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The Community Roundtable

Empowering global community leaders with research-backed resources, training, and tools.

Community Leadership Awards 2021

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Since 2016, our annual online community industry awards have recognized and rewarded excellence in community management.

We are lucky to have visibility into some of the most creative, innovative and effective community work being done today. From non-profit organizations building community on a budget to massive global community programs, members of TheCR Network generously share their successes and challenges with each other. Over the last five years TheCR Awards has spotlighted their successes, and helped global community professionals model their progams after proven examples.

Added bonus? Our winners find that being recognized helps secure executive sponsorship, increased budgets, and wider awareness for their community initiatives. (Literally a win-win situation!)

We’re excited to announce that the awards are back and open for submissions in 2021 – with a new name.

Community Leadership Awards
Community Leadership Awards

To better reflect the true purpose of our long-standing online community awards program and to support our goal of recognizing and rewarding excellence in online community management leadership, TheCR Awards are now the Community Leadership Awards.

The Community Leadership Awards 2021 are now open and accepting submissions and nominations from members of TheCR Network and their organizations in seven categories: Community Champion, Community MVP, Outstanding Recognition + Reward Program, Outstanding Community Dashboard, Outstanding Community Program: New Member Programs, Outstanding Community Design Element, and Outstanding Community ROI.

Community ROI
Community MVP
Outstanding Community Design Element
Outstanding Recognition + Reward Program
Outstanding Community Program
Outstanding Community Dashboard
TheCRAwards_Icon_Champion
Community Champion

Learn more and submit your community program, or nominate a peer or champion here. Call for submissions closes on July 31, 2021.

The Community Roundtable Recognizes Excellence in Community Leadership with TheCR Awards 2020

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Ultimate Kronos Group, World Bank Group, and Avnet among global organizations recognized as leaders of innovation in community management.

The winners of the fifth annual TheCR Awards were announced Thursday, October 29, 2020 and included community leaders from organizations like BAE Systems, AECOM, and Dassault Systèmes. As the recognized leader in community research, training and thought leadership, The Community Roundtable is uniquely qualified to evaluate and reward individual and organizational contributions to the industry. The Community Roundtable presented the awards at their annual conference, Connect 2020.

TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management across four categories: Outstanding Community Program, Outstanding Community Dashboard, Outstanding Community Change Agent, and Best Recognition & Reward Program. Members of TheCR Network – the world’s premier peer network for community professionals – were recognized in six individual categories. Two additional awards, Community MVP and Outstanding Community Achievement, were awarded based on peer nominations. In total, 13 organizations and individuals were recognized for outstanding efforts in community management.

“Community leaders have been the driving force supporting the global shift to remote workplaces,” said Jim Storer, Co-Founder and Principal at The Community Roundtable. “COVID-19 forced many organizations to embrace community solutions in a more holistic way this year, and these community leaders and their teams enabled this dramatic change with their skills, experiences, and practical know how.”

The winners of TheCR Awards 2020 are:

Outstanding Community Dashboard 2020: Ultimate Kronos Group

The “Outstanding Community Dashboard” award recognizes a community dashboard that exhibits the most impressive and engaging design, sharing metrics and measurement in an impactful way that contributes to the overall narrative of a community program.

Outstanding Community Change Agent 2020 – PMC Center

The “Outstanding Community Change Agent” award recognizes a community program or initiative that supported the cultural transformation in a significant way at their organization.

Outstanding Community Program 2020 – Avnet/element 14

The “Outstanding Community Program” award showcases a community program that displayed outstanding creativity, effectiveness, or member participation as part of an overall community strategy.

Best Recognition + Reward Program 2020: World Bank Group

The “Best Recognition + Reward Program” award recognizes outstanding community recognition, reward, and gamification programs that increase engagement, drive participation, and contribute to the overall positive health of the community.

Community MVP 2020, Internal Community: Sarah Mahon, TPN Enterprise Community Manager, AECOM

Community MVP 2020, External Community: Christopher Stanton, Senior Specialist Community Insights & Engagement, Premier Farnell

The “Community MVP” award recognizes excellence in community management – including outstanding efforts, willingness to share with peers, achievements and excellent community results.

Community Champion 2020: Rebecca Kalogeris, Vice President, Marketing & Product Strategy, Pragmatic Institute

The “Community Champion” award recognizes an outstanding community stakeholder or executive.

TheCR Network Detective 2020: Jillian Bejtlich, Community Collaboration Strategist, BAE Systems

“TheCR Network Detective” awards the member who helps source group knowledge and expertise by regularly asking thoughtful and meaningful questions in TheCR Network.

TheCR Network Explorer 2020: Dennis Pearce, Online Community & Collaboration Strategist, Start Early (formerly The Ounce of Prevention Fund)

“TheCR Network Explorer” awards the member who charts new territory in the community management industry. They take best practices, research, and community models to experiment and advance the industry.

TheCR Network Pack Leader 2020: Ashleigh Brookshaw, Manager, Community Engagement, ASSP

“TheCR Network Pack Leader” awards the member who consistently leads the most discussions, online, in-person, and on virtual calls, and shows leadership around a topic or initiative in TheCR Network.

TheCR Network Journaler 2020: Tammy Triplett, Enterprise Community Manager, Leidos.

“TheCR Network Journaler” awards the member who “works out loud” the most regularly and with the most depth.

TheCR Network Power User 2020: Peter Broadley, Manager, Community Development and Engagement, CSA Group

“TheCR Network Power User” awards the most active member in TheCR Network who contributes on a regular basis in a wide variety of ways, from sharing their expertise to supporting and encouraging other members.

TheCR Network Rookie of the Year 2020: Ryan Priddy, SOLIDWORKS Digital Community Manager, Dassault Systemes

“TheCR Network Rookie of the Year” awards a Network member who has fewer than three years of industry experience, is new to TheCR Network, and is a power user – regularly collaborating and contributing inside the Network.

View all winners and learn more.

Dina Vekaria + Maren Beckman on Remote Teams

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Join the community experts at The Community Roundtable as they chat about online community management best practices with a wide range of global community professionals. Topics include increasing online audience engagement, finding and leveraging executive stakeholders, defining and calculating online community ROI and more. 

Find more episodes.

Episode #65 features Maren Beckman, Global Community Manager, and Dina Vekaria, Senior Global Community Manager at Pearson.

In this episode of the podcast, Maren and Dina discuss best practices for time zone management on remote teams, thriving on a dispersed team, the power of using “work out loud” (WOL) practices for accountability and visibility, and their successful “People of Person” vlog series.

Listen Now:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

About Conversations with Community Managers*
To better reflect the diverse conversations our podcast covers we’ve changed the name of our long-running series to Community Conversations.
Community Conversations highlights short conversations with some of the smartest minds in the online community and social business space, exploring what they’re working on, why they do what they do, and what advice they have for you.
These episodes are a great way to begin to understand the nuances of community strategy and management.
Each episode is short (usually less than 30 minutes) and focuses on one community management professional.

The Community Roundtable Recognizes Excellence in Community Management with TheCR Awards 2019

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TheCR Awards - 2019

Humana, Inc., Heifer International, and Analog Devices, Inc. among global organizations celebrated as leaders in community management.

The winners of the fourth annual TheCR Awards were announced Tuesday, September 24, 2019 including innovative community leaders from Pearson, BMC Software, World Bank Group and Humana. The Community Roundtable, the leading global resource for the community management industry, presented the awards at their annual conference in Boston, TheCR Connect. As the recognized leader in community management research, training and thought leadership, The Community Roundtable is uniquely qualified to evaluate and reward individual and organizational contributions to the industry.

TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management across four categories: Outstanding Community ROI, Outstanding Center of Excellence, Outstanding Community Change Agent, and Best Recognition & Reward Program. Members of TheCR Network – the world’s premier resource for community professionals – were recognized in six individual categories. Two additional awards, Community MVP and Outstanding Community Achievement, were awarded based on peer nominations.  In total, 14 organizations and individuals were recognized for outstanding efforts in community management.

“We see how community leaders are impacting the success of their organizations by empowering individuals,” said Rachel Happe, Co-Founder and Principal at The Community Roundtable. “These leaders are changing how their organizations engage and in doing so, changing business models to be more inclusive and powerful.”

The winners of TheCR Awards 2019 are:

TheCR Network Detective: Caroline Sekar, Manager, Community and Community Programs, Cisco Meraki

“TheCR Network Detective” awards the member who helps source group knowledge and expertise by regularly asking thoughtful and meaningful questions in TheCR Network.

TheCR Network Explorer: Oonagh McQuarrie, Content Creation &Engagement Manager, Massage Envy

“TheCR Network Explorer” awards the member who charts new territory in the community management industry. They take best practices, research, and community models to experiment and advance the industry.

TheCR Network Pack Leader: Peter Broadley, Manager, Community Development and Engagement, CSA Group

“TheCR Network Pack Leader” awards the member who consistently leads the most discussions, online, in-person, and on virtual calls, and shows leadership around a topic or initiative in TheCR Network.

TheCR Network Journaler: Maren Beckman, Community Manager, Pearson

“TheCR Network Journaler” awards the member who works out loud the most regularly and with the most depth.

TheCR Network Power User: Christopher Detzel, Community Manager, Imperva

“TheCR Network Power User” awards the most active member in TheCR Network who contributes on a regular basis in a wide variety of ways, from sharing their expertise to supporting and encouraging other members.

TheCR Network Rookie of the Year: Amy Rood, Online Community Manager, Ounce of Prevention Fund

“TheCR Network Rookie of the Year” awards a Network member who has fewer than three years of industry experience, is new to TheCR Network, and is a power user – regularly collaborating and contributing inside the Network.

Outstanding Community ROI: BMC Software

The “Outstanding Community ROI” award recognizes the community that best demonstrates significant ROI for their organization/business unit through innovative community management practices.

Outstanding Community Change Agent

The “Outstanding Community Change Agent” recognizes a community program or initiative that supported the cultural transformation in a large or small way at their organization.

The Outstanding Community Change Agent was awarded in three distinct categories in 2018: Individual Change Agent, Program Change Agent and Organizational Change Agent:

Outstanding Community Change Agent – External Community Program: Analog Devices, Inc.

Outstanding Community Change Agent – Internal Community Program: Humana, Inc.

Outstanding Center of Excellence

The “Outstanding Center of Excellence” award recognizes a community center of excellence that makes a measurable impact on their organization.

Outstanding Center of Excellence – External Community Program: World Bank Group

Outstanding Center of Excellence – Internal Community Program: CSA Group

Best Recognition + Reward Program: Heifer International

The “Best Recognition + Reward Program” award recognizes outstanding community recognition, reward, and gamification programs that increase engagement, drive participation and contribute to the overall positive health of your community.

Community MVP: Dina Vekaria, Community Manager, Pearson

The “Community MVP” award recognizes excellence in community management – including outstanding efforts, willingness to share with peers, achievements and excellent community results.

Outstanding Community Achievement: Jeff Ross, Community Strategist, Humana, Inc.

The “Outstanding Community Achievement” award recognizes someone who has dedicated much of their time and effort to successfully managing communities, furthering the industry, and helping their peers through sharing experiences, knowledge, and general support.

Learn more!

Open for Submissions: TheCR Awards 2019

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TheCR Awards 2019


For the fourth year, TheCR Awards are recognizing the excellence in community management that members of TheCR Network share on a daily basis. We see our members sharing incredible community work on Roundtable calls, in discussion threads, and in case studies. We hear stories about how their work challenges them and then we get to see the incredible results they end up with. It’s time again to recognize these community management leaders.

TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management, and submissions for the 2019 awards are now being accepted. Designed to recognize the best in a variety of community management categories, TheCR Connect Awards submissions are open to members of TheCR Network and their community teams.

Submit your community programs in a variety of categories, including:

  • Outstanding Community ROI
  • Best Community Dashboard
  • Outstanding Community Change Agent
  • Best Recognition + Reward Program
  • Outstanding Center of Excellence
  • Community MVP
  • Community Champion

In addition to the satisfaction of sharing your innovative and effective community solutions, winning one of TheCR Awards can make an impact for you and your team. Check out past winners and read their stories.

Past recipients have received increased executive support, expanded budgets, and greater organizational awareness after their wins.

You can learn more and submit your community programs here.

The Recognition Your Community Program Deserves

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Every day I get to watch amazing community management professionals do exciting, innovative work. The other side of that coin is that every day I also hear stories of how their work go underappreciated, and underfunded at their organizations. If you’re an outstanding actor, you might get an Oscar or an Emmy, and now, if you’re an outstanding community manager your work can be recognized with our annual award for excellence.

The third annual TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management, and submissions for the 2018 awards are now being accepted. Designed to recognize the best in a variety of community management categories, TheCR Connect Awards are open to members of TheCR Network and their community teams.

Submit your community programs in a variety of categories, including:

  • Outstanding Community ROI
  • Best Recognition + Reward Program
  • Best Community Dashboard
  • Outstanding Community Playbook
  • Outstanding Community Change Agent
  • Community MVP

In addition to the satisfaction of sharing your innovative and effective community solutions, winning one of TheCR Awards can make an impact for you and your team. Past recipients have received increased executive support, expanded budgets, and greater organizational awareness after their wins.

You can learn more and submit your community programs here.

 

Recognizing Excellence in Community Management

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We’re coming to the end of the traditional award season – but our annual community management awards are just ramping up. Now in their third year, TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management.

Last year we had the honor of presenting four global community programs with awards in recognition of their community efforts – American Express (Best Community Design Element), Electronic Arts (Best Reward and Recognition Program) Autodesk (Winning Welcome Wagon), Carbon Black (Outstanding Community ROI) and six individual community managers with additional awards ranging from Power User to The Community MVP.

The Awards are back for 2018 with exciting new categories like Best Community Dashboard, Outstanding Community Playbook, and Outstanding Community Change Agent. You can learn more here. TheCR Awards will be open for 2018 submission in the following categories starting June 1, 2018. More details and award criteria will be released shortly.

 

Announcing the Winners of TheCR Awards 2017

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Last week I had the honor of announcing the winners of TheCR Awards 2017. TheCR Awards recognize excellence in community management across four categories including, Outstanding ROI, Best Community Design Element, Winning Welcome Wagon, and Best Recognition & Reward Program. Members of TheCR Network –the world’s premier resource for community professionals – were recognized in five categories. One additional award, Community MVP was awarded based on peer nominations.

Every day I get to see the amazing community our global network of community professionals is doing. Today, I’m thrilled to share the winner of TheCR Awards 2017 with you.

 

TheCR Awards 2017 winners are:

TheCR Network Detective: Cassandra Chin, Impact Analytics Operations & Community Specialist, City Year

“TheCR Network Detective” awards the member who helps source group knowledge and expertise by regularly asking thoughtful and meaningful questions in TheCR Network.

Cassandra Chin drives valuable discussions and resources inside TheCR Network by asking valuable and thoughtful questions weekly. Her inquisitive nature encourages participation and supports others work.

TheCR Network Journaler: Patty McEnaney, Director of Knowledge Management & Social, Envestnet Asset Management 

“TheCR Network Journaler” awards the member who works out loud the most regularly and with the most depth.

Patty McEnaney is an active member of TheCR Network who regularly shares back her work with members of the Network, providing support, behavior-modeling and guidance to her peers. Patty’s commitment to working out loud has made a lasting impact in the Network. 

TheCR Network Explorer: Heather Ausmus, Director of Community, Ciena 

“TheCR Network Explorer” awards the member who charts new territory in the community management industry. They take best practices, research, and community models to experiment and advance the industry.

Heather Ausmus uses TheCR’s models, including the Community Maturity Model and the ROI model, to build and adapt her community programs, providing actionable examples for other members.

TheCR Network Pack Leader: Ted Hopton, Director of Social Business, McGraw-Hill Education 

“TheCR Network Pack Leader” awards the member who consistently leads the most discussions, online, in-person, and on virtual calls, and shows leadership around a topic or initiative in TheCR Network.

Ted Hopton is a leader in TheCR Network around a variety of topics, and is being specifically recognized this year for his outstanding work planning, managing and ensuring the success of the Enterprise Platform Review Working Group.

TheCR Network Power User: Lori Harrison-Smith, Enterprise Community Manager, Steelcase

“TheCR Network Power User” awards the most active member in TheCR Network who contributes on a regular basis in a wide variety of ways, from sharing their expertise to supporting and encouraging other members.

Lori Harrison-Smith is an active member in TheCR Network, contributing and collaborating in a wide variety of programs. Her participation supports the success of countless members, and makes TheCR Network a more valuable resource for many community professionals.

Outstanding Community ROI: Carbon Black

 The “Outstanding Community ROI” award recognizes the community that best demonstrates significant ROI for their organization/business unit through innovative community management practices. Carbon Black’s community-based social support provides outstanding ROI for their organization.

 

 

Winning Welcome Wagon: Autodesk

The “Winning Welcome Wagon” award recognizes a new member welcome/onboarding program that increases participation, encourages enthusiasm and incorporates innovative community management ideas. Autodesk provides necessary information to new members following their registration in the community via a series of three concise, visually-appealing, informative and marketing-free welcome emails.

 

 

Best Community Design Element: American Express

The “Best Community Design Element” award recognizes a community program that shows the most impressive and engaging UI or design element. These submissions should show how the element encourages participation, increases engagement and/or contributes to overall community success. American Express’s mobile-responsive community homepage provides their employees with the information they need at their fingertips, connecting them with their colleagues around the world, and enabling them to access the tool on any device, wherever their day may take them.

Best Recognition + Reward Program: Electronic Arts

The “Best Recognition + Reward Program” award recognizes outstanding community recognition, reward, and gamification programs that increase engagement, drive participation and contribute to the overall positive health of your community. Electronic Arts hosts a gaming network that is home to millions of players, with Answers HQ right in the middle. Answers HQ allows players to be recognized for their efforts by turning community participation into a game. Each action a user takes in the community is validated through a variety of recognition rewards.

Community MVP: Jerry Janda, Manager, Community Communications, SAP

The “Community MVP” award recognizes excellence in community management – including outstanding efforts, willingness to share with peers, achievements and excellent community results. Although Jerry has only been with the SAP team for a year, he has quickly gained acceptance from even their most vocal critics. Their respect for him is evident in their responses to him, where they thank him for his swift, informative replies and show appreciation for his sense of humor!

His contributions include:

  • A steady stream of blog posts and conversations written to engage and educate community members.
  • A sense of humor that can turn negative feedback into a fun conversation which leads to positive change.
  • “Member of the Month” profiles that earn high praise from the community, helping to build morale and improve overall sentiment.