Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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1. All-America City Awards - General
2. Application Process
3. AAC Events
4. Finalists
5. Jury Presentations
6. Marketing and Media

All-America City Awards - General

Q) What is the National Civic League's definition of a community in regards to AAC?
AAC) A community can be a city, town, neighborhood, county or region.

Q) Are there a set number of awards given for each designation (city, neighborhood, region, etc.)?
AAC) No. The All-America City Award honors communities of all sizes (cities, towns, neighborhoods, counties and regions) in which citizens, government, businesses, and voluntary organizations work together to address their local challenges.

Q) Why is the award called the "All-America City Award?" Why not All-American?
AAC) The All-America City Award program originated when a reporter from the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jean James) asked the National Municipal League (now known as the National Civic League) leaders, "if we know enough about high school football players that we can pick an All-America team each year, why can't we do the same for cities?" The Star Tribune at that time was published by Cowles publishing, who also published Look magazine. Look incidentally picked the All-America football team. NML leaders decided it was a good idea - and modeled the original Award after the All-America football program, even going so far as to call the winners a "team" and picking 11 winners.

A serendipitous feature of calling the award All-America and not All-American, that was explicitly recognized by the originators of the award (and continues to this date), is that AAC does not recognize the most patriotic, or most cosmetically "American" cities (you know, everyone has a flag on display, our gardens all have red, white, and blue flowers) but honors substance: citizen involvement leading to community improvement.

The Award's founders felt that citizens working together represented what America stood for much more that merely planting a victory garden. As Charles Edison, the NML president at the time AAC was initiated, stated, "If we don't make democracy work where neighbors share concrete problems and can talk about them over their own back fences, we're certainly not going to keep it alive in Washington or make it work on a world scale. Only as a responsible member of a local community which handles its own problems creditably can the individual learn the lessons and develop the civic competence needed to make him a safe member of the larger world community."

Application Process

Q) What kind of projects can we submit?
AAC) The three recent community driven projects should be ones that have significantly improved the community in the last three years addressing the community's challenges and one addressing a critical issue facing children and youth. A project may be older than three years, but it must show tangible results in the last three years. They can either be proactive or responsive efforts to improve the community.

Q) Can we submit photos to NCL as an applicant?
AAC) No, we do not accept photos, videotapes, or any other supplemental materials with the application.

Q) Any suggestions about writing the application?
AAC) We recommend that you have several people unfamiliar with the projects read the entire completed application to see whether or not they understand the projects and community's story.

Q) Is there a fee to apply for becoming an All-America City?
AAC) There is an application fee based on the population of the community. The fee includes 5 free registrations to the All-America City Awards, a one year membership with the National Civic League (or extension of current membership by one year), and several other benefits listed in the instructions for the application. The fee is due when the application is submitted

Q) Who are the application judges?
AAC) The Screening Committee who selects the 30 finalists from the applicants and the Jury who selects the 10 winners from the finalists are national leaders from the business and non-profit sectors and government officials, representing national, state, regional, and local organizations with an interest in citizen action. Please note that the National Civic League staff will not select the finalists and/or winners.

2005 All-America City Events

Q) We are wondering what our delegation will do during the "down time" over the 3 days. Do the communities generally plan activities / an itinerary / arrange lunches, etc. for their delegates?
AAC) Yes, there will be tours offered, as well as opportunities to watch the other communities jury presentations. Additionally, there are workshops being offered by the local Host Team and alumni. Please visit the website at www.ncl.org for more information.

Q) How many attendees other than delegates typically attend?
AAC) Last year, 2400 people attended AAC.

Q) Are there other attendees besides the delegations from the competing communities?
AAC) Yes, there are communities who are thinking of applying, past AAC winners, NCL members, as well as people interested in civic action who attend AAC.

Q) How do I find more information on Atlanta?
AAC) Please visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Atlanta, GA at www.atlanta.net.

2005 Finalists

Q) Information indicated that there would be visitors to the community to verify the accuracy of the application. Will we be notified?
Telephone verification calls will be made to the 3 projects' contacts for each finalist community.

Q) Is there any special insurance we need to cover the travel of our delegation? Any forms of liability we may need to cover?
A past winner said they signed up their community delegates as City volunteers so that they would be covered under the City's insurance.

Q) Is our community competing against the other 29 finalists, or are there divisions?
Each community is competing against itself. The jury looks at how each community is responding to their challenges and if their projects are addressing those challenges collaboratively.

Q) We just want to be sure, is the "presentation" the only part of the fair that is judged? Do the jurors judge anything from the booths?
The presentation and application are the only things the jury judges-the Civic Action Fair booth is optional and will not be judged.

Q) Will the judges be familiar with the applications?
Yes, the judges will receive all finalists' applications.

Q) How do you determine the make-up of your delegation?
We suggest that people who have benefited from the programs, community officers, general cross-section of you community should be represented.

Q) How many people attend from each finalist community?
10-200+ delegates have attended the event from any given community. Most delegates say that the event is something not to be missed and have appreciated being part of it.

Q) If we have youth attend, do we need to pay a registration fee for parents?
If children are involved in the presentation and their parents attend AAC, then yes, parents do need to pay a registration fee.

Q) Are hometown supporters in the audience considered delegates?
Yes, anyone attending from a finalist community is considered a delegate and thus, need to register w/ NCL.

Q) We are planning to bring our delegation on buses. Will there be accommodations to park our buses for the duration of the conference?
Please contact the Mariott Marquis in regards to parking busses.

Q) What are the dimensions of the Civic Action Fair booth?
10' x 10'

Q) Are there electrical hook-ups for the displays during the Civic Action Fair?
Yes, there will be electrical hook-ups available for the Civic Action Fair. More details about the fair will be sent to the primary contact shortly. Also, please note that there may be some extra costs to the community for various electrical equipment.

Q) Would a gas grill and/or electric skillet be allowed in the exhibit booth?
Only pre-packaged food and drinks will be allowed in the Crown Center Exhibit Hall. No cooking will be allowed b/c of the fire codes.

Q) Will there be electrical outlets on the presentation stage and civic fair booth?
Not on the presentation stage. For the Civic Action Fair, Communities will need to order electrical equipment through Viper Trade Show Service though there may be a cost to the communities. Materials will be sent to the primary contacts shortly.

Q) What kind quantity of giveaways should we plan for the civic fair?
We are estimating 2400 attendees for this year's event.

Q) We understand that we can't use video presentations during the on stage presentation, but can we use video presentations in the booths?
Video presentations in the Civic Action Fair booth, may be allowed dependent upon the equipment rented. There may be an additional cost. Those packets will be sent to the primary contact shortly.

2005 Jury Presentations

Q) What type of presentation will be allowed?
Each finalist community will be given 10 minutes to make a presentation before the AAC Jury explaining why it should be named an All-America City. The presentations may follow any format. The Jury will then take 10 minutes to question the presenters. If there is music or dance "entertainment," then that will be considered part of the 10 minute presentation.

Q) Should our presentation focus on our three projects or on the community as a whole?
The presentation should focus on both topics - the three projects and the community as a whole

Q) Who is the presentation addressed to and is there a time limit?
The presentation will be addressed to the 10-member jury panel.

Q) Can we give the jury members brochures or any other extra materials before our presentation?
No, you may not hand out extra materials to the jury before, during or after your presentation.

Q): Can you use story boards?
As long as the story boards are not electronic, story boards are welcome.

Q) How does the delegation arrive to the stage?
To be fair to all communities competing, we are now going to allow singing, chanting, clapping, etc, while walking up the aisle to the stage and while assembling on stage as part of the 5-minute changeover. The 10-minutes will begin when the Jury Foreman asks the community, "are you ready to begin?"

Q) In the past, communities have used video backgrounds for their presentations. Will this not be allowed this year?
We want to get back to the real stories within the communities - not having the presentation focused solely on the flash and glitter of technology. This year, video presentations will not be allowed.

Q) How far are we from the jurors?
The jury will be on the stage with the presenting delegation during the presentation.

Q) Are there age restrictions for presentations to the jurors?
No, there are not age restrictions for the jury presentation.

Q) If we want people to answer questions do they need to be part of the presentation and do they have to be onstage?
Yes, if people are going to be answering questions to the jury, then they need to be on-stage.

Q) Do all people attending need to be on-stage?
No, people from the finalists communities do not have to be on stage. But, they have to register.

Q) Can visual images on posters be used during the presentation?
Yes, visual images on posters can be used, just not electrical equipment.

Q) We understand that we can't use video presentations during the on stage presentation, but can we use video presentations in the booths?
Video presentations in the civic action fair booth, may be allowed dependent upon the equipment rented. There may be an additional cost. Those packets will be sent to the primary contact shortly.

Q) Besides story boards, what other ways have previous winners communicated their stories?
Other communities have used skits, choirs and various other creative elements to portray their stories. And still others have used just straight forward oral presentations as well and have done extremely well.

Q) Is there a backstage area where presenters and props can wait to enter the stage?
No, presenters will be waiting outside the ballroom.

Q) We know the dimensions but if the jury is on the stage how much room do they take?
There are 10 jury members sitting at 2 6' tables.

Q) We just want to be sure, is the "presentation" the only part of the fair that is judged? Do the jurors judge anything from the booths?
The presentation and application are the only things the jury judges-the Civic Action Fair booth is optional and will not be judged.

Q) Can we control the lighting during the presentation?
No, lighting cannot be changed during the presentations.

Q) We understand the dimensions of the stage, but do any of the staff or alums have a recommendation for the maximum number to be on stage for the presentation?
For your delegation size - the more the merrier. Delegates can also stand in the background to be a part of the presentation.

Q) Some of our delegates will be part of the presentation team to answer questions, but will not necessarily be part of the presentation. Is this permissible?
If delegates are speaking to the jury at all (to answer questions, present, etc) they must be on stage during the presentation.

Q) During the Q&A portion, do you recommend stepping to the mikes to answer the question?
Yes, we recommend stepping to the mikes so that all jury members will be able to hear your answer.

Q) Do most communities rent a meeting room in which to practice or gather?
Rehearsals are scheduled Thursday and Friday. All communities will have equal time to practice before their jury presentations. The lighting and equipment available will be the same for everyone's rehearsals and presentations.
Alum) the rehearsal on stage is good for knowing how to get on and off the stage (and where to stand) but the best rehearsal time is spend where ever you can find space (corner of the lobby, hallways, etc)

Q) Does the number of delegates influence the jury?
No, the number of delegates does not influence the jury. They are only interested in the communities' story - the challenges the community is facing and if those challenges are being met by collaborative efforts across all sectors.

Q) When was it decided not to allow the use of electronic devices, and was that ban made known in the original application?
The decision not to allow video presentations was made last fall in 2001 and has been publicized in the on-line briefings and other general contacts. Information regarding the presentations is not made in the application.

Q) I heard that it is preferable that your mayor does not take part in the presentation. Is this true?
The presentations should represent the three different sectors (government, business and non-profit) and citizens working together. As such, it is okay if the Mayor (or highest elected official) participates during the presentation. On the other hand, if a project succeeds b/c of cross-sector collaboration within a community, then the presentation should illustrate that instead of having one person/organization take all the credit.

Q) Can we see another community's presentation script?
The City of Santa Clara, California's presentation script is online at http://cho.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/allamericacity.html

Marketing and Media

Q) Which NCL staff and jury members participate in interviews?
Please contact Aleks Humeyumptewa, 303-571-4343, ext. 218, aleksh@ncl.org, to schedule an interview with the appropriate NCL or jury representative.

Q) The marketing manual indicates that NCL will provide publicity placements for finalists. In which media will NCL placements be made?
NCL is currently working with various national press contacts as well as all Finalists' local media. For instance, we have contacted USA Today, Newsweek, the New York Times, and the Associated Press - to name a few. We have received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Q) In regard to marketing, will there be a media room? We are hoping to bring a local medial representative.
There will be a media room and, gchandler@ncl.org, 303-571-4343, ext.214 , will be happy to assist your local media with anything they need including exclusive interviews with various dignitaries. Also, please have your media contact Gary if they have any questions or need special equipment.

Q) Are there any AAC logos we can use?
Yes, logos can be downloaded for the website at www.ncl.org and we strongly suggest utilizing the logo as much as possible.

Q) Can we submit photos to NCL as a finalist?
Yes, to help publicize your nomination in our publications, please make sure to submit photos of your projects. The specifications are located in the finalist binders.

Q) How do we invite the media?
We suggest using the special media invitations that are enclosed in your finalist binders. It can be a great way to personally invite the media to be a part of your delegation.

Q) Can we obtain additional media invitations or may we make copies of those sent previously?
Please feel free to make copies of the media invites that were sent w/ the binders.

Q) Help! How do I find out who is the local media?
Please contact Gary Chandler, 303-571-4343, ext. 214, , for assistance in building detailed media lists.

Q) Will finalists be able to market like a winner?
Finalists and winners will receive assistance from the National Civic League to market their designations. Additionally, the NCL will assist all applicants in publicizing that they have applied for the nation's oldest and most respected community recognition program.

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