You are probably most familiar with the honorary awards (non-cash) presented at the Commissioner's Annual Awards Ceremony held each October. However, managers, supervisors, and the Commissioner may also confer honorary recognition on deserving employees throughout the year, whether it is for doing a great job with customers, getting a critical task done especially quickly, performing exceptionally on a team project, or demonstrating exceptional courage when performing law enforcement duties.

Traditional honorary awards conferred by Customs bear the agency's name, seal, or other specially designed inscription related to the Customs mission. They serve to permanently remind employees that their efforts are formally appreciated.

Photo Credit: Gerald L. Nino

Wanda Dudley and Nancy Sutton with some of the items available to recognize employees.

Two individuals keep their fingers on the pulse of this important activity: Wanda Dudley and Nancy Sutton. Together, they manage the Customs National Awards Program (NAP), which culminates in the Commissioner's Annual Awards Ceremony. Dudley began working with the NAP in 1998. Sutton joined the program last August. U.S. Customs Today sat down with both to discuss the program:

What special accomplishments does Customs recognize with honorary awards?
Our employees can receive honorary awards for improved work processes, partnership and team efforts, exceptional customer service or commitment to quality and efficiency, and strategic problem solving and data analysis. Managers, supervisors, and the Commissioner confer the awards.

What types of items can managers/supervisors present as honorary awards?
We have over 100 attractive items available at all times, so there's a wide range of choices. The Customs brief bag, note pad holder, and jotter are popular items. When managers are looking for a personal item to present, items such as Customs hats, scarves, lapel pins, umbrellas, key rings, or mugs are widely used. And the desk clock, pen, and paperweight/coaster are best sellers when they want to present a desk accessory. Once selections are made, we package and ship them to the appropriate location. We're very proud of our customer service record.

How do managers/supervisors select from all these options?
When they call us or drop in, we always offer suggestions and tell them what items are especially popular and appreciated by employees, what's in stock, and what are replacements for out-of-stock items. It's fun to work with people who are in the process of recognizing their employees. Supervisors may choose to order honorary items directly from a vendor, but they need to be careful to conform to the Commissioner's approved guidelines, which we'd be happy to clarify for them.

What honorary recognition does the Commissioner present?
All Commissioner's Award recipients are presented awards by the Commissioner at the Annual Awards Ceremony held in October of each year. [The awardees for 2000 were further recognized in the November issue of U.S. Customs Today.] The Commissioner also presents awards throughout the year such as:

• Blue Eagle Award - for successful enforcement actions clearly beyond expected daily duties that achieved significant results.
• U.S. Customs Service Unit Citation - top honor for a group of employees whose performance as a unit exceeds quantity and quality of normal requirements.
• Humanitarian Award - for compassionate and humanitarian assistance to people in life-threatening situations.
• Meritorious Service Award for Valor - for unusual courage and bravery while on official duty in situations not commonly encountered where there is known personal risk of serious harm.
• Exceptional Service Award - for outstanding performance of duty.

What types of external honorary awards are Customs employees nominated for?
In addition to the many honorary awards conferred by Customs, there are over 70 awards from agencies, associations, and other organizations from outside of Customs that we solicit nominations for, and require the Commissioner's recommendation. Here's a sampling:

• Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association - National Awards for heroism, investigative excellence, and group achievement.
• Interagency Committee on Women in Federal Law Enforcement - Julie Y. Cross Memorial Award and Doris R. McCrosson Manager Award.
• League of United Latin American Citizens - President's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
• GEICO - Public Service Awards.
• The Office of Personnel Management - Director's Award for Outstanding Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs.
• Public Employees Roundtable - Public Service Excellence Awards.
• Joint Financial Management Improvement Program - Donald L. Scantlebury Memorial Award for distinguished leadership in government financial management.

Awards Points of contact Traditional honorary awards Available items and Commissioner's awards Wanda Dudley / Nancy Sutton, (202)927-5738 Non-traditional honorary awards Pizza parties, entertainment events, etc. Office of Finance, Purchase Card System Help Desk, (317) 298-1200, Ext. 4012 Years of service Career Service Certificates and lapel pins Employee Services Division, (202) 927-3900 Retirement awards Retirement Operations Center, (202) 927-3300

Honorary awards for years of federal service Customs honors employees' first 5 years of federal service by presenting them with a Career Service Certificate. Starting at 10 years of service, and in 5-year increments thereafter, employees are presented a Certificate and lapel pin denoting their years of federal service. Each office maintains a supply of certificates and pins so that they may recognize their employees. For additional information, you may direct questions to HRM's Employee Services Division at (202) 927-3900. Honorary awards at retirement Customs employees receive a retirement plaque and a wristwatch when they retire. If they have 20 or more years of service within the Department of the Treasury and if their records reflect "fidelity to duty," they also receive an Albert Gallatin Award Certificate signed by the Secretary. Questions may be directed to HRM's Retirement Operations Center at (202) 927-3300. Non-traditional honorary awards As recognition for accomplishments, managers and supervisors can present their employees tickets to local sporting or entertainment events, amusement parks, movies, or give pizza parties for teams. For guidance, contact the Office of Finance, Purchase Card System Help Desk at (317) 298-1200, Ext. 4012.