Awards and Recognition Program

Introduction

 Volunteers give of their time because they are helping to accomplish the mission and goals of an organization with which they have shared values. Recognition lets a volunteer know that they are important to the organization and that they are appreciated for the time they have donated. Thus, recognizing volunteer and staff contributions is of great importance to the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK).

In recognition of the invaluable work and support of volunteers within ADK from its inception in 1922, ADK has recognized volunteers and staff through the years in many ways.   In 1992, the Board of Governors recognized the need for volunteer recognition and established the Volunteer Recognition Committee. Since then the following recognitions and awards have been developed:


The ADK Program Awards are:

Only one award per category may be presented in any given year.
Not all awards may be presented in any given year.
Joint or collaborative awards may be presented.
ADK membership is not required to be nominated for or to receive an ADK program award.
New awards may be created if/as the need arises

The ADK Awards are:

Procedure for the above awards:

  • Submit the name(s) of the proposed recipient(s) together with the specific endeavor(s) being cited to the Awards and Recognition subcommittee chair no later than December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The subcommittee will review the nomination(s) and make a decision no later than January 31 st of the year the award is to be presented.
  • Recipient(s) will be notified in advance of their award so that they and/or a designee may plan to attend the President's dinner when the award will be presented. (June)

 

Volunteer Recognition Awards:

Distinguished Volunteer – given in recognition of a lifetime of activity and effort on behalf of ADK, involving many different facets of the organization. This award will be presented at the President's dinner and consists of a patch, a pin and a certificate. Please use the attached nomination procedure.

White Birch – given for significant achievement on behalf of ADK in a single facet of the organization (could be a chapter or committee endeavor). This award may be presented at any time. There is a patch and a certificate. Requests for this award should be made through the chair of the Awards and Recognition subcommittee and should include the name, address and telephone number of the recipient, a description of the nominee's volunteer activities, and the time and place when the award is to be presented.

Spruce Cone (Volunteer) – this award is intended to recognize the many volunteers in ADK. This award is designed for use by committees, chapters and work project leaders. Patches are available through headquarters.

Spruce Cone rockers – these will be awards for significant “milestones” of service (100, 250 and 500 hours). The hours may be accumulated for all volunteer work and will be complied on the membership database at headquarters. A list of volunteers and hours should be sent to the chair of the Awards and Recognition subcommittee at least annually.

Trillium Award – this award is presented for work on ADK Trails-related Projects. It is given the first time an individual participates. Second year volunteers receive a “trail worker” rocker. There is a rocker for 5-year volunteers and a pin for 10-year volunteers. Lean-to adopters also receive a rocker.   This award is administered by the ADK Trails program.

Mugs – these specially designed ADK mugs are presented to chapter chairs, committee chairs, officers and directors when their term of office is completed. A certificate accompanies the mug.

Other recognitions:

Board Members are provided with lunch at Board meetings as a means of thanking them for taking the time and making the effort to attend the meetings. Lunch at other events, such as the Chapter Chair Rendezvous, is part of this recognition.
Staff recognitions in addition to the Marie Lynch Haberl ADK Staff Recognition Award:
Anniversary recognitions are presented on the 1 st , 5 th , 10 th, 15 th   and 20 th   anniversaries.
Other recognitions, such as the Golden Boot and the Muddy Boot are presented at appropriate times.

Funding for these recognitions is provided by ADK Recognition Endowment Fund established in 2000.

Additional awards may be created as a need is determined.
Award recognition packets are available from headquarters .

 

Eleanor F. Brown ADK Communication Award

Objective of Award: To recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the area of communication. This award may be presented for efforts in chapter or regional issues as well as overall Club concerns

Criteria:

  • A significant and sustained effort on some facet of an ADK endeavor.
  • A role in mentoring and “bringing ahead” other people.
  • Fills a particular need or closes a gap.
  • Provides a forum or clearinghouse for exchange of information, verbal, written—whatever.
  • Finds a way to inform—or better, engage the interest—of the previously uninvolved.

Procedure:

  • Submit the name(s) of the proposed recipient(s) together with documentation of specific accomplishments to the Award and Recognition subcommittee of ADK no later than December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The subcommittee will review the nomination(s) and make a decision no later than January 31 st of the year the award is to be presented.
  • Recipient(s) will be notified in advance of their award so that they and/or a designee may plan to be a guest(s) at the President's dinner when the award will be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Previous recipients:

2000 – Eleanor Brown
2001 – Neal Burdick
2002 – Richard Beamish
2003 – North Country Public Radio
2004 – Fred Le Brun
2005 – Barbara McMartin

 

Arthur E. Newkirk ADK Education Award

Objective of Award: To recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the area of education. This award may be presented for efforts in chapter or regional issues as well as overall Club concerns.

Criteria:

  • A significant and sustained effort on some facet of an ADK endeavor.
  • A role in mentoring and “bringing ahead” other people.
  • Accuracy of information.
  • Skill in presentation, including the use of correct English.
  • Publications.
  • Influencing others to become interested in Education.
  • Enthusiasm for Education.

Procedure:

  • Submit the name(s) of the proposed recipient(s) together with documentation of specific accomplishments to the Award and Recognition subcommittee of ADK no later than December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The subcommittee will review the nomination(s) and make a decision no later than January 31 st of the year the award is to be presented.
  • Recipient(s) will be notified in advance of their award so that they and/or a designee may plan to be a guest(s) at the President's dinner when the award will be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Previous recipients:

2000 – Arthur Newkirk
2001 – Edwin H. Ketchledge
2002 –   Ruth Schottman
2003 – Nancy Slack
2004 – Stewart's
2005 – Peggy Lynn & Dan Berggren

 

David E. Newhouse ADK Conservation Award

Objective of Award: To recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of conservation. This award may be presented for efforts in chapter or regional issues as well as overall Club concerns.

Criteria:

  • A significant and sustained effort on some facet of an ADK endeavor.
  • A role in mentoring and “bringing ahead” other people.
  • Fills a particular need or closes a gap.
  • Provides a forum or clearinghouse for exchange of information, verbal, written—whatever.
  • Finds a way to inform—or better, engage the interest—of the previously uninvolved.

Procedures:

  • Submit the name(s) of the proposed recipient(s) together with documentation of specific accomplishments to the Award and Recognition subcommittee of ADK no later than December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The subcommittee will review the nomination(s) and make a decision no later than January 31 st of the year the award is to be presented.
  • Recipient(s) will be notified in advance of their award so that they and/or a designee may plan to be a guest(s) at the President's dinner when the award will be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Previous recipients:

2000 – David Newhouse
2001 – Neil Woodworth
2002 – Bob Ringlee
2003 –Eleanor F Brown
2004 – Betty Lou Bailey
2005 = The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks

 

Marie Lynch Haberl ADK Staff Recognition Award

Objective of Award: This award is presented annually to a current staff member who exhibits outstanding performance and service to ADK.

Criteria:

  • Have put in time, effort and energy on a project or series of projects above and beyond the call of duty (beyond office hours);
  • Demonstrate excellent cooperation and rapport not only with staff but also with volunteers and members; highly respected by these people;
  • Demonstrate some degree of longevity and loyalty as an ADK employee;
  • By his/her work exemplify/model all components of ADK's mission: recreation, conservation, education and advocacy, although one element might stand out above the others;
  • Exemplify what it is to be a team player;
  • Exhibit a willingness to help no matter what the situation;
  • Demonstrate initiative in resolving problems or creating new ideas;
  • Be committed to the mission of ADK.

Procedures:

  • The Executive Director will initiate the nomination process no later the December 31st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The decision will be made by the President, the HRDC committee chair and the
  • Awards and Recognition subcommittee chair with input from the Executive Director.
  • The Executive Director will inform the staff of the recipient's name at an appropriate time.
  • The award will be presented at the President's Dinner.

Because interaction between staff members is important in determining the recipient of this award, and because volunteers do not normally see those interactions, nominations will be accepted only from staff members.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Previous recipients:

2001 -Sally Hunt
2002 -Jack Freeman
2003 –Judy Brooks
2004 – Tom Ophanoske
2005 – Jonathan Mogelever

 

ADK Trailblazer Award

Objective of Award:To recognize those individuals whose vision, leadership and commitment have had a significant impact on ADK's growth and development as an organization. This effort may be focused in a program area, but must have impact on the organization as a whole. It is envisioned that this recognition be for those whose commitment has been over a sustained period of time.

Criteria:

  • Recipient must be an ADK member.
  • This award will be presented to only one person annually.

Procedures:

  • Submit the name(s) of the proposed recipient(s) together with documentation of specific accomplishments to the Award and Recognition subcommittee of ADK no later than December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The subcommittee will review the nomination(s) and make a decision no later than January 31 st of the year the award is to be presented.
  • Recipient(s) will be notified in advance of their award so that they and/or a designee may plan to be a guest(s) at the President's dinner when the award will be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Previous recipients:

2002 – Jim Goodwin
2003 – Paul Jamieson
2004 – Grace Hudowalski
2005 – C. Peter Fish

 

ADK President's Award 

Objective of Award: To recognize the special efforts or achievements of an individual or group of individuals within a specific year. This effort or achievement shall be long lasting and have significant impact and value to ADK.

Criteria:

  • The recipient(s) must be member of ADK, and may be either a volunteer or staff member.
  • The recognized event/achievement must be within the calendar year just past.

Procedure:

  • Suggestions as to potential recipients may be made to the President by December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.
  • The President will confer with the Executive Director and the Awards and Recognition subcommittee chair as to potential recipients.
  • The President shall make the choice and notify the Awards and Recognition subcommittee chair.
  • The award will be presented at the annual President's Dinner.

Previous recipients:

2002 – Marilyn Gillespie
2003 – Jo A. Benton
2004 – Curt Miller
2005 – Bob Rudolph

 

Distinguished Volunteer Award

Objective of Award: To recognize a lifetime of activity and effort on behalf of ADK, involving many different facets of the organization.

Procedure:

  • Prepare a neat, legible (please type) letter of nomination.
  • Individuals may nominate more than one candidate.
  • Please keep nominations confidential. All nominees will not necessarily receive the award.
  • Include as much pertinent information to support your nomination as you can.
  • Attach at least three (3) letters of support which verify your information and/or add to the dossier of your nominees. Include names, addresses and telephone numbers of the individuals writing the letters of support.
  • Deadline for nominations is December 31 st of the year before the award is to be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Volunteer Recognition Sub-Committee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org )

Items to include in your letter of nomination:

  • Name, address and telephone number of the nominee.
  • If possible, please include dates with all items below.
  • Record of Service to ADK
  • What offices at the Board level (i.e. Director, Officer position, Club committee chair position) has this individual held?
  • On what ADK committees has this individual served?
  • List special services provided to ADK (volunteer work, leadership of outings, workshops, lectures, liaison assignments, providing materials or equipment).
  • List any publications of this individual related to ADK goals and purposes (articles, books, other).
  • List service this individual has given to other organizations concerned with conservation, education, recreation and/or advocacy (i.e. Nature Conservancy, Wilderness Society, etc.) Attach three letters of support with the person's name, address and telephone number. Your name, address, telephone number and date your are submitting the nomination.

 

White Birch Award

Objective of Award: This award is intended to recognize those volunteers who have contributed a significant amount of time and effort in a specific area, such as a committee or chapter.

Procedure: Send a letter to the chair of the Awards and Recognition Subcommittee giving the following information:

  • Your name, address and telephone number
  • The name of the award
  • The nominee's name, address and telephone number
  • A description of the nominee's volunteer activities on behalf of ADK
  • The time and place where you would like the award to be presented.

Nominations should be sent to:          

Marilyn E. Gillespie
Chair, Awards and Recognition Subcommittee
277 Lake Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983-2132
(email: petergil-marilyn@adk.org)