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1). We seek nominations of individuals who provide or have provided service and leadership, beyond rhetoric, but with deeds who work for the rights, liberty and uplifting of those who are marginalized because of poverty, race, class, ethnicity, gender, age or status in society.

2). We seek nominations of individuals that apply innovation and creative approaches to addressing societal issues.

3). Nominees are sought who have a proven track record of sustained service to humanity, compassion for fellow citizens, and most of all, a burning passion for truth and justice.

4). Nominees must be a resident of or have made a significant impact in Raleigh and/or Wake County, North Carolina.

5). Nominees can be of any race, creed, faith, gender or age.

Nominee's Name ______________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

City/Town _____________________________ Zip ________

Phone: __________________ E-Mail ____________________

Date Of Birth _________ Place Of Birth ______________

Nominated By: _______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

City/Town ____________________________ Zip _________

Phone: ________________ E-Mail _______________________

On a separate page please describe why you think your nominee should receive the W.W. Finlator Meritorious Service Award. Please be generous with your accolades but please limit your rational to within two (2) pages. Your submission page must be signed by you and the date of submission shown under your name.

If you would like to send any letters of support from others please ask the supporter to limit their remarks to one (1) page. All letters of support must accompany and be attached to the Nomination Form behind your rational page.

Applications must be received by November 1st of the year proceeding when the award is to be made. The winner will be announced and presented the award at the following year's Martin Luther King Noon Ecumenical Observance at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. An antonymous six person panel chosen by the Raleigh Martin Luther King Committee will select the award's recipient based on an objective review of nominations received. Awards may, or may not, be given annually.

WHY A FINLATOR AWARD ?

Last year we were saddened by the death of W. W. Finlator, one of the most prominent Southern Baptist ministers during the 20th century. Rev. Finlator was a native of the Raleigh area who spent most of his ministry in this city. From 1956 to 1982, Finlator served as the pastor of the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh for 26 years.

Finlator's understanding of Baptist identity was rooted in a view of freedom strongly influenced by enlightenment individualism. As such, he believed that every Christian was free to interpret the Scriptures according to the dictates of his own conscience. While serving as the pastor of the Pullen Memorial Church, Finlator became well known for his commitment to a socio-theological agenda. He was a leading Southern Baptist proponent of the Civil Rights movement. Finlator also spoke out opposing the Vietnam War. Finlator was an outspoken defender of women's rights, inviting the National Organization of Women to meet at Pullen Memorial. As a progressive Baptist, he was also a fierce advocate of church-state separation; in fact, the North Carolina chapter of the ACLU was formed at Pullen Memorial under his leadership. Finlator also spoke out against racism, poverty, defended workers' rights, and was a fierce opponent of the death penalty.

W. W. Finlator was an outspoken, passionate, progressive pastor in an overwhelmingly conservative State. As a pastor, he challenged traditional Baptist policy. As a public theologian, he challenged traditional southern culture, as in the case with racial equality. As a political activist, he challenged traditional American values. Finlator was a Baptist preacher without parallel, one who was always honest about his beliefs and always willing to challenge the status quo. Many of his convictions predated the progressive drift of a later generation of moderate Christians who continue to champion some of the same causes that Finlator publicly defended for the better part of sixty years.

On January 15, 1981, Reverend Finlator welcomed into his church Raleigh's very first Martin Luther King Observance .... thus establishing a proud tradition which will live on into the annals of history.

For many of us, Finlator's calls were an affirmation of God's love. William Wallace Finlator, who passed away on July 3, 2006 at age 93, was a prophet, a man who fearlessly spoke truth to power and did so in a spirit of genuine love. While he will be most remembered for his commitment to justice and peace, for his opposition to war, racism, capital punishment, oppression and sin, we will also remember Reverend Finlator for possessing a measure of warmth rarely seen among mortals. Finlator, who lived through the Great Depression, was always joyful in his activism. When he met you, Finlator would look you straight in the eyes and smile. He always asked about your family, your work, your life, never speaking about himself. In that moment, Bill Finlator was your best friend ... and the world's.