Eligibility requirements are as follows: 

• An individual who has at least ten years of experience in the human resources profession
• An individual who has made significant contributions to the human resources profession
• An organization that has demonstrated a humanistic concern for their employees and society and a deep respect for the human resources function
• Self-nominations are permitted
• NEHRA membership is not required
• Current members of NEHRA's Board of Directors are not eligible to receive the award

Recent recipients of the John D. Erdlen Five Star Award have been:

• 2009 - Charlie Anderson
• 2008 - Bob Kelleher
• 2007 - Russ Campanello & Helen Drinan
• 2006 - Keith Peden

NEHRA Volunteer Excellence Award
In 2000, NEHRA created a Volunteer Excellence Award to recognize and celebrate excellence in volunteerism among NEHRA members and to encourage all NEHRA members to contribute to and support the betterment of the HR function and NEHRA.

Eligibility requirements are:

• A NEHRA member and NEHRA volunteer for at least one year
• Any volunteer - does not need to be in a leadership roll
• Special consideration is given to volunteer contributions during more than one year
• Current member of NEHRA's Board of Directors are not eligible to receive this award

Any NEHRA member can nominate another member for this award, which is presented at the Annual Awards Breakfast.

Recent recipients of this award have been:

• 2009 - Samantha Head & Sarah Mann
• 2008 - Brian Boyd & David Kimmelman
• 2007 - Laurie Margolies & Sally Russell
• 2006 - Joanne Doherty

Humanitarian Award
The Humanitarian Award (formerly called the Compassion and Courage Award) was created in memory of two local HR professionals, Cheryl Troy and Craig Wood, who lost their lives during an act of workplace violence at Edgewater Technologies in December 2000. The award honors a NEHRA member who promotes the well-being, respect and dignity of all employees.  In so doing, this professional exemplifies compassion, courage and professionalism in the practice of human resources management and in their personal lives.   It is presented at NEHRA's Annual Awards Breakfast.

Recent recipients of the Humanitarian Award (formerly the Compassion and Courage Award) have been:

• 2009 - Michael James
• 2008 - Gary Davis
• 2007 - Dr. Bara Litman
• 2006 - Marianne Howard