IABC - Heritage Region

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I enter my work in Silver Quill?
A: You can:

Benchmark your work against best practices in organizational communication.
Obtain a valuable critique of your work from experienced professionals in the field.
Use a disciplined method for achieving excellence in communications.
Enhance your stature within your organization.
Use entries for the required work samples when you apply for professional accreditation.
Gain feedback to enter the 2010 IABC Gold Quill competition.

And if you win…..it’s a great conversation-starter to place on your resume or CV!

Q: Who should enter Silver Quill?
A: The sky’s the limit! If you touch communications in any form, you’re a communicator and we welcome your project. If you’re unsure, please review the categories on the Call for Entries.

Q: Who is eligible?
A. All business communicators in the Heritage Region are eligible to enter. You do not need to be an IABC member to enter. The region covers Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.

The entrant listed on the entry form must have had direct and primary involvement in implementing the project submitted. Agencies are welcome to enter work done on behalf of their clients, but you may not submit work under someone else's name.

Q: Can I list more than one entrant?
A: List only one entrant and the entrant's organization on the entry form. If your entry wins an award, you will have the opportunity to order additional Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit for the other principals.

Q: How do I enter?
A: For each entry:

Choose the appropriate division and category
Complete the entry form
Complete a work summary
Assemble a work sample
Follow the instructions carefully

Q: How many awards will be given?
A: Entries with a qualifying score from first round panel will be advanced for judging by a second round panel. Judges may designate Best of 2009 Award, Best of Division Awards, Awards of Excellence and /or Awards of Merit, however, judges are not required to give awards if no entries qualify. All judging decisions are final.

Q: Will I be notified that my entry has been received?
A: Unfortunately we can not provide proactive entry confirmations. It is your responsibility to send your entry and payment via a carrier that can provide you with this information if you want confirmation of receipt.

Q: Who judges the entries?
A: Judges are selected by invitation from among the region’s Accredited Business Communicators (ABCs) and past Gold Quill and Silver Quill winners.

Q: How do judges score the entries?
A: All entries are judged by at least two judges. The work summary and work samples weighting vary depending on division.

Division	Scoring
Division 1: Communication Management	50% work plan 50% work sample
Division 2: Communication Skills	40% work plan 60% work sample
Division 3: Communication Creative	25% work plan 75% work sample

Judges look for evidence of careful planning and documentation of an entry's success through well-defined objectives with measurable results. Quantitative results are highly desired. They consider how well a program is conceived, created and executed for its intended audiences, and how appropriate the strategy and objectives are in relation to the results desired and achieved. If their opinions vary too greatly, a third judge will arbitrate.

Do not skip a requested item. You must address each element to score well.

Q: Can I submit several different entries? How about for the same project?
A: You may submit as many different entries as you wish. The same project can be entered in multiple categories. We highly suggest tailoring your work plan significantly as scoring will vary based on category. Fill in a separate entry form for each entry, as well as the full fee for each.

Q: Will I receive feedback?
A: Yes! You will receive an electronic score sheet from each judge, identifying your entry's strengths and areas for improvement. Since we’ve moved to electronic delivery, we’ve found that the judges are able to expand on their written evaluations to provide valuable feedback.

Silver Quill Competition

Frequently Asked Questions