The Word Awards Survey 1.0- The Word Award Survey THE 2021 WORD AWARDS We are thankful for the incredible writers who’ve been recognized at The Word Awards over the years, and grateful for everyone who has pitched in to plan and run these events. However, The Word Awards have needed to be subsidized (by a donor) for the last number of years. The Board has been going ahead with them to this point because we know how important they are to the writing community. We've never been able to get enough individual awards sponsors to cover the entire cost of running the awards. There has been far too much work in administering the awards to expect a volunteer to handle it, so we have been paying for awards administration above and beyond the revenue that the awards bring in. (Over the last number of years, the amount that needed to be subsidized averaged over $5000.00 per year) It has become clear that changes will need to be made to the awards to simplify them, ease the administrative load, and otherwise cut costs or increase revenue. First, please give us your thoughts on possible ways to cut costs for The Word Awards. Cost saving options for The Word AwardsStrongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeThe Word Awards celebration should be streamed onlineThe Word Awards banquet could be discontinuedThe cash prizes ($100 for Books; $50 for articles) for category winners could be discontinuedThe cash prizes ($100 for Books; $50 for articles) for category winners could be reducedThe engraved glass plaques (cost ~$50.00 each) for category winners could be discontinuedThe engraved glass plaques (cost ~$50.00 each) for category winners could be made available for purchase if winner desiredOnly accept electronic entries (i.e. PDFs of books) to cut handling and mailing costsThe number of categories for awards could be reducedVolunteers should be used for portions of The Word Awards tasksComments or additional ideas for reducing costs---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Several ideas have been identified as possible ways to raise revenue for The Word Awards. Please give us your feedback on these possible changes to The Word Awards: Revenue increasing options for The Word Awards: Which of these options are feasible?Strongly disagreeDisagreeNeutralAgreeStrongly agreeRaising entry fees for The Word AwardsFinding more individual sponsors for The Word AwardsFinding a major sponsor to underwrite The Word AwardsSolicit donations for The Word AwardsComments or additional ideas for raising revenue.Areas where you might be able to help Pray for The Word Awards Join The Word Awards team The Word Awards team will work with members of the board to provide guidance to help the Word Awards navigate the specific financial and logistical challenges we will face this year and beyond. The goal would be to assess the needs, to troubleshoot issues, and develop the solutions needed to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of The Word Awards. Members of The Word Awards team will work with the Awards Administrator to plan the next cycle of awards (using the detailed outline left in place by our previous Award Administrator. This will include confirming dates and deadlines, etc. finding volunteers for parts of the process (e.g. handling Sticker orders) and ensuring that tasks are assigned. Volunteer to work specific (finite) jobs to reduce the load of the Awards administrator. Apply to be Awards administrator (a paid position) Sponsor an award Donate to cover costs. Please check as many areas as you would like. I will pray for the The Word Awards program I'd like to learn more about The Word Awards team I'd like to learn more about volunteer roles I might be interested in the Administrator role. I'd like to learn more. I could sponsor an award I'd like to donate to The Word Awards https://thewordguild.com/donate/donate-now/Comments or questions:Name First Last Email Δ
