Core Value Mark of Distinction

Owned by Cindy Anderson
Last updated: May 23, 2023 by Kisa Barthel
4 min read

Purpose:

The purpose of the Core Value Mark of Distinction is to recognize and reward employees who consistently live out Bethel’s core values, which positively impacts department goals, constructively serves the Bethel Community, and advances Bethel’s mission and vision.

Eligibility:

All part-time and full-time Bethel staff and faculty are eligible.

Criteria:

The Selection Committee will consider the following criteria when making a selection for a Core Value Mark of Distinction:

  1. Ongoing, regular demonstration of consistently…
    •   professing Jesus is Savior and Lord and modeling His character to others through such manners as being kind, patient, humble, selfless, gracious, grateful, not irritable, or resentful, not rejoicing with wrong, but rather rejoicing in the right while staying rooted in Scripture (Christ Followers)
    •   developing whole and holy persons through formal or informal mentoring/teaching students and/or colleagues, individuals and/or teams (Character-Builders)
    •   recognizing that God is the source of all truth, speaking the truth in personal and professional relationships and organizational communications, and presenting the truth at all levels of the organization even if the truth is difficult to present (Truth-Seekers) cultivating a culture of learning and nurturing a passion for learning with students and/or colleagues through commitment to academic and professional excellence, which is characterized by teaching, leadership, mentoring, training, and a strong desire and willingness to learn
    •   (Learners) honoring the worth and dignity of all people and purposely seeking to create an environment that pursues confession, repentance, restoration, forgiveness, and peace among students, staff, faculty, coworkers, departments, schools, and the Bethel Community at large (Reconcilers) relating to the world, society, and the Bethel community in culturally relevant ways by using one’s skills, knowledge, abilities, gifts, and passions to help preserve the gospel of Jesus, to give flavor to others’ lives, and to bring light to a dark and hurting world (Salt and Light)
    •   shaping and changing the world by exercising compassionate leadership in one’s sphere of influence regardless of position (World-Changers)

        2. Individual’s actions positively impact his/her department’s goals

        3. Individual’s actions constructively serve the Bethel Community

        4. Individual’s actions advance Bethel’s mission and vision

Selection Committee:

The Selection Committee will be appointed by the Office of People and Culture and will have at least one faculty member, and one staff member with a total of five members. Each member needs to have been employed by Bethel at least five years, so they have a good understanding of Bethel’s core values. A non-voting member of OPC will facilitate the selection process and announcement procedure.

Selection Process and Procedure:

The procedure for selecting recipients for a Core Value Mark of Distinction is as follows:

  1. Written nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, or administrators, and must include specific rationale based on the criteria as to why the nominee is deserving of this special recognition.
  2. Nominations may be submitted to OPC during nomination period each spring.
  3. Each nomination will be reviewed by the Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer and then forwarded to the Selection Committee.
  4. Selection of recipients for a Core Value Mark of Distinction will be made by the Selection Committee.
  5. The Selection Committee is not limited to select one recipient for each of the seven core values. Selections will be based on which core values are represented in the nominations. More than one recipient may receive a Core Value Mark of Distinction for the same core value.
  6. A maximum of three Core Value Mark of Distinctions will be awarded each fiscal year.
  7. There is no limit to the number of times an employee may receive a Core Value Mark of Distinction.
  8. Nominations will not be carried over from year to year for future consideration by the Selection Committee.
  9. Nominator(s) will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision only if the recipient is selected and   after the recipient has been notified unless the nominator is the recipient’s direct supervisor.

Reward:

The Core Value Mark of Distinction recipient(s) will receive a $250 check.

Announcement Procedure:

  1. Recipient(s) will be informed by a member of the Selection Committee.
  2. Recipient(s) will receive their award during the program at the annual All Employee Party held in late spring.
  3. After the recipient(s) is/are awarded, an announcement will be published on MyBethel with a photo for community awareness.

Tax Information on Core Value Awards:

IRS Regulations require service awards to be reported as taxable for federal, state, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). While these awards can be added to your W-2 for federal and state purposes, we must withhold FICA for them directly from your paycheck. These taxes cannot be paid as part of your personal income tax returns, but instead, the federal government requires Bethel to withhold them from your paycheck. 

The month you are recognized is the month you will receive the monetary award on your paycheck. Tax withholding will occur on that month’s paycheck. This means that on paychecks those amounts that are taxable will be:

  1. Added to your federal and state taxable wage bases. But no federal and state withholding will be deducted from your paychecks.
  2. Added to your FICA taxable wage bases. FICA withholding for cash and cash equivalent recognition awards will be deducted from your paychecks. The Social Security withholding will equal 6.2% of the taxable benefit. The Medicare withholding will equal 1.45% of the taxable benefit.