« Back to award list

AMTA Give Chapters a Hand, Awards of Excellence

Nomination form | FAQs

Purpose

  • To ensure that chapter reporting requirements are viewed as an integral part of service to members

  • To ensure that chapters receiving awards have complied with an least minimum reporting requirements

  • To encourage chapter innovation and excellence above and beyond the basic requirements

  • To provide an opportunity for chapters to communicate the opportunities they’ve seized, fun they’ve had or the challenges they’ve overcome for the year

Background

Recognition is a vital part of AMTA’s commitment to its volunteers. The new AMTA Give Chapters a Hand, Awards of Excellence makes it possible for 51 chapters to be honored every year if criteria is met and submitted to national.

Based on extensive research and SNAP survey results from chapter presidents, chapter awards chairs, national board of directors, awards workgroup and key staff, the Awards of Excellence program reflects characteristics of a successful, effective chapter – and therefore serves as a guide for chapter leadership to provide value to members.

As chapters provide deliverables to members, report to the national organization, and train and recruit more volunteers, it is crucial to encourage and recognize outstanding service. AMTA continues to believe in the power of chapters to provide valuable member services and programs.

Chapter Size
Chapters will be divided into categories each year based on a review of the most recent census. These ranges are subject to change annually as member numbers change. The 2009 chapter size breakdown is as follows.

  • Small: OK, DC, WY, VT, DE, AR, SD, WV, KS, ND, MS, NE, AK

  • Medium: ID, NM, MT, AL, RI, NV, HI, LA, NH, KY, IA, SC, ME

  • Large: TX, TN, UT, MN, IN, OR, GA, MO, MD, AZ, MI, VA

  • Extra Large: NC, CO, WI, NJ, PA, CT, OH, MA, CA, NY, FL, IL, WA

Ranking System
Points awarded to each chapter will be determined by the Awards Operational Committee and staff in applicable areas like website and publications. The system to determine the overall awards of excellence consists of multiple levels:

  • Five Hands – Distinguished

  • Four Hands – Excellent

  • Three Hands – Above Average

Requirements

Part 1 – Deliverables and reporting (100 points)
Chapters must submit all required reporting to national as listed below to be eligible for the "Give Chapters a Hand" Awards. These will be verified by the National Office.

  • 100% compliance with AMTA chapter financial reporting requirements (MUST BE ON TIME)

  • HOD election minutes

  • Roster submission (including all delegates and elected/appointed volunteers)

  • Chapter deliverables: newsletter, face to face community building experience, chapter phone service

Part 2 – Areas of Excellence (up to 75 points)
Submissions in this area will be used to determine excellence and innovation in programmatic areas. Size of chapter in relation to others will be considered. These include:

  • Newsletter

  • Face to face community building experience (for example: fundraising, networking, community outreach, education)

  • Service to members (for example: student recruitment, member retention program, welcoming new members, keeping in touch with all members, web site, member survey, newsletter)

  • Volunteer management (for example: documented succession plan – policy manuals/checkbooks/etc handed down to new officers, orientation/training, recognition, volunteer recruitment, surveys)

Part 3 – Outstanding Service to Members (up to 25 points)
Highlights how the chapter went above and beyond requirements for serving members throughout the year that is not covered in part 1 and 2 (programs or service to members that occurred between January 2008 – March 2009 are eligible for submission).