Alpha Gamma Rho looks to recognize our chapters for the hard work they do throughout the year. As a way to showcase your many accomplishments, we want to reward chapters who are representing the Promise and Values in their daily lives.
How to Apply:
Chapter Officers apply for Chapter Awards. To apply, go to alphagammarho.org and login to AGRconnect. Click the Officer Portal tab to enter Officer Portal. All Chapter Awards applications can be found on Officer Portal under the FORMS link to the left. Once you are in forms, you will see the “Chapter Awards” links and their specific award. Chapters can apply for as many awards as applicable. For you convenience, you don’t have to complete an award submission once you have begun; you can stop and come back to the form as needed to complete it. Once an award submission has been submitted, you will be able to only view it, but not edit the form. We are sending the awards correspondence to new and previous officers, so newly elected officers, don’t forget to use the previous officer’s experience and knowledge to gather as much beneficial information to help your chapter win the award.
All applications must be submitted by April 30.
All chapters will have an opportunity to be recognized as Green and Gold chapters for their accomplishments. Chapters who achieve all of the requirements for four of the seven categories below will be recognized as a Green chapter, and chapters who achieve all of the requirements for six of the seven categories below will be recognized as a Gold chapter.
- Academic Excellence
- Lifelong Membership Development
- Continued Alumni Engagement (Formerly Alumni Relations)
- Chapter Crescents
- Best Single Issue
- Best Feature Story
- Recruitment Excellence
- Chapter Communication
- Living the Promise and Values
- Committed Alumni Corporation
- Outstanding Adviser
- Housemother/Director Social and Cultural Development
- Housemother/Director Management
- Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year
Be proud of your chapter’s many accomplishments. It is the small changes which make a chapter strong, so take an in-depth look into the many programs and activities you do as a chapter and as a brotherhood. Look over all of the criteria for the various awards to find which award(s) the chapter is eligible to apply for. The chapter must be in good standing to be selected for any of the awards. Please review the attached statement on good standing to make sure your chapter is in compliance.
If you have any questions, please contact Grant Bargfrede, Director of Chapter Advancement, at the AGR Home Office by calling 816-891-9200 ext. 120 or send an email to [email protected].
1. Academic Excellence
The Academic Excellence award is given to the top three chapters that have shown campus leadership in academics and have successfully established a strong academic program for their chapter.
- The chapter must have a peer pairing system to hold one another accountable.
- The chapter must have specific chapter scholarship goals and each individual must have specific GPA goals for each term.
- The chapter must have professional and alumni speakers about academic excellence.
- The chapter must submit a detailed written scholarship planto be eligible.
- The chapter must be above the all men’s average on their campus (official grade report for the previous year should be submitted).
2. Lifelong Membership Development
The Lifelong Membership Development award is given to the top three chapters that have implemented a program which encompasses continuous education and lifelong personal development in not only their new members, but also successful re-engagement of alumni.
- The chapter must have a written membership development program which is focused on lifelong development and involvement among all members. Any development program primarily focused on new members will not be considered (a detailed written Membership Development program should be submitted).
- The lifelong membership development program should include continuous education on the Promise & Values.
- Program should foster lifelong personal development through innovative educational, leadership, and social opportunities.
- Program should engage all brothers in professional development promoting lifelong career success.
- Have completed a strategic planning session within the past 3 years.
- The lifelong Membership Development program should show continuous education on the Brotherhood Program for the entire chapter, thus meeting all 4 parameters:
- No more pledging
- If it’s required of a freshman, it must be required of a senior
- No more dominant/subservient relationship
- Rewards must be based on objective criteria and not encourage class division
- Successfully integrated AGRConnect in membership Development programming. Please attach a grade report for all the brothers who have completed modules in the past year.
3. Continued Alumni Engagement
The Alumni Relations award is given to the top three chapters who continually foster strong alumni involvement and leadership both on and off campus throughout the year.
- The chapter should have printed a directory in the last 4 years.
- The chapter should have yearly correspondence with all alumni (paper and/or electronic).
- The chapter should sponsor at least two alumni events each year.
- Encourage lifelong involvement in the colleges and universities we call home.
- The chapter should invite at least one local alumnus to dinner per month (dates and names of alumni should be submitted).
4. Chapter Crescents
This award is given to the top three chapters who print the best Crescent publication that showcases the work and accomplishments of alumni and undergraduate members.
There are two categories: Best Single Issue and Best Feature Story.
Best Single Issue Award:
The Best Single Issue Award will be awarded to the chapter who has compiled a Crescent that is visually appealing, free of grammatical errors, and is comprised of approximately 75% Alumni News and 25% Undergraduate Chapter news.
*Chapters must submit a PDF copy of the Crescent they wish to have evaluated in order to be considered.
Best Feature Story:
The purpose of this award is to showcase undergraduate members and/or alumni for their accomplishments throughout the year. Chapters who wish to apply for recognition for the Best Feature Story Award, will submit the article as it appeared in your chapter’s Crescent. (It does not have to be in the same Crescent issue you are submitting for the Best Single Issue Award.)
A feature story can include/but not limited to: making a difference on campus/in the community, alumni accomplishments, chapter philanthropic events, etc.
*Please note: the article must be attached with the application in order to be considered.
5. Recruitment Excellence
The Recruitment award goes to the top three chapters that have implemented an effective, year round recruitment program.
- The chapter should have at least one scholarship solely dedicated to recruitment. (Please attach a copy of the chapter’s scholarship application.)
- The chapter should have an established year-round recruitment plan that is written and includes a budget, calendar and names list. (Please submit written plan and names list.)
- Describe how the chapter utilizes pre-freshman recruitment and also how they recruit and initiate year round.
- Did the VNR Recruitment attend a Recruitment School this year?
- The chapter should have alumni involved in the recruitment process and be able to describe how these alumni are engaged in recruiting new members.
6. Chapter Communications
Alpha Gamma Rho recognizes that chapters are engaging alumni, potential new members and those outside of the fraternity through multiple online platforms. The Communications award looks to recognize chapters who are using multiple means of electronic communication to engage various age groups on what the chapter strives to achieve, and involvement with both their campus and community. Chapters who are actively involved with one or all of the following means of communication are eligible for this award. Please include links, accounts, addresses or samples for each.
[Chapter Websites • E-Newsletters • Social Media • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram]
The following criteria will be used in judging chapter communications:
- Appearance
- Content
- Best use of:
- Recruitment materials-including an electronic submission form for recruits to contact the chapter
- Lifelong Membership Development
- Alumni Engagement
- Risk Management
- Ease of use and navigation
- Accuracy of information
- Promotion of the Promise and Values
7. Living the Promise & Values
The Promise & Values award is given to the top three chapters that enthusiastically embrace and uphold the Promise & Values, in turn continually presenting a positive image of Alpha Gamma Rho.
- Explain efforts the chapter has made to stay consistent with the Promise & Values.
- Describe how the chapter always presents a positive image of Alpha Gamma Rho in everything they say or do.
- Explain how the chapter enthusiastically recognizes and rewards accomplishments by individual chapter members consistent with our Promise and Values.
8. Committed Alumni Corporation
This award recognizes chapters who’s Alumni Corporation has demonstrated hard work and continued success for their chapter’s undergraduate membership.
- Have programs to assist the chapter with recruitment, including financing recruitment scholarships.
- Hold at least two alumni functions in conjunction with the chapter each year.
- Have some type of training of undergraduates to become good alumni (Senior Dinner, Key Ceremony, etc.) as a part of the chapter’s Lifelong Membership Development Program.
- Have a long term housing plan (5-20 year plan) & submit the plan.
- Have an annual appeal or dues program to generate additional funds & develop lifelong supporters.
- Have a program that assists the chapter officers in their ongoing efforts to improve the chapter.
- Have completed a strategic planning session within the past 3 years.
- Have an alumnus recruitment mentor (Local CRO) appointed and engaged.
- Promotion and representation of the Promise & Values
Note: It is our expectation the alumni corporation submits this award application, rather than the collegiate Chapter.
9. Outstanding Adviser
The Adviser award is given to three advisers that are committed to engaging all brothers in professional development and lifelong success through the Promise & Values of Alpha Gamma Rho. The Fraternity recognizes that the Chapter Adviser plays an important role in helping chapters to achieve their mission — making better men.
- Participation in chapter activities
- Attendance and input at chapter meetings
- Effect on chapter programs: recruitment, lifelong membership development, financial—Note: Advisers that concentrate on a specific area (i.e. academics, finances) are eligible as long as they have been officially appointed by the National Board of Directors
- Impact on and involvement in alumni affairs
- Involvement in AGR beyond local chapters: Leadership Seminar, Recruitment School, Alumni Meetings, and National Convention
- Fraternity-related involvement with (and impact on) local Interfraternity groups, the school and community
- Promotion and representation of the Promise & Values
The fraternity also recognizes advisers for their time of service to their chapters. The longevity awards are given based on the start date on file in the Home Office.
Marie Coe Memorial Housemother/Director Awards
In honor of Marie Coe, a truly beloved “Mom” of Alpha Gamma Rho, the Educational Foundation of AGR and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity present annual Housemother/Director Awards in two categories; Cultural and Social Development and Management. A Memorial Fund established in honor of Marie, Brother Maynard H. Coe’s wife, provides for these awards.
Any undergraduate brother may nominate his Housemother/Director for consideration. Housemother/Directors must be nominated to be eligible for either award.
10. Housemother/Director-Social and Cultural Development
The Housemother/Director Social & Cultural Development award is given to housemother/directors that have developed and implemented programs and initiatives to improve the social development and/or cultural awareness of the brothers.
- Describe events and activities the Housemother/Director developed and implemented to improve the social development and/or cultural awareness of the brothers.
- Promotion and representation of the Promise & Values.
11. Housemother/Director- Management
The housemother/director Management award is given to the top three Housemother/Directors that consistently demonstrate superior management of the chapter facilities and the chapter as a whole.
- Commissary, house and chapter management.
- Attracting members representing the breadth, sophistication, scope and relevance of agriculture.
The fraternity also recognizes housemother/directors for their time of service to their chapters. The longevity awards are given based on the start date on file in the Home Office. Recognition is given in five year increments.
12. Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year
This award is meant to recognize our undergraduate members who are excelling in their college career both on campus and within the fraternity.
- Extensive academic achievements
- Above leadership qualities both in the fraternity and the community as a whole
- Have shown great personal growth
- Those eligible must be a junior or senior and a brother may only receive this honor once.
Each chapter may nominate one brother to be recognized and are required to provide two recommendations (from two current undergraduate members) attesting to the brother’s character and accomplishments.
Biennial Chapter Awards
The Sleeter Bull, Most Improved Chapter and Maynard H. Coe, Chapter Efficiencyawards will be given on even numbered years at the National Convention.
The Sleeter Bull Award will be given to the chapter(s) that has shown the most improvement in the past two years. Chapters meeting these requirements are given higher preference:
- Have applied and met the qualifications for Chapter Awards.
- Maintain a GPA above the all-men’s average.
- Consistency with the Promise, Values.
- Shown improvement in the past two years.
Note: Additional criteria will be utilized as well.
The Maynard H. Coe Award will be given to the chapter(s) that has best exemplified the
Promise and Values of our fraternity. Chapters meeting these requirements are given higher preference:
- Have applied and met the qualifications for Chapter Awards.
- Maintain a GPA above the all-men’s average.
- Consistency with the Promise, Values.
- Have demonstrated efficiency and consistent excellence over the past 2 years.
Note: Additional criteria will be utilized as well.
