OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Wednesday, October 24, 2007)
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Innovations in American Government Award
deadline extended to Oct. 31

(UTULEI) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today encouraged all government directors and deputy directors to apply for the $100,000 Innovations in American Government Awards Program sponsored by Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The Innovations in American Government Awards, founded in 1986, is a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University 's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The award is administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.

Successful applicants will demonstrate innovative and effective government initiatives. 

The Innovations in American Government Program is a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector.

To learn more about the Innovations Awards, call Rosa Maria Olortegui or Christiana Marchand at 617-495-0557 or email them at:

Rosa_Maria_Olortegui@ksg.harvard.edu
or visit www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu

Due to the relatively low number of applications received from U.S. Territories, the deadline has been extended from October 15 to Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

Even if you do not apply this year, you are encouraged to consider current and previous practices implemented in your departments that are worthy of consideration for the Innovations in American Government Award.

Applicants who demonstrate that their initiative is truly creative, measurably effective, meets a significant need, and can be transferred to other jurisdictions will be selected as finalists.

Finalists' programs will be visited and evaluated by experts, and will field questions from a selection committee headed by the Kennedy School 's David Gergen.

The prize money is awarded specifically to support winning programs in the teaching of their model to other jurisdictions.

Each winner takes a unique approach to meeting community needs and achieving real results. Because each of these programs is a model for government's capacity to do good, and do it well, the $100,000 prize specifically supports dissemination to other jurisdictions.

“This is a great incentive and challenge to take the lead in proposing innovative ways to offer change that will result in accepted practice at all levels of our government,” said Governor Togiola. “It will result in positive change in government and a confidence booster for the public in how it views the commitment of public servants.”