function checkDistAlumniNomForm(form_ref) {
	// check the required fields to make sure they are filled in.
	var alert_txt = "";
	if (form_ref.name.value == "") { // first name field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in the nominee's name.";
		form_ref.name.style.borderColor = "#F54C00";
		form_ref.name.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	if (form_ref.categories.value == "") { // first name field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in the category.";
		form_ref.categories.style.borderColor = "#F54C00";
		form_ref.categories.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	if (form_ref.address.value == "") { // address field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in the nominee's address.";
		form_ref.address.style.borderColor = "#f54c00";
		form_ref.address.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	if (form_ref.phone.value == "") { // city field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in nominee's phone.";
		form_ref.phone.style.borderColor = "#f54c00";
		form_ref.phone.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	
	if (form_ref.nominator.value == "") { // phone field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in your name.";
		form_ref.nominator.style.borderColor = "#f54c00";
		form_ref.nominator.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	if (form_ref.nominator_phone.value == "") { // zip field
		alert_txt += "\n* Please fill in your phone.";
		form_ref.nominator_phone.style.borderColor = "#f54c00";
		form_ref.nominator_phone.style.backgroundColor = "#ffdddd";
	}
	
	
	
	if (alert_txt) { // there was an error
		alert_txt = "There was a problem with your information:\n\n"+alert_txt;
		alert(alert_txt);
		return false;
	} else {
		return true;
	}
}

function mailInfo(message) {
	document.location = document.location+"?mail_str="+message;
}