Nominations open for MN Junior Chamber 2009 "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" Awards

The Junior Chamber's "Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans" (TOYM) program is Minnesota’s only statewide recognition program for outstanding young leaders. The program acknowledges the efforts of young leaders that have contributed to the state through service, thought and influence, community involvement, entrepreneurship, and more. Since 1950, the TOYM program has recognized the leadership of over 400 young people across the state. Past awardees have included such public figures and community leaders as Walter Mondale, Marlene Johnson, Dave Winfield, Tim Penny, Paul Douglas, Matt Blair, Wheelock Whitney, Joe Senser, and Martin Sabo.

Nominees are selected on the basis of their achievement in any 3 of the following areas:
1. Personal improvement
2. Financial success or economic innovation
3. Social improvement or major contemporary issues
4. Philanthropic contribution or voluntary service
5. Politics or governmental service
6. Scientific or technological contribution
7. Legal reform
8. Cultural achievement (to include literature, history, education or all arts)
9. Academic leadership
10. Athletic accomplishment
11. Moral and religious leadership
12. Success in the influence of public opinion (news media and other means)

The deadline to nominate a Minnesota leader between the ages of 18-40 is July 15, 2009. Nominees need not be a member of the Junior Chamber. To learn more and/or to submit a nomination, visit the MN Jaycees' online.

2009 Christine O. Gregoire Youth/Young Adult Award for Outstanding Use of Tobacco Industry Documents

This past week, I was fortunate enough to witness a good friend of mine, Nic Buron, be presented with the 2009 Christine O Gregoire Youth/Young Adult Award for Outstanding Use of Tobacco Industry Documents at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Phoenix, AZ.

Presented by the American Legacy Foundation, the Christine O. Gregoire Youth/Young Adult Award for Outstanding Use of Tobacco Industry Documents recognizes a person 24 years of age or younger who has made a contribution to the health of the public in the recent past through use of tobacco documents. The award honors innovation in the use and application of tobacco industry documents to improve the public's health and, where applicable, to further the goals of tobacco prevention and control in order to help build a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Those nominated should be individuals who have made a notable impact through innovative use of tobacco industry documents as applied to research, policy, or advocacy. Nic's career in tobacco control and prevention is noteworthy, including stints as a grant manager at the Minnesota Department of Health, working with the Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools on their youth tobacco prevention initiatives, and most recently, his leadership with Catalyst, a statewide network for youth advocates across Minnesota working to fight back against Big Tobacco and to promote healthy eating through creative youth activism. Nic worked with Catalyst youth leaders to dream up and execute the Killer Quotes Tour, which utilized tobacco company document quotes to expose industry marketing tactics directed at the underage segment. These are a few of the quotes used in the Killer Quotes Tour: "The base of our business is the high school student." -Lorillard Tobacco, 1978 "We really need something for people to die of." British American Tobacco, 1987 "Cherry Skoal is for somebody who likes the taste of candy, if you know what I'm saying." - U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, 1994 Congratulations to Nic!