Awards
IN THIS CHAPTER, the subject deals with "people" and motivation -- the chapter Awards Program. As with every other Executive Committee member, the Vice President (etc.) for Awards must be identified, a screening/nominating/
writing committee formed, and a plan of action prepared. The importance of this area can not be overstated. The strength and vitality of the Air Force Association is directly resultant from the continued efforts of dedicated volunteers. Aside from the personal satisfaction gained from having succeeded at a volunteer duty, the only compensation for the expenditure of all that time, skill, effort, and in many cases, personal resources, IS AN AWARD.
While certain awards programs can be expensive to operate, virtually all chapters have the capacity to offer a quality program with very manageable costs. National AFA stocks a series of frameable certificates available at a cost of $1.25 each. These are excellent items and even with a frame, can be given out for a total expenditure of less than $10. Additionally, National stocks formal award plaques, medals and other recognition items which may be purchased at near cost in the range of $10- $125. These are quality items which the chapter can proudly present to deserving individuals. Awards may also, of course, be purchased locally (again, an excellent opportunity to pursue another Community Partner).
Each Vice President for Awards should concern himself/herself with two areas of awards -- local chapter awards and national awards. In the local awards category, you are limited only by your imagination and creativity. Many chapters develop a series of prestigious local awards for aerospace education, membership, AFA service, programming, etc. It is important to note that what makes an award special is often the tradition that is involved in the process. If you begin a recognition program, insure that you maintain it. In this way you continue to indirectly honor those identified in prior years with every new selection.
But, don't limit yourself to "in-house" or "family awards". Chapters often recognize the outstanding local educator each year, the outstanding legislator, etc. In view of the chapter's interest in increasing community membership, involvement, and knowledge, why not develop a Community Awards Program. Under this concept, you identify individuals in your area who, on a sustained basis, have accomplished milestones which either directly or indirectly are supportive of AFA's goals and missions. In this same light, if co-located with a military base, discuss the concept with the local commander. Offer to sponsor a first-rate chapter function to recognize those community leaders who have contributed to the support of the base. If approached properly, this can be an excellent means of serving both the community and the Air Force. Most commanders jump at the opportunity! Remember, this, as with any awards program, should be a top quality chapter event. Present the awards in front of the recipients' peers and supervisors; insure photographs are taken; issue news releases; etc. This is public relations of the first order.
In developing local awards, only a few limitations should be considered. In the first place, the award recipient should represent something related to the Air Force Association or the Air Force. Additionally, you should always consider the availability of financial support for the awards (both currently and in the future). Finally, develop means for proper review of nominees to insure the quality and prestige of the awards are maintained.
Related to both the local and national awards programs, AFA state and region organizations normally conduct awards programs of their own. Given the emphasis above, on the local basis, and the emphasis below on a national basis, normally a chapter can nominate individuals for state and region awards using virtually the same citation developed for the other two programs.
National AFA awards, like the local awards, cover a broad range of service. The AFA Field Operations Guidebook (Chapter 14) has a detailed section describing each award. In early spring the AFA National President will solicit nominations for the national awards from AFA's Field Leaders. Look for the announcement and nomination form in the February or March issue of Newsline. Of course, your nominations should be as specific as possible. But don't let the necessity to write a few words discourage you from nominating deserving individuals for national awards. Over the years, the vast majority of nominations come from a small minority of field units. We, as an Association, have not done as good a job as possible in insuring our membership is recognized properly. Unfortunately, if you don't nominate, NO ONE ELSE WILL.
Perhaps one of the reasons for not nominating individuals for national awards is the assumption that they "won't qualify", so why go through the trouble. Often, only a very few individuals are nominated. In the case of Exceptional Service and Medal of Merit Awards, a number of individuals can be so identified. There was an old saying popular in the military, which said "when in doubt, salute". In spite of saluting an occasional basic airman while squinting into a bright sun, it was a pretty sensible thought. The same holds true when it comes to nominations for national awards. If you feel there is merit, "when in doubt, SUBMIT!" Let the Awards Committee make the final decision.
One final consideration in developing award programs and nominations. Although, by nature, most awards are awarded after-the-fact when an accomplishment is recognized, it is often appropriate, and very motivating, to set certain chapter objectives with the goal in mind to win a particular award. Setting chapter membership objectives, programming, aerospace education programs, etc. with a specific goal to win a state or national award not only provides a strong sense of direction, but also an objective measure of accomplishment. Some chapters have specifically planned to win state or national chapter of the year awards and actually structured every facet of their operation to achieve that end. Each year the teams of the National Football League, Major League Baseball et. al. set their goals by focusing on end-result awards. The local AFA chapter can certainly do the same and enjoy the motivation and sense of fulfillment that accompanies the process.
Volunteerism has proven to be the strength and vitality of most American communities. It is little wonder that the same spirit of volunteerism is the strength of AFA. We do not pay our people for their long hours and hard work. However, a carefully structured local (state) and national awards program can go a long way in providing the motivation and staying power to pursue our important objectives.
Return to the Table of Contents or go to the Next Chapter