What are the Open Sky Awards?
At Open Sky, we know the importance of recognition, for our staff and the individuals we serve. Started in 2023, the Open Sky Awards is an opportunity for any staff member or individual served to nominate others who deserve to be recognized at the annual awards reception. Any staff member who is in good standing (no warnings in the past 6 months) and any individual served are eligible.
The awards are just one way we promote recognition, and messages of recognition and appreciation can be shared year-round through Feel Good Friday and the recognition program.
Categories
Barry Walsh Award for Clinical Excellence – This award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates clinical excellence. They are committed to using evidence-based practices, and the principles of trauma informed care in their work. They care for those around them and continue to seek out new skills and opportunities that will benefit the individuals they serve.
Dennis Rice Award for Community Membership – This award recognizes a staff member who embodies Open Sky’s value of Community Membership. Maybe this person is connected with an external group to develop a new community partnership, or advocated for an opportunity for individuals we serve to get involved in the community. Whatever their achievements, they fully understand and embrace the value of community inclusion and ensure our individuals have meaningful roles in their community.
Erica Robert Award for Humanity – This award recognizes a staff member who shares many of the same values Erica embodied every day. The recipient will be authentic, optimistic, empathetic, and kind. They will be committed to their work, a mentor to others and demonstrate tenacity. Simply put, they will demonstrate compassion in action.
Program of the Year – This award is given to one program that has truly gone above and beyond in the past year. They demonstrate Open Sky’s values, work well as a team, follow best practices, and support the individuals they serve in every way they can.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Award – This award recognizes a staff member, team, or individual served by Open Sky programs who is dedicated to supporting and promoting DEIB efforts within Open Sky and in the greater community. This award seeks to recognize someone who promotes these values on a daily basis and goes out of their way to ensure that Open Sky is an equitable place for all.
Rookie of the Year – This award is for a staff member who began working at Open Sky on or after July 1, 2025. This is a newer employee who demonstrates a commitment to agency values, cares about their work, and displays initiative to go above and beyond to do a great job. They attend all required trainings and have strong relationships with individuals served and staff.
Collaboration Award – This award is for a team whose dedication to a shared vision of excellence has consistently enabled the team members to collaborate productively and positively. This can be awarded to a program, committee, workgroup, or other group that has demonstrated their ability to work together to make positive change. This group demonstrates mutual respect, open communication, and a joint vision to accomplish the tasks or challenges at hand.
Achievement Award – This award is for staff members or individuals served who over the past year has excelled in many aspects. For individuals served this may include achievements at home, at work, or in the community. For the staff person, they have consistently excelled at their job over the past year, are a role model for coworkers and those they serve, and go out of their way to do things that will benefit the individuals they serve and everyone around them. Multiple Achievement Awards are presented each year.
Leadership Award – This award is for anyone who has demonstrated leadership abilities, regardless of being in a leadership role. This can be for an individual served or a staff member. This person motivates and inspires others, is dedicated to Open Sky’s mission, takes initiative to lead projects or help others, and is respected by all around them. If something needs to be done, this person is “the rock” that everyone looks to.
Community Partner Award – This award is presented to an external association, business, employer, nonprofit organization, or individual person who has provided meaningful opportunities and support to the individuals served by Open Sky. They embrace our value of community inclusion and show commitment to building a better future for all. This could be an employee of a partner organization, or a neighbor or volunteer who has made an impact.
President’s Award – This award is selected by Ken Bates and presented to someone who embodies the values of the agency, and makes a difference every day.
Biggest Cheerleader Award – This winner is picked from the pool of nominators to celebrate those who lift others up. Nominations are not submitted for this award, but instead the winner will be selected by evaluators to recognize a nominator who demonstrates their support of others through quantity and/or quality of nominations submitted.
