Chapter Merit Awards

At the 1997 IRRA Spring Meeting (now held in June) in New York City, the Executive Board approved the NCAC proposal to establish annual Chapter Awards to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of local chapters. Three levels of awards were established: Chapter Merit, Outstanding Chapter, and Chapter Star. Nominations may come from chapters themselves, the NCAC, or the national office. Chapter nominations for the previous year are due in the national office by October 15. Members of the NCAC and national office will review nominations and make selections. Awards are presented at the annual meeting in January.

Chapter Merit Nomination Form/Chapter Awards Criteria: Word or PDF    
Chapter Awards History (including Chapter Star Awards): PDF

Chapter Awards Committee
William Canak, Bonnie Castrey, Kathleen Erskine, Beverly Harrison, Marlene Heyser, Eric Mooshegian, Anthony Oliver, Philip LaPorte, Patrick Rasco, Lavonne Ritter, and Dennis Teel

2009 Chapter Awards
Alabama Chapter *Outstanding Chapter Award
Affiliated with LERA since 1985

Merit Awards: Outstanding Programming, Chapter to National Relations, Chapter Communications, Consistent Chapter Excellence
Officers: President: C. Wayne Lucas, FMCS
President-Elect: Tami Watson, Trax International
Vice Presidents
Emory Barnette, United Steelworkers
Jim Bennett, Alabama Department of Labor
Steve Crunk, IBEW Local 558
D. Stewart Burkhalter, Alabama AFL-CIO
Craig Donley, Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
Edward Harrison, University of South Alabama
Leroy Nicholson, Alabama AFL-CIO
Joe Pledger, IBEW Fifth District
Treasurer: Trevor Bain, University of Alabama
Secretary: Talmage R. Reynolds, NASA

Washington, D.C. *Outstanding Chapter Award
Affiliated with LERA since 1950

Merit Awards: Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Member Innovation
Officers: President: Revae Moran, Government Accountability Office
Treasurer: Bonnie Summers, BlueCross BlueShield
Secretary: Fred Stahl, Fred Stahl, LLC

Gateway Chapter *Chapter Merit Award
Affiliated with LERA since 1972

Merit Awards: Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications
Officers: President: Marvin Finkelstein, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
President-Elect: Kathleen C. Richmond, Olin Corporation Winchester Division
Vice Presidents
Membership: Rudy L. Smith, PPF, Local 562
Programming: Roz Sherman-Voellinger , University of Missouri
Treasurer: Eric Mooshegian
Secretary:

Long Island Chapter *Chapter Merit Award
Affiliated with LERA since 1979

Merit Awards: Outstanding Programming, Chapter to National Relations
Officers: President: Beverly E. Harrison, Nassau Community College
President-Elect: Ernesto Mattace, Jr.
Vice Presidents
Amanda Barker
Thomas Wassel
Treasurer: Eugene Ginsburg
Secretary: Elizabeth Pearsall, Suffolk County Department of Labor

Northwest-Seattle Chapter *Chapter Merit Award
Affiliated with LERA since 1973

Merit Awards: Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, Chapter Communications
Officers: President: Kathleen Erksine, FMCS

2008 Chapter Awards
Gateway (Missouri) - Affiliated with LERA 1972. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Max Aud

Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Thomas J. Lilly, Jr.

2007 Chapter Awards
Gateway (Missouri) - Affiliated with LERA 1972. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Cindy Flynn

Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Thomas J. Lilly, Jr.

Mid-Michigan - Affiliated with LERA 1981. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Chapters Helping Chapters, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Karen Hagen

Oregon - Affiliated with LERA 1978. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Kathryn Whalen

TERRA - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Chapters Helping Chapters, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Anita Parker

Wisconsin - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: J.D. Thorne

Alabama - Affiliated with LERA 1985. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: David Cooper

Boston - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Sherrie R. Talmadge, Esq.

Orange County (California) - Affiliated with LERA 1977. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Sara Adler

Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with the LERA 1950. Merit awards for Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: James Auebach

2006 Chapter Awards

Gateway (MIssouri) - Affiliated with LERA 1972. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Eric Mooshegian
Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Peter Bee, Esq.

Boston - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Donn Berry, Arbitrator

Hawaii - Affiliated with LERA in 1966. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Leonard Agor

Oregon - Affiliated with LERA 1978. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Kathryn Whalen

Seattle - Affiliated with LERA 1973. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communication

Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Christian Weller

Chicago - Affiliated with LERA 1957. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Consistent Chapter Excellence. Chapter president: Joshua Ditelberg

Greater Houston - Affiliated with LERA 1977. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Bruce Rozek

Mid-Michigan - Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Chapters Helping Chapters, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Karen Hagen
New Jersey - Affiliated with LERA 1977. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Melissa Daniel
Northeast Ohio - Affiliated with LERA 1972. Merit awards for Turnaround/Startup, and Member Innovation. Chapter president: President: John F. Buettner
Rocky Mountain (Colorado) - Merit awards for Turnaround/Startup, Outstanding Programming, and Member Innovation. Chapter president: Fritz Ihrig

2005 Chapter Awards

Atlanta - Affiliated with LERA 1964. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Chapter Turnaround, Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Ken Harrison
Gateway (Missouri)- Affiliated with LERA 1972. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communication, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Eric Mooshegian
Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Peter Bee
Chicago - Affiliated with LERA 1957. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Member Innovation. Chapter president: Patricia Simpson
TERRA (Tennessee) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Donna Cotner
Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Russell David

2004 Chapter Awards
Arizona - Affiliated with LERA 1970. Merit awards for Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Richard Fincher, Esq.

Central Florida - Affiliated with LERA 2004. Merit awards for Chapter Turnaround or Startup, and Chapters Helping Chapters. Chapter president: Sergio Delgado
Orange County (California) - Affiliated with LERA 1977. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: James Small
San Diego - Affiliated with LERA 1969. Merit Awards for Chapter Communications, Community Involvement, and Chapters Helping Chapters. Chapter president: Jerry Fecher
TERRA (Tennessee) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Richard Ross
Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Russell David
Wisconsin - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Merit Awards for Outstanding Programming, and Community Involvement. Chapter president: Marcia Pulich

2003 Chapter Awards

Arizona - Affiliated with LERA 1970. Merit award for Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Linda Long  

San Diego - Affiliated with LERA 1969. Merit award for Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Cheryl Berman  

West Central Florida - Affiliated with LERA 1964. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: William J. McGinnis, Jr.  

Hawaii - Affiliated with LERA 1966. Merit award for Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: J.N. Musto  

Wisconsin - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Merit awards for Consistent Chapter Excellence and Outstanding Programming. Chapter president: Marcia Pulich

2002 Chapter Awards

Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Chapter to National Relations, Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, Member Innovation, and Community Involvement. Chapter president: Eileen Hoffman  
Alabama - Affiliated with LERA 1985. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Chapter to National Relations, Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Community Involvement, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Talmage Reynolds  
Atlanta - Affiliated with LERA 1964. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter Communications, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Karen Carr  

New York Capital - Affiliated with LERA 1967. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Chapter Communications, Chapter to National Relations, Community Involvement, and Consistent Chapter Excellence. Chapter president: Janet Conti  

TERRA (Tennessee) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Chapter Communications, Member Innovation, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Thomas W. Chastain

Chicago - Affiliated with LERA 1957. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming  and Consistent Chapter Excellence. Chapter president: Steven Bierig

Detroit - Affiliated with LERA 1954. Merit awards for Chapter Communications and Chapter Turnaround. Chapter president: Robert Chiaravalli  

Orange County (California) - Affiliated with LERA 1977. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Daniel Craig  

Southern California - Affiliated with LERA 1967. Merit award for Chapter Turnaround. Chapter president: Lewis Levy  

Southern Nevada - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Merit award for Outstanding Programming. Chapter president: Dean Allen  

Hudson Valley (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1986. Merit award for Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Doris S. Blank  

Hudson Valley (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1986. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Consistent Chapter Excellence, Chapter to National Relations, and Outstanding Programming. Chapter president: Stanley F. Merritt
TERRA (Tennessee) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Chapter Star Award. Merit awards for Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Robert N. Covington
Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Chapter to National Relations, Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Member Innovation. Chapter president: Jim Auerbach 
Atlanta - Affiliated with LERA 1964. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Karen Carr

Central New York - Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, and Chapter Turnaround. Chapter president: Theresa Flynn

Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Merit award for Community Involvement. Chapter president: Richard J. Roth, Esq.

New York Capital - Affiliated with LERA 1967. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Anthony Zumbolo

West Central Florida - Merit award for Chapter to National Relations. Chapter president: Shane T. Munoz

2000 Chapter Awards

Chicago - Affiliated with LERA 1957. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement, Consistent Chapter Excellence and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Steven Bierig.

Hudson Valley New York - Affiliated with LERA 1986. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit award for Outstanding Programming. Chapter president: Annette Raetz.  

TERRA (Tennessee) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, Member Innovation, and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Donna Wilson-Renner.

Washington, D.C. - Affiliated with LERA 1950. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Chapter to National Relations, Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Consistent Chapter Excellence, and Chapter Communications. Chapter president: Jeffrey Wheeler.

Western New York - Merit awards for Outstanding Programming and Chapter Communication. Chapter president: Richard Lipsitz, Jr.

1999 Chapter Awards
Gateway (Missouri) - Affiliated with LERA 1972. First ever Chapter Star awarded. Chapter president: Gerald Baker.
Arizona - Affiliated with LERA 1970. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Community Involvement, Chapters Helping Chapters, Consistent Chapter Excellence and Chapter  Communications/Newsletter.
Western New York - Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Community Involvement, and Consistent Chapter Excellence. 
Atlanta - Merit award for Outstanding Programming.
Hawaii - Merit award for Consistent Chapter Excellence.
Hudson Valley (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1986. Merit awards for Chapter Turnaround and Chapters Helping Chapters.
Iowa - Merit award for Outstanding Programming.
Long Island (New York) -  Affiliated with LERA 1979. Merit Award for Outstanding Programming

1998 Chapter Awards
Alabama - Merit award for Consistent Chapter Excellence
Boise - Merit award for Chapter Startup
Long Island (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1979. Merit award for Chapter Communications/Newsletter
Southern California - Affiliated with LERA 1967. Merit award for Community Involvement
TERRA (Tennessee Employment Relations Research Association) - Affiliated with LERA 1997. Merit award for Chapter Startup

1997 Chapter Awards
Wisconsin - Affiliated with LERA 1958. Outstanding Chapter Award. Merit awards for Outstanding Programming, Member Innovation, Community Involvement and Chapter Communications
Arizona - Affiliated with LERA 1970. Merit award for Chapter Communications/Logo/Letterhead Design
Chicago - Affiliated with LERA 1957. Merit awards for Chapter Communications and Programming
Gateway (Missouri) - Affiliated with LERA 1972. Merit award for Chapters Helping Chapters
Greater Cincinnati - Merit award for Chapter Communications/Website
Hudson Valley (New York) - Affiliated with LERA 1986. Merit award for Chapter Communications/Newsletter/Logo Design
Philadelphia - Merit award for Consistent Chapter Excellence
Western New York - Merit award for Chapter Communications/Newsletter

Labor and Employment Relations Association
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Tel: 217-333-0072 | Fax: 217-265-5130 | LERAoffice@illinois.edu| www.lera.illinois.edu