IAAO Awards Program

Eligibility

• Previous winners are not eligible (check if not a previous winner)
• Must have 10 or more consecutive years of IAAO membership

Time Frame

• “Period of years” in the below contributions is suggested to be 5 or more years of significant contribution.
• Ten or more consecutive years of IAAO membership still apply.

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Made a significant contribution to IAAO for a period of years by participating in its activities
• Worked toward the realization of the IAAO mission

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• Has served in an elected position of IAAO, as a committee member or chair, an IAAO instructor, a speaker at IAAO programs, a grader, an IAAO Representative or an advisor
• Has actively promoted IAAO
• Has a record of distinguished publications
• Has been in other assessment and professional organizations
• Has served in other public service organizations

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the individual’s contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

• Previous winners are not eligible (check if not a previous winner)
• Has served on a committee/board, as an elected position, instructor, speaker, volunteer at conferences and/or seminars/classes, etc.

Time Frame

• Previous calendar year

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Member who has made a significant contribution to the association in the previous calendar year through active participation in its activities.
• Who has made an outstanding contribution to the IAAO mission in his or her career

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• Has made a significant contribution to the association in the previous calendar year through active participation in its activities.
• Has made an outstanding contribution to the IAAO mission in his or her career

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Evidence of impact
• Information about the individual’s contributions

Eligibility

• Previous winners are not eligible (check if not a previous winner)
• Comparatively early in his or her career
• Must have a minimum of two years of IAAO membership but not more than 10 years

Time Frame

• None

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Has made a significant contribution to IAAO by demonstrating leadership in the organization
• Participating in various IAAO activities
• Assisting other members and working toward the realization of IAAO’s mission
• A successful nominee may be involved with any activities IAAO encompasses.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• Has been a positive influence for new IAAO membership or active participation in the organization
• Has been involved in an IAAO Chapter or Affiliate organization
• Has earned an IAAO professional designation and/or assisted other members with completing their designations
• Has demonstrated leadership within his or her jurisdiction on projects that have improved the assessment process for the benefit of the taxpayers and general public
• Has published articles, newsletters or other communication items that help the industry
• Has participated in technical research related to the assessment profession
• Has served on IAAO committees or other work groups
• Has developed technical tools or solutions to improve the assessment process through improved software applications, new methods of technical analysis, or use of new technology

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the individual’s contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

• Previous winners are not eligible (check if not a previous winner)

Time Frame

• None

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Work on a global scale, influencing practices or policies outside their home country.
• Work should have had a measurable positive impact on assessment practices, policies, or the profession itself in different countries or regions.
• Leadership in promoting the importance of professional development in valuation and assessment worldwide.
• Programs that advance the professional development of assessment practitioners worldwide.
• Such programs could focus on education, training, certification, or technological innovations that have global applicability.
• Their contributions should be considered groundbreaking or have led to improvements that are acknowledged by peers and the broader international community.
• They may have worked with governmental, non-governmental, or academic institutions to promote better assessment practices globally.
• Member whose efforts have improved the development of valuation professionals around the world and encouraged the advancement of the assessment community in a global environment.
• Nominations may be submitted for published articles, activities and programs presented at an international level.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• The work could include research articles, books, reports, or studies that have been disseminated on a global scale, influencing practices or policies outside their home country.
• Their work should have had a measurable positive impact on assessment practices, policies, or the profession itself in different countries or regions.
• The nominee should have shown leadership in promoting the importance of professional development in valuation and assessment worldwide.
• This might include organizing or speaking at international conferences, seminars, or forums that foster dialogue, education, or the sharing of best practices.
• The nominee may have designed, implemented, or significantly contributed to programs that advance the professional development of assessment practitioners worldwide.
• Such programs could focus on education, training, certification, or technological innovations that have global applicability.
• Their contributions should be considered groundbreaking or have led to improvements that are acknowledged by peers and the broader international community.
• They may have worked with governmental, non-governmental, or academic institutions to promote better assessment practices globally.
• Member whose efforts have improved the development of valuation professionals around the world and encouraged the advancement of the assessment community in a global environment.
• Nominations may be submitted for published articles, activities and programs presented at an international level.

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the individual’s contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

• Nominee must be an IAAO Associate Member (non-voting membership category).

Time Frame

• Contributions can be from the past year or multiple recent years.
• While the award focuses on recent accomplishments, consideration may be given to sustained contributions over multiple years.

Eligible Work or Contributions

• The nominee’s contributions must be significant and noteworthy, deserving formal recognition. Recognized for substantial effort or achievement in one or more of the following:

Writing or speaking on topics such as:

• Equalization
• Assessment
• Assessment administration
• Taxation

Advancing the IAAO mission through:

• Fundraising activities
• Providing professional expertise or resources that benefit IAAO programs or members
• The individual also may have contributed time, effort, talent and resources.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

The nominee’s actions should have had a positive and meaningful impact on:

• The IAAO community, or
• The assessment and appraisal profession in general.
• These contributions may reflect a fresh, new approach that adds value to the appraisal profession.

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the individual’s contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

The nominee must be a government assessment or revenue agency at one of the following levels:

• National
• State or Provincial
• Regional
• Local
• Previous winners of this award are not eligible for the following year.

Time Frame

• The agency must have implemented an eligible program within the past two years prior to nomination.

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Presented to a national, state/provincial, regional or local assessment agency that has instituted a technical, procedural or administrative program which is an improvement over prior programs in that jurisdiction and is generally recognized as a component of a model assessment system and a contributing factor to equity in property taxation.
• It should demonstrate innovation or significant advancement in one or more areas of property assessment or tax administration.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

The program must have shown successful results by demonstrating measurable or observable improvements in:

• Equity in property taxation
• Accuracy or uniformity in assessments

• Efficiency or effectiveness of assessment operations
• Transparency or service to taxpayers or stakeholders

The program should be generally recognized as a component of a model assessment system, meaning:

• It could serve as a best practice for other jurisdictions.
• It contributes to fairness and equity in property tax administration.
• Jurisdictions of all sizes are encouraged to submit nominations.
• Selection is based on innovation and results, not jurisdiction size or resources.

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the individual’s contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

Open to government assessment or revenue agencies at any level:

• National
• State or Provincial
• Regional
• Local
• Previous winners of this award are not eligible for the following year.

Time Frame

• The agency must have implemented the program within the two years prior to nomination.

Eligible Work or Contributions

The program must focus on distributing information effectively to:

• Taxpayers
• Other stakeholders (e.g., property owners, public officials, or the media)
• It may include communication tools, public outreach, or educational initiatives.
• The program must demonstrate successful results, such as:
• Improved public understanding of the assessment process or property taxes
• Enhanced transparency or trust in the agency
• Increased engagement through media, events, or digital tools
• Positive feedback or measurable outcomes from stakeholders
• The communication system should show innovation in how it delivers information.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

Special consideration is given to jurisdictions with:

• High-quality websites
• Effective use of social media
• Creative outreach methods, such as videos, newsletters, or community workshops
• The program should serve as a model for other jurisdictions by demonstrating:
• Best practices in public communication
• A clear contribution to equity, understanding, and transparency in property assessment and taxation
• Jurisdictions of all sizes, especially those with high quality websites and social media resources, are encouraged to submit nominations.
• The award recognizes excellence relative to resources and scale, not just large programs.

Documentation for Nomination

Screenshots of websites, social media pages, videos, newsletters, and photos from community outreach. (For security reasons, expired pages, and more please do not provide web links)

• Evidence of impact
• Information about the jurisdiction’s contributions

Eligibility

• The nominee must be an official IAAO Chapter or Affiliate organization.

The Chapter or Affiliate must be in compliance with all current IAAO regulations, including:

• Timely submission of required reports and forms.
• Adherence to IAAO bylaws and policies.
• Active membership and good standing with IAAO.
• Previous winners of this award are not eligible for the following year.

Time Frame

• None

Eligible Work or Contributions

The organization must have made a significant and outstanding contribution toward fulfilling the IAAO mission, which centers on:

• Promoting innovation, excellence, and equity in property appraisal, assessment administration, and property tax policy.

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

The Chapter or Affiliate should have demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• Educational Programs: Hosting or sponsoring seminars, workshops, webinars, or conferences that promote professional development.
• Member Engagement: Providing valuable programs, resources, and opportunities for members to grow and connect.
• Public Outreach or Advocacy: Enhancing public understanding of assessment and taxation or promoting the profession in the community.

• Professional Development Initiatives: Supporting members in obtaining IAAO designations, certifications, or continuing education.
• Innovation or Collaboration: Implementing new programs, partnerships, or tools that strengthen the organization and its impact.

The Chapter or Affiliate’s activities should have tangible, positive outcomes, such as:

• Increased member participation or satisfaction.
• Growth in educational attendance or certification rates.
• Enhanced visibility and reputation of IAAO at the local or regional level.
• Measurable advancement of professional standards.

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the Chapter or Affiliate contributions
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

Automatically eligible:

• Any article published in IAAO periodicals or IAAO joint publications, such as:
  • Fair + Equitable magazine
  • Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration
  • Other official IAAO co-published works
  • Provided that the author (or at least one co-author) is an IAAO member.
  • All articles published in IAAO periodicals and IAAO joint publications are automatically eligible, provided the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member.

Eligible by nomination:

• Unpublished essays
• Articles published in non-IAAO periodicals or books during the previous calendar year
• These must also have at least one author who is an IAAO member.
• Unpublished essays or articles published in non-IAAO periodicals or books in the previous year may also be nominated if the author or at least one of multiple authors is an IAAO member.
• The author, or at least one of multiple authors, must be a current member of IAAO.

Time Frame

Eligible works must have been:

• Published or completed within the previous year
• Recently released if submitted from outside IAAO publications

Eligible Work or Contributions

• See above

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

Articles or essays are judged based on:

• Technical innovation – introduction or explanation of new methods, technologies, or analytical approaches in assessment or taxation
• Contribution to the profession – value and applicability to assessment professionals or agencies
• Clarity and quality of writing – organization, presentation, and readability
• Research and accuracy – soundness of data, analysis, and conclusions
• Innovations or advancements related to:
• Assessment methodology
• Mass appraisal techniques
• Data analysis or modeling
• Tax policy or administration
• Use of technology or GIS in assessment
• Valuation practices or statistical testing

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the Chapter or Affiliate contributions
• Copy of the nominated article or essay
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

Publications must be produced by one of the following:

• A state, provincial, regional, or local assessors’ association
• An IAAO Chapter
• Another organization with similar goals to IAAO (such as promoting professionalism, education, and equity in property assessment), including non-profits or private companies

Time Frame

• The publication must have been produced within the award year or the previous year

Eligible Work or Contributions

• Publications include but are not limited to newslater, e-newsletter, magazine, journal, or periodical
• It also includes new media such as podcasts, social media, apps, websites, etc.
• Both print and digital publications are eligible
• The above needs to be devoted wholly to the concerns of the mass appraisal profession and produced by the nominating organization
• Individual articles can be nominated for the Bernard L Barnard Award or the James A. Howze, CAE, Distinguished Research and Development Award

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• The publication must promote the IAAO mission (innovation, excellence, and equity in assessment and taxation)
• Should support education, professional development, and communication among assessment professionals
• Evaluated on quality of content, clarity, professionalism, contribution to the profession, and originality

• The nomination should include name, producing organization, purpose, and evidence of mission support

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the Chapter or Affiliate contributions
• The nomination should include name, producing organization, purpose, and evidence of mission support
• A copy or sample of the publication must be submitted with the nomination
• Evidence of impact

Eligibility

Open to a wide range of potential recipients, including:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational institutions
• Private-sector firms
• Public agencies
• Individuals or teams of individuals
• Nominees must have conducted or supported original, innovative, or influential research that advances the valuation profession

Time Frame

• The research, innovation, or contribution should have been completed or implemented within the past few years and demonstrated successful results

Eligible Work or Contributions

Original research or technical development in areas such as:

• Property assessment methodology
• Tax policy or administration
• Mass appraisal modeling or techniques
• Use of technology (e.g., GIS, AI, statistical modeling) in valuation
• Innovations that improve accuracy, equity, or efficiency in property valuation

May also recognize unique assistance or contributions that advance the valuation profession, such as:

• Developing groundbreaking tools, models, or analytical frameworks
• Conducting influential studies or reports
• Providing expert guidance that significantly improves professional practice

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• Originality – The work introduces new ideas, methods, or applications in assessment or taxation
• Technical Merit – The research or development shows strong analytical rigor and sound methodology
• Practical Impact – The work has clear, demonstrated benefits for the valuation or property tax profession
• Relevance – Addresses important or emerging issues in property assessment or mass appraisal
• Contribution to the Profession – Advances professional standards, understanding, or technology within the field

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

• Information about the organization or the individual’s role in the work
• A summary or abstract of the research or project
• A description of its purpose, methods, and results
• Evidence of impact (e.g., adoption, publication, measurable improvement)

Eligibility

• Open to any individual, regardless of membership type or current membership status in IAAO

Time Frame

• The nominee must have made notable, long-term contributions

Eligible Work or Contributions

• The nominee must have made notable, long-term contributions to IAAO’s success and visibility through:
• Provided behind-the-scenes support in fundraising or promotion
• Fundraising activities supporting IAAO programs, education, or events
• Public relations and promotional efforts enhancing IAAO’s image and reach
• Volunteer service contributing to IAAO’s professional and educational mission
• Championed IAAO events or helped secure sponsors, donors, or partnerships
• Acted as ambassadors for IAAO, expanding its reach and influence

Mission Alignment – The nominee’s work must directly support and advance the IAAO mission, which emphasizes:

• Promoting innovation, excellence, and equity in property appraisal, assessment administration, and property tax policy
• Enhancing professional development and public understanding of the assessment profession

Evaluation Criteria (may include, but not limited to):

• Dedication and Longevity – years of consistent service or involvement in IAAO fundraising and outreach activities
• Impact – measurable or visible results of the nominee’s contributions (funds raised, awareness increased, participation improved)
• Leadership and Initiative – demonstrated initiative, creativity, or leadership in developing or supporting IAAO programs and events
• Service and Spirit – enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment that embodies the spirit of volunteerism and support Rosalyn Johnston exemplified

Documentation for Nomination (typically includes):

A summary of the nominee’s contributions to fundraising and public relations

• Specific examples of how their efforts advanced IAAO’s mission
• Duration and scope of involvement with IAAO
• Supporting materials or testimonials, if applicable