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WITH less than 20 days to the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) local nominations deadline of April 25, it is fitting to focus on the process of the programme

WITH less than 20 days to the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) local nominations deadline of April 25, it is fitting to focus on the process of the programme to ensure that we together identify the best possible nominees to represent Zimbabwe in the international phase of the competition.

Some members of our society may still be in doubt as to why they should contribute to this initiative by nominating honorees, sponsoring TOYP or adjudicating in this programme.

Firstly, we promote the success and economic betterment of the young persons we nominate for such awards. Nominees who make it to the international leg will receive two complimentary registrations, hotel accommodation for three days, two nights and one economy airline ticket to the JCI (Junior Chamber International) World congress in Leipzig, Germany, in November 2014, where they will be honoured.

As a community, we promote creativity and social responsibility among the youth by inculcating virtues such as free enterprise, service to humanity and good governance, amongst others.

Corporates stand to gain international visibility by partnering with JCI Bulawayo, as millions of people worldwide will see their corporate identities on our websites and social media. The professionals and entrepreneurs who will adjudicate this year’s edition of TOYP also stand to grow and gain international exposure for themselves and the organisations they represent.

Bulawayo itself is receiving publicity as the city hosting the JCI chapter running the TOYP programme in Zimbabwe, which could potentially open up investment or tourism opportunities.

What you should have done by now We trust you have been reading TOYP articles in the press, browsing the JCI website www.jci.cc/local/bulawayo and checking out our facebook pages [email protected] and [email protected]  to learn what TOYP is and why it is significant.

As previously discussed in this column, TOYP is a JCI programme that seeks to recognise young people aged between 18 and 40 years that are making outstanding contributions to society by providing creative solutions in the following areas (our award categories):

  •   Business, economic and entrepreneurial accomplishment,
  • Political, legal and/or governmental affairs,
  • Academic leadership and/or accomplishment,
  • Cultural achievement,
  • Moral and environmental leadership,
  • Contribution to children, world peace and/or human rights,
  • Humanitarian and voluntary leadership,
  • Scientific and technological development,
  • Personal improvement and/or accomplishment,
  • Medical innovation.

We invite you as organisations engaged in the above fraternities or as interested individuals, to nominate the outstanding people that you know, linking them with one award category or the other.

What you should be doing now Now you should be seeking a nomination form to nominate your intended nominee for a TOYP award. You can do this by:

-Writing an email to us on [email protected] or [email protected], to request a form,

-Going onto our Facebook pages or JCI Bulawayo website to access the nomination form link, or

-Requesting a printed nomination form from any member of JCI chapters in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare, Kwekwe or Gweru.

The form requires the following information pertaining to the nominee:

  •   Full name, birthdate, home address, country and citizenship,
  • E-mail address and contact numbers
  • Occupation or profession,
  • Business name and contact details,
  • Marital status and where applicable, spouse’s name, children’s names and ages.

Brief descriptions on education,  most important published works with timelines Additional details on the exceptional achievements of the nominee and the challenges he/she has overcome to achieve them Details of any awards and honors the nominee received that illustrate his/her achievements

Explanation of how the nominee exemplifies the principle expressed in the JCI Creed, “That service to humanity is the best work of life”.

Lastly, why you believe that the nominee should be selected as one of the JCI TOYP World in a particular category of achievement listed above.

The JCI Bulawayo TOYP Team will assist you to complete the form should you not have all the required information at hand. What you should do next:

We need you! Spread the word about TOYP, follow the developments of the programme, like our Facebook page and support the nominees as much as possible.  Mlondolozi Ndlovu is the 2014 local president of JCI Bulawayo. e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]