The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the <em>Certificate of Merit for Zoo Keeper Education (CMZE)</em> presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, institutions and organizations in the zoological community most actively promoting educational programs for zoo keepers. Examples of such support are: reimbursements for formal education, keeper training courses and staff seminars.

The CMZE was founded by Jeff Roberts, 1976-1978 CHAIR, in 1978, to compliment the work of the AAZK Education Committee that had been formed at that time. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.

<h4>Qualifications</h4>
<ul>
	<li>Any staff individual, institution or organization from a North American zoo, aquarium or related facility is eligible.</li>
	<li>The keeper training program must have been in existence for at least one (1) year.</li>
</ul>

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<h4>Nomination Procedure</h4>
<ul>
	<li>If you feel that your institution, organization or a staff individual merits such an award, please submit a letter of nomination  which mentions specifically the educational programs that are offered.</li>
	<li>Claims made should be backed up with <strong>documentation</strong> for the committee to review.</li>
	<li>List the institution or organization's name, address, phone and Director.</li>
	<li>The deadline for nominations is <strong>MAY 1st</strong> of each year.</li>
</ul>

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<h4>Selection Procedure:</h4>
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.

<h4>Nomination Form</h4>
Please select the format you would like to download the Nomination Form below:
<i class="left icon-download"></i> <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/edform.doc" target="_blank">Download nomination form in MS Word format</a>
<i class="left icon-download"></i> <a href="http://aecetia.net/gws/aazk/wp-content/uploads/edform.pdf" target="_blank">Download nomination form in Adobe PDF format</a>

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