Gene and Jerry Jones Family Dallas Cowboys Charities and the National Football League present the Fifth Annual Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award, a volunteer recognition program that acknowledges outstanding volunteers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

As part of the NFL Community Quarterback Award program -- which awards nearly $1 million annually to the charitable organizations served by the 32 NFL-markets -- the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award identifies community volunteers who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to bettering the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Award-winning volunteers receive grants donated to the non-profit organizations they serve.

The Dallas Cowboys understand how important to your success, the time and effort each volunteer contributes to your cause. We appreciate the volunteers who make the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex a better place to live and want to take this opportunity, with your help, to honor them.

Please read the following information carefully, to determine if you or the volunteers serving your non-profit organization qualify for consideration:

Who is Eligible for the Cowboys Community Quarterback Award?
Residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, age 13 and over, who provide volunteer services for nonprofit (501c3 or 509) organizations are eligible for nomination. Nominees may ONLY serve in a volunteer capacity and may not receive any compensation - monetary or otherwise - for their efforts.

How do you nominate a volunteer for the Cowboys Community Quarterback Award?
Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by the nonprofit organizations which they serve by completing the attached application forms (one set of forms for each volunteer).

All nominations, whether sent via postal mail or through online submission, MUST be received no later than October 15, 2004.

How is the Cowboys Community Quarterback Award determined?
A review panel comprised of team, media and community representatives from the Dallas-Fort Worth area review the submitted nominations. In late fall, the Dallas Cowboys will announce finalists for the Cowboys Community Quarterback Award. A Cowboys Community Quarterback "winner" is then chosen from this pool of finalists.

What does the "winner" of the Cowboys Community Quarterback receive?
Each chosen finalist will receive a grant for his/her nominating charity from Gene and Jerry Jones Family Dallas Cowboys Charities. The single "winner" of the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award - chosen from the pool of finalists - is presented a $10,000 grant donated to his/her nominating organization. Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award "winner" is eligible for the national NFL Community Quarterback Award to be chosen in late December.

How is the National NFL Community Quarterback Award chosen?
Only the local "winner" of the Cowboys Community Quarterback Award will be eligible for the national NFL Community Quarterback Award. The local "winner" from each of the 32 NFL-markets is submitted for consideration at the national level. The NFL will appoint a selection panel to name the national winner in late December. NFL Charities will make an additional $15,000 donation to the organization for which the national winner volunteers.

The nomination packet includes:
Listing of nomination criteria
Three-page nominee application that may be photocopied - one packet per volunteer
Submission check list to review prior to entry submission

Nomination applications will only be accepted by post mail send directly to the Dallas Cowboys or through online submission at www.JoinTheTeam.com. Due to the application requirements, nominations or inquiries submitted by electronic mail will not be considered. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the Dallas Cowboys Community Relations Department at (972) 556-9959.

Thank you for all that you do for our community. The Dallas Cowboys applaud your efforts in making the DFW Metroplex a wonderful place to call home!

BE A SPORT ... VOLUNTEER!