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Give Chapters a Hand, Awards of Excellence

Nomination Form | Past Recipients

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 at 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.

Overall Chapter Excellence 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:
5 Hands – Distinguished
4 Hands – Excellent
3 Hands – Above Average

Chapter Size Categories
Chapters will be divided into Small, Medium, Large and X-Large sizes based on their census numbers from the previous year as of September 1. These ranges are subject to change annually as member numbers change. The 2009 chapter size breakdown for the 2010 Awards is as follows:
Small (up to 299):       DC, WY, VT, OK, AR, SD, DE, MS, WV, ND, KS, AK
Medium (300 to 699):  NE, ID, MT, AL, NM, RI, HI, NV, LA, NH, ME, IA, KY, SC
Large (700 to 1499):    TX, TN, UT, MN, IN, GA, OR, MO, MD, AZ, MI, VA
X-Large (1500 and up): NC, NJ, CO, WI, PA, CT, OH, MA, CA, FL, NY, IL, WA

Communication and Programmatic Areas of Excellence
Chapters are eligible for awards in individual areas of excellence based on the submission for the overall award of excellence. These include but are not limited to:
Member Communication: Newsletter
Member Communication: Website
Member Programming: Community Service/Fundraising
Member Programming: Government Relations Committee
Member Programming: Sports Massage Team

Requirements and Criteria

Part 1 – Deliverables and Reporting
 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
Submissions in this area will be used to determine excellence and innovation in communication and programmatic areas. Size of chapter in relation to others will be considered. See the criteria below:

Member Communication: Newsletter Criteria
Quality and content is consistent
Provides members up-to-date, reliable information in an easy-to-read format
High quality content and design that serves as an example for others to follow
Contributes to the massage therapy profession in a meaningful way
Supports AMTA’s mission of serving members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy
Showcases original design

Member Communication: Website Criteria
Display of affiliation with AMTA through proper use of logos and links
Provides useful information on massage therapy for consumers
Effectiveness in presenting chapter events and other pertinent chapter related content
Effectiveness in communicating with members
Ease of navigation
Quality and originality of design
Provides consistent updates/maintenance;
All links are active and pointing to the correct page and the information is relevant and current

Member Programming: Community Service/Fundraising Criteria
Gives back to the community
Contributes to AMTA and/or the massage profession in a philanthropic manner
Contributes to the overall advancement of the massage profession

Member Programming: Government Relations Committee Criteria
 Exceptional accomplishments at the Chapter and/or the National level regarding government relations activities
Team effort
Cooperation and teamwork displayed on committee
Outreach to non-AMTA stakeholders (ABMP, Federation MBS, FSMTB, State Associations, etc)

Member Programming: Sports Massage Team Criteria
Exceptional accomplishments in the area of sports massage
Team effort
Cooperation and teamwork displayed on committee
Accomplishments that enhance the visibility, prestige and acceptance of sports massage and sports massage therapists to the general public and the other components of the sports community

Part 3 – Outstanding Service to Members
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 – December 2009 are eligible). This may include, but is not limited to:

Face to Face Community Building Experience (for example: networking, MERT, education, NMTAW)
Service to Members (for example: student recruitment, member retention program, welcoming new members, keeping in touch with all members, member survey)
Volunteer management (for example: documented succession plan – policy manuals/checkbooks/etc handed down to new officers, orientation/training, recognition, volunteer recruitment, surveys)