Political science professor Frank Bryan has been awarded the 2010 National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award "for his commitment to preserving the town meeting tradition in Vermont," according to the association.
The NASS Medallion Award allows individual Secretaries of State to recognize outstanding service and dedication to furthering the mission of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) within the states.
"I nominated Frank for this award because he is a vocal champion of Vermont local government, in particular Vermont's town meeting tradition," said Deb Markowitz, Vermont's longtime secretary of state who was just appointed secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources by Governor-Elect Peter Shumlin. "He has co-authored a book, All Those In Favor: Rediscovering the Secrets of Town Meeting and Community, and his testimony was instrumental in passing Act No. 124, making town meeting a holiday in Vermont. His dedication is commendable."
The award will be presented at a ceremony at the Vermont State House in Montpelier on December 21, 2010.
The NASS Medallion Award was created to honor individuals, groups or organizations with an established record of promoting the goals of NASS in one or more of the following areas:
- Elections, with special emphasis on voter education and participation
- Civic education, including the teaching, promotion and study of this subject
- Service to state government, specifically as it relates to the duties of the office of the Secretary of State
- A commitment to giving -- a business or individual whose philanthropic contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of life in a local or regional area within a state, or within an entire state
Award recipients reflect the mission, purposes and objectives of NASS. They should also promote the same dignity, ideals and stature that NASS has come to represent over the years.