AWARDS COMMITTEE

The Awards Committee shall:

Consist of the Past President as Chairman plus the current awardees and any others the President wishes to appoint, with the President and Vice President as ex-officio (voting) members.

Recommend to the Executive Committee individuals for Honorary Membership, as appropriate. [Article IV (C) of the Constitution]

Identify candidates, as appropriate, as recipients of the Graduate Student, Industry, Research, or Teaching awards.

Identify candidates for the Distinguished Service Awards and submit recommendations to the Executive Committee according to the steps listed below (5-14). Deadlines may be revised each year by the Executive Committee. This award is the highest honor that the Society can bestow upon an individual. It is given to honor outstanding service to the profession. Special recognition is given through the presentation of a plaque. No more than one (1) award may be given in any one (1) year, nor is an award necessarily given each year.

Distinguished Service Award recipient shall meet the following minimal qualifications:

Must have made outstanding contributions which benefited Weed Science in Mississippi or to the Society through committee work, elective offices, or incitation or completion of outstanding programs.
Must have conducted a significant proportion of his/her work within the state of Mississippi.
Must be a member of the Society.
Can be exempted form items b and c upon recommendation of the Committee and with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Shall not be a member of the current Executive Committee.

5. Provide nomination forms to and instruct the Secretary-Treasurer to issue the call for nominations and the deadline date in the summer newsletter. Nominations submitted shall not be binding upon the Awards Committee.

Establish a deadline for their receipt by the Chairman of the Awards Committee by 60 days prior to the annual meeting.

Complete selection by mail or phone and mail recommendations to the Executive Committee for confirmation by 45 days prior to the annual meeting.
Deadline for Awards Committee Chairman to receive approval from the Executive Committee is 30 days prior to the annual meeting. The Executive Committee can only confirm or reject but not select recipients of awards.

Notify the President to inform all who are to receive an award upon approval by the Executive Committee. Inform all other nominators that their candidates will not receive an award.

Obtain engraved plaque(s), with appropriate wording prior to the annual meeting.

Prepare a press release on award recipient(s) for Public Relations Committee to release following presentation of award.

Chairman of Awards Committee presents award(s) at the Annual Meeting. (Others may substitute for the chairman as appropriate).

Maintain the highest possible standards in identifying candidates so that truly outstanding individuals are honored.

Obtain plaque for the out-going President in time for presentation at the annual meeting.

Prepare a typed report on the Committee's activities and recommendations for presentation to the Executive Committee and to the membership at the Annual Meeting.

Maintain a file of the Committee's activities and recommendations for submission to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer at the Annual Business meeting whose responsibility is to see that the newly appointed Award Committee Chairman receives the file.