Award Descriptions

Honorary Lifetime Membership Award

Each year, the Marketing Research Association recognizes one member to receive the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award.

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding individual service to both the Marketing Research Association and the opinion and marketing research profession.

Guidelines

  1. The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award is a one-time award.
  2. Nominations for this award are made by any member, in good standing, at large.
  3. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of the Association or is a retired member of MRA who was in good standing at the time of retirement.
    2. Has volunteered at the Chapter and National level for at least 10 years.
    3. Is an outstanding individual who has been in the profession for at least 20 years, during which a strong commitment was demonstrated to the MRA and the industry.

Distinguished Service Award

Each year, the Marketing Research Association recognizes one member to receive the Distinguished Service Award.

The purpose of this award is to recognize the extensive and distinguished service of an individual to both the Marketing Research Association and the opinion and marketing research profession.

Guidelines

  1. The Distinguished Service Award is a one-time award.
  2. Nominations for this award are made by any member, in good standing, at large.
  3. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of MRA.
    2. Has been a National member volunteer for at least 5 years.
    3. Has demonstrated Chapter, National and Industry experience.

Award of Excellence

Each year, the Marketing Research Association recognizes one member who has brought excellence in service to the Association during the past year.

The purpose of this award is to recognize an Association volunteer who has worked on National Workgroups, Councils, Committees, Task Forces or who has represented MRA in other organizations.

Guidelines

  1. The Award of Excellence is a one-time award.
  2. More than one award may be presented each year if deemed appropriate/necessary.
  3. Nominations for this award are made by the Board of Directors.
  4. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of the Marketing Research Association.
    2. Has been actively involved in National activities during the past year.

Chapter of the Year

Each year, MRA recognizes one Chapter to receive the Chapter of the Year Award.

The purpose of this award is to recognize one Chapter that has not only met all Chapter Standards set by National, but has exceeded them by obtaining the highest average retention and recruitment rates of all Chapters for the Chapter Board year.

Guidelines

  1. The Chapter of the Year Award can be won multiple times.
  2. The Chapter of the Year Award is awarded to ONE Chapter each year at MRA’s Annual Conference in June. All Chapter Standards must be met to be considered for this award. The Chapter with the highest average of recruitment and retention rates of the Chapter Board year will win the award. On the rare occasion that average percentages of growth and retention are equal for two (or more) Chapters, a tie will result and more than one Chapter will be awarded for that year. All official Officers on the Chapter Board will be recognized.
  3. There are no nominations for this award. National will select the winning Chapter(s) based on National’s records of all Chapters.

Chapter Service Award

Each year, the Marketing Research Association recognizes one member from each of the 12 Chapters for outstanding volunteer service.

The purpose of this award is to recognize a Chapter volunteer who has given outstanding support to the Chapter in the current Board year.

Guidelines

  1. A volunteer can receive the Chapter Service Award multiple times.
  2. The Chapter Service Award is awarded to one volunteer from each Chapter each year at MRA’s Annual Conference in June.
  3. A call for nominees shall be sent to each Chapter President at least two months prior to the close of nominations.
  4. A Chapter Service Award Chair shall be appointed by the Chapter President.
  5. The Chapter Service Award Chair shall recruit 3-5 Chapter members who have been members in good standing for at least 1 year to be part of the selection committee. All selection committee members should have a general knowledge of membership and the volunteer efforts of its members.
  6. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of the Chapter.
    2. Is actively involved in Chapter activities for the current board year.
  7. Selection considerations should be as follows:
    1. Chapter volunteer activity such as positions held and committee involvement.
    2. Quality of contributions and efforts given to the Chapter.
    3. Time and energy devoted to the Chapter.
    4. Results achieved.

Rising Star

Each year, MRA recognizes one or more of its members who have provided outstanding volunteer efforts at the National level for LESS than 5 years.

Guidelines

  1. The Rising Star Award is a one-time award.
  2. The Rising Star Award may be awarded to more than one volunteer each year at MRA First Outlook Conference.
  3. Nominations for this award are made by the general membership of the MRA.
  4. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of the Association who is a new MRA volunteer (less than 5 years)
    2. Is a National member who has a proven record of outstanding volunteer efforts
    3. Makes a difference and energetically supports the organization at the National level

Shining Star

Each year, MRA recognizes one or more of its members who have provided outstanding volunteer efforts at the National level for 5 or MORE years.

Guidelines

  1. The Shining Star Award is a one-time award.
  2. The Shining Star Award may be awarded to more than one volunteer each year at MRA First Outlook Conference.
  3. Nominations for this award are made by the general membership of the MRA.
  4. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member in good standing of the Association who is an experienced MRA volunteer (5 or more years)
    2. Is a National member who has a proven record of outstanding volunteer efforts
    3. Makes a difference and energetically supports the organization at the National level

Celebrated Company Award

Each year, MRA recognizes one company that has provided outstanding volunteer efforts and/or that has shown exceptional support at the National and/or Chapter level for 5 years or more.

Guidelines

  1. The Celebrated Company Award is a one-time award.
  2. The Celebrated Company Award is awarded to one company each year at MRA First Outlook Conference.
  3. Nominations for this award are made by the general membership of the MRA.
  4. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
    1. Is a current member (company) in good standing of the Association and has been a member for 5 years or more
    2. Is a company who has supported and provided outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of the MRA at the National and/or Chapter level
    3. Is shown to be a company who makes a difference and energetically supports the Association at the National and/or Chapter level

Best Educational Offering by a Chapter Award

Each year, MRA recognizes ONE of its 12 Chapters for offering an outstanding educational event.

The purpose of this award is to recognize a Chapter who has provided an outstanding educational event in the past year.

Guidelines

  1. The Best Educational Award can be won multiple times.
  2. A call for nominees shall be sent to each Chapter Board at least one month prior to the close of nominations.
  3. A Best Educational Offering Award Chair shall be appointed by the Chapter President, who will then assemble a committee responsible for submitting that Chapter’s nomination(s). A maximum of two nominations per Chapter will be accepted. All members significantly involved in putting the event together will receive recognition, up to, but not exceeding, 10 members.
  4. Educational Events shall be nominated by the Chapter Board.
  5. Educational Offering nominations must meet the following criteria:
    1. Be a non-joint Chapter educational event.
    2. Be an event open to all members.