SECTION 1. OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the USAWOA Awards Program is to provide the following:

  1. a. Foster morale, incentive, esprit de corps and recognition to members and non-members.
  2. b. Formal program by which the National Board of Directors, Regions and Chapters can recognize outstanding performance or service by individuals and chapters.
  3. c. Recognize the dedication, service and professionalism of members and non-members who have contributed to the goals of the USAWOA. Service is for the United States Army, the United States Army Warrant Officer Cohort, the USAWOA, and/or the surrounding military communities.

SECTION 2. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS:

The following is the general eligibility criteria for each type of award:

  1. a. Individual Member Awards - Eligibility for this type of award requires the member be in good standing. A member in good standing is defined as any member whose dues are current and they are active participants in their chapter activities.
  2. b. Auxiliary Member Award - Eligibility for this type of award requires the auxiliary member to be a member in good standing with a USAWOA recognized Auxiliary.
  3. c. Non-Member Awards - Eligibility for this type of award requires that the non-member made noteworthy contributions and dedicated service to the USAWOA. Examples: Honorary and/or Associate Membership.
  4. d. Region Awards - Eligibility for this type of award requires that the region have a minimum of three (3) active chapters. The region must and active or inactive Region. Active Regions have their own elected officials and may institute their own program.
  5. e. Chapter Awards - Eligibility for this type of award requires the chapter to be a regular or auxiliary chapter.
  6. f. National awards would apply to Regions and Chapters and may or may not have a winner in each category.

SECTION 3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW AWARDS:

  1. a. Any chapter or member can recommend the establishment of a new award. Recommendations for new awards must be sent to National Headquarters for approval. The form recommending a new award, listed in appendix A, must be completed in its entirety and must be forwarded to National Headquarters as the official request. Electronic versions are acceptable.
  2. b. Upon receipt, the National Headquarters staff will refer the recommendation to the National Vice President and National Awards Committee Chairperson.
  3. c. Recommendations received by the Awards Committee will be staffed with all committee members. Recommendations favorably considered will be emailed by the National Awards Committee Chairperson to the National Board of Directors for approval. Recommendations not favorably considered will be returned by email to the chapter/individual by the National Awards Committee Chairperson – with a copy to the National Vice President – within 30 days, with rational for disapproval and suggested areas requiring improvement or better justification needed for approval.

SECTION 4. NOMINATIONS FOR EXISTING AWARDS:

  1. a. Nominations for awards that require a formal nomination and approval at the National, Region, or Chapter level will be forwarded utilizing the format at Appendix B. Awards can be submitted electronically.
  2. b. Nominations for awards that are not required to be submitted directly to National Headquarters will be routed through the respective Chapter or Region for endorsement by the Chapter President or Region Director.
  3. c. Award nominations must be received at National Headquarters no later than the 15th of August of each year. Award nominations received after the cut-off date – or not in the specified format, as listed in the appropriate appendix – will be returned to the nominator without action. This timeline does not apply to the Honorable Order of the Eagle Rising Awards.
  4. d. National level awards, as described in subparagraph d. (immediately herein above), will have automatic consideration by the National Awards Committee. The committee will screen the chapter minutes to determine the Winner and Runner-Up in each category. These awards do not require nominations for the chapters or individual members.
  5. e. Nominations for the Albert M. Holcome award will be forwarded utilizing the form in Appendix B.
  6. f. Nominations for the Virginia Holcome award will be forwarded utilizing the form in Appendix B.
  7. g. Nominations for the Don Hess Lifetime Achievement award will be forwarded utilizing the form in Appendix B, accompanied by a list of the member’s contributions to the Association/Warrant Officer cohort, covering a period of no less than 10 years.
  8. h. All individual awards should be endorsed by the Chapter President and the Regional Director. This endorsement can be submitted electronically.

SECTION 5. AWARDS YEAR FOR NATIONAL LEVEL AWARDS:

The awards year will be from 1 July to 30 June of each given year. This covers all awards that must be considered and chosen by the National Awards Committee. This timeline does not cover the Honorable Order of the Eagle Rising Awards.

SECTION 6. RECONSIDERATION OF DISAPPROVED AWARDS:

When a nomination is disapproved, the approving authority may reconsider the nomination for a lower level award. Nominations previously disapproved by an approving authority may be resubmitted for reconsideration providing that new or improved justification or evidence is furnished.

SECTION 7. PROCUREMENT OF AWARDS:

Regions and Chapters are encouraged to order their awards from a source approved by the National Headquarters. Each Region or Chapter is responsible for ordering and funding awards presented at their level.

SECTION 8. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS:

The National, Region or Chapter Presidents (or their designated representatives) will present all awards for their respective levels. Ceremonies may range from formal presentations at annual meetings to small office ceremonies at which the citation will be read and the award presented to the recipient. Most National Level Awards will be presented during the Annual Meeting of the Members Awards Banquet.

SECTION 9. PUBLICITY:

Winners of USAWOA awards will be given maximum publicity in the Newsliner and other media as appropriate. The Executive Director and the Newsliner Editor should be furnished with photographs and press releases of all awards.

SECTION 10. CONFIDENTIALITY OF AWARD WINNERS:

Award winners, for all levels of awards, will not be announced or publicized until presentation at an awards ceremony.