Nutmeg Children's Book Award - About

The name of this award shall be the Nutmeg Book Award. The name of the sponsoring and administering group shall be called the Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee.

The Nutmeg Book Award shall promote and encourage Connecticut children in grades 4 - 8 to read fiction books of literary quality which appeal to a wide variety of reading interests.

-increase community support and involvement in developing children's interest in reading

The purpose of the Steering Committee shall be to sponsor and administer the Nutmeg Book Award.

The sponsoring organizations for the Nutmeg Book Award are the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Educational Media Association (CEMA).

The Steering Committee shall exercise general supervision and control over the property and affairs of the Nutmeg Book Award, and shall supervise the execution of approved actions and policies within the powers delegated by the bylaws.

The Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee shall consist of representatives of its sponsoring, professional organizations concerned with promoting good quality fiction that appeals to a wide variety of reading interests.

The Steering Committee shall be empowered to hold meetings on the call of the Chairperson as it deems necessary and at times and places as the Chairperson may determine. The Chairperson shall arrange a meeting of the Board on the request of a majority of the members. The Chairperson is authorized to poll the Board by mail, telephone, facsimile or e-mail concerning important decisions that must be made between meetings. All such decisions and/or actions shall be recorded by the Chairperson and presented at the next official meeting to be inserted in the official record.

- Members of all NBA committees shall be Connecticut residents and shall serve voluntarily and without pay.

The Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee shall consist of 2 Co-Chairpersons, 2 Co-Chairpersons-elect (also serve as Chair of Book Selection Committees), Treasurer, Past Chairpersons, Historian, and heads of the following committees: Publications, and Public Relations/Publicity, CLA Representative, CEMA Representative, Webmaster, Recording Secretary. Attendance at a majority of the Steering Committee meetings is required.

The Co-Chairpersons shall be appointed for a one year term and serve one year as Past Chairs. The Co-Chairs-elect will serve one year as Chairs-elect and one year as Chairpersons to provide two years of leadership for the Steering Committee. The Co-Chairpersons appoint the Co-Chairs-elect as well as all other Steering Committee members. Each committee chair shall appoint the members of his/her committee. An attempt shall be made to balance the committee memberships between the school library media and the public library communities.

act as the executive officers of the Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee.
preside at all meetings of the Steering Committee
exercise general leadership and supervision of the affairs of the Steering Committee.
contact organizations and publishers regarding sponsorship, grants, or gifts to the Nutmeg Book Award.
appoint a Secretary at each meeting
tally votes (oversee vote counting)
notify winning authors and publishers
write report after award ceremony to CLA and CEMA
oversee design and distribution of promotion packet
update information for web page
give annual report in person to CLA and CEMA boards in September or October
investigate and secure all necessary funding
make arrangements for NBA representation at conferences and events such as CLA and CEMA

execute the duties essential to the maintenance of accurate records
have custody of the funds of the Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee which shall be deposited in the name of Nutmeg Book Award
collect other monies due the Steering Committee
sign reimbursement forms authorizing disbursement of funds in accordance with the approval of the Chairpersons
prepare financial statements for members of the Steering Committee and for use in all required financial documents
assume other duties assigned by the Chairperson
turn over to his/her successor any funds, accounts, and books of the Treasurer within thirty (30) days of retirement from office
submit annual report to Steering Committee on June 30

Each committee chair should be responsible for collecting historical/archival material and preparing a final written report to pass on to the next committee chair by December 31st.

consist of at least five (5) members
nominate books based on selection criteria (Article VI, Section D)
check availability of titles under consideration
notify publishers of books nominated for voting
establish deadlines and voting procedures for the selection of the final 10 books
can serve up to two consecutive years on either committee unless they will serve as Chair for their third year

produce ongoing NBA press releases for online and print publications
produce press releases about winning author and publisher
maintain relations with sponsoring organizations by contacting publications' committee persons

design with Steering Committee all promotional materials (including, but not limited to bookmarks and ballots)
organize printing of promotional materials
process orders, assemble publicity materials and mail to participating organizations
develop and distribute packets for participating schools and libraries

The timeline for the Nutmeg Book Award covers a time period of two years, however, the award will be given annually.

appointment of Co-Chairs-elect
selections to be made by Book Selection Committees February through September with final selections by November 1st.
NBA news, reminders and displays at fall CEMA conference (October) and spring CLA conference (April)
voting to take place throughout January
votes tallied in February and winners' publishers notified
winner(s) announced in February through online and print publications as well as promotional materials
promotional information distributed to schools and libraries in March
publicize award at annual CLA conference (April)

The Co-Chairpersons shall seek financial assistance in the form of sponsorships, grants or gifts. In the event of the dissolution of the Nutmeg Book Award Steering Committee, any assets remaining after the payment of debts or provisions therefore will be donated to a literary-related charity of the Steering Committee's choice.

The Nutmeg Book Award Committee shall raise money through donations from sponsoring organizations, book publishers, book distributors, sale of promotional materials, book donations, raffles, and/or individuals.

The book be copyrighted in the United States within the last five (5) years preceding the nomination year. All authors will be considered, especially those of the Northeast region. The book must be in print in paperback and hardcover (for 2008 nominees and thereafter only in paperback).
Nominations of ten (10) fiction titles appropriate for grades 4 - 6 and (10) fiction titles appropriate for grades 7-8 will be made. There may be (1) title the same on both lists, but no more.

To be nominated, a book must have:

a. a well-constructed plot and defined story structure

b. strong characterization

c. striking language

d. vivid setting

e. appeal for readers in grades 4-6; 7-8 respectively

Children can vote for the winning titles in either their public or private school library media center or at their public library during the month of January.
It is recommended that participating organizations designate an individual to coordinate the process at each site.
Ballot and tally sheets are available from the promotional material packet, and the Nutmeg web site
Final tally sheets due the end of January

The Co-Chairpersons of the Steering Committee shall contact the Award-winning author(s) and their publisher(s)
The winners shall be announced in a press release from the Public Relations Committee.

Amendments to the by laws shall be proposed in writing to each member of the Steering Committee at least two weeks prior to a scheduled meeting. Following the discussion at the scheduled meeting, approval for the amendment(s) will be by majority vote.

Nutmeg Bylaws