Each year, NYSDRA presents awards to worthy individuals and/or organizations. We are always accepting nominations for these awards. Please take a moment to review the criteria for NYSDRA's two major awards: the Andrew Thomas PeaceBuilder Award and the Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award. If you know of someone who meets the criteria, please make a nomination using the links provided. 

The Andrew Thomas PeaceBuilder Award was established in 1996 to honor individuals and organizations that have promoted the field of alternative dispute resolution.  Selection of recipients is based on such criteria as promoting the welfare of society as a public official, community volunteer or social service organization in support of a peaceful community, and advocating for peaceful alternative dispute resolution means for resolving conflict. The award also reflects contributions global in scope (national or international). To make a nomination for the Andrew Thomas PeaceBuilder Award, click here.

Past recipients of the PeaceBuilder Award are:
2009 Marvin E. Johnson
2008 Marc Gopin
2007 Louise Diamond
2006 Robert Baruch Bush and Joseph Folger
2005 Arun Gandhi
2004 Gillian Martin Sorenson
2003 Dr. Howard Zehr
2002 John Wallach
2001 The Honorable Ann T. Pfau
2000 Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue
1999 Andrew Thomas
1998 Center for Dispute Settlement
1997 Dr. Thomas F. Christian
1996 Chief Jake Swamp

The Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award honors an individual or organization that has provided innovative leadership in the field, based upon a local or NYS state-based initiative.  Innovation can be defined as something that has been or is innovative in terms of a new practice in ADR or application of ADR practices in a new area, setting or population.  NYSDRA membership is not required. To make a nomination for the Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award, click here.

Past recipients of the Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award:
2009 Judy Saul
2008 Maria Volpe
2007 Duke Fisher
2006 Michele Kirschbaum and Lourdes Rivera-Putz
2005 Judge Sharon S. Townsend, District Administrative Judge and Judge Janice Rosa, Supreme Court Justice
2004 Justice Doris Ling-Cohan and Justice Fern Fisher
2003 Sandy Mindell and Herbert Israel
2002 Judge Joseph Lauria