Make Your Nomination Stand Out: Insider Tips from GoWest Awards Judges

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on May 6, 2026

With the May 22 nomination deadline fast approaching, credit unions across the region are putting the finishing touches on their submissions for the GoWest Awards.

To help demystify the nomination process, GoWest hosted a webinar on May 1 featuring experienced judges and past participants who shared candid advice on what makes a submission truly stand out.

The panel included:

Janelle Herrera, VP of Marketing and Business Development, On Tap Credit Union. Herrera has served as a judge for three years, and On Tap was a finalist in 2025 in the Member Program category for its Money Hacks program.

Joe Storm, VP and Director of Commercial and Business Services, Columbia Credit Union. Storm has been a judge for three years, and Columbia was one of 12 credit unions recognized as a 2025 finalist in the Cooperation and Action category for their Credit Unions for Kids member campaign. Columbia was also a 2024 finalist in the Member Program category for its Overdraft Kindness initiative.

Manny Ruiz, VP of Business Services, Credit Union West. Ruiz brings four years of judging experience, and Credit Union West was a finalist in the Employee Experience Program category in 2025.

Jeremy Gibson, CEO of Trona Valley Federal Credit Union, successfully nominated 2025 Distinguished Director Award winner Dan Stanton.

If you missed the webinar, here’s your inside look at what judges are really looking for and how to make your entry shine.

What Judges Want to See

Across the board, one theme stood out: impact matters.

Key elements of a strong submission:

A clear story — One focused initiative from inception to outcome
Measurable outcomes — Metrics that demonstrate success relative to your credit union’s size
Why it matters — Connect the work back to member impact, community impact, and the credit union difference

“The things that really stand out to me are the results,” Hererra shared. “The more specific or tangible those results can be, the better.”

It’s not enough to say a program was successful. Judges want to understand how it was successful.

Instead of writing, “Employee morale improved,” consider supporting it with measurable outcomes, such as reduced turnover, higher engagement scores, membership growth, or increased loan volume.

Judges appreciate concrete examples over general praise. Especially in individual award categories, showing meaningful, measurable impact can make all the difference.

And it is also important to note that impact is evaluated within context. Larger credit unions don’t automatically win because of scale. What matters is meaningful impact for your credit union and community.

Clarity Wins

Judges review many submissions. If they have to re-read the submission several times to understand the purpose, results, or need, the nomination may lose momentum

“If I can read it once and clearly understand it, that’s extremely helpful,” said Ruiz.

Matching your story closely to the award criteria because submissions that drift outside the scope of the category can lose clarity.

Helpful guidance on length:

A strong, solid paragraph per question often strikes the right balance.
Three sentences is typically not enough context.
A page and a half is usually too much.
Avoid burying your main message on page three.

“Be brief, be brilliant, be on point,” added Storm.

Not too little. Not too much. Just enough to understand it — and feel it.

Tell a Story — But Ground It in Facts

There’s a fine line between emotional storytelling and clear reporting.

(L-R) Jeremy Gibson and Dan Stanton

“There’s a balance between the emotional side you want to convey and getting the facts across,” Herrera said.

Judges want to feel inspired, but they also need clear data and outcomes. The strongest nominations weave those together seamlessly.

Jeremy Gibson shared how he approached his winning nomination for Distinguished Director Award recipient Dan Stanton. He focused not only on what Stanton had done, but who he is — his character, his commitment to the community, and the broader impact of his leadership.

“I wanted to make sure it was interesting and fun for the judges,” Gibson said. “If it’s not eliciting any kind of feelings or inspiration, you probably need to go back to the drawing board.”

His tip: Write a draft then step away from it for a day. Come back with fresh eyes. Revise. Repeat.

Bring It to Life with Links and Visuals

Whenever possible, include supporting materials with your submission.

Adding links and attachments that reinforce the story is recommended. Judges appreciate being able to see the initiative in action — whether that’s a website, a video, marketing collateral, photos, or press coverage.

Herrera offered one important reminder: double-check that links remain active. There can be weeks between submission and judging, and broken links mean missed opportunities.

Creativity can also elevate your submission. Judges highlighted examples of initiatives that stood out because they were timely, clearly impactful, and easy for others to replicate — qualities that often resonate across credit unions of all sizes.

If you have multiple visuals, consider packaging them in a clear, organized format that’s easy for judges to review.

Don’t Overthink It

A few additional reminders from the panel:

You don’t need a huge team or budget to win.
Focus on one strong initiative rather than combining several.
AI tools are fine to use. Just make sure your submission still sounds authentic and concise. “An em dash is a dead giveaway,” quipped Herrera.
If you’re unsure what to nominate, ask your colleagues. Others may see standout initiatives you’ve come to take for granted.

And if you’re on the fence?

“Dive in. Do it,” Storm encouraged. “We love to see submissions. They’re always so inspirational.”

Even if your nomination isn’t selected, submitters receive feedback from judges in August, including comments on strengths and opportunities for improvement.

2026 GoWest Award Categories

Ready to Submit?

Nominations are open now and must be submitted by May 22.

The judges emphasized that the strongest submissions tell a focused story, demonstrate measurable impact, and connect the work back to the credit union mission of People Helping People.

If your credit union is making an impact, we want to celebrate it!

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