Help pick this year’s Helen Putnam Award for Excellence winners
The League of California Cities received more than 150 applications for the 2022 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. Cal Cities invites city officials each year to serve as volunteer judges and help select the winning programs.
The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program honors the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions made by city governments to improve services and residents’ quality of life. Winners are recognized at the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo, in Western City magazine, a statewide press release, on Cal Cities’ website, and in presentations made to city council meetings.
Cal Cities is recruiting 60 volunteers to serve as judges for 11 of the 12 categories. (League Partners review the League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations submissions.) Once selected, judges will receive login credentials for the Helen Putnam web portal, where they can access the award applications and submit scores.
To serve as a Helen Putnam Award for Excellence judge — and to get a preview of some great innovations you can use in your city — please fill out an application form by May 13 and email it to Melissa Tualla. Award categories include:
- Community Services and Economic Development
- Economic Development through the Arts
- Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Housing Programs and Innovations
- Intergovernmental Collaboration
- Internal Administration
- Planning and Environmental Quality
- Public Safety
- Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transportation
- Ruth Vreeland Award, Engaging Youth in City Government
If your city has applied under a certain category, please do not volunteer for that category. For questions, please email Melissa Tualla.