Help pick the 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence winners

By Cal Cities Staff

Cal Cities is recruiting approximately 70 volunteers to serve on selection juries for the 2026 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. The annual program honors the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions made by cities to improve their services and residents’ quality of life.

Volunteer judges are vital to the success of the program, which recognizes excellence and helps spread innovative ideas across all California cities. No experience is required, and you can still participate if your city applied for an award — just volunteer to review a category your city did not enter.

To serve as a judge — and to get an early look at some great innovations you can use in your city — email Melissa Tualla the jury you’d like to serve on by May 8. Award categories and meeting times (via Zoom) include:

• Community Services and Economic Development: June 9, 10-10:15 a.m.
• Economic Development through the Arts: June 9, 11-11:15 a.m.
• Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, & Community Involvement: June 9, 1-1:15 p.m.
• Health and Wellness Programs: June 9, 2-2:15 p.m.
• Housing Programs and Innovations: June 9, 3-3:15 p.m.
• Intergovernmental Collaboration: June 10, 9-9:15 a.m.
• Internal Administration: June 10, 10-10:15 a.m.
• Planning and Environmental Quality: June 10, 11-11:15 a.m.
• Public Safety: June 10, 1-1:15 p.m.
• Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation: June 10, 2-2:15 p.m.
• Ruth Vreeland Award, Engaging Youth in City Government: June 10, 3-3:15 p.m.

For questions, email Melissa Tualla.