Gold Quill Awards: Accreditation and Gold Quill Awards option
ENTER GOLD QUILL AND TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TO BECOMING AN ACCREDITED BUSINESS COMMUNICATOR (ABC)
Submit your entry in the Communication Management or Communication Skills divisions and simultaneously start the IABC accreditation process.
Save US$100 by choosing this option. Your work plan and sample will be judged for accreditation by trained Accredited Business Communicators while also being judged for a Gold Quill Award. Should you pass the accreditation portion with a score of 4 or higher, but do not receive a Gold Quill Award, your entry will still count toward accreditation.
Want to complete your portfolio requirement for accreditation? Enter two different Gold Quill Award entries—they’ll both be considered for your accreditation portfolio, which requires two work summaries.
Or, simply start the process with one submission. It’s up to you!
Apply in three easy steps
- Review the accreditation qualification requirements by going to www.iabc.com/abc.
- Submit payment with your Gold Quill Award entry (or entries) and choose the “Accreditation and Gold Quill Awards option.”
- Send your résumé to recognition@iabc.com. You will be notified if you’ve been accepted.
Attain a new standard of professional achievement
Take advantage of this cost-saving option to become more valued in your workplace, compare yourself against the global standard for communicators, and receive recognition for your skills as a seasoned communicator.
Submit your Gold Quill Award entry for accreditation and start on the path to becoming an ABC!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the accreditation process work?
The accreditation process allows practitioners to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, reviewing the principles and practices of organizational communication through a three-step process.
- Application: Successful completion of the accreditation application demonstrates that a candidate meets the minimum requirements for accreditation.
- Portfolio: The portfolio consists of two work samples representing a broad range of communication functions. Samples might be work from communication programs, publications, communication surveys or audits, campaigns or audiovisual programs. Candidates are required to submit a detailed statement of objectives and results for each project submitted. Portfolios are evaluated by ABCs.
- Written and oral examinations: The exams cover the candidate’s knowledge of communication philosophy, concepts, tools and technology. They demonstrate the candidate’s ability to write or perform professional communication activities by creating a comprehensive communication program in a limited time. Exams are evaluated by ABCs.
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What is the objective of the portfolio step?
The portfolio demonstrates a candidate’s readiness to take the oral and written examinations. The candidate provides two work samples that demonstrate his or her ability to think strategically and manage a communication function. The format for the portfolio is very similar to that of the Gold Quill Awards work plan. With a few minor adjustments, the portfolio can easily be used to satisfy requirements for both programs. This is an opportunity for Gold Quill Awards entrants and/or accreditation candidates to get two professional development opportunities from one work sample.
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What is the Accreditation and Gold Quill Awards option?
Entrants to the Gold Quill Awards program can, if they choose, submit their entry for accreditation portfolio evaluation. If an entrant chooses to do this, they will save US$100 on the total price of the Gold Quill Awards entrance fee and accreditation application fee. The entrant can take advantage of two programs with one work effort.
In the past, Gold Quill Awards entrants were invited to enter accreditation after the Gold Quill Awards process was completed. Through this option, we approach prospective candidates up front, provide easier access to the two programs and possibly provide Gold Quill Award entrants with an additional, more in-depth evaluation of their work from ABCs.
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I've already applied for accreditation. Am I eligible for this option?
The Accreditation and Gold Quill Awards option is specifically designed for new applicants to the accreditation program. So, if you've already applied for accreditation, you'll need to submit your accreditation portfolio at one of the designated times according to the accreditation calendar.
Which Gold Quill Award entries are eligible for this option?
Gold Quill Award entries must meet the following criteria to qualify for this option:
- They must be submitted by individuals who also meet the application requirements for accreditation candidacy. Only the lead contact on the Gold Quill Award entry is eligible for the option.
- They must be entries to the Communication Management and Communication Skills divisions only. Entries to the Communication Creative division are not eligible.
- Gold Quill Award entrants entering two categories may submit both entries (provided they are two different programs) for evaluation. If both pass, they fulfill the accreditation portfolio requirement.
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How will the entry/portfolio be judged/evaluated?
The entry/portfolio will be judged in two ways:
First, as a Gold Quill Award entry, it will be judged through the regular Gold Quill Awards process, in which it is judged against a standard of excellence. If it meets this standard, the entry may win a Gold Quill Award. If the entry wins a Gold Quill Award, it will fulfill one of two portfolio requirements for accreditation, just as it has in the past.
Second, as an accreditation portfolio submission, it will be evaluated by ABCs according to accreditation portfolio guidelines, which evaluate portfolios on a scale of 1–7. If the portfolio receives a 4 rating, it passes the accreditation portfolio step. The portfolio is evaluated in terms of mastering the strategic communication planning process and describing this process in the portfolio.
Gold Quill Awards entrants who wish to avail this joint option can enter two different Gold Quill Awards categories (excluding those in the Communication Creative division) and have both entries evaluated by ABCs for their accreditation portfolio. Each will be evaluated by ABCs according to the evaluation guidelines for accreditation. Likewise, an entry/portfolio may be evaluated under the portfolio guidelines and receive a rating of 4 and above, yet not win a Gold Quill Award.
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How does an entrant enter both programs?
Entrants who are eligible for the option should complete both the Gold Quill Awards entry form and the accreditation application, following the submission directions for the Gold Quill Awards and accreditation respectively. The appropriate Gold Quill Awards entry fee and accreditation application fee should be submitted with the Gold Quill Awards entry.
Fees:
- Before 27 January 2010: US$410
- After 27 January, but before 3 February 2010: US$545
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If an individual does not take advantage of the Accreditation and Gold Quill Awards option, can they use their entry for portfolio submission?
Yes, a Gold Quill Award entry can be re-purposed for portfolio submission just as it has in the past. The individual should review the accreditation portfolio requirements for entering the accreditation process. Entries should be submitted for accreditation in electronic form.
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Are the specifications the same for the accreditation portfolio and the Gold Quill Award entry?
The specifications for the portfolio and entry are the same. Candidates in the accreditation process may find that they have more detailed information to add in the implementation section of the work plan. Candidates may add a two-page addendum to address those areas in the portfolio submission that require a fuller description/explanation to meet the rigor of the portfolio evaluation.
For instance, the implementation section of the portfolio often requires more description and explanation than the Gold Quill Awards work plan, with additional management details such as a time line. A time line could be detailed in an addendum rather than in the work plan itself.
Addenda could include organizational charts, flow diagrams, time lines, project management spreadsheets and other matrices that support the project management effort but do not necessarily need to be part of the work plan write-up. This will enable entrants/candidates to essentially have one work plan document for both programs.
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If I only submit one Gold Quill Award entry under this option, when would my second work plan and work sample for accreditation be due?
Your second work plan and work sample to complete the accreditation portfolio process would be due on 5 April 2010 per the new accreditation calendar.
When can candidates expect the results of their portfolio evaluation?
The time line for portfolio feedback is currently aligned with Gold Quill Awards notification. Gold Quill Award-winning candidates (scoring 5.25 or above) are notified in March. Non-winning candidates (scoring lower than 5.25), including entries meeting the portfolio requirement and eligible to proceed with the accreditation process (scoring at least 4), are notified in April.
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What resources or tools are available to guide individuals who take advantage of this option?
Gold Quill Awards/Accreditation Portfolio Guidelines 
This resource provides step-by-step instructions for developing the accreditation portfolio.
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Questions?
If you have questions about the "Accreditation and Gold Quill Award" option, e-mail recognition@iabc.com. Learn more about IABC accreditation.
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