AW Academy Awards Proposal

AW Academy Awards Proposal

Compiled by Christopher Walker aka SW Chris September 9, 2005

Purpose of the Organization
The purpose of this organization is to provide Active Worlds with a medium where one’s peers may choose to recognize one for their contributions to their community or the greater Active Worlds universe. We believe that the most secure, efficient, and fairest way to do this is to create an Academy of peers to make these decisions.

Brief Step-by-Step Outline
The following list is a step-by-step guide that shows how we bring each awards season from the planning stage to the final show. 1. Organize the task force. If any member retires or is terminated, it is imperative that we have a full task force before moving on. 2. Review and finalize the rules and procedures and awards categories for this awards season. 3. Begin recruiting new Academy members and alternates for vacant Academy positions. Members who did not do their duty last awards season by filling out their ballots will be replaced. Members who also retire will also need replaced. 4. Begin building/renovating the show world and make preparations for things like the amount of bandwidth we will need available for the show. 5. Begin the nomination process. The public submits nominees in each award category for the Academy to consider. 6. Finalize the Academy roster for the current awards season. The list of Academy members will be kept confidential to avoid politicking and harassment of members. 7. Nomination process ends. We publish the nominees list on our website. 8. The Academy selects the winners for each award via secret ballot. 9. We publish a list of the Top 5 Finalists on our website. 10. Prepare media for the awards show. 11. Finish show world. 12. Rehearsals. 13. Show time! 14. Distribute awards and prizes in a timely fashion to the winners.

The Task Force
The task force will be made up of people with the following talents. Positions are given out on an invite only basis. We do not want power-seekers on our team and so those who ask for a position will not be considered for one. We only want those who are dedicated to the organization and who will represent the awards by exemplifying them. Secondarily, task force members should represent the myriad of different communities within AW. Members of the task force may fulfil more than one position if they wish. 1. Coordinator – Oversees all other positions, helps wherever possible to ease deadline pressure and tensions. 2. Show Director – Responsible for coordinating the pre-production and production of the awards show. (Will also be running the production board and triggering media events during the show.) 3. Tech support – Works with others to obtain the needed resources so the show can go on, including bandwidth, webspace, and bots. 4. World hosting – Hosts the show world 5. Promotions and Public Relations - Seeks opportunities to promote the awards, handles complaints and facilitates good relations with other organizations. 6. Object Modeler – Models objects for the show world, and will model the first Academy Awards statue. 7. Avatar Maker – Models avatars for the show world. 8. Media Talent – Creates the streaming media necessary for announcing finalists and winners as well as any other special video productions required for the show. 9. Webmaster – Creates and maintains the Academy website, administrates the forums. 10. Talent Coordinator – Responsible for finding talent to announce each of the awards nominees and winners. Preferable to have different talent for each award. 11. Crowd Control – Polices and ejects troublemakers during the show. 12. World Designer – Works with show director, object modeler, and avatar maker to design and build the show world. Because task force members are among the most trusted in the organization, they will be able to hand-pick people to form a subcommittee that can aid him or her in accomplishing their job. What they will not be able to do is ask for volunteers so the influence power-seekers will have on the organization will be limited.

Eligibility for Awards
Task force members are not eligible to receive any awards or prizes.

The Academy
Academy memberships are given out on an invite only basis by the task force. We do not want power-seekers or bias on our team and so those who ask for a position will not be considered for one. We only want those who are dedicated to the organization and who will represent the awards by exemplifying them. Secondarily, Academy Members should represent the myriad of different communities within AW. Academy Members must also be in good standing with their community and the greater Active Worlds universe. Academy members are voted on by all task force members on a voluntary basis via poll in the task force’s private forum. A simple majority vote makes the memberelect a member. The Academy is an academy of one’s peers. In keeping with this most basic tenant of our organization, Academy members are assigned to vote only in the awards categories in which they have prior experience. As such, winners and finalists from prior awards shows will be considered for vacant positions within the categories in which they have been nominated. Each awards category will have anywhere from 5 to 10 members assigned to it and will have 2 to 4 alternates just in case a member does not perform his or her duty by visiting each nominee’s build or by researching each nominee and then filling out a ballot. After an awards cycle, any Academy member who did not perform his/her duty will be terminated from the Academy. Any Academy member who does not remain in good standing with his/her community and the greater Active Worlds universe will also be terminated.

Eligibility for Awards
1. In an effort to maintain fairness and objectivity, Academy members are eligible to receive awards and statues, but will not receive the prizes that come with them. 2. If an Academy member is nominated for an award, they shall not be allowed to vote in the awards category for which they were nominated. They shall, however, be allowed to vote in any other awards categories in which they were not nominated. An alternate will fill any vacant positions for that year only if this situation occurs. This does not mean that Academy members will be discharged from their positions simply because they were nominated. They will be able to resume their position again the following awards season. 3. Academy members may also choose to decline a nomination and still retain the right to vote in the category for which they were nominated.

Proposed Awards Categories
These awards categories are designed to recognize outstanding, but not necessarily the best, leaders and creations that people have made. A creation may be outstanding in one area but deficient in another, and as you will see in Section 8, the Academy Ballots for each award have been configured to reflect this reality. Below is a listing of the awards categories to be presented for the 2005-2006 awards season.

Definitions
Public Building World: A public building world is a world where all tourists and/or citizens may freely build without needing to first ask for permission from the world administrators. Private World: A private world is one where tourists and citizens are not allowed to build without special permission given to them by the world administrators. The Awards Season: Normally the awards season is considered to be from January 1st to December 31st of the previous year. For the first show, it is considered to be from the last Academy Awards nomination period until the present. Active Community: This is considered a community where its leadership is engaged in running the community’s day to day affairs, whether they be building, interacting with members of the community, or interacting with others outside of their community. World Level Community: This community is built for and revolves around a world in much the same way communities in public building worlds are built and revolve around a town within the world.

Eligibility
1. Each award has its own special conditions for eligibility. These have been included underneath the description for each award. Most of these conditions are very similar to each other. 2. People who win for objects, designs, environments, or for participation in a community service organization cannot win the same award again for the same object, design, environment or participation in the same community service organization. For example, cetaris paribus, someone who wins in Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Design for a spaceman avatar in 2006 may not win the same award for the same avatar in 2007. 3. People are eligible to win the same award in different years for different objects, designs, or environments. For example, cetaris paribus, someone who wins in Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Design for a spaceman avatar in 2006 is eligible to win the same award for a dragon avatar in 2007. 4. Nominations for awards in the Leadership Division are limited to one nomination per person, per year for each award unless otherwise specified.

Leadership Division
Outstanding Achievement in Community/Town Administration Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a community that is not a world level community. Eligibility: Nominees must have been in an administrative position within the town that he/she is being nominated for administrating, and must have been holding that position for at least part of the previous awards season. Administrators of communities within private worlds are eligible as long as they are not the world level

community (for these communities, see Outstanding Achievement in World Administration). For example, administrators of communities within a Role Playing Game world are considered eligible, but administrators of the entire Role Playing Game world are not eligible. People may be nominated more than once for administrating two or more different towns in the same year, one nomination per town. Outstanding Achievement in World Administration Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a private world. Eligibility: Nominee must have been in an administrative position of the world that he/she is being nominated for administrating during at least part of the previous awards season. Administrators of public building worlds as well as administrators of private worlds are eligible for this award. Administrators of communities that are part of the larger world community and are not considered the larger world community are not eligible for this award. People may be nominated more than once for administrating two or more different worlds in the same year, one nomination per world. Outstanding Event Planning and Execution Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional leadership in planning and execution of an event. Eligibility: The event in question must be related to the Active Worlds software. The event may take place in or out of universe and is not limited to online events, and must have taken place during the previous awards season. A person who plans an event that has won during a previous awards season, for example, AW Reunion 2006, are eligible to receive the same award again for AW Reunion 2007 because the 2007 reunion would have in fact been a different event. People may be nominated more than once for planning two or more different events in the same year, one nomination per event. Outstanding Upcoming Leader in Community Service Description: The sister award to Outstanding Upcoming Builder. It is awarded to those who have registered as Active Worlds citizens during the previous awards season who show exceptional motivation and selflessness when helping others. Eligibility: Nominee must have registered for the first time during the previous awards season. Nominees who nominate themselves will not be considered. Nominees do not have to be in a leadership position where they are responsible for others underneath them, but must have been in a community service position for at least part of the previous awards season. Outstanding Leadership in Community Service Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional leadership in leading others involved in community service. Eligibility: Nominees who nominate themselves will not be considered. Nominees must have been in a leadership position where they are responsible for others underneath them for at least part of the previous awards season. Outstanding Community Service Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional selflessness and motivation to help others. Eligibility: Nominees who nominate themselves will not be considered. This person must have been active in community service for at least part of the previous awards season and does not need to be in a leadership position.

Outstanding Community Description: Awarded to the community, world, or town that shows exceptional community spirit. Eligibility: Nominee must be a community or town that has been active for at least part of the previous awards season.

Creative Division
Outstanding Achievement in Programming Description: Awarded to those who create a utility that can be used for the betterment of Active Worlds. Includes but is not limited to bot or web-based utilities. Eligibility: Utility usage must in some way be related to Active Worlds. Outstanding Achievement in Object Design Description: Awarded to those who have achieved exceptional modeling and/or texturing of a specific object. Eligibility: The object that the nominee has been nominated for must have been finished during the previous awards season. Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Design Description: Awarded to those who have achieved exceptional modeling and/or texturing of a specific avatar. Eligibility: The avatar that the nominee has been nominated for must have been finished during the previous awards season. Avatar skins are not eligible for this award. Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Skinning Description: Awarded to those who have created an exceptional skin for a customized avatar. Eligibility: The avatar skin that the nominee has been nominated for must have been finished during the previous awards season. Avatar models or texture sets for noncustom avatars are not eligible for this award. Outstanding Media Presentation Description: Awarded to those who have created a media presentation that is related to Active Worlds. Eligibility: Radio and “Television” stations are not eligible. Radio and “Television” shows, movies, newspapers, and slide shows are eligible for this award. Outstanding Active Worlds Themed Website Description: Awarded to those who have created a well developed Active Worlds themed website. Eligibility: Website must have been updated at least once during the previous awards season. Outstanding Upcoming Builder Description: The sister award to Outstanding Upcoming Leader in Community Service. It is awarded to those who have registered as Active Worlds citizens during the previous awards season who show exceptional motivation and willingness to learn the art of building with object paths. Nominees are nominated for their motivation and willingness to learn, not for a specific creation. Eligibility: Nominees must have registered for the first time during the previous awards season. Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Application

Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that includes exceptional interactive elements that either the user interacts with or that interact with the user. The specific rights granted to the user by the world in which the environment was created in will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner of this award. Eligibility: Nominee must have created an environment during the previous awards season that shows some degree of interactivity. Environments created in both private and public building worlds are eligible. Outstanding Innovation in Architecture Description: Awarded to those who have created interesting, functional, and aesthetically pleasing architecture for a specific building or object. The object path used will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner for this award. Eligibility: Nominee must have created this building or object during the previous awards season. Outstanding Ground Zero Design Description: A ground zero is often where users who are visiting your world or town land for the very first time. This award is given to those who have created an informative and aesthetically pleasing ground zero for a specific town or world. Eligibility: All ground zeros for which nominees have been nominated for must have been updated at least once during the previous awards season. Winning ground zeroes from previous years must be significantly different than they were when they first won the award to be eligible for the current year. Outstanding Achievement in Game Design in a Private World Description: Awarded to those who have achieved a successful melding of gameplay, immersion, and functionality of a game within a private world. Eligibility: The game that nominees have been nominated for must clearly be a game to be eligible. The size of the game does not matter. Mini-games and quests to full blown role playing game worlds are eligible for this award. Outstanding Achievement in Game Design in a Public Building World Description: Awarded to those who have achieved a successful melding of gameplay, immersion, and functionality of a game within a public building world. Eligibility: The game that nominees have been nominated for must clearly be a game to be eligible. The size of the game does not matter. Mini-games and quests to full blown role playing games are eligible for this award. Outstanding Achievement in Immersive Environment Design in a Private World Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that immerses the user into the world that they have created. The use of sounds, textures, ambience, realism, aesthetics, zones, particles, and management of lag are integral parts of the selection process for this award. Interactive elements will not be judged during the selection process. Eligibility: Nominee must have created an environment during the previous awards season that shows some degree of immersion and may or may not include interactive elements. Outstanding Achievement in Immersive Environment Design in a Public Building World Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that immerses the user into the world that they have created. The use of sounds, textures, ambience, realism, aesthetics, zones, particles, and management of lag are integral parts of the

selection process for this award. Interactive elements will not be judged during the selection process. The specific rights granted to the user by the world in which the environment was created in will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner of this award. Eligibility: Nominee must have created an environment that shows some degree of immersion and may or may not include interactive elements.

Proposed Nomination Forms
Outstanding Achievement in Community/Town Administration
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a community that exists within the world level community. A * indicates a required field. Failure to correctly fill these fields out will result in your nomination not being considered. Your Name*: Your Citizen Number*: Nominee*: Town He/She Administrates*: Write down a few members of this town*: Write down this person’s superiors, if any: Write down this person’s subordinates, if any: Why do you think this person deserves this award?*:

Outstanding Achievement in World Administration
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a private world. A * indicates a required field. Failure to correctly fill these fields out will result in your nomination not being considered. Your Name*: Your Citizen Number*: Nominee*: World He/She Administrates*: Write down a few members of this town*: Write down this person’s superiors, if any: Write down this person’s subordinates, if any: Why do you think this person deserves this award?

Outstanding Event Planning and Execution
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional leadership in planning and execution of an event. A * indicates a required field. Failure to correctly fill these fields out will result in your nomination not being considered. Your Name*: Your Citizen Number*: Nominee*: Event He/She Planned*: Did you participate in this event?*: Write down a few other people who did participate in this event*: Why do you think this person deserves this award?

Outstanding Upcoming Leader in Community Service

Description: The sister award to Outstanding Upcoming Builder. It is awarded to those who have registered as Active Worlds citizens during the previous awards season who show exceptional motivation and selflessness when helping others. A * indicates a required field. Failure to correctly fill these fields out will result in your nomination not being considered. Your Name*: Your Citizen Number*: Nominee*: Organizations he/she is involved in*: Write down a few other people who know this person*: Write down any subordinates, if any: Write down any superiors, if any: Why do you think this person deserves this award?

Proposed Scoring Method
Scores for each question on an Academy ballot are added together to make a ballot total score. The total ballot scores from each academy member ballot are then averaged with all the other total ballot scores for that nominee to form an average score for that nominee. This score is then divided by the total number of points possible that the nominee can earn to come up with the final score for that nominee. The highest final score in the award category is the award winner. The next four highest are the finalists. The coordinator will calculate the results based on the ballots returned by Academy members. Only the coordinator and specific members of the task force will be aware of the final results until they are announced during the awards show.

Example of a Ballot and Scoring Method
Outstanding Active Worlds Themed Website Nominee: AWAcademy.com Webmaster: Joe Bloe Description: Awarded to those who have created a well developed Active Worlds themed website. Rate this website on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How informative is this website about the subject that it is based on? 7 How easy is it to navigate from place to place within the website? 9 How eye-pleasing is this website, aesthetically speaking? 5 How well does this website hold the reader’s attention? 10 Total Score: 7+9+5+10 = 31 Average this score with the other four total scores returned by the Academy. Total Total Total Total Score Score Score Score 1: 2: 3: 4: 6+10+7+10 = 33 5+7+2+8 = 22 9+6+8+4 = 27 7+8+7+8 = 30

Average Score = 31+33+22+27+30 = 143/5 = 28.6 Divide this score by the total number of points possible that this nominee can earn. Final Score: 28.6/40 = .715

If this is the highest score, this website wins the award for Outstanding Active Worlds Themed Website.

Proposed Academy Ballots
The main purpose of the Academy's voting practice is to be as pain-free and easy as possible. The nomination forms and their respective ballots, while individulized for each awards category, are designed to give the Academy member the information that he or she needs to make an informed decision and yet make that decision quickly and efficiently. The way we achieve this is through simplicity, but not necessarily through broad-stroke one-size-fits-all voting.

Outstanding Achievement in Community/Town Administration
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a community that exists within the world level community. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization.

Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How active is he or she in interacting with the community/town’s visitors? How active are other members of this community/town? Overall, how well does he or she administrate the community/town? How much would you want to be a part of this community/town? How much in your estimation, do his or her peers, superiors, and subordinates appreciate this person’s leadership style and his/her contribution to the community or town for which he/she has been nominated for? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of these people).

Outstanding Achievement in World Administration
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional service to and leadership of a private world. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication

Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization. Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in

the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How well does he or she administrate the world? How active is he or she in interacting with the world? How active are other members of this world? How much would you want to be a part of this world? How much in your estimation, do his or her peers, superiors, and subordinates appreciate this person’s leadership style and his/her contribution to the world for which he/she has been nominated for? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of these people).

Outstanding Event Planning and Execution
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional leadership in planning and execution of an event. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral

dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization. Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How successful this event was in your estimation. How much would you want to be a participant in this event?

How much did those who participated in this event appreciate this person’s planning and execution of the event? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of the people who participated in this event)

Outstanding Upcoming Leader in Community Service
Description: The sister award to Outstanding Upcoming Builder. It is awarded to those who have registered as Active Worlds citizens during the previous awards season who show exceptional motivation and selflessness when helping others. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization. Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this

person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How much would you want this person to lead you? How much in your estimation, do his or her peers, superiors, and subordinates appreciate this person’s leadership style and his/her contribution to the community service organization for which he/she has been nominated for? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of these people).

Outstanding Leadership in Community Service
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional leadership in leading others involved in community service. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a

community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization. Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are

credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How much would you want to work under this person? How valued, in your estimation, is this person to his/her community service organization(s)? How much in your estimation, do his or her peers, superiors, and subordinates appreciate this person’s leadership style and his/her contribution to the community service organization(s) for which he/she has been nominated for? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of these people).

Outstanding Community Service
Description: Awarded to those who show exceptional selflessness and motivation to help others. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Clarity of Communication Commitment to credibility begins with the clarification of the leader's and constituents' needs, interests, values, visions, aims, and aspirations. Clarity exists when people can state “I have a clear idea of what others value and what they can do.” When clarity exists, everyone knows the guiding principles and core competencies that most directly contribute to organizational and individual vitality and success. Rate this person on how clear a communicator this person is. Unity To build a strong and viable organization, people must be united in a common cause —united on where they are going, on why they are headed in that direction, and on which principles will guide their journy. Credible leaders are able to build a community of shared vision and values. Rate this person on how unified his or her organization is. Intensity Understanding and agreeing to aims and aspirations are essential to the process of strengthening credibility. Intensity exists when principles are taken seriously, when they reflect deeply felt standards and emotional bonds, and when they are the basis of critical organizational resource allocations. When values are intensely felt, there is a greater consistency between words and actions, and there is an almost moral dimension to “keeping the faith.” Rate this person on how intense he or she is in their leadership role. Trustworthiness Leaders who are seen as trustworthy are those who are believed to have their consituents' best interests at heart. In order to strengthen credibility, leaders explore others' aims and aspirations. Credible leaders often listen and listen well. They appreciate the hopes and dreams of their diverse constituencies. Rate this person on his or her trustworthiness. Shared Values Shared values make a significant difference in the health of persons, organizations, and communities. We talk about how leaders can find common ground, build

community, and resolve conflicts on the basis of principles, not positions. Rate this person on how well shared values are present in his or her organization. Competency Leaders cannot do what they do not know how to do. Organizations cannot provide consistently high levels of service, quality, innovation, or respect unless members have the skills and abilities to do so. Competent organizational leaders continuously develop the capacity of their organizations to put values into practice. Rate this person on his or her competence with respect to fulfilling his or her organizational goals. Service Constituents do not serve leaders. Leaders serve constituents. Both serve a common purpose. Leaders stay in touch with constituents, are the first to accept responsibility, spend time on important values, teach others, and hold themselves accountable for the promises they make. Rate this person on his or her servant attitude. Hope Credible leaders sustain hope by taking charge and demonstrating the courage of their convictions, by arousing positive thoughts and images, and by seeking and giving support. Credible leaders keep hope alive for others—a critical task since, in the end, only people with hope will achieve greatness. Rate this person on how well he or she has performed this task. Humility Leaders make mistakes. Perfection should not be the ideal; rather, leaders should strive for an attitude of humility and continuous learning. Rate this person on these qualities. Credibility Leadership is a relationship and a service, and credibility is the foundation of leadership. Honest, forward-looking, inspiring, competent, and supportive people are credible. This is an overall rating of each of the qualities listed above. Rate this person on how credible he or she is. How much would want to work under this person? How valued, in your estimation, is this person to his/her community service organization(s)? How much in your estimation, do his or her peers, superiors, and/or subordinates appreciate this person and their contribution to the community service organization(s) for which he/she has been nominated for? (It would be helpful, but not required, to interview several of these people).

Outstanding Community
Description: Awarded to the community, world, or town that shows exceptional community spirit. Rate this community on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How much would you want to be a part of this community?

How welcoming is this community to visitors and potential members? How much does this community outreach to other people within the Active Worlds universe? How nice are the people inside of this community? How active are the members of this community?

Outstanding Achievement in Programming
Description: Awarded to those who create a utility that can be used for the betterment of Active Worlds. Includes but is not limited to bot or web-based utilities. Rate this utility on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How efficiently does this utility accomplish the purposes for which it was nominated? How effectively does this utility accomplish the purposes for which it was nominated? How intuitive and user friendly is this utility?

Outstanding Achievement in Object Design
Description: Awarded to those who have achieved exceptional modeling and/or texturing of a specific object. Rate this object on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well does this object look like what it’s supposed to be? How laggy is this object? (Mark a 1 for a very laggy object and a 10 for a nonlaggy object) How well textured is this object? How creative was the nominee in creating this object?

Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Design
Description: Awarded to those who have achieved exceptional modeling and/or texturing of a specific avatar. Rate this avatar on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well does this avatar look like what it’s supposed to be? How well textured is this avatar? How well do the sequences on this avatar do what they describe? (If the avatar has no sequences, mark a 1 down for this question.)

How natural-looking is this avatar’s walk sequence? (If the avatar has no walk sequence and is supposed to, mark a 1 down for this question. If it’s not supposed to have a walk sequence [for example, the Bike avatar], mark a D for this question and it will be disregarded.) How natural-looking is this avatar’s idle sequence? (If the avatar has no idle sequence, mark a 1 down for this question.) How creative was the nominee in creating this avatar?

Outstanding Achievement in Avatar Skinning
Description: Awarded to those who have created an exceptional skin for a customized avatar. Rate this avatar skin on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well textured is this avatar? How well does this skin look like what it is supposed to be? How creative was the nominee in making this skin?

Outstanding Media Presentation
Description: Awarded to those who have created a media presentation that is related to Active Worlds. Rate this media presentation on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. This award is different from the others in that there are different criteria for each type of media. Each nominee is judged on three questions relating specifically to the type of media it is and three general questions, making for six questions in total that will determine the winner of this award. If the presentation is a radio presentation, answer these questions. Otherwise, mark a D next to them and they will be disregarded. Radio: How comfortable were the hosts in front of the microphone and with each other? Radio: How good were the hosts at keeping dead air off the air? (Dead air are lulls in conversation.) Radio: How good was the audio quality? (Pay attention to the amount of pops and clicks when people are speaking, the overall sound quality of the audio, and whether you can understand what people are saying.) If the presentation is a “television” presentation, meaning that it is a series of images uploaded sequentially to a server that a viewer sequentially downloads via an updating picture object, answer these questions. Otherwise, mark a D next to them and they will be disregarded. Television: How well written was the scripted dialogue?

Television: How good was the story? (Answer only if the nominee is a drama. Otherwise, mark a D.) Television: How funny were the jokes? (Answer only if the nominee is a comedy. Otherwise, mark a D.) Television: How well did the host interview each subject? (Answer only if the nominee is an interview. Otherwise, mark a D.) Television: How well was each shot framed? If the presentation was a full motion video, meaning that it can be presented via the streaming media function in Active Worlds, answer these questions. Otherwise, mark a D next to them and they will be disregarded. Video: How well done was the editing and pacing of the video? Video: How well was the frame rate held at or above 24 frames per second? (Was the video smooth through most of the video or jerky in spots?) Video: How well done was the cinematography? (How well were the shots in the video framed?) If the presentation is an online newspaper or magazine, answer these questions. Otherwise, mark a D next to them and they will be disregarded. News: How well written is the content? News: How well does the photographic content show the reader what each article is talking about? (If there are no photos, mark a 1.) News: Story choice: How relevant is the newspaper or magazine content to its intended audience? Answer these questions regardless of what type of media the nominee is. How likable is the presentation? How professional is the presentation? How much effort is apparent that went into this presentation?

Outstanding Active Worlds Themed Website
Description: Awarded to those who have created a well developed Active Worlds themed website. Rate this website on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How informative is this website about the subject that it is based on? How easy is it to navigate from place to place within the website? How eye-pleasing is this website, aesthetically speaking?

How well does this website hold the reader’s attention?

Outstanding Upcoming Builder
Description: The sister award to Outstanding Upcoming Leader in Community Service. It is awarded to those who have registered as Active Worlds citizens during the previous awards season who show exceptional motivation and willingness to learn the art of building with object paths. Nominees are nominated for their motivation and willingness to learn, not for a specific creation. Rate this person on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How motivated in learning how to build is the nominee? How much progress has this person made? (Compare his/her earliest creation with his/her most recent, and factor in the amount of time that has passed between the completion of both creations. A longer amount of time for minimal improvement would earn the lowest score and a shorter amount of time for a vast improvement would earn the highest score.) How much creativeness has this person shown? How proficient is this person in managing lag, eliminating z-buffer, and making sure there are no gaps between objects where there shouldn’t be?

Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Application
Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that includes exceptional interactive elements that either the user interacts with or that interact with the user. The specific rights granted to the user by the world in which the environment was created in will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner of this award. Rate this environment on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. Interactive elements use the bump and activate commands to trigger special actions or sounds when a person passes by a specific spot or that a user intentionally activates. How well do the interactive elements fit within the environment? How creatively are these interactive elements used? How well do the interactive elements do what they are supposed to do? Is the use of interactive elements too sparse/concentrated, or are there just the right amount of them? (Mark a 10 for just right, and use lower numbers for the degree of scarcity/concentration. An environment that is somewhat sparse would receive something like an 8, while an environment that has no interactive elements would receive a 1.) Overall, rate the percentage of interactive elements that have a specific reason for being there. (Hint: Ambience/eye candy is a perfectly good reason, but elements that appear randomly for no other reason, are not. Mark a 10 for all elements having

a good reason for existing, and mark a 1 for 10% to no elements having a good reason for existing.)

Outstanding Innovation in Architecture
Description: Awarded to those who have created interesting, functional, and aesthetically pleasing architecture for a specific building or object. The object path used will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner for this award. Rate this building on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well does the nominee balance functionality and form? How functional is the building? How eye pleasing is the building? How much creativeness has this person shown in the design of this building? How well does this building fit into its surrounding environment? (Pay special attention to other buildings in the area and the landscaping around the building.)

Outstanding Ground Zero Design
Description: A ground zero is often where users who are visiting your world or town land for the very first time. This award is given to those who have created an informative and aesthetically pleasing ground zero for a specific town or world. Rate this ground zero on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well can you find your way around the ground zero to the various sections of the GZ and to the town/community/world beyond? How informative is the ground zero about the surrounding town/community/world? How eye pleasing is the ground zero? Based only on the ground zero, rate how likely you are to visit this town/community/world again.

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design in a Private World
Description: Awarded to those who have achieved a successful melding of gameplay, immersion, and functionality of a game within a private world. Rate this game on a scale from one to ten for each for these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How clear are the goals of this game? How fun is this game to play?

How immersive is this game? How far do you get pulled into the game when playing it? How functional is this game? How well does it do what it is supposed to do?

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design in a Public Building World
Description: Awarded to those who have achieved a successful melding of gameplay, immersion, and functionality of a game within a public building world. Rate this game on a scale from one to ten for each for these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How clear are the goals of this game? How fun is this game to play? How immersive is this game? How far do you get pulled into the game when playing it? How functional is this game? How well does it do what it is supposed to do?

Outstanding Achievement in Immersive Environment Design in a Private World
Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that immerses the user into the world that they have created. The use of sounds, textures, ambience, realism, aesthetics, zones, particles, and management of lag are integral parts of the selection process for this award. Interactive elements will not be judged during the selection process. Rate this environment on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well are sounds used throughout the environment? How well are textures used throughout the environment? How real-looking is this environment? (Look out for floating objects, z-buffer, windows that aren’t framed properly, etc.) How well does this environment evoke the intended mood in the user? (For example, if it is supposed to be a creepy environment, how spooky is it? If it is set in ancient times, how ancient does it feel?) How well is lag managed in this environment? (Mark a 10 for very well and a 1 for horribly.) How well are zones used? How well are particles used? Overall, how immersive is this environment? How much does it pull you into its world?

Outstanding Achievement in Immersive Environment Design in a Public Building World
Description: Awarded to those who have created an environment that immerses the user into the world that they have created. The use of sounds, textures, ambience, realism, aesthetics, zones, particles, and management of lag are integral parts of the selection process for this award. Interactive elements will not be judged during the selection process. The specific rights granted to the user by the world in which the environment was created in will be considered by the Academy when selecting the winner of this award. Rate this environment on a scale from one to ten for each of these items. For all items, a ten is the highest and best score, while a one is the lowest score and least desirable. How well are sounds used throughout the environment? How well are textures used throughout the environment? How real-looking is this environment? (Look out for floating objects, z-buffer, windows that aren’t framed properly, buildings that aren’t properly supported, etc.) How well does this environment evoke the intended mood in the user? (For example, if it is supposed to be a creepy environment, how spooky is it? If it is set in ancient times, how ancient does it feel?) How well is lag managed in this environment? (Mark a 10 for very little lag and a 1 for very much lag.) How well are zones used? (If the right to use zones is disabled in the world that the environment was built in, mark a D and this question will be disregarded. Then, answer Special Question 1. If the right to use zones is enabled, but the environment does not use zones and does not need them, mark a 10 here, but do not answer Special Question 1. If the environment does not use zones, but you feel zones would enhance the immersiveness of the environment, mark a 1 here.) Special Question 1: How well are weather effects emulated? (Do not answer this question if you can answer the question about how well zones are used. If the environment does not use weather effects and does not need them, mark a 10 here. If the environment does not emulate weather effects, but you feel weather effects would enhance the immersiveness of the environment, mark a 1 here.) How well are particles used? (If the right to use particles is disabled in the world that the environment was built in, mark a D and this question will be disregarded. Then, answer Special Question 2. If the right to use particles is enabled, but the environment does not use particles and does not need them, mark a 10 here, but do not answer Special Question 2. If the environment does not use particles, but you feel particles would enhance the immersiveness of the environment, mark a 1 here.) Special Question 2: How well are particle-like objects (example: fire1.rwx) used? (Do not answer this question if you can answer the question about how well

particles are used. If the environment does not use particle-like objects and does not need them, mark a 10 here. If the environment does not use particle-like objects, but you feel particle-like objects would enhance the immersiveness of the environment, mark a 1 here.) Overall, how immersive is this environment? How much does it pull you into its world?

Proposed Prizes
With the support of Active Worlds, Inc., The Academy Awards task force would like to award each winner in each category one of the following: 1. A special statuette model that the winner may place near his or her winning creation. This should be available to all winners, including those whose creations can be found within AWI-controlled public building worlds. 2. Their choice of one of the following: 1. A free year-long citizenship extension, a US $70 value. 2. A free year-long license and registration for a P-10/5 world, a US $80 value (including Basic World License fee). Finalists in each category will receive a free three-month citizenship extension, a US $20.85 value. Currently, the valued givaway will cost between a total of US $3221.40 and US $3431.40