A Time for Giving Thanks and Recognition

We are approaching the time of year when many of us take a break from our busy routines.  We look forward to a few days (maybe even a week or more!) of time away from work and obligations and redirect our focus on things like our families and friends. For me, that time starts on December 16, when I hope to be able to completely disconnect from the electronic world, let my beard grow long, and reconnect with folks I may have been neglecting over the past few months. I hope you get some time like this, too!

This is also the time of year I like to especially thank everyone and let you know how much I appreciate your support of NAFA. That support came in many ways this year: through your continued membership, by supporting the monumental bylaws changes, by attending NAFA meetings, by leading local chapter and national committees, by serving on the NAFA Board, by advertising in our magazine, by exhibiting at our trade show, and in so many other ways.  Thank you for that support, in every way!

As I was thinking about this column, it dawned on me that I should give you the opportunity to thank your fellow NAFA colleagues, just as I am thanking you. So, if you would like to extend a special thanks to anyone in NAFA, I invite you to visit our LinkedIn page and write a brief note to that special person. Click here to visit the post.

In addition to posting your message on LinkedIn, I invite you to consider nominating your colleague (or colleagues) for one of NAFA’s national awards. There is no better way to say "Thank You!" than to have your friend recognized by NAFA. Think of how proud they (and you) will be as they walk on stage to accept an award in front of 1,000 colleagues!

Here is a brief description of each award; please take some time to consider if someone you know would be a great nominee, then complete the nomination form which you can download by clicking here.

Distinguished Service Award: NAFA’s Distinguished Service Award is the Association’s highest honor and form of recognition.  The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon an individual who made extraordinary contributions to the association or fleet industry over the span of many years.  (As opposed to NAFA’s Regular Member or Associate Member of the Year Awards, which recognize individuals for contributions over the past 12 months.)

NAFA’s Distinguished Service Award is awarded with great care, and those selected for the award are obvious choices based on the results achieved for NAFA or the fleet profession.  As such, there may not be annual winners of NAFA’s Distinguished Service Award.

NAFA’s Distinguished Service Award includes lifetime complimentary membership in NAFA and lifetime complimentary admission to NAFA’s annual conference.  

Honorary Membership Award: Honorary Membership recognizes outstanding service to NAFA, the fleet administration profession, the automotive industry, a community, state or nation.  Typically, Honorary Membership is awarded to individuals at the end of their fleet career.  Honorary Membership may also be awarded to dignitaries and other industry notables whom NAFA wishes to recognize.

Regular Member of the Year Award: The Regular Member of the Year award is bestowed upon a fleet manager whose contributions to the association or fleet industry over the span of the prior 12 months were exceptional.  

Associate Member of the Year Award: The Associate Member of the Year award is bestowed upon a fleet supplier partner whose contributions to the association or fleet industry over the span of the prior 12 months were exceptional.  

If you know of someone who fits the bill for any of these awards, please complete the award nomination form (download it here) and return it to NAFA. The NAFA Board of Directors will select winners, with awards presented at NAFA’s Institute & Expo in April. Deadline for submission is Friday, January 20, 2017.

Thank you for considering this. I look forward to reading your posts on our LinkedIn page (just not between December 16-30!).  

I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Phil