I. MISSION: The overall mission of the Lake of the Woods Committees is to add value to the Association by advising and assisting the Board of Directors and General Manager in carrying out their responsibilities to the Association. The Honor Awards Committee reports to the Board of Directors and the primary focus of its mission is to provide oversight of the Honor Awards Program.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES: The committee will receive and evaluate nominations for the honor awards program, the purpose of which is to recognize and reward individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions toward advancing and promoting the community welfare of property owners at Lake of the Woods. The Committee has the prerogative to place a nominee in an appropriate award category. These awards may be granted posthumously. No nominee will be considered for more than one award per year.
III. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS: All LOWA Committees must follow the guidance of Article V: Section D of the Bylaws. Special characteristics of the Honor Awards Committee are:
1. The primary contact for information gathering purposes is the President of the Board.
2. The committee will report orally to the Board of Directors at least once annually.
3. Committee procedures and awards explanations are provided in the Attachment to this charter.
THIS CHARTER IS EFFECTIVE UPON APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IT SHALL BE FORMALLY REVIEWED AT LEAST EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ADOPTION.
Date of Approval: August 5, 1995
Dave of Revision: October 2, 2010
ATTACHMENT HONOR AWARDS COMMITTE CHARTER PROCEDURES:
The committee will:
1. Devise and provide a form for submitting Honor Award nominations. It will make these forms available at accessible locations
and through communication means within LOW.
2. Encourage nominations through the LOWA newsletter and television and letters to clubs and organizations.
3. Receive nominations from LOWA members and LOW organizations. Self nomination will not be considered appropriate.
Deadline for receipt of nominations shall be June 30.
4. Evaluate the nominations received and determine by vote the recipients for the Honor Awards.
5. Present its recommendations to the President of the Board of Directors by August 1.
6. Select and purchase appropriate award gifts.
7. Present the gift awards to the honorees at the annual LOWA meeting on Labor Day.
8. Update display plaques for: Warren J. Lodge Award for Excellence, Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Service Award.
AWARDS: All honorees must be residents of Lake of the Woods. Of highest significance are the Warren J. Lodge Award for Excellence and the Distinguished Service Award. Annual presentations in each award category are not mandatory. All discussion and decisions regarding honorees shall remain confidential.
The awards will consist of appropriate gifts of the Committee's determination to be presented at the annual LOWA meeting on Labor Day. The awardees' names and the year will be inscribed on the gifts and certificates. For presentation, the Committee shall, if at all possible, see that the award honorees are present at the annual LOWA meeting.
The Committee will recommend granting the following types of awards as appropriate
1. WARREN J. LODGE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: This award is in memory of the late Warren J. Lodge, General Manager LOWA 1980 to 1992. It is for the individual who has distinguished himself or herself in service as a representative of LOW within Orange County in a volunteer capacity. This recipient must meet some or all of the following criteria. They must have:
a. Excelled in the promotion of the LOW community.
b. Significantly enhanced the image of LOW in Orange County.
c. Provided creative leadership and effective coordination in solving community problems and initiating constructive community
action through Orange County.
d. Made contributions to the County's well-being in public relations, government affairs, international development or commerce.
e. Stimulated activities that developed and employed this area's human, as well as economic, resources.
f. Served the community through participation within local business, civic, and other organizations, boards, and commissions.
g. Made contributions that have been perceived favorably by people of all walks of life.
The awardee's name and year of the award will be inscribed on a permanent plaque installed in the Wilderness Branch of the Orange County Public Library or other prominent location.
2. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: This award is in recognition of accomplishments of the highest significance to Lake of the Woods---accomplishments so noteworthy as to have been recognizable by the majority of LOW property owners as having a major affect on (1) the general health, welfare and/or enjoyment of LOW as a residential and recreational community, (2) the quality of life within the community, or (3) other fulfillment of a major need. Eligibility:
a. Any resident at LOW who has rendered voluntary service to or in behalf of LOW, except those serving on the Honor Awards Committee at the time of the nomination.
b. Any person, other than those covered in (1.) above, whose efforts on behalf of LOW have been extremely beneficial to the community.
c. Any group consisting of two or more persons in the above categories.
d. No person shall receive the same award more than once in any three year period.
The awardee's name and date of the award will be inscribed on a permanent plaque installed in the LOW Clubhouse or other prominent location.
3. OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD: This award is granted in recognition
of accomplishments and/or performance of duty beyond that ordinarily expected in a voluntary capacity. It will be granted for accomplishments or performance of duty recognizable as (1) having resulted in a significant contribution to the general welfare of the LOW community, (2) especially devoted and effective voluntary service in a needed program or activity, including social, recreational, environmental, religious, management, or service related programs, or (3) similar or related special service or specific acts of such a nature as to be of significant benefit to LOW. Consideration should be given to:
a. Any resident at LOW who has rendered voluntary service to or in behalf of LOW, except those serving on the Honor Awards Committee at the time of the nomination.
b. Any group consisting of two or more persons in the above categories.
c. No person shall receive the same award more than once in any three year.
The awardee's name and year of the award will be inscribed on a permanent plaque installed in the LOW Clubhouse or other prominent location.
4. HEROIC ACT AWARD: This award will be granted for heroic and especially courageous action in the protection of life and/or property at LOW.
a. It will recognize any individual or group performing an act of rescue or other heroic deed in or around LOW in an emergency situation or under extremely hazardous circumstances requiring great courage and involving high personal risk or major sacrifice of property.
b. There is no limit to the number of times the same person or group can receive this award.
5. OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARD: This award is to be given to a youth (18 years of age and under):
a. Whose volunteer accomplishments significantly exceed the norm of expectation.
b. Whose efforts and services are a credit to the community of LOW.
c. Who reflects the spirit of caring.
d. Who is is a good example for other youth.
The recipient should show leadership abilities, show initiative, display responsibility and courtesy, and be worthy of commendation.
6. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION: This award is given to an individual or a group for services and/or accomplishments of benefit to the LOW community by Committee consensus recommendation.