[Jack_]

It's quite simple.

You have either an opt-out or opt-in list as per usual, a private sub forum is created viewable to members only, and then that gets narrowed down to those who have either opted in or haven't opted out.

Discussion of the awards is only permitted within the sub forum, in any other section of TiBB and those members are infracted/banned.

That way it's doing none of these so-called 'problems':

1) Putting new members off of joining, because they won't be able to see the awards
2) Causing arguments and drama in other areas of the forum
3) Causing arguments/drama at all really, considering those who are opting in or who haven't opted out understand it's all light hearted fun

And most importantly, those who have opted out, or haven't opted in are required to fulfil their requested obligation of not participating. Quite simply, if you wish to distance yourself from the awards, then you have no business commenting on them at all. Your name can't be mentioned anyway seeing as you've opted out, so those people should just be able to get on with their business in other areas of the forum, and leave those who wish to participate alone, just as they wished in the first place.

That's it. The simple solution.