CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AWARD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: When is the Chapter of the Year Application Due? A: The Chapter of the Year Application is due at least three weeks before the first day of your regional convention: • MABLSA: the regional convention begins on February 6, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN January 26, 2014. • MWBLSA: the regional convention begins on January 30, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN January 9, 2014. • NEBLSA: the regional convention begins on January 23, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN January 2, 2014. • RMBLSA: the regional convention begins on January 9, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN December 19, 2013. • SRBLSA: the regional convention begins on February 13, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN January 23, 2014. • WRBLSA: the regional convention begins on January 16, 2014. For all chapters within that region, the Chapter of the Year Application is due NO LATER THAN December 26, 2013. All applications are NO LATER THAN 11:59pm EST Q: Where do I turn in my Chapter of the Year Application? A: Email your COY Application to your Regional Director of Community Service and the National Director of Community Service before the due date. The contact information for your Regional Director of Community Service can be found here. Your COY scrapbooks will be submitted at your regional convention Q: How will participation be scored? A: Each COY section lists minimum requirements for the number of activities chapters should complete. These minimum requirements are based on chapter size. Please note that these are MINIMUM requirements. Chapters who meet these requirements will receive a baseline score with participation. Chapters who exceed these requirements and have excellent turnout for their events will be awarded additional points accordingly.
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Q: Does participation in regional events count towards a chapter’s total number of activities? A: Yes, participation in a regional event counts as an activity. Additionally, participation and attendance at national events are also factors in the overall COY scoring Q: Can I receive points for events that my chapter hosted last year? A: For Chapter of the Year purposes, the “year” runs from the beginning of the school year (August or September) until the end of the school year (May or June). In rare circumstances, an event that occurred after the academic year may receive Chapter of the Year points. If you want your event to be considered for points, please submit an event proposal. A committee will vote on your proposal and notify you of its decision. . Q: How do I submit an event proposal? A: The event proposal form can be found under the “Community Service” tab on the NBLSA website. Event proposals will be accepted starting on November 1. Q: If my chapter is co-sponsoring a regional or national event, can my chapter claim that event as one of our events? A: No. However, your chapter may make note the sponsorship on the application. Q: What can my chapter do to earn points for “Road to 50: An Evolving Legacy?” A: We can’t move forward without looking back. As such, this category is your chance to get creative and learn more about your community’s history. Some example events include: honoring local pioneers in your community, inviting the community to a discussion about black leaders in your community, etc. Q: What can my chapter do to earn points for National Attorney General points? A: Contact Jonathan Evans, National Attorney General, to learn more about this category. ag@nblsa.org 2
Q: Who scores COY applications? A: The COY applications are first screened at the regional level. At the regional level, the COY scoring committee is comprised of the National Director of Community Service, the Regional Director of Community Service for each corresponding region and one representative from each sub-region within that region. If the region doesn’t have sub-regions, then representatives from various schools will be appointed to reflect a diverse committee. At the national level, the COY scoring committee is comprised of the National Director of Community Service and diverse representatives.
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