Awards and Recognitions Policy
(17 April 2004)
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) through actions of various National Encampments or Commanders-in-Chief has established a number of awards and recognitions for Departments, Camps, Brothers, and unassociated individuals and entities. This policy is to establish in one location the awards and recognitions and the criteria for presentation.There are two awards for Brothers established through the Regulations.
1. Meritorious Service Award. This is a certificate awarded by the Commander-in-Chief to a Brother for exceptional service to the Order or society.
2. Meritorious Service Award with Gold Star. This is a certificate and the ½ inch Gold Star appliance to be worn on the ribbon of the Brother's badge. The Commander-in-Chief presents it, with the concurrence of the Council of Administration, to a Brother who has served the Order for an extended period of time in an outstanding and exemplary manner or for an extraordinary action by a Brother. Recommendations for consideration for this award are to be made to the Commander-in-Chief. If he concurs with the recommendation, he will then put the recommendation before the Council of Administration for consideration. A majority vote of the members of the Council of Administration is required to authorize the Commander-in-Chief to make the presentation.
National Encampments and/or Commanders-in-chief established the following awards and recognitions for presentation within the Order:
3. Abraham Lincoln Commander-in-Chief's Award. The Commander-in-Chief may present this award to the Camp that he judges to be the most outstanding camp during his term of office. Recommendations may be made to the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award.
4. Cornelius F. Whitehouse Award. The Commander-in-Chief may present this award to the Brother whom he judges to be the most outstanding member of the Order during his term of office. Recommendations may be made to the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award.
5. B.F. Stephenson Award. This award is presented to the individual Brother who recruits the greatest number of new members during the fiscal year of the Order. It is presented by the Commander-in-Chief and is based upon information provided with quarterly reports to the National Secretary.
6. Augustus P. Davis - Conrad Linder Award. This award is presented to the Department with the greatest number of new members during the fiscal year of the Order. It is presented by the Commander-in-Chief and is based upon information provided with quarterly reports to the National Secretary.
7. U.S. Grant Cup. This award is presented to the Department with the greatest percentage increase in membership during the fiscal year of the Order. It is presented by the Commander-in-Chief and is based upon information provided with quarterly reports to the National Secretary.
8. Under Forty Award. This award is presented to the Department with the greatest number of new members under age 40 during the fiscal year of the Order. It is presented by the Commander-in-Chief and is based upon information provided with quarterly reports to the National Secretary.
9. Marshall Hope Award for the Best Newsletter. The Commander-in-Chief may present this award to the Department or Camp that he judges to have the most outstanding newsletter during his term of office. Recommendations may be made to the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award.
10. Joseph S. Rippey Award. The Commander-in-Chief may present this award to the new Camp, chartered within the last calendar year, that is deemed to be most active in the areas of recruiting, Civil War veterans graves registration, and Civil War memorials assessment. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award.
11. National Aide. The Commander-in-Chief may present this award to any Brother, who recruits five or more members duirng his term of office. Recommendations may be made to the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award. Recipients of the award are recognized in General Orders and may wear the National Ribbon behind their respective membership badge for a period of twelve months. The status of National Aide expires when the awarding Commander-in-Chief leaves office.
Commanders-in-Chief or the Council of Administration established the following awards to be presented to non-members.
12. Certificate of Recognition. This certificate is presented by the Commander-in-chief to any individual or entity which has contributed significantly to the Order, to maintaining the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic or the Union Veterans, or has exemplified the ideals, goals and purposes of the SUVCW. Recommendations may be made to the Commander-in-Chief. The Commander-in-Chief makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief and he is under no obligation to make such an award.
13. Founder's Award. This recognition is presented a maximum of once per calendar year to a group or individual who performs outstanding service in the memory of Union Civil War Soldiers. The Commander-in-Chief on behalf of the Council of Administration presents this recognition. Recommendations may be made to the Council of Administration through the National Secretary. The Council of Administration makes the final determination. The award is made solely at the discretion of the Council of Administration and it is under no obligation to make such an award. The award consists of a walnut plaque with the name of the recipient and the year of presentation engraved in the wood. A permanent plaque with the name of the recipients is maintained in the National Headquarters of the SUVCW. No member of the SUVCW or any organization which is part of the Allied Orders of the GAR is eligible for this award.
Approved 17 April 2004
National Council of Administration
Comments to: SUVCW National Webmaster
Last Updated:
(KLF)