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ATHENA FAQs

General Questions

Why should my organization nominate someone for ATHENA?

Your nomination helps recognize an outstanding leader in the Rutherford County community and demonstrates that your organization values women’s contributions. Your organization also benefits from the media coverage surrounding the ATHENA Award.

What is the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award?

The Young Professional Award recognizes an emerging leader under age 40 who demonstrates the ATHENA values and serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally.

Who can be nominated for ATHENA; do Nominees have to be a RUTHERFORD Cable member?

The Rutherford ATHENA Award Program is committed to representing our diverse community.  Nominees do not have to be RUTHERFORD Cable members.

**Nominees must live or work in Rutherford County or its immediate surrounding counties.
If the Nominee lives in Davidson County, she/he must work in Rutherford County or a surrounding County;
if the Nominee works in Davidson County, she/he must live in Rutherford County or a surrounding County.

May my organization submit both an ATHENA Nominee and a Young Professional Nominee?

Yes, you may submit both an ATHENA Nominee and a Young Professional Nominee and your organization would pay $175 for each nomination.

May my organization submit only a Young Professional Nominee?

Yes 

What does the $175 Nomination fee cover?

The Nomination fee covers the ATHENA or Young Professional Nominee’s $65 dinner ticket to the ATHENA Award Ceremony for the Nominee as well as various gifts and events provided to celebrate the nominee throughout the ATHENA Season.

What is the deadline for making a Nomination?

The deadline for submitting nominations and paying the Nomination fee for both the ATHENA and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Awards is December 9, 2024.

What does the $190 Patrons Society fee cover?

This investment provides funding for the ATHENA Non-Traditional Scholarship, as well as your admission to the May 16, 2024, ATHENA Award Ceremony ($65 value) and the April 17, 2025, invitation-only Patrons Reception. This year in the 12th Year Celebration our goal is to award up to $10,000 to individuals pursuing a degree later in life.

If I join the Patrons Society, do I also need to buy a ticket to the ATHENA Award Ceremony?

Patrons do not need to buy a ticket to the ATHENA Award Ceremony. Your Patrons Society investment includes your admission to the ATHENA Award Ceremony.

How do I join the Patrons Society?

Please visit the Patrons Society page (https://rutherfordcable.org/ATHENAPatronsSociety)

How Can I get involved with ATHENA?

You or your organization can nominate someone for the ATHENA Award and the ATHENA Young Professional Award, you can become a sponsor, you can join the Patron’s Society, or you can purchase a ticket to the Awards Ceremony and celebrate 12 years of excellence in our community. You can find information on all these things on this link. (https://rutherfordcable.org/ATHENA-AWARDS)

Nominees

What is the time commitment for an ATHENA or Young Professional Nominee?

ATHENA and ATHENA Young Professional Nominees are expected to attend several ATHENA events: January 10^, 2025, Nominee Welcome Luncheon, February 11, 2025 RUTHERFORD Cable breakfast, February 12-13 Videotaping held at Redstone Federal Credit Union where the nominees will submit a short video session regarding a pre-selected interview question, February 20 After Hours Social, March 5 Coffee Hour, April 17ATHENA Patrons Party supporting the ATHENA Scholarship, and May 16 ATHENA Award Ceremony.  These social and networking opportunities for the nominees celebrate their nomination and get to know their fellow nominees. 

**ATHENA and Young Professional Nominees complete an essay-format questionnaire which will be reviewed by the Judges’ panel to determine the ATHENA Award recipient. The Judges are composed of one representative from each nominating organization. The Judges results are audited and then the recipients are announced at the May 16,2025, Awards Ceremony.

What is the proper attire for the May 16 ATHENA Awards Ceremony?

The ATHENA Awards Ceremony is for business professional – a nice suit or nice dress. 

What is the proper attire for the April 17 Patrons Party?

The Patron’s Party is business attire – a suit or dress.  It is important for all Nominees to attend this event, as there will be a brief presentation to the Nominees at approximately 6 p.m.

Judges

How are judges selected? 

Judges are selected and vetted by our Judges Chair. Together the Judges Chair and the ATHENA Chair will provide proper training and tools to help the judging process to run smoothly. Judges will not be revealed until the awards ceremony on May 16, 2025.

What is the time commitment for an ATHENA or Young Professional Judge?

Judges are expected to watch the virtual training for Judges that will be released in January. They will report to the Judges Chair, Bobbie Johnson, for the 2024-2025 ATHENA Season. All judges will be asked to judge each application submitted by the nominees. We give our judges a month to complete the judging process of the nominees. All judges are invited to the May 16, 2025, ATHENA Awards Luncheon. Their ticket to the Awards banquet is covered. Judges who choose to become an ATHENA Patron may choose to attend the April 17, 2025,Patrons Party. 

If you have additional questions, please contact the following, see the next page for points of contact.  

Andra (Andy) Helton, ATHENA Co-Chair, ATHENA@rutherfordcable.org

Veronica Clark, ATHENA C-Chair, DEI@rutherfordcable.org

Sharon Seibert, ATHENA Nominating Organization Chair, sseibert@murfreesborotn.gov

Bobbie Johnson, ATHENA Judges Chair, bobbie.johnson@pnfp.com