BBB Torch Award Information Page
Welcome to BBB's Torch Award Information Page. We are glad that you have decided to enter the 2011 Torch Awards. The Torch Award honors companies who are leaders in marketplace trust. Each Torch Award winner embodies BBB’s vision of an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers trust each other. Torch Award recipients, both for profit and non profit, value honesty, respect, integrity and transparency in daily business transactions. Our 2010 Torch Award winners can be seen on the home page of our website at www.atlanta.bbb.org.
So join us as we celebrate companies of excellence with an award that has become known as one of the highest ethical honors bestowed upon a company – The Torch Award!
Torch Award Instructions & Criteria
Nominees must be in good standing with the BBB; however, accreditation in the BBB is not a requirement. For-profit companies will compete in three different categories – Marketplace Ethics, Customer Service and Community Service. They will also compete in four different size categories so companies of the same size will be competing against one another. Businesses whose primary markets are local, state or federal government are not eligible for these awards. Charitable organizations may compete in our Humanitarians of Trust Award.
Entries for the BBB Torch Awards will be reviewed by three judges independent of BBB’s staff and Board of Directors. Please submit all entries in English. The judges may request additional information from any company at any time. If your company has been the object of major lawsuits, including class action suits, or government actions in the past three years, this information must be disclosed as part of your entry. Decisions of the judges are final. BBB does not participate in the judging process.
You may mail your entries to our office or upload your entries to a distinctive e-mail address of torchawards@atlanta.bbb.org along with any attachments you like directly to the BBB where we will make the copies and send the information to the judges. Application form is required for both paper and electronic entries.
There is a $200 entry fee per category that includes one ticket to the Torch Award ceremony. Companies may compete in all three categories but must pay separate entry fees for each category. Additional tickets may be purchased at a cost of $75 per ticket. The entry fee can be submitted along with the company’s Torch Award entry via the Internet with credit card, debit card or electronic check information. Companies may also mail in their financial information. Entries will not be submitted to the judges until the entry fee has been received.
Secure Online Payment.
New Information for 2011 - Companies may compete in all three categories but may only win in two categories. We advise you to review carefully the criteria for each category below and submit entries for which you feel best suits your company.
Additionally, along with your entry, all companies must submit a consent form and a signed copy of the Rules & Regulations when advertising winning a Torch Award. All Torch Award entrants will be asked to submit a jpeg copy of their company logo to be used at the Torch Award’s ceremony.
BBB Consent Form
Rules And Regulations For Advertising Winning A Torch Award
The deadline for submitting entries is January 31, 2011. Judging will be completed by March 15, 2011 and all winners will be announced at the Torch Award’s luncheon (time and date to be announced).
Please note – companies may submit or upload as much supporting documentation, photos, etc. as they wish for each category.
A new question has been added to each entry for 2011. Instructions are copied below. If you are entering in more than one category, then you cannot use the same question twice. A new choice must be made for each entry. This question counts as part of your entry and will be added to your total score.
Of the following BBB Standards of Trust, please tell us which one you believe to be the most relevant for today’s marketplace. Your entry should not exceed 250 words. If you are entering in more than one category, then the topic must be different for each entry.
- Build Trust
- Advertise Honestly
- Be Transparent
- Honor Promises
- Be Responsive
- Safeguard Privacy
- Embody Integrity
BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics Criteria:
Companies will submit in a Word document, not to exceed 1,000 words, reasons why their company should be considered for this award. Included in the document should be the following:
1. Information highlighting specific business and management practices relevant to the award and the company’s commitment to fair and honest conduct in the marketplace.
2. Specific examples of how your company avoided or resolved an ethical dilemma within your firm or with a business transaction.
3. Information from the company showing their position regarding business integrity and ethical practices. This includes a formally adopted policy or mission statement.
BBB Torch Award For Community Service Criteria:
Companies will submit in a Word document, not to exceed 1,000 words, reasons why their company should be considered for this award. Included in this document should be the following:
1. Information regarding the company’s participation with a charity or community organization. Please provide company’s results of involvement, e.g. raised $10K, served 1000 meals to homeless, built a house for Habitat for Humanity as well as the policies and procedures that are in place to support this effort.
2. Information regarding individual employee’s outstanding participation with any charity or community organization.
3. Information why participation with a charity or community organization is important to the company and its employees.
*In this category, a company can upload pictures of trophies, plaques, certificates and other items that show their participation in community organizations.
BBB Torch Award For Customer Service Criteria:
Companies will submit in a Word document, not to exceed 1,000 words, reasons why their company should be considered for this award. Included in this document should be the following:
1. Information included in their Customer Service Policy that specifically highlights ethics in customer service and specific information on how the company deals with consumer complaints.
2. Information regarding continuing training of employees with regard to Customer Service.
3. Company should attach at least five letters from customers regarding outstanding Customer Service.
BBB Humanitarians of Trust Award
Criteria for charitable organizations:
1. All entrants must have been evaluated by BBB and meet all 20 standards for charitable accountability. Entrants are not required to be BBB accredited.
2. Charity must provide a list of all program services and how each program benefits the community.
3. Charity must provide a minimum of five letters from people/organizations they have assisted. Each letter must detail specifically the way the charity has improved or helped the individual or organization. General or generic letters of thanks will not be acceptable.
4. The charity’s executive director or principal officer must submit a written document, not to exceed 1,000 words, on why they believe their organization should be recognized as a Torch Award winner for outstanding Charitable Organization.
Size Categories for Charitable Organizations:
Category I – Revenue of less than $100,000 per fiscal year
Category II – Revenue of $100,001 - $500,000 per fiscal year
Category III – Revenue of $100,000 to $1,000,000 per fiscal year
Category IV – Revenue of $1,000,000 to $10,000,000 per fiscal year
Category V – Revenue exceeding $10,000,000 per fiscal year
If you have any questions regarding the 2011 Torch Awards please contact Dottie Callina at dcallina@atlanta.bbb.org or 404-762-4406.