USHPA Awards - FYI

[LE Herrick]

Greetings Pilots -

There are many people here in Region 9 who are making contributions to Hang gliding. The Award Committee meets in October to review candidates and approve awards. These awards are presented at the Spring Board meeting. Next year this will be in March in Salt Lake City. Recipients do not need to attend the ceremony to receive awards but they do need to be nominated to win.

All nominations are done on line at the member's only section of the USHPA web page. Please consider making a nomination this year.

PRESIDENTIAL CITATION ‑ This is the USHPA's highest award, and is awarded to a member or non‑member who has made significant contributions to the sport. The contributions need not have been made during the previous year. This special award may only be awarded to a single person once.

USHPA EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD - This award recognizes outstanding service to the Association during the year by any member or non-member.

NAA SAFETY AWARD ‑ The NAA Safety Award is given to an individual who has contributed to safety promotion in some significant way that should be recognized.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR ‑ This award recognizes the USHPA Chapter/club that has conducted successful programs that reflect positively upon the Chapter and the sport. Activities include, but are not limited to: site procurement, develop­ment and retention, safety, membership development, and beginner and novice programs.

NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR ‑ This award recognizes an outstanding club publica­tion (printed or web-based) that has been supportive of the sport and the sponsoring Chapter's activities. The award is based on service to members, layout, article variety, safety promotion, and promoting the sport.

THE INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD - The Instructor of the Year Award recognizes the importance of our certified hang gliding and paragliding instructors in promoting safe flying practices and contributing to the positive image and growth of our sport. Nominations should include letters of support from three students and the local Regional Director. Considerations will include effectiveness as a teacher, being a safety role‑model, and other factors that the nom­inating parties deem worthy of recognition. One award per sport per year will be given.

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS ‑ Special Commendations are awarded to any number of non-members and organizations who have done exceptional volunteer work that has significantly enhanced and promoted our sports in the U.S. The Special Commendation is a way for our organiza­tion to recognize landowners, drivers, restaurant owners, government officials and any others who have contributed in a non‑member capacity during the year.

COMMENDATIONS ‑ Commendations are awards to any number of USHPA members who have contributed to hang gliding and/or paragliding on a volunteer basis in any areas including site development and retention, competition organization, public relations, heroic rescue efforts, and/or basically getting off their duffs and doing something for some­one else's enjoyment of flying and the pro­motion of the sport.

BETTINA GRAY AWARD - The Bettina Gray Award was created to honor the woman who contributed so much to our sport through her photography. This award is issued to the photographer (male or female) whose work (three examples needed for review) is judged best by the committee in consideration of aesthetics, originality, and a positive portrayal of hang gliding or paragliding. One award will be given each year.

BEST PROMOTIONAL FILM - This award recognizes the videographer, whose work is judged best by the committee in consideration of aesthetics, originality, and a positive portrayal of hang gliding or paragliding. One award will be given each year.