The Chapter Excellence Award recognizes a single Chapter’s excellence in promoting the mission of the SDA. The Chapter Excellence Award is a comprehensive recognition program based on exceptional overall merit demonstrated in each of seven categories:Membership, Chapter Governance, Education/Professional Development, Networking, Sponsorship, Communication, and Leadership.
A point system is used for judging, with measurable criteria such as percent of new member growth, member retention percentage, member programs and member services (newsletter, website, etc.), number of pre-certified educational programs, membership drives, community service and awareness programs, participation in Canstruction®, etc.
Qualification period: January 1 – December 31, 2013. A Chapter is eligible to win the Chapter Excellence once, after which the Chapter becomes ineligible for a period of two years.
SUBMISSION AND JUDGING CRITERIA
Please address all items in the order of the outline provided below. If your Chapter does not have a response for a specific item, indicate such in your response or describe your future plans to add the item to your programming.
Submit one (1) copy in a black 8-1/2” x11”, clear view binder and mail to CEA Awards Coordinator (address on last page), and email one (1) .pdf file of your submittalto . Be sure to put “CEA Award” in your subject line. This will be used by the jurors for deliberation, by National Headquarters for promotional purposes and for the Chapter Resources page. Use tabs as listed below to separate the categories and their corresponding supporting documentation.Minimum supporting documentationis listed in each category. You may include any additional supporting documentation you feel is pertinent. Supporting documentation is the data, published materials, and other exhibits which relate to the specific categories, such as photos of board members, photos of events, copies of any documentation relating to the entry, website snapshots, job bank, etc. Each category should be addressed concisely with any minimum pertinent documentation to verify the information included in that section. If a point cannot be addressed, explain why or why not.
All submittals shall be received by the Awards CEA Coordinator by Tuesday, April 1, 2014 by 5PM EST. Submittals received after April 1, 2014will be disqualified regardless of the postmark. Announcement of the winning submittal will be made on April 21, 2014.
Submittals must include the following format:
Title Page: Include Chapter name, address, award contact information, Chapter officers, and director, if applicable.
Tab 1: Executive Summary
Provide a summary narrative description or listing of the Chapter’s efforts, achievements, and activities as outlined in the seven categories.The Executive Summary should be a maximum of 2 pages. Include the completed CEA Checklist for Chapters following the Executive Summary.
The Executive Summary of the winning chapter will be posted on sdadmin.org under Chapter Resources as a way to educate our members on how other successful chapters operate.
Tab 2: Membership
Chapter has an established Membership Committee.
Chapter conducts annual membership drives / special membership recruitment contests.
Chapter has made membership retention efforts.
Chapter circulates a member satisfaction and / or suggestion survey. Provide copy of survey as supporting documentation.
Provide a statement about your Membership committee, summarizing each point above. How is your committee organized?What materials do you distribute? Summarize your Chapter’s efforts in recruiting new members. Based on your year-end membership, by what percentage did your membership increase? What was your retention rate?How do you retain your current members?
Tab 3: Chapter Governance
Chapter conducts periodic board meetings (at least two board meetings per year in person; minimum of six board meetings per year.) with agendas and minutes. Provide one agenda with the corresponding minutes as supporting documentation.
Chapter has a written annual strategic plan, with chapter goals. If so, provide a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter holds an annual business meeting.
Chapter conducts annual election of officers.
Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules current and approved by National Bylaws Committee.
Chapter obtains 501(c)6 IRS tax-exempt status and files annual 990 tax return as required.
Chapter sends confidential copy of tax return to HQ.
Chapter submits Annual Chapter Report to National. Include a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter Affiliation Agreement is signed and filed with National.
Chapter conducts a transitional meeting for new board members.
Chapter President serves as delegate on national Board of Directors and participates in BoD meetings (Annual Business Meeting and phone BoD meetings).
Chapter has a process for maintaining permanent papers (IRS determination letter, bylaws, financial information. Include a copy of the annual budget and one financial statement as supporting documentation.
Provide a statement about your Chapter Governance, summarizing each point above. Describe your Chapter’s board operations, board meetings, persons involved and their roles, etc.
Tab 4: Education/Professional Development
Chapter has an Education/Professional DevelopmentCommittee.
Chapter offers a minimum of 12 continuing education hours per year, including a special topic seminar. Provide a summary listingof all programs with corresponding hours and number of attendees at each event as supporting documentation.
Chapter submits a Best Practice to SDA National website.
Chapter member submits a White Paper or SDA Today article. Include a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter offers a scholarship to attend EdSymposium or a Regional Conference.
Chapter has hosted a Regional Conference within last six years.
Provide a statement about your Education/Professional Development efforts, summarizing each point above.
Tab 5: Networking
Chapter has a Networking/Events Committee.
Chapter holds a networking event for the membership
Chapter participates in charity event/community service/social networking function, not including Canstruction.
Chapter participates in Canstruction.
Chapter interacts and collaborates with other SDA Chapters or A/E/C organizations.
Chapter has a Principal / Sustaining Firm appreciation.
Chapter raises funds for the chapter.
Provide a statement about your Chapter’s networking events, summarizing each point above.
Tab 6: Sponsorship
Chapter has a Sponsorship Committee.
Chapter receives non-dues revenue / sponsorships / advertising / in-kind contributions. Provide guidelines for sponsors with a summary list of the sponsors as supporting documentation.
Chapter supplies a sponsor lead that becomes a national sponsor.
Chapter recognizes their sponsors (newsletters/website).
Provide a statement about your Chapter’s sponsorships, summarizing each point above.
Tab 7: Communications
Chapter has a Communications Committee.
Chapter distributes meeting announcements about educational seminars, business meetings, etc. Include a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter publishes and distributes a newsletter. Include a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter has a database of contacts that is maintained.
Chapter has a website with a link to National SDA website. Provide the website address.
Chapter publishes Calendar of Events. Include a copy as supporting documentation.
Chapter has an active Job Bank.
Chapter communicates information from National and the Chapter (events, deadlines, news).
Provide a statement about your Chapter’s Communications, summarizing each point above.
Tab 8: Leadership
Chapter holds an annual Leadership Retreat.
Chapter has an establishedplanto foster members into leadership roles.
Chapter President attends annual National EDSymposium.
Chapter has member participation at the national level.
Chapter and Chapter members submit for National Awards (CEA, CFA, LTA, Star).
Chapter provides funding for Chapter Leadership to attend National EDSymposium.
Chapter has a member recognition program, such as Member of the Year.
Provide a statement about your Chapter’s Leadership, summarizing each point above.
Tab 9: Conclusion
Summarize why your chapter deserves recognition with the Chapter Excellence Award in a concise, well written and informative fashion. This should be detailed but no more than one page.
All submittal bindersmust be received by the CEA Awards Coordinator by Tuesday, April 1, 2014 by close of business.
Send submittals to:
Linda Meyer, CDFA
Clark Nexsen
6160 Kempsville Circle, Suite 200A
Norfolk, VA 23502
(757) 961-7977
Page 1 of 4