By Don Leutz, Awards Committee Chair
The official start of the 2023 Boating Season has begun, and it is now time to consider a deserving individual(s), or ACBS Chapter that might be worthy of receiving one of many ACBS International Awards.
A brief summary of the Awards are as follows:
Terry Fiest Award: This is a new annual award sponsored by the Sunnyland Chapter and serves to recognize the dedication, leadership, and vision of an individual Chapter member(s) which has served as a Boat Show Chairperson, Judge, or volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding sustained performance at a Chapter’s premier Boat Show Event.
Mary Herwig Award: Honors an individual who has contributed broadly and in an outstanding manner at the Chapter level toward enhancing and furthering the aims and objectives of ACBS.
Hagerty Safety Award: Provided by Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance and presented to an individual(s) who prepares and has published the best article on Boating Safety in an ACBS Publication or Website.
Rover Award: Recognition of outstanding effort by an individual or group in the organization and implementation of a cruise or function encouraging the use of antique, classic, and historic boats for the enjoyment of the Chapter and ACBS members.
Broken Gunwale Award: Given in the spirit of fun and good humor. Presented to any individual or group which has “distinguished” themselves in a memorable way while participating in an ACBS cruise or boat show.
Chapter of the Year Award: Recognition of a Chapter who has been outstanding in their membership and youth development activities, member participation, event planning, communication with members and ACBS, and other areas of improvement during the year.
Publication Awards: Given in recognition of the effort of a Chapter and their newsletter/magazine editors in communicating with their members. There are three awards given in the categories of small, medium, and large Chapters.
Website Awards: One award and one runner-up award is given out each year to recognize a Chapter and their Webmaster(s) in communicating effectively with their members. All Chapter websites are reviewed by the Awards Committee throughout the year and judged on design, content, and originality as well as use of the ACBS logo and efforts to promote ACBS membership and events.
Nominations for the above awards are due June 30, 2023. Nominations should be submitted to:
Don Leutz, Chair
Lisa Robinson
Janice Miller
Gene Porter
(Nominations can also be sent via email to lora@acbs.org at headquarters to be forwarded on to the entire committee.)
The ACBS International Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet, this year at Bay Harbor, Petosky, MI in September.
For additional information on all the ACBS Awards, please review Section G of the Chapter Handbook available online at ACBS.org.
The Awards Committee looks forward to receiving your nominations.