KEB receives State Excellence Award

Donna Baltakis, director of Keep Eunice Beautiful, received a congratulatory email from Susan Russell, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, informing her that Eunice will receive the 2016 Circle of Excellence Award.
Baltakis recently received the President’s Circle Award from Keep America Beautiful for the past four years. She added, “This Keep Louisiana Beautiful Circle of Excellence Award is new! And We did it together.”
Baltakis will be attending a conference in Baton Rouge in September to accept this award on behalf of the city of Eunice.
Baltakis says that she did not do this on her own, and added, “Thank You to our Mayor Scott Fontenot, and the Keep Eunice Beautiful board members, and all of you community supporters who continue to supports our efforts!”
The informative letter Baltakis received in reference to the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Circle of Excellence Award also stated that a $500 cash award will be presented to Keep Eunice Beautiful affliates during the 2016 State Conference Awards banquet on Sept. 28 in Baton Rouge. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center.
Other 2016 Circle of Excellence Award recipients include: Keep Abbeville Beautiful, Keep Assumption Beautiful, Keep Covington Beautiful, Keep Eunice Beautiful,Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful, Keep Hammond Beautiful, Keep Lacombe Beautiful, Keep Mandeville Beautiful, Keep Morehouse Beautiful, Keep New Orleans Beautiful, Keep New Roads Beautiful, Keep Opelousas Beautiful, Keep Ouachita Beautiful, Keep Slidell Beautiful, Keep St. James Beautiful, Keep St. John Beautiful, Keep St. Mary Beautiful, Keep Terrebonne Beautiful, Keep West Baton Rouge Beautiful , and Shreveport Green.
The Circle of Excellence Award will be announced and presented to each affiliate at the KLB Annual State Conference. This program goes into effect July 1 to June 30 of every year. The first awards will be issued at the KLB State Conference in 2016 and every year following.
The award money is unrestricted and may be used to pay affiliate dues, attend state conference or for programs as determined by the local affiliate board of directors.
To be awarded the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Circle of Excellence Award an affiliate must do the following criteria between July 1 and June 30 of the current year:
– Affiliate Director or an affiliate board member attend the KLB Annual State Conference.
– Affiliate Director or an affiliate board member attend one of the four KLB Regional State Meetings.
– Affiliate Director or an affiliate board member attend at least three of the six bi-monthly affiliate telephone conference calls.
– Maintain an active Board of Directors with regular meetings.
– Submit the KLB Annual Survey Report by August 1st of each year.
– Participate in at least one; the Great American Cleanup, Leaders Against Litter or America Recycles Day.
– Be in “Good Standing” with KAB by submitting an Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report, pay the affiliate fee, participate in required training (6 hr) and conduct the Litter Index Study.