Guidelines for the New Millennium Human Rights Award

Purpose and Criteria 

The purpose of the New Millennium Human Rights Award, also to be known as the John Berry
Award in honor of the contributions of its first recipient Assistant Secretary, John Berry, is to recognize
each year an individual or individuals who have exhibited outstanding leadership and demonstrated
commitment in efforts to significantly benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered employees of the United States Department of the Interior. 

Nominations

Nominations may be made by any current member of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Employees of the
Department of the Interior (Interior GLOBE).

Deciding Authority

The currently elected officers of Interior GLOBE will review the nominees and select, by consensus, up to two individuals for the annual award. GLOBE officers are eligible for nomination; if an officer is
nominated, she/he will recuse herself/himself from the review of nominees, and a member of Interior
GLOBE will be selected by the remainder of the officers to serve in place of the nominee on the review
panel.

Time Frame

Nominations are to be submitted to the Interior GLOBE Chair during the period of May 1-15 each year.
Selection will be made by Interior GLOBE officers during the period of May 16 to 31. The award will be
presented to the recipients during the month of June.

Eligibility for the Award

All employees of the Department of the Interior, with active employment during at least part of the twelve
months prior to the award, are eligible for the John Berry Award. Also, at the discretion of Interior GLOBE officers, non-employees who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered employees of the United States Department of the Interior may be nominated.

Award Activities

The John Berry Award recipient will receive a plaque and/or certificate from Interior GLOBE, will receive
an official letter from Interior GLOBE describing the award, and will be publicly honored at a meeting,
assembly, and/or social event in which Interior GLOBE is involved. Also, Interior GLOBE will publicize the award via e-mail to members and supporters, through the Interior GLOBE newsletter, on the Interior
GLOBE web site, and by submitting an article/picture to DOI’s People, Land, and Water and to local
community papers such as the Washington Blade.