R 172237Z DEC 10

ALCOAST 598/10
COMDTNOTE 5224
SUBJ: 2011 ALEXANDER HAMILTON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
1. I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED TO PRESENT THE 2010 HAMILTON AWARD TO THE
NATIONAL MARITIME CENTER (NMC) DURING THE INNOVATION EXPO LAST MONTH.
THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES NMC AS A ROLE MODEL COMMAND THAT TAKES
DELIBERATE STEPS TO HONOR OUR PROFESSION, STEADY THE SERVICE, RESPECT
OUR SHIPMATES, AND STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIPS. THIS ALCOAST
ANNOUNCES THE 2011 HAMILTON AWARD CYCLE AND INVITES EVERY COMMAND AND
STAFF (UNIT) TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATING.
2. THIS BALDRIGE-BASED LEADERSHIP AWARD SEEKS TO IDENTIFY ROLE MODEL
UNITS THAT DELIVER EXCELLENT RESULTS USING SOUND MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES. THE BALDRIGE CRITERIA SERVE AS THE COAST GUARD STANDARD
FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND PROVIDE A VALUABLE FRAMEWORK TO
ASSESS YOUR UNITS PERFORMANCE AND BETTER FOCUS YOUR IMPROVEMENT
EFFORTS. AS SUCH, THE HAMILTON AWARD IS DESIGNED TO:
    A. ENCOURAGE ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT. USING THE
WORLD-CLASS BALDRIGE MODEL, THE AWARD PROCESS ASSESSES PERFORMANCE,
REVEALS STRENGTHS AND IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND GIVES NOMINEES
FEEDBACK TO CONTINUE IMPROVING.
    B. IDENTIFY AND DISSEMINATE ROLE MODEL PRACTICES FOR SERVICEWIDE
USE AND LEARNING.
    C. EDUCATE LEADERS ON THE BENEFIT OF USING THE BALDRIGE CRITERIA
TO ASSESS AND IMPROVE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.
    D. RECOGNIZE COAST GUARD ROLE MODELS THAT DELIVER EVER-IMPROVING
EFFECTIVENESS, CAPABILITIES, AND EXCELLENT RESULTS.
3. NOMINEES ARE EVALUATED AND RECOGNIZED IN SIX CATEGORIES:
    A. OPERATIONS-AFLOAT (SMALL), 70 OR FEWER MEMBERS.
    B. OPERATIONS-AFLOAT (LARGE), 71 OR MORE MEMBERS.
    C. OPERATIONS-ASHORE (SMALL), 70 OR FEWER MEMBERS.
    D. OPERATIONS-ASHORE (LARGE), 71 OR MORE MEMBERS.
    E. SUPPORT (SMALL), 70 OR FEWER MEMBERS.
    F. SUPPORT (LARGE), 71 OR MORE MEMBERS.
4. THE VICE COMMANDANT OVERSEES THE AWARD PROCESS, INCLUDING EXAMINER
TEAM VISITS TO THE MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED UNITS AND THE AWARD PANEL
WHICH RECOMMENDS RECIPIENTS TO THE COMMANDANT.
5. I ENCOURAGE ALL LEADERS TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEIR PARTICULAR UNIT
IS READY TO PARTICPATE IN THE 2011 HAMILTON AWARD PROCESS. EVEN IF
YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE AWARD, SUBMITTING A NOMINATION
PACKAGE HAS VALUABLE BENEFITS. PREPARING THIS PACKAGE BRINGS FOCUS ON
KEY PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND RESULTS AND HELPS IDENTIFY GAPS AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. THE NOMINATION PACKAGE REQUIRES
DEVELOPING A UNIT-SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE, SUMMARIZING NINE
KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND IDENTIFYING MEASURES AND INDICATORS THAT
REFLECT UNIT PERFORMANCE. THE COMPLETE PACKAGE SERVES AS A USEFUL
TOOL TO COMMUNICATE THE UNITS PURPOSE AND VALUE TO YOUR CREWMEMBERS,
CUSTOMERS, AND STAKEHOLDERS.
6. ALL COMMANDS AND STAFFS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AS LONG AS THEIR
NEXT SENIOR COMMAND OR STAFF DOES NOT SUBMIT ITS OWN NOMINATION
REQUEST. FOR EXAMPLE, IF A SECTOR ENGAGES IN THE PROCESS, ITS
SUBORDINATE COMMANDS WILL NECESSARILY BE INCLUDED IN THE EVALUATION
AND ARE THEREFORE NOT ELIGIBLE. HOWEVER, IF A SECTOR DOES NOT, EACH
SUBORDINATE COMMAND IS ELIGBILE TO REQUEST NOMINATION. HAMILTON AWARD
RECIPIENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION AGAIN FOR TWO YEARS
FOLLOWING THE AWARD. FOR INSTANCE, NMC IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE
AGAIN DURING THE 2013 CYCLE.
7. 2011 HAMILTON AWARD SCHEDULE.
    A. 04JAN11 AND 11JAN11: OPTIONAL LIVE MEETING NOMINATION PACKAGE
OVERVIEW FOR PROSPECTIVE NOMINEES.
    B. 28JAN11: ENDORSED NOMINATION REQUEST DUE TO COMDT (CG-095).
    C. 31JAN11: COMDT (CG-095) PROVIDES NOMINATION REQUEST PACKAGES
TO RESPECTIVE FLAG NOMINATORS (VICE COMDT, DEPUTY COMDTS, AND AREA
COMMANDERS).
    D. 10FEB11: FLAG NOMINATORS SUBMIT RANKED NOMINEES TO COMDT
(CG-095).
    E. MARCH: TRAIN EXAMINERS, BEGIN COMPETITIVE EVALUATION.
    F. APR-MAY: CONDUCT MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED UNIT SITE VISITS.
    G. JULY: CONVENE AWARD PANEL, RECOMMEND RECIPIENTS TO THE COMDT.
    H. AUGUST: ANNOUNCE AWARD RESULTS VIA ALCOAST.
    I. OCTOBER: RECOGNIZE 2011 HAMILTON AWARD RECIPIENTS AND NOMINEES
AT THE ANNUAL USCG INNOVATION EXPO.
8. UNITS INTERESTED IN PURSUING THE HAMILTON AWARD CAN FIND DETAILED
INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING THE LIVE MEETING OVERVIEW SPECIFICS,
NOMINATION REQUEST FORM, REQUIREMENTS, AND THE 2009-2010 BALDRIGE
CRITERIA ON THE CG PORTAL AT
HTTPS://CGPORTAL.USCG.MIL/LOTUS/MYQUICKR/PERFORMANCE-EXCELLENCE/2011-
HAMILTON-AWARD
(ALL LOWER CASE). COAST GUARD ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE CONSULTANTS
(OPCS) ARE A SUPERB RESOURCE TO ASSIST YOU IN PREPARING THE
NOMINATION REQUEST PACKAGE. FIND OPC CONTACT INFO AT THE ABOVE
PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE PORTAL PLACE. FOR ADDITIONAL INFO OR
ASSITANCE, CONTACT MS. CHRIS WEHRENBERG,
CHRISTEN.M.WEHRENBERG(AT)USCG.MIL OR 202-372-4561.
9. EXAMINERS ARE NEEDED TO EVALUATE PROSPECTIVE AWARD RECIPIENTS.
SERVING AS A HAMILTON AWARD EXAMINER IS AN EXCELLENT LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY AND CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHT TO UNITS
THAT ARE CONSIDERING ENGAGING IN THE AWARD PROCESS NOW OR IN THE
FUTURE. VOLUNTEER SOLICITATION AND DETAILS WILL BE ISSUED UNDER
SEPARATE ALCOAST.
10. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
11. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.