1. AFSA Chapter Officer Training
Module 6 AFSA Awards and Recognition Programs

2. Field Operating Procedures
AFSA Awards and Recognition Programs
AFSA Manual (AFSAM) 100-5, AFSA Awards and Recognition Programs
Dated November 2017
NOTE: Current manuals and forms are available to download from the HQs website

3. AFSA Recognition Programs
Recognition programs foster morale, esprit de corps, and friendly competition through recognition and incentives within AFSA.
Volunteers make our Association work.
Recognizing individual members and teams who have made outstanding contributions to the United States, the Total Air Force and AFSA.
Take the time to recognize your outstanding performers.

4. Important Dates
The awards competition year, for all AFSA awards, is 1 January - 31 December of the calendar year preceding the award presentation, i.e., 1 Jan 17 – 31 Dec 17 for presentation in calendar year 2018.
Chapters must establish award submission dates to meet Division’s suspense.
Divisions submit their nomination packages to AFSA Headquarters no later than May 1 of the calendar year in which the award is to be presented except the AFSA Airman of the Year (AOY) and the AFSA Non-Commissioned Officer (NCOY). The AOY and NCOY award packages are due at AFSA HQ absolutely no later than June 1 of the calendar year in which the award is to be presented.

5. Award Package Submittal
Chapter Award nomination packages are submitted to parent Division. Divisions submit package to AFSA HQ.
Follow AFSAM guidance carefully.
AFSA Award Nomination Form 100 is located in the (Forms) section under the Recourses tab of the “members” section on the AFSA website.
Keep Military abbreviations to a minimum.
Award submission matrix form and sample cover letters are located in the back of AFSA manual
Preferred method of transmittal is electronic ( ) paper copies will be accepted if needed.

6. Chapter Level Individual Awards
Member of the Year
All AFSA regular and family members are eligible.
Categories: AFSA Member of the Year and AFSA Family Member of the Year.
All nominees must be a member of AFSA 1 July of the year being submitted.
Presented: for exceptional meritorious service on behalf of AFSA.
Package requirement: One-page personal biography, one color photograph 5x7 upper torso, AFSA form 100 limited to front side of form.
Award categories:
AFSA involvement chapter/base/location (scoring: 60 pts)
Membership contributions (scoring: 15 pts)
Legislative activities/contribution (scoring: 15 pts)
Community involvement non-AFSA related (scoring: 10 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 1
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

7. Chapter Level Individual Awards
AFSA Airman Of The Year Award
All AFSA members serving on Active Duty, or members of the ANG, AFRC, in the ranks of E-1 to E-4
See Section 2.a Eligibility requirements
All nominees must be a member of AFSA 1 July of the year being submitted.
Presented for: Named in honor of SSgt Donald Ward, an AFSA founder, to recognize and honor outstanding Airman and to encourage them to continue with their desire to be exceptional representatives of the United States Air Force and their country.
Package requirement: Cover letter (attachment ), two color photograph 5x7 upper torso and full front, AFSA form 100 limited to front side of form.
Award categories:
Leadership and Job Performance in Primary Duties (scoring: 40 pts)
Significant Self Improvement Efforts (scoring: 20 pts)
Base and Community Involvement (Non-AFSA) related (scoring: 20 pts)
AFSA Involvement Base and Community (scoring 20 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 2
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

8. Chapter Level Individual Awards
AFSA NCO Of The Year Award
All AFSA members serving on Active Duty, or members of the ANG, AFRC, in the ranks of E-5 to E-6
See Section 3.a Eligibility requirements
All nominees must be a member of AFSA 1 July of the year being submitted.
Presented for: Named in honor of TSgt Virgil Perry, an AFSA founder, to recognize and honor outstanding Airman and to encourage them to continue with their desire to be exceptional representatives of the United States Air Force and their country.
Package requirement: Cover letter (attachment ), two color photograph 5x7 upper torso and full front, AFSA form 100 limited to front side of form.
Award categories:
Leadership and Job Performance in Primary Duties (scoring: 40 pts)
Significant Self Improvement Efforts (scoring: 20 pts)
Base and Community Involvement (Non-AFSA) related (scoring: 20 pts)
AFSA Involvement Base and Community (scoring 20 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 3
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

9. Chapter Level Individual Awards
AFSA Exemplary Achievement Award
Eligibility: Members and non-members of AFSA, including persons eligible for membership or any field activity.
Presented for: Exemplary achievement in education, training, recruiting, management, community/public relations, career development or other programs that benefit AFSA, the USAF, ANG, AFRC.
Package requirement: AFSA form 100 limited to front side of form.
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 5
This award is recognized at the Chapter, Division or International level…it is not competed at the next level. The president at each level determines who is selected for this level of recognition. The next level may solicit nominees, but it is not required.

10. Chapter Level Individual Awards
Veterans Administration Volunteer Services (VAVS) Award
Eligibility: All members.
Presented for: Exceptional dedication and service in a volunteer status in a VA facility.
Package requirement: AFSA form 100 limited to 20 lines.
Award categories:
Duties and Accomplishments (scoring: 50 pts)
Volunteer savings to Organization (scoring: 25 pts)
Total hours of service (scoring: 25 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 6
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

11. Chapter Level Individual Awards
Volunteer Service Award
Eligibility: All members and chapters.
This award has two categories:
Individual and Chapter
Presented for: Exceptional dedication and service in a volunteer status in any area where volunteer service is authorized.
Package requirement: AFSA form 100 limited to 20 lines for individuals...full page for chapters.
Award categories:
Volunteer Activities (scoring: 60 pts)
Impact of Volunteer Service (scoring: 25 pts)
Total hours of service (scoring: 15 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 7
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

12. Chapter Level Individual Awards
AFSA Membership Achievement Award
Eligibility: All AFSA members who recruit and/or retained a minimum total of 100 members for the award period.
Presented for: Criteria is based upon efforts to recruit and retain members, innovative ways to promote membership at the chapter or international level and management support of membership initiatives.
Package requirement: A one-page biography and the AFSA 100 form limited to 20 lines.
Award categories:
Significant efforts in recruiting and retention (scoring: 50 pts)
Innovative ways to increase membership (scoring: 25 pts)
Membership initiatives at the chapter level (scoring: 25 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 5, Section 8
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

13. AFSA TEAM AWARDS AFSA Chapter of the Year Eligibility: All Chapters
Chapter of the year awards are broken up into two classes:
Chapters with 500 or more members and Chapters with less than 500 members.
Presented for: Presented to the top chapter in their class whose overall management contributes to further the aims of the association.
Package requirement: Submit AFSA Form 100 limited to both front and back sides.
Award categories:
Activity and Americanism Projects (Score Value 50 pts)
Membership Achievement (Score Value 20 pts)
Legislative Initiatives (Score value 15 pts)
Fraternalism Activities (Score value 15 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 6, Section 1
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

14. AFSA TEAM AWARDS AFSA Humanitarian Service Award
Eligibility: Chapters involved with humanitarian efforts on a local and/or national level, this award is not about volunteering on-bases and not every chapter may be involved in humanitarian activities.
Presented for: Exemplary achievement in the field of humanity
Package requirement: Submit AFSA Form 100 limited to front side only.
Award categories:
Humanitarian efforts at Local Level (Scoring 75 pts)
Humanitarian efforts at the national Level (Scoring 25 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 6, Section 2
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

15. AFSA TEAM AWARDS AFSA Chapter Membership Award
Eligibility: All chapters are eligible, two awards are presented to ensure all chapters are competitive: percentage increase and actual increase.
Presented for: Chapters showing the largest growth percentage and actual in membership in any given recruiting year (January 1- December 31).
Package requirement: None, award is determined by International President and Division Presidents
Reference 100-5, Principle 6, Section 3

16. AFSA TEAM AWARDS AFSA CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger Communication Award
Eligibility: All Divisions/Chapters are eligible
Presented for: This award recognizes a comprehensive communication program that effectively incorporates association messages into newsletters, websites and social media outlets and uses a variety of other communication tactics to reach internal and external audiences.
Package requirement: Submit AFSA Form 100 both sides, with (URLs) links to websites and social media outlets, submit one copy of three separate newsletter editions if applicable.
Award categories:
Social media (Scoring 40 pts)
Website (Scoring 30 pts)
Newsletter (Scoring 30 pts)
Reference 100-5, Principle 6, Section 4
Chapters submit packages to Division by date determined by Division President.

17. Recruiting and Retention Incentive Awards
The Membership Recruiting and Retention Incentive Awards program recognizes members who recruit new members and retain current members in sufficient quantities to sustains the continued growth of the association. The program is designed to recognized membership recruiting and retention achievements and encourages members to seek entry into the elite SKYHigh/HighFLIER/TwinFLYER clubs. Top performers will have their names listed in AFSA publications.
Eligibility: All AFSA members
Submittal: None, award is determined by International President and International Membership Chairman
Individual Awards: Top Recruiter and Top Retainer
Each winner will receive a memento, and one free convention registration if member recruited or retained a minimum of 100 members
Elite SKYHigh/HighFLIER clubs.
Recruit/Retain 100 or more members in calendar year, receives distinctive award, special pocket badge and one free conference registration
Elite TwinFLIER Club
Recruit/Retain 100 or more members with at least 25 being either recruited or retained
Reference 100-5, Principle 7, Section 3-4

18. Recruiting and Retention Incentive Awards
Chapter Awards:
The top recruiting and retaining chapter will receive a distinctive award and special recognition at the International Convention.
No convention registration will be awarded for organizational awards.
Minimum recruiting is 300 newly recruited members and retention is 200 retained members.
Reference 100-5, Principle 7, Section 5

19. AFSA Form 100
AFSA Awards Nomination Form (AFSA Form 100). AFSAM provides detailed instructions on completing this form.

20. Sample Transmittal Letter
Follow AFSAM guidance closely and meet your Division suspense.

21. Airman/NCO of the Year Cover Letter
NOTE: The Biography and Photo requirement. Ensure your package is complete!

22. AFSA Awards Submission Matrix
The Awards Matrix is a handy checklist to ensure your packages are complete.

23. Award Process Tips
Chapter Presidents or their awards program chairpersons should start collecting useful awards information from the beginning of the year.
Keep documentation on every Chapter project throughout the year.
Write in active voice and make your bullets count with action/result format.
Keep Military abbreviations to a minimum.
Follow the manual guidance, ensure your nominations are formatted correctly. Ensure spelling/punctuation and grammar are correct.
Proofread & remember, awards package writing is a “team sport”.

24. Summary
Volunteers “run” our Association—make the time to recognize them!
Plan ahead and document often, award package writing is easier when the achievements are already gathered
Correct format and on time submission is a must
AFSA Manual 100-5
Your DP & AFSA HQs Staff are there to help