Option A

CASSAR BEST CHAPTER CONTEST RULESFOR 2017

January 1, 2017

Introduction

The 2017 Best Chapter Contest Rules are the same as in 2016 with three exceptions. Items 5.j and 5.k have been added to the scoring categories. Item 5.j provides that points may be added for the submission of Patriot Biographies to the NASSAR website. Item 5.k provides that points may be added for the submission of reports to the CASSAR by specified dates. Text has been added to Item 6.b to clarify that points may be added for the contribution of cash or physical goods.

Structure of the Contest

CONTEST PERIOD The 2017 Best Chapter Contest period is January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. Chapter awards will be presented at the 2018 CASSAR Annual Meeting.

REPORTING PERIOD The Chapter President, or his designated representative, should submit the monthly score sheet by the 15th of the following month to the Contest Chairman. The score sheet may be emailed (preferred method) or mailed to:

Ray Raser

CASSAR Best Chapter Contest Chairman

sarbestchapter@gmail.com

914 San Pasqual Rd

Escondido, CA 92025-7623

760-855-5471

CHAPTER GROUPS - For the Best Chapter Contest, the 26 chapters are divided into five groups based on the number of members in each Chapter. The following table describes how the groups are divided.

Chapter Groups

Description

Small

Contains the 5 chapters with the smallest number of members

Medium-Small

Contains the next 5 chapters based on the number of members

Medium Large

Contains the next 5 chapters based on the number of members

Large

Contains the next 5 chapters based on the number of members

Very Large

Contains the 6 chapters with the largest number of members

A chart showing the distribution of the Best Chapter groups for 2017 will be forwarded after December 31, 2016 membership data is received.

The Chapter size categories will remain constant for the entire year to avoid Chapters being judged in one category part of the year and in another category for the remainder of the year.

SCORING ITEMS The eight scoring items are listed below. Each item listed in parentheses will be scored individually and aggregated into a composite score for the item as shown on the attached Worksheet.

1. Meetings (chapter meetings, joint meetings, guests attending meetings, percentage of members attending meetings).

2. Publicity (newspaper articles, photographs, TV and radio spots, interviews, internet postings).

3. Membership (new members, supplementals, junior members, life members).

4. Medals & Certificates (awarded to SAR non-members and members of other chapters).

5. Activities (Color Guard appearances, school presentations, plaque dedications, memorial or funeral services, grave markings, other events, participating in activities of other chapters, attendance at CASSAR and NSSAR meetings, CASSAR meeting host chapter, patriot biographies, and submission of Chapter reports).

6. Community Service (participation in non-SAR events with patriotic theme).

7. CASSAR Programs (Knight Essay Contest, Middle School Brochure Contest, Eagle Scout Scholarship, Valley Forge Teacher, Enhanced JROTC Program, Elementary School Poster Contest, Rumbaugh Orations Contest).

8. Publication (distribution of patriotic or historical publications, publication of article in California Compatriot or SAR Magazine), and Chapter Yearbooks.

WORKSHEET - A five-page worksheet is provided for chapters to use in compiling contest points on a monthly basis and does not need to be submitted to the Contest Chairman.

SCORE SHEET - The Monthly Score Sheet should be submitted to the Contest Chairman by the 15th of the following month. Excel and Word versions of the Score Sheet will be provided and either version may be submitted.

COLOR GUARD - Color Guard activities may also be included in the CASSAR Color Guard Activity Contest Report.

History

The following table is a list of Chapters receiving the Best Chapter Plaque during the years of 2004-2015. In 2008, the contest was changed from a semi-annual contest period to an annual contest period. In 2012, the number of Chapter Groups was increased from three to five groups.

Best Chapter Plaque Winners (2004 2011)

Year

Large Chapter

Medium Chapter

Small Chapter

Apr 2004

Orange County

G. Washington

Harbor

Nov 2004

San Diego

Riverside

Harbor

Apr 2005

Sacramento

Gold Country

Redlands

Nov 2005

Sacramento

Riverside

Redlands

Apr 2006

Gold Country

Riverside

Harbor

Nov 2006

Gold Country

Riverside

Harbor

Nov 2007

Gold Country

Riverside

None

2008

Gold Country

Orange County

Mother Lode

2009

Gold Country

Orange County

Redwood Empire

2010

Gold Country

Orange County

Harbor

2011

Orange County

South Coast

Harbor

Best Chapter Plaque Winners (2012 2015)

Year

Very Large Chapters

Large Chapters

Medium- Large Chapters

Medium-Small Chapters

Small Chapters

2012

San Diego

Orange County

Thomas Jefferson

Riverside

Delta

2013

Sacramento

Orange County

Gold Country

Harbor

Eagle

2014

San Diego

Riverside

Gold Country

Harbor

Eagle

2015

Orange County

Riverside

None

Gold Country

Eagle

2016*

*Will be announced at the 2017 Annual Meeting.

2017 Rules .doc1January 1, 2017