1 How to be a Community Services Award Winning Chapter SUMMARY: Chapters are encouraged to support worthwhile community projects that allow the chapter, organization, or company to become a good citizen. There are a variety of community activities that chapters of all sizes can become active participants in. Establishing a committee is essential and is very simple to organize. Recruit chapter members who enjoy working with young people and who are interested in becoming involved in the Community Services (CS) area. FUNDING: Chapters decide and perform their own CS projects. Funding can come from the employer, the chapter, the participant, or in some combination of these. Often, CS projects are in the form of donations of time and/or supplies obtained by the members and any sponsors, and then given to the chosen recipient. REQUIREMENTS: The chapter establishes a Community Services Committee to select and implement CS projects. This committee sets objectives and goals and establishes a plan of action and a timetable for the years activities. The Community Services Award is presented to chapters who have excelled in creativity and innovation in community activities within their chapter, company, organization, or community. CS Award Activities are listed under the Community Services Area" on the Chapter Monthly Activity Report Form R1. This is the only form required for chapter participation. PROCESS: Recruit chapter members who enjoy working with young people and who are interested in Community Services for your committee. Determine the scope of your chapters participation: 1) Find out which community activities members are currently involved with and see if they are willing to perform them as an NMA activity; 2) Consult with other groups in your organization to be sure you are not duplicating efforts or "stepping on toes" (may want to share sponsorship of several activities); 3) Examine the public relations benefits of your activities and work with your Public Relations (PR) committee to obtain publicity benefiting the chapter, the organization, and the community; 4) Look at your organization's goals to tie some of your projects to them, document these and inform your upper management of the effort (carefully watch that fine line between an activity and a political action - check your constitution and bylaws for political activity clarity). After completion of the above, your chapter and CS Committee are ready to set CS objectives and goals along with establishing a plan of action and a timetable for the years activities. Point values have been assigned for all activities under the Community Services Area of the R1. All chapters earning points in this area equal to or greater than.2 x # chapter members + 35 during the administrative year will be eligible to receive the designation of an Award Winning Community Services Chapter. Activities must be reported on a monthly basis on the Chapter Monthly Activity Report Form R1 (form available for download at: Projects or programs must occur during the chapter's administrative year. The NMA Staff reviews points on all R1s and determines which chapters meet the criteria. Awards are presented each year at the NMA Annual Conference during the Recognition Luncheon. Rev QuickTool 21