Gold and Silver Star Affiliate Council Recognition

Gold and Silver Star Affiliate Council Recognition

  1. NCSS Membership
  2. Gold and Silver Star Affiliate Council Recognition

NCSS recognizes outstanding Affiliate Councils with the annual Gold Star and Silver Star awards during the Annual Conference at the House of Delegates meeting each year. 

Affiliated Councils that meet all four excellence categories will be recognized as a Gold Star Council. Councils that meet three excellence categories will be recognized as a Silver Star Council. Affiliated Councils that do not meet three or more excellence categories can be eligible for excellence awards in individual categories. 
 

The deadline to apply for 2023 Affiliate Council Recognition is October 29.

Gold/Silver Star Application

Excellence Categories

Excellence in Governance and Operations

  • Has accurate, updated governance documents that are followed regularly and are aligned to the overall vision, mission, and strategic plan
  • Council website is up to date, and displays the NCSS Affiliated Council logo 
  • Shares council logo (if one is available) to be displayed on the NCSS website
  • Manages its budget and makes a commitment to philanthropy in the social studies (ex. NCSS First Timer’s Scholarship donation)
  • Actively meets, holds elections, and makes other decisions - and where the leadership participates and engages in these decisions
  • Regularly communicates with membership, at least quarterly

Incentives

  • Dedicated presentation slot at a Leadership Forum, Summer Leadership, or Annual Conference
  • Highlight in an email blast, social media, and/or TSSP
  • Certificate of recognition from NCSS BOD
  • Recognition at NCSS House of Delegates
     

Excellence in Programming and Professional Development

  • Holds successful annual conference regardless the format: engaging content, relevant content, increased attendance, revenue exceeds budget
  • Demonstrates two additional professional activities, such as workshops, webinars, and, generally,  programs that promote the social studies within their region 
  • Actively participates in at least two NCSS programs. (attending leadership forums, SLI, annual conference HOD, webinar programs, etc)
  • Honors educators in multiple ways including teachers at multiple levels (e.g., “horizon award” for early career educators)
  • Holds programming representative of needs of the membership and state/affiliate
  • Provides networking opportunities for social studies professionals in their service area 

Incentives

  • Dedicated presentation slot at a Leadership Forum, Summer Leadership, or Annual Conference
  • Highlight in an email blast, social media, and/or TSSP
  • Certificate of recognition from NCSS BOD
  • Recognition at NCSS House of Delegates
     

Excellence in Social Studies Advocacy and Leadership

  • Actively participated in social studies legislative advocacy efforts at the service area  
  • Works with a minimum of one social studies related organization within their service area and/or an organization(s) with a similar mission.
  • Serves on NCSS Operations Committees, or other leadership opportunities within the NCSS structure
  • Serves as a mentor council to other affiliated councils 
  • Philanthropic of social studies specific causes (ex. NCSS First Timer’s Scholarship donation)
  • Council leadership regularly leads NCSS programming (ex. presents at NCSS annual conference or SLI, leads a webinar, etc)
  • Promotes other events from NCSS and other affiliates to their membership and other stakeholders

Incentives

  • Dedicated presentation slot at a Leadership Forum, Summer Leadership, or Annual Conference
  • Highlight in an email blast, social media, and/or TSSP
  • Certificate of recognition from NCSS BOD
  • Recognition at NCSS House of Delegates
     

Excellence in Membership Diversity, Inclusion, & Recruitment

  • Has 100% NCSS membership of council officers.  
  • Has shown an increase in membership, including the number of joint members.
  • Submits an annual membership plan, which includes a specific plan for increasing membership in their service area and membership by underrepresented groups in their council. 
  • Recruits teacher candidates and increases incentives for in-service educators to participate, engage, and mentor colleagues
  • Demonstrates a commitment to recruiting diverse membership and council leadership. 

Incentives

  • Dedicated presentation slot at a Leadership Forum, Summer Leadership, or Annual Conference
  • Highlight in an email blast, social media, and/or TSSP
  • Certificate of recognition from NCSS BOD
  • Recognition at NCSS House of Delegates
     
Gold/Silver Star Application