support of his family, the award is named in honor of Gabe, who lost his life on January 8, 2011 while serving the citizens of Arizona at a “Congress on your Corner” constituent outreach event. Honorees are recognized by the Center at the annual Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA) luncheon and presented in partnership with ACMA, League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and the County Supervisors Association of Arizona.

Eligibility

Any Arizona-based non-elected public servant who is employed by any of the following may be nominated for one of the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards:

• Cities and Towns
• Counties
• Special Districts
• Agencies of the Executive and Legislative Branches of State Government
• Tribal Governments
• Personal Staff employed by Members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation

As there are other recognition programs for education and public safety employees, this program will focus on all other categories of public service in Arizona at the levels of government listed above.

Award Criteria

The selection committee judges each category according to the following criteria:

Community Builder (Large City/Town)

• Leads substantive and ongoing programs that advance community pride through such areas as job creation and training, healthy communities, environmental and historical preservation, volunteer and philanthropic efforts and/ or educational advancement
• Demonstrates a strategic and sustained commitment to public service excellence.
• Demonstrates innovate thinking and a willingness to take risks to achieve results.
• Clarity and specificity of application.

Community Builder (Small City/Town)

• Leads substantive and ongoing programs that advance community pride through such areas as job creation and training, healthy communities, environmental and historical preservation, volunteer and philanthropic efforts and/ or educational advancement
• Demonstrates a strategic and sustained commitment to public service excellence.
• Demonstrates innovate thinking and a willingness to take risks to achieve results.
• Clarity and specificity of application.

Emerging Leader

• Potential to impact Arizona in terms of developing new capacities or being a thought leader in the future
• Takes initiative to enhance the community by improving overall civic health or community connection.
• Constituent-centric attitude illustrated through energy, compassion, and modeling behavior for others.
• Clarity and specificity of application.

Civic Leader

• Made a profound difference in improving Arizona to be a better place for future generations
• Contributed solutions to high-impact issue/s facing Arizona
• Consistent demonstration of knowledge, skills and commitment to addressing Arizona’s long-term issues
• Developed and implemented innovative programs or processes that positively impact the community in which he/she serves.
• Clarity and specificity of application.

Award Partners

With support from the Zimmerman family, the Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Awards are supported by the Center for the Future of Arizona and the following organizations: