Examiner FAQs
What are the duties/responsibilities of an examiner? How are examiners trained?
Examiner responsibilities begin with completing the examiner registration form. Once you have registered, the next required step is to complete examiner training in May. This training consists of a four-hour session with fellow examiners to become familiar with the criteria, the preparation of an individual feedback report, the scoring of the application, preparation of a consensus feedback report, the site visit process and preparation of the final feedback report.
What are the qualifications to be an examiner?
Examiners represent business, government, educational or nonprofit organizations. Examiner
participation is determined at the discretion of the Award staff and sponsoring organizations.
I have experience as an examiner in a previous cycle of the ONESM process. Do I still have to register and attend training in 2008?
Yes. All examiners regardless of experience are required to register and attend training each year. As an experienced examiner, your role as a mentor for new examiners in the training process is invaluable. In addition, the ONE criteria have been updated for the 2008 cycle. The training has been improved as well to make the process more effective and to help you to do an even better job in 2008.
How many applications will I review and score?
Examiners are expected to review and score at least one application in the independent review/consensus stage, and every effort is made to make sure that examiners only review one application. Should your applicant progress to the site visit stage, you will be expected to participate in that site visit as a member of the team. All team members will participate in the development of a final feedback report at the conclusion of your applicant’s progress on the process continuum.
What kind of support will be available for me once the process begins?
The Award staff and key designees from the sponsoring organizations will be available to answer questions and assist you and your team in the independent review and consensus process. This process will be new for many examiners and a level of continuing support will be necessary to make it a success.
What are the benefits of being an examiner?
Examiners benefit as much as any applicant in developing an understanding of the criteria and understanding its value as a framework for organizational improvement. This is an outstanding process/tool to enable the development of key organizational leadership prospects. Some have called this a “mini-MBA” or “MBA refresher” course. In addition, examiners benefit from the learning that takes place working with leaders from other organizations and understanding how potential role model organizations approach their challenges.
How much time will I have to commit?
The examiner commitment at the minimum includes the training workshop (4 hours), the independent review process (4 to 6 hours), and consensus report preparation (4 hours). Should your applicant be designated as a site visit recipient, you will be expected to attend site visit training (3 hours), complete the site visit (6-8 hours including site visit preparation), and finalize the post-site visit feedback report (2-4 hours). This time commitment begins with preparation for examiner training in May 2008. Independent review/consensus review of applications takes place between May 30 and June 23. Site visits are scheduled between July 21 and August 1, with final site visit consensus reports due by August 18.
Be frank and honest
Don’t oversell, but make sure not to sell yourself short. This application should communicate “what is,” not “what the examiners/selectors want us to be.”
There are no perfect organizations
The ultimate honorees will still have many areas and opportunities for improvement. Don’t be discouraged by identifying where you may fall “short”—this is where the true benefit of the process emerges. You are identifying where you need to take action to strengthen your organization.
Stick to the Criteria
Beware of communicating what you want to tell the examiners rather than responding to the criteria questions. Examiners are instructed to focus on responses to the criteria as they conduct their assessment and provide feedback.
My organization is submitting a ONE application. Can I still be an examiner?
Yes. It is critical that we avoid any conflicts of interest, but it is not expected that such a challenge will in any way be insurmountable. This is an opportunity to learn the process and support the quality of the Award experience for all. We want to get interested people involved.
Whom should I contact with other questions?
There are bound to be more questions that arise as you consider the role of examiner. Please contact us at admin@one-center.com to arrange for a member if the Award team to contact you to help you with your concerns or questions.