ILLINOIS STATE COUNCIL AWARDS PROGRAM

The purpose of the Illinois State Council Awards Program is:

1. To provide an opportunity to all members of our Order to practice Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism;
2. To inform the State Officers of the active status of each council;
3. To recognize individuals, councils, assemblies and auxiliaries for outstanding efforts.

Awards are presented for excellence and achievement in the areas of:

1. Individual leadership and outstanding service,


2. Council achievement, and
3. Special activities in membership, programming, and charitable activities.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE:

• State Medallion: Given to those individuals who have exemplified the principals of our Order through service to Church, Council, Community, Family and Youth over an extended period of time. Selection and number of awards presented annually are at the sole discretion of the State Deputy.
• Rising Star Award: Presented to Grand Knights who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential within the Order. District Deputies nominate GKs for this award, judged by the Programming, Membership and Charitable Activities Directors. Number presented per year will vary depending on numbers who meet criteria.
• Illinois State Knight of the Year Award - Each council is encouraged to submit an entry for the State Knight of the Year Award. The entry should be on plain paper describing the activities and accomplishments of the knight and giving reasons why the nominee should be considered for the award but without identifying the knight by name or council. The nomination should be primarily based on the activities of the knight during the current State fraternal year. Prior accomplishments should only be stated to enhance a current related accomplishment, i.e., "This knight has served as warden, advocate, deputy grand knight and currently serves as grand knight of our council." A cover sheet identifying the nominated knight should accompany the entry. The State Program Director and a DD from each diocese judge this award.
• Illinois State Family of the Year Award - Each council is encouraged to submit an entry for the State Family of the Year Award. Councils may submit more than one entry if desired. The entry should be on plain paper describing the activities and accomplishments of the family and giving reasons why the nominee should be considered for the award but without identifying the family by name or council. The nomination should be primarily based on the activities of the family during the current State fraternal year. Prior accomplishments should only be stated to enhance current related accomplishments. A cover sheet identifying the nominated family should accompany the entry. The State Program Director and a DD from each diocese judge this award.

COUNCIL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
In order for Subordinate Councils to receive membership, programming or charitable activities and Outstanding Council awards, they must have met the following criteria:

1. OUTSTANDING COUNCIL – “Spirit of Illinois Honors” AWARDS*
   This program affords recognition for councils based upon their level of membership, program, and charities participation [see Membership, Programming, and Charitable Activities booklets for additional details]. In addition to meeting the above prerequisites, councils must also complete a minimum number of programs (not activities; i.e., 7 corporate communion dinners counts as a single program) to achieve the:
• “Knights of the Holy Grail” Award: Councils that complete the entire program earn this award. [36-40 programs]
• “King Arthur’s Round Table” Award: Presented to councils completing 32-36 of the suggested programs
• “King Richard’s Crusaders” Award: Presented to councils completing 28 - 32 of the suggested programs
• “Excalibur” Award: For councils completing a minimum of 18 programs

* In addition, college councils may also participate in the Columbian Spirit program. They must complete activities and forms outlined above except that they are not required to participate in the Family of the Month program.


2. MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
   • State Deputy Membership Award – State Deputy Membership Awards are presented to each council that meets certain membership goals. Each council is assigned a membership quota that is equal to 5% (rounded to the nearest whole number with a minimum of 5) of that council’s membership total at the beginning of the State fraternal year. To qualify for the State Deputy Membership award a council must meet a membership goal of either a) double its quota or b) its quota plus 10 whichever is less. If a council’s quota is 5, that council must have a net membership gain of 10 (double the quota). If a council’s quota is 12, that council must have a net membership gain of 22 (quota plus 10). New councils may also qualify for this award if their membership as of May 1 totals 40 members or more of which half are new members. State Deputy Membership awards will be determined and presented by the State Membership Director.

III. PROGRAMMMING AWARDS:
State Council Service Program Awards - One activity in each of the five program areas (Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth) will be chosen for the State Council Service Award. Councils should complete one State Council Service Award form for each of the five program areas and send them to the respective Church, Community, Council, Family and Youth Activity Directors by May 1, 2005.

IV. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AWARDS
In order to be considered for Charitable Activities Awards, only funds received in the State Office by NOON April 28 will be evaluated. Councils may compete in four areas for:

• Mental Retardation/Learning Disabilities Award:
  Highest dollars on a per capita basis in each of the three council divisions [A, AA, AAA]. A first place award is given in each division.
• General Assistance Fund Award:
  Highest dollars on a per capita basis in each of the three council divisions [A, AA, AAA]. A first place award is given in each division.
• Newman Program Award: Awards include:
  Highest total gross dollars and the highest dollars on a per capita basis in each of the three council divisions [A, AA, AAA]. A first place award is given in each division.
• State Chaplain Vocations Award:
  Highest total gross dollars in each of the three council divisions [A, AA, AAA]. A first place award is given in each division.

Membership figures for the beginning of the State fraternal year will be used to calculate the amount collected per council member. Dollar figures will be based on the amount of funds received in the State Office by NOON April 28h.

COUNCIL & AUXILIARY SPECIAL ACTIVITIES AWARDS:
Competitions are also available for each of the following important areas, although they are not part of the Spirit of Illinois–Outstanding Council Award Program and councils do not have to meet the prerequisites required for Council Achievement Awards.

• Best Newsletter Award - Each council may enter its monthly or quarterly newsletter for an award. Entries are due no later than NOON on SATURDAY of the Convention and will be judged on neatness, originality and content. A copy of each newsletter printed during the State fraternal year should be placed in a binder in chronological order. The State Public Relations Director and five delegates will serve as judges. One award per diocese is presented.
• Best Council Scrapbook Award - Entries are due no later than NOON on SATURDAY of the Convention. Scrapbooks may be of any size, however, they should be limited to one volume. Scrapbook content should cover only the current State fraternal year and will be judged on neatness, originality, artistry and content. This award is separate from the Ladies Auxiliary Scrapbook Award and council scrapbooks should be prepared by council members. The State Program Director and 5 delegates will serve as judges. One award per division (A, AA, AAA) is presented.
• Blood Donor Program Award: A plaque is awarded to a council in each division (A, AA, AAA) reporting the most units of blood collected.
• State Pro-Life Award: - Each council may submit a Pro-Life project for the best Pro-Life award. A single winner may be chosen from each division (A, AA, AAA). A committee of delegates to the State Convention will serve as judges and determine the Diocesan award winners. Nominated activities must be submitted to the State Program Director by March 31. All entries should be submitted on plain paper giving details of the project without identifying the council who sponsored the activity. A separate cover sheet identifying the council sponsoring the activities should be submitted along with the nominated projects.
• State Public Relations Award: Given for the best overall public relations program, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place awards are presented based on a point system for determining impact.
• Ladies Auxiliary Scrap Book Award: Entries are due no later than NOON on SATURDAY of the Convention. Scrapbooks may be of any size, however, they should be limited to one volume. Scrapbook content should cover only the current State fraternal year and will be judged on neatness, originality, artistry and content and should be prepared by Auxiliary members. Judged by the Ladies Auxiliary Chair and those appointed as judges by the Chair.
• Ladies Auxiliary Service Awards: An award is presented for the best Church, Community, and Auxiliary activity.
• Outstanding Auxiliary Award: Presented to the most outstanding Ladies Auxiliary based on membership, programming and charitable activities.

The Elected State Officers and the selected Directors and their staff administer the Illinois State Council Award Program and other awards (State Spelling Bee, Essay Contest, Free-Throw Contest, Bowling Tournament, Golf Tournament, Softball Tournament).

Remember, plan your programs well and then work the plan. This will ensure all members will be “Brothers--United by Faith to serve Church and Community”