The Raleigh Dingman Award is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina school board member each year and is named in honor of Raleigh Dingman, NCSBA’s first full-time executive secretary. Since 2003, recipients of this honor have served as an ex-officio member of the NC State Board of Education and the NCSBA Board of Directors. The honoree will be expected to attend meetings of both organizations.
Please read the Raleigh Dingman Award criteria, eligibility requirements, and nomination specifications outlined below before submitting your application.
Criteria for Consideration
Nominees for the Raleigh Dingman Award should be individual school board members that have demonstrated leadership as evidenced by any or all of the following:
- Upholds board responsibilities with integrity
- Advocates for student achievement
- Provides support for innovative policies, practices, or programs that aim to resolve district challenges
- Engages local government and/or community support for public education
- Attends professional development to gain awareness and knowledge on best practices for public schools, the role of school boards, board member development, and school leadership
- Willingness to exchange ideas, engage in productive dialogue, and advance public education in North Carolina
Levels of Recognition
The Raleigh Dingman Award process includes two levels of recognition:
2026 NCSBA All-State School Board
- Up to eight outstanding school board members, representing regions across North Carolina, may be selected for recognition.
- Regional honorees will be recognized during the conference awards ceremony and receive commemorative recognition.
2026 Raleigh Dingman Award Recipient
- One nominee will be selected as the statewide Raleigh Dingman Award recipient.
- Because the recipient serves as an ex-officio member of the North Carolina State Board of Education and the NCSBA Board of Directors, nominees seeking consideration for the statewide award must be willing and able to regularly attend meetings of both organizations.
- Nominees who are unable to fulfill these responsibilities may still be considered for regional recognition as a member of the NCSBA All-State School Board.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a current board member
- Served at least one full term on the local board
- Nomination endorsement by school board
- Complied with statutory training requirements for school boards
- Complied with 2-hour ethics training requirements for school boards
- Participated in NCSBA board development activities
- Be able to serve as an ex-officio member of the NC State Board of Education and the NCSBA Board of Directors by regularly attending meetings of both boards
Nomination Specifications
- A completed entry form which includes a summary statement
- Narrative responses to each of the following questions:
- Question 1: Describe how this board member has shown exceptional leadership and an ability to work with board members and administration to advance student achievement or address a significant challenge.
Responses should be 350-words maximum.
o Question 2: In what ways has this board member collaborated with other local governments and/or community organizations to strengthen support for public education? Responses should be 350-words maximum.
o Question 3: How will this board member’s communication style and leadership traits be a positive reflection on behalf of North Carolina school board members on the State Board of Education? Responses should be 250-words maximum.
- Question 1: Describe how this board member has shown exceptional leadership and an ability to work with board members and administration to advance student achievement or address a significant challenge.
- Evidence of statutory and 2-hour ethics training
- Digital photo of nominee sent as .png or .jpeg file, 300 dpi minimum
Submission Deadline
All items listed under the Nomination Specifications must be received by NCSBA on or before September 28, 2026.
Submission Process
- Download the application forms and information. Word and PDF formats can be found below.
- Complete form, narrative, and gather remaining information. Convert any items into a digital format for uploading. You will NOT be able to save your work within this form. It is recommended that you gather all the necessary documents first. (Documents should be .doc, .docx, or .pdf files.)
- Submit form materials using the online form; mailed or faxed forms cannot be accepted.
Award Application – Raleigh Dingman School Board Member of the Year
Please share the name of the person completing this application. This person will serve as the contact person throughout the process.
