Department of Public Affairs

The Chesterfield County Department of Public Affairs is proud to have earned these state and national awards.

"Information to the people is the most legitimate engine of government"
-- Thomas Jefferson

We are proud to have earned these awards, because they demonstrate that we are keeping our citizens well-informed about the workings of their local government. Our goal is to provide citizens with world-class customer service. This includes a family of award-winning information products such as print products, cable broadcasts, video and our Web site.

In 2008, the county received recognition from the National Association of Counties and the Public Relations Society of America for the Chesterfield 2007 campaign, a series of community events and materials designed to commemorate America's 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. From NACo, the county was awarded a 2008 Achievement Award and from PRSA, the county received a Silver Certificate of Merit  in the Extended Events and Observances category.

The National Association for County Information Officers, NACIO, recognized Public Affairs with six awards in 2008:

Best of Class

• County Comments Employee Newsletter

Superior

• Graphic Design: Chesterfield 2007 Schedule of Events

Excellence

• Graphic Design: Black History Month

Meritorious

• Annual Report to Citizens
• Writing: "A hero in action"
• Graphic Design: Chesterfield Employment Services Logo

NACIO recognizes Public Affairs with 11 awards in 2007

The Department of Public Affairs has earned 11 awards in this year’s National Association of County Information Officers’ Award of Excellence competition. NACIO is an affiliate of NACo, the National Association of Counties. The organization represents several hundred communication professionals who work for more than 3,000 counties, boroughs and parishes across the nation.

These awards recognize a variety of communications products, including writing, graphic design and photography. Each product sought to advance the public’s understanding of a Chesterfield County department, program, event, issue or strategic goal. Public Affairs serves as the county’s marketing, advertising and public-relations agency.

2006- National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO)

Superior

• Annual Report for 2007 (published in The Community Weekly and distributed to approx. 112,000 households).
• County Comments employee newsletter
• Writing category--article on local government efforts to fight terrorism
• Graphic Design--Environmental System Logo
• BEST OF CLASS award)--Graphic Design Chesterfield County 2007 brochure
• Photography--The Mason Family
  
  

Excellence

• Writing category--article on gangs
• Writing category--article "Twas the Day After Christmas"
• Graphic Design--Recovery Month Health Fair and Festival
• Special Projects, Graphic Design--16th Annual Black History Month family of print products
  
  

Meritorious

• Cigarette Butts and Historic 1917 Courthouse

2005- National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO)

Superior

• County Comments Employee Newsletter
• Article - Hispanics gain more space and service day by day
• Article - Planning success often overshadowed by growing needs

Excellence

• Community Connections Newsletter
• Chesterfield County Citizen Newsletter
• 2004 Bond-Referendum Campaign
• COACH Family Festival Campaign
• James River Regional Cleanup Publicity Campaign
• Article - Alcohol, family, underage and holidays
• Article - Building Communities Anew
• Henricus Historical Park/Dutch Gap Conservation Area brochure
• SAFE Sports Coaches Handbook
• Photography - Christmas Mother brochure
• In Focus Logo

Meritorious

• Chesterfield County 2004 Annual Report
• HealthTrak Health Fair Campaign
• James River Parade of Lights Publicity Campaign
• Public Affairs Department Open House
• Article - First Choice
• Article - Volunteer Drivers Sought
• Article - Community Minded Program Prepares Residents to Respond
• Article -Frequently Asked Questions
• Chesterfield Partnership for Successful Aging brochure

2004 - National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO)

• Hurricane Isabel Public Information Campaign - Superior
• County Comments Employee Newsletter - Superior
• Chesterfield County Citizen Newsletter Community Weekly - Superior
• James River Regional Cleanup 2003 - Superior
• Community Connection - A Board of Supervisors Newsletter - Meritorious
• 2003 Chesterfield County Black History Month Poster Series - Superior
• United Way Campaign 2003 Poster - Superior
• Safe Logo - Meritorious
• Ryan Cappelletty – The kind of person you want to be a police officer - Best of Class/Superior Award
• Home Assessment Photo - Superior
• Real Estate Assessments Series - Meritorious
• It’s not just a job – Emergency communications officers reflect on their behind-the-scenes roles - Meritorious
• COACH – Coalition for Active Children Logo - Superior
• Chesterfield County Strategic Plan Booklet - Meritorious
• Chesterfield County Police Department Chaplain Bereavement Folder - Superior
• Chesterfield County Historical Society - Spirit Walk Poster - Meritorious
• Chesterfield County Fair 2003 - Meritorious
• WWII Veteran Warren Branch Photo - Superior
• Chesterfield County Airport Photo - Meritorious
• Aging Well - Superior
• Mini Vacations in June Weekly - Excellence
• Career Closet - Meritorious
• Information for Hispanics - Superior
• Brochures for Food Handling Course - Meritorious

2004 National Association of Counties (NACo)

• Hurricane Isabel: A Communications Case Study - Achievement Award

2004 Virginia Association of Counties (VACo)

• Hurricane Isabel: A Communications Case Study - Achievement Award

2003

• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for County Comments Internal newsletter
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Quick Facts Card packet
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Chesterfield Choice – weekly citizen newsletter
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for News Writing "It’s a safer site – Demolition project improves former school location"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Feature Writing"Unselfish act saves the life of friend’s son"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Feature Writing "Chester House"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Feature Writing "So … You Say You Want A Brochure"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Feature Writing "Custodial Services, Keeping it clean and safe"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Promotional/Persuasive Writing "The Gift of Time"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Promotional/ Persuasive Wring" Prepare now for the golden years"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for "Coming to America"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Graphic Design Logos, Themes and Letterheads " Juvenile Drug Court Logo"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Graphics for Brochures and Publications (Newsletters, etc.) "Community Services Board Annual Report"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Special Graphics "Tenth Annual James River Parade of Lights"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Photography - Single Color or B&W Print "Road to Excellence"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Photography - Single Color or B&W Print "Custodial Services, Keeping it clean and safe"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Photography - Single Color or B&W Print "James River Regional Cleanup"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Photography - Single Color or B&W Print "Chesterfield County Annual Report cover"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Photography - Series of Photographs "Henricus Historical Park"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Audio Visual Productions Television Shows "Chesterfield Spotlite – Water Quality"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Special Projects Community Events "Black History Month"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Special Projects Citizen Education Projects "Drought Awareness Campaign"

2002

• National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) for "Chesterfield Choice (weekly citizen newsletter) - Shoestring Budget"
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Chesterfield County Annual Report to Citizens
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Lucy Corr Marketing Folder
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Heritage Alliance brochure
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for County Comments, internal newsletter
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for First Choice, Chesterfield Living Magazine article
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Superior Award for Photograph of Elderly Parents, Chesterfield Choice photo
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Chesterfield University, Supervisory Leadership Institute brochure
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for County Wants to Send Under Age Tobacco Use Up In Smoke, Chesterfield Choice article
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Stars Shine in Chesterfield - County Employees with Famous Names, County Comments article
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Chesterfield County Fair Logo
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Excellent Award for Parks and Recreation Winter/Spring 2002 Program Guide
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for A Playground for Katie and Friends, Chesterfield Choice article
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Chesterfield University Logo
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Chesterfield Choice, weekly citizen newsletter
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award for Glass Poses Risk to River Visitors, Chesterfield Choice article

2001

• National Association of Government Communicators Honorable Mention for "Chesterfield Choice" citizen newsletter

2000

• National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award for "HEAT - Help Eliminate Auto Theft" Video
• City-County Communications and Marketing Association SAVVY Award of Excellence for Best Newsletter - Internal for County Comments
• City-County Communications and Marketing Association SAVVY Silver Circle Award for Best Marketing Campaign for Chesterfield County’s 250^th Anniversary Celebration
• NACIO Superior for Special Projects for 250th Anniversary Celebration Communication Plan
• NACIO Excellent for Writing for "Experience History in a New Way with Environment Friendly Plan"
• NACIO Excellent for Writing for "Chesterfield County Prepares for Smooth Passage to 2000"
• NACIO Excellent for Script Writing for "HEAT - Help Eliminate Auto Theft"
• NACIO Meritorious for Series of Photographs for "Celebrating 250 Years of Excellence"
• NACIO Meritorious for Graphic Design for Chesterfield County Visitors Brochure
• NACIO Meritorious for Graphic Design for Henricus/Dutch Gap Brochure
• NACIO Meritorious for Graphic Design for Travel Guide Color Ad
• NACIO Meritorious for Writing for "Business Thriving in Walthall Area"
• NACIO Meritorious for External Publications for Chesterfield Choice section of Community Shopper
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Best of Class for Internal Publications for County Comments
• NACIO Superior for Script Writing for Friends of Chesterfield Riverfront Video
• NACIO Excellent for Other Projects for the Strategic Plan Information Campaign

1999

• NACIO Excellent for External Publications for Chesterfield Choice
• NACIO Excellent for News Writing for Chesterfield Monitors Streams to Reduce Pollutants in Runoff
• NACIO Excellent for Graphic Design for Logos, Themes and Letterheads for the 250th Logo
• NACIO Excellent for Graphics for Brochures and Other Publications for County Comments
• NACIO Excellent for Photography for Puppy’s Eye View
• NACIO Meritorious for News Writing for Protecting Students’ Health
• NACIO Meritorious for Feature Writing for Public Safety Communications–When Lives Are on the Line
• NACIO Meritorious for Feature Writing for Police Mentor Is "The Hug Guy"
• NACIO Meritorious for Feature Writing for So What Do I Get for my Tax Dollar?
• NACIO Meritorious for Graphic Design for Brochures and Other Publications for the Strategic Plan
• NACIO Meritorious for Photography for Public Safety: Training for the Future
• NACIO Meritorious for Photography for Protecting Students’ Health

1998

• "Silver Circle" Award from the City and County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) for the 1611 Citie of Henricus Brochure
• 1998 Award of Excellence from 3CMA for the internet site, Chesterfield County Connections
• National Association of Counties (NACo) Award for "Chesterfield Choice," section of the Community Shopper - This public-private partnership permits the county to distribute information to its citizens at their homes twice monthly at no cost in a shopper.
• NACo Award for "Chesterfield Spotlite," - Four five-minute interviews each month broadcast several times on COMCAST Cable's CNN Headline News channel provide for distribution of county information.
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) "Best of Show" Award for the 1611 Citie of Henricus brochure
• NACIO Best of Class Award in photography for the "Weary Fire Fighter"
• NACIO Best of Class Award in brochures for the 1611 Citie of Henricus brochure
• NACIO Best of Class Award for graphic design for the 1611 Citie of Henricus brochure
• NACIO Best of Class Award for internal publications for County Comments
• NACIO Superior Award for writing for the 1611 Citie of Henricus brochure
• NACIO Excellence Award in photography for "Swat Training"
• NACIO Excellence Award in Annual Reports for the 1997 Report to Citizens
• NACIO Excellence Award in Computer Media for the internet site, Chesterfield County Connections
• National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) 1st Place Award for the 1611 Citie of Henricus brochure

1997

• NAGC 3rd Place Award for the 1997 Annual Report to Citizens
• NAGC Honorable Mention Award for the internet site, Chesterfield County Connections
• Virginia Municipal League Communications Award for the 1996 Bond Referendum Information Campaign
• SAVVY Award from City and County Communications and Marketing Association for the 1996 Bond Referendum Information Campaign
• NACIO Periodicals Award of Excellence for "Chesterfield Choice" section of the Community Shopper
• NACIO Periodicals Award of Excellence for "County Comments"
• NACIO Writing Award of Excellence for "Fire Department Team Sifts Through Rubble"
• NACIO Graphic Design Award of Merit for "Black History Month Promotional Materials"
• NACIO Photography Superior Award for photo of "A Young Girl on a School Bus" used in the 1996 bond Referendum Information Campaign
• NACIO Special Projects Award of Excellence for the 1996 Bond Referendum Information Campaign

1996

• NACo Award for "Chesterfield Choice" section of "Community Shopper"
• NACIO Marketing Plan Award of Merit for Promoting the County’s Selection as a U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award Winner
• NACIO Video Award of Excellence for "County Call-In" COMCAST television program
• NACIO Newsletter Award of Merit for "County Comments" employee newsletter
• NACIO Writing Award of Merit for "Extension Office Touches All Areas of Our Citizens Lives"NACIO Writing Award of Merit for "Keeping the Water Flowing"

1995

• NACo Award for "County Call-In"
• NACo Award for "Teen Suicide Prevention Seminar"
• SAVVY Award from City and County Communications and Marketing Association for "County Comments"