It is that time of year again. The nominations for Comp Laude awards closes April 6, 2020 at 5:00 (likely Pacific Time, but let's not take chances). I was highly honored to be nominated for the awards once upon a time. And, I have been honored to present twice on the educational program that accompanies it. A third presentation opportunity was foreclosed by Hurricane Michael's (October 2018) near simultaneous landfall more recently.
The Laude event and recognition are about celebrating what is good in the workers' compensation community. Who is changing the conversation about this community? There are a multitude of people striving to make a difference for the employees and employers who depend upon the various workers' compensation programs across the country. There are some negative folks out there to, The Eoyores Walk Among us sometimes. That post also contains links to various posts I have authored focusing upon the Laude program (full disclosure, I am a fan).
By my calculation, there have been 87 Comp Laude awards presented since the program began in 2014. That means that in 2020 it is likely the 100th will be recognized! Recipients have included insurance professionals (6), employers (5), judges (3), applicant/claimant attorneys (5), defense attorneys (6), physicians (6), a physical therapist (1), a pharmacist (1), a medical facility (1), a nurse case manager (1), industry leaders (7), seminar presenters (5), philanthropists (4), service providers (6), injured workers (17), and more. The overall awards, the David DePaolo Summa Comp Laude (6) and the Magna Comp Laude (6) are a little harder to categorize regarding the honorees.
There, over the course of 6 years, is the illustration of David DePaolo's vision of recognizing what is good in the workers' compensation community. David was a visionary who walked with us in this community. He lamented the way our efforts are often derided and sought to build this community through recognition of our successes. There are stories of dedication and perseverance. There are stories of contribution and commitment. There are stories of adversity and pain. The nominees celebrate who and what we are. The Comp Laude is an effort that I have been proud to participate in, and to write about periodically.
I am proud that on the list of honorees, there are 11 that I nominated. But, I am more proud that in 2017 I nominated at least one. In 2018, I nominated fourteen. In 2019, I nominated thirty-two. That is at least 47 nominations total. The nomination process requires very little time. You will need your nominee's name, job title, company, email address, and phone number. You will need to explain why the nominee is worthy of recognition (a short paragraph - speak from your heart). And, it is all automated for your convenience. What greater compliment can you pay someone than making a nomination?
So far in 2020, there have been 79 nominations as of March 10, 2020.
In 2020, I submitted 23 nominations, bringing my career total to at least 70. That brings the total so far in 2020 to 102. That may seem like a great many, but literally hundreds of nominations have been submitted over the years. The website does not list them for 2014 through 2016, but in 2017 there were 175 nominations by my count; in 2018 there were 159; and, in 2019 there were 169. From an entire national community of workers' compensation, that is just not a very high volume of nominations. I am confident that there are many worthy individuals and organizations whose efforts, spirit, and impact are being overlooked.
My little effort of 23 nominations added almost 30% to the 2020 total. But, your nomination of even one will have a significant impact. I am nominating some whom I know, and some I have merely noticed. I am nominating those who are professional, capable, dependable, and outgoing. I am nominating attorneys, claims professionals, doctors, philanthropies, and more. Each of them is impacting the world of workers' compensation through dedication, focus, and leadership.
So far in 2020, there have been 79 nominations as of March 10, 2020.
My little effort of 23 nominations added almost 30% to the 2020 total. But, your nomination of even one will have a significant impact. I am nominating some whom I know, and some I have merely noticed. I am nominating those who are professional, capable, dependable, and outgoing. I am nominating attorneys, claims professionals, doctors, philanthropies, and more. Each of them is impacting the world of workers' compensation through dedication, focus, and leadership.
In this vast community of workers' compensation, you certainly know one person worthy of nomination. Take the time today to submit one nomination for recognition by the Comp Laude. Recognize one person in your community that you think is changing the conversation about workers' compensation through their efforts, imagination, and commitment. Being nominated is a major compliment. I was more flattered by my nomination than I can adequately voice. Is there no one that you have noticed? Do you really not have 5 minutes to make their day? Make a nomination today. The clock is ticking.
