Program
Probably there are very few collecting clubs which do not offer some form of award or recognition. For many collecting clubs, the awards program (we like to call them recognition programs) is one of the major traditions of the club. On the other hand, there are few clubs who can say they have the perfect awards program. Why is this? Probably because most awards programs of collecting clubs "evolved" - they have come into place by bits and pieces and there may not even be an awards "committee" in charge or anything in writing which explains the true intent of the awards being given.
Although it may be tempting for a club to give out awards or recognition for each and every little service that members have rendered throughout the year (all certificates are cheap, particularly now that they can be generated on the computer), a club's awards program should be given a great deal of thought. Remember, for some of your club members, receiving an award or recognition is a great honor. Make sure the recognition and the presentation are appropriate.
Types of Awards
Some collecting clubs may have a very unique reason for bestowing a certain award, however most awards can fit into several traditional categories.
Service Awards
Usually given to club members for chairing or participating in a major committee or project. These are usually given annually for work accomplished during the previous year.
Recognition Awards
Slightly different from service awards, these may honor a member for new member recruitment efforts, creativity in suggesting an idea or solution benefiting the club, writing a major feature article or developing a major exhibit. We recommend recognition awards remain "open ended" as there are many reasons for recognizing achievement or effort that may change from year to year.
Hall of Fame or Life Time Achievement Awards
Often considered the most prestigious award, these should be given out very selectively; and, as the name implies, to a club member who truly has benefitted the club for an extended length of time. In most clubs, the recipient must be a club member to receive this type of award, although in a few clubs this is not true.
Friend or Supporter Awards
Some clubs may have strong supporters who deserve recognition from outside the club membership. This type of award may take on various approaches depending on the club. Some examples: Possibly a columnist who has written a series of articles on your collecting area for a major publication, the general manager of your annual convention hotel who tirelessly saw that your convention operated smoothly, a major financial donor, a museum which provided space for a major exhibit on your collecting area, or a law firm which did legal work for the club at greatly reduced prices or for free! This list could go on and on, but the theme remains the same. Most clubs have received this type of "outside" support from time to time. Make sure that appropriate appreciation is given for the gift.
Appropriate Recognition
Providing recognition to those who are deserving is important, but how you go about the recognition and what "small token of appreciation" is given, is equally important.
If your club has an annual convention, including a banquet, this may be a logical setting for at least some of the awards. Perhaps service awards should be given at a membership business meeting and life time achievement and friend or supporter awards given at the annual banquet or some other suitable affair. Who presents the awards is equally important. For example, the chairman of the awards committee may give out the service awards but Life Time Achievement and other hi-profile awards should probably come directly from the club president or other appropriate presenter.
Type of Recognition
Truthfully, the thought of receiving a certificate or plaque - no matter how well-intentioned - make some people cringe (they may already have a drawer full of them). For some awards, these may types of recognition may be fine, but why not try a little creativity.
There are many custom supply houses which offer some very unique custom designed gift options in a wide price range. The websites for some of these are listed in our Resources section. Yes, a vase with an etched club logo will cost more than a plaque but if cost is really that much of a factor remember two things. First, the awards committee should have a regular budget as a line item in the club budgeting process so they can provide appropriate recognition to deserving recipients. And, second, if you are that concerned about prices of awards, perhaps the awards shouldn't be given at all.
Having said that, there are some special recognitions where it may be appropriate to tailor the "gift" to the recipient. Instead of a plaque or a certificate or some other memento, why not a coupon to a prestigious restaurant, tickets to the theater or a nice weekend `get-away' if these are interests of the person being honored. Even tangible gifts can convey unique thoughtfulness. A personally autographed book by the recipient's favorite author can show that some real thought and effort went into the gift.
The main thing to remember is that you want the benefactor of the recognition to feel good about being appreciated by the club for what he or she did. What you present is far less important than how you present it and the very fact that the person's efforts were recognized and appreciated.
We will continue to monitor the activities of collecting clubs in this area and add suggestions and additional information as it comes to our attention.
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