DEADLINE: August 1, 2008

PURPOSE
The NFCA State Fraternal Congress "Go for the Gold" Achievement Awards annually honor state fraternal congresses for programs and activities that promote fraternalism; educate member- representatives on products, leadership and sales ethics; and involve fraternalists in meaningful volunteerism.

ELIGIBILITY
All NFCA state fraternal congresses are eligible to participate.

AWARD PROGRAM
Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented to all State Fraternal Congresses that achieve the following point totals:

	105 or more points – Gold Award
	55-100 points – Silver Award
	15-50 points – Bronze Award

GUIDELINES
Awards will be presented to state fraternal congresses in accordance with the total number of points accumulated. Representatives of two (2) or more member-societies must participate in each event to be eligible for submission. An activity submission form is to be completed for each activity.

Points are awarded for participation in the following categories from August 1, 2007, to July 31, 2008:

	Community: This category recognizes activities of local members on behalf of their state fraternal congress that assist needy individuals or improve the community. Examples include: soup kitchens, food pantries, various shelters, services for the mentally and physically disabled, hospitals, Earth Day, Make a Difference Day projects or participation in a Habitat for Humanity project. Although the focus of your involvement with these organizations should be on the volunteer experience, the NFCA also will give points for a fundraising activity. (In the case of donations, points should be awarded for the program only, not for the fundraising AND the presentation of the check.) Five (5) points will be given for each Community submission.
	Family/Youth: This category recognizes state fraternal congress projects encouraging family involvement and programs for youths. Examples include: educational and scholarship programs, drug/alcohol abuse projects, youth art or poster contests and family events designed to boost interaction between youths and parents, grandparents or guardians. Five (5) points will be given for each Family/Youth submission. Points for scholarships are awarded for the entire scholarship program, not the number of scholarships awarded.
	Fraternal: This category recognizes the participation of local members in activities that support or are sponsored by the state fraternal congress for social, religious, cultural, recreational or fraternal purposes. Examples include: a Flag Day observance and friendship-building activities (such as a picnic or other social gathering) for state fraternal congress members/representatives. Five (5) points will be given for each Fraternal submission.
	Training and Education: This category recognizes state fraternal congress programs developed to train and educate its members/representatives on financial products, regulations, trends in volunteering or other fraternal issues. Examples include: joint meetings with state FICs for the promotion and education of fraternal insurance products; workshops on "how to" run meetings, plan events and explain the duties of officers; and youth education programs. Five (5) points will be given for each Training/Education submission.
	Communication: This category recognizes state fraternal congresses for any communications vehicle produced and distributed between August 1, 2007, and July 31, 2008. Examples include: newsletters, press releases, brochures, videos and production of an annual mailing to member-societies. Five (5) points will be given for each act of Communication.
	State Fraternal Congress Annual Meeting: This category recognizes the many efforts that may go into conducting an annual meeting. A congress shall receive 10 points for holding an annual meeting. Acts of Community, Communication, Family/Youth, Training/Education and Fraternal that may occur in preparation for or during that annual meeting will allow a state fraternal congress to receive additional points for a maximum of 25 points. (Tip:  Since SFC Annual Meetings are limited to 25 points, do not include the awarding of scholarships, other awards, or the donation of monies as a result of fundraising programs in the annual meeting category.  Enter these activities in the appropriate categories, date them with the date the program started and award the points in that category.)
	JOIN HANDS DAY: This category recognizes the many efforts that go into planning and executing a JOIN HANDS DAY activity. The state congress shall receive 10 points for holding a JOIN HANDS DAY Project on May 3, 2008. The congress also may submit samples of communication, proclamations from elected public officials, attendance by elected public officials and acts of fraternal activity in preparation for the event for a maximum of 25 points. Should a state fraternal congress conduct separate JOIN HANDS DAY projects in a different city within the state, it may be entered for a separate 25 points.

BONUS POINTS
An additional five (5) bonus points will be given for each of the following:

	Sending a representative to the 121st Annual meeting of the National Fraternal Congress of America.
	Representatives of your state fraternal congress visiting with state policymakers in your state capital to highlight fraternalism.
	Increase your state fraternal congress annual meeting attendance by 10% over the previous year.
	Proclamation or letter of greeting from an elected public official to the state fraternal congress.
	Mayor or local city council official in attendance at your state fraternal congress meeting.

An additional 10 (ten) bonus points will be given for the following:

	State elected public official or insurance commissioner or representative of insurance commissioner in attendance at your state fraternal congress annual meeting or JOIN HANDS DAY event.
	Creation and/or maintenance of a state fraternal congress Web site.

All activity submission forms must be entered online or postmarked by August 1, 2008. Entries may be submitted throughout the year. No photos or other documentation will be accepted.

Click here to complete the Activity Submission Form.