Each year,
the IPMS/USA Executive Board is pleased to present several
Special Achievement awards at the annual National Convention.
The award cycle covers the prior calendar year (until 2013 it
was March until April). Regional Coordinators select a Regional
recipient for the Chapter of the Year Award, the Newsletter of
the Year Award, the Webmaster of the Year Award, and Member of
the Year. Those winners become that Region’s nominees for the
national awards. These regional winners are provided to the
IPMS/USA Executive Board by the Director of Local Chapters and
the winning Chapter for each award is selected by a vote of the
Board. Note that at
the regional level there is only a “chapter of the year”
award. The other two are just nominations for the national
award that gets passed along. Additionally, I generally do
not nominate a "Member of the Year" as this is a
national-level award, but I will certainly consider
supporting a nomination if appropriate.
Michael Mackowski, IPMS/USA
Region 10 Coordinator
2020 IPMS Region
10 Awards
Period
covered: January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Process used
I requested and received
self-nominations from four clubs for COY and one for the website.
Clubs that
have the motivation to nominate themselves get extra
consideration, but it does
not guarantee an award. For the website and newsletter awards,
special
attention was given to media that had prominent placement of
IPMS/USA
membership information. There was another club with a nice
website, but the
webmaster was not a national member. There are only two chapters
with regularly
issued newsletters, and the editor of one was not a member of
IPMS/USA.
Chapter of the Year (R10)
The 2020 IPMS/USA Region 10
Chapter of the Year is the Salt Lake City Chapter (Richard Engar,
president). In
addition to adapting to the “year of COVID” via virtual meetings
and contests,
they have had a long history of promoting the hobby. They have a
strong
involvement in their community via building models honoring
veterans and
supporting fund raising events (e.g., having members work the
phones for a PBS
pledge drive). Their chapter president is a regular contributor to
the IPMS Journal,
and they have established a scale model museum in a nearby
community. While
they may not have the number of activities as larger clubs, the
Salt Lake City chapter
has made a cumulative effort over the past several years to be a
successful model
club that supports the ideals of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For a
consistent, cumulative effort over the past several years to
promote the craft
of scale modeling and the Society, via service to their members
and their
community. They also successfully adapted to the pandemic
conditions of 2020
via virtual meetings and competitions.
Webmaster of the Year
(R10)
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque
Scale Modelers) is the R10 Webmaster of the Year for 2020.
Albuquerque’s
site is very comprehensive, easy to navigate, promotes IPMS/USA on
the main
page, and has a specific page for people new to the hobby. Their
self-nomination essay is attached and is very detailed. Mike Blohm
is a current
member of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For producing
a sharp, easy to use, well organized website with useful and
timely content
including ready links to IPMS/USA.
Their site is at: http://abqscalemodelers.com
Newsletter of the Year
(R10)
The Corsair, editor Lyn Gorton, from the Phoenix, Arizona chapter
is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year for 2020. This newsletter
consistently
has quality content, including information on club activities,
coverage of
their meetings, and announcements about other hobby events in the
local area. This
newsletter has good articles on actual modeling techniques, tips,
and kit
reviews, with an easy to find on-line archive, and has prominent
promotion of
IPMS/USA. Lyn Gorton is a current member of IPMS/USA
Sample issues may be found
here: http://www.ipms-phoenix.com/newsletter.html
Citation: For publishing
an easy to read newsletter on a regular basis with useful and
timely content
including ready links to IPMS/USA.
2019 IPMS Region 10
Awards
Period
covered: January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Process used
I requested and received self-nominations, but I only received
inputs from three chapters. For the website and newsletter awards,
special attention was given to media that had prominent placement
of IPMS/USA membership information. Clubs that have the motivation
to nominate themselves get extra consideration, but it did not
guarantee an award. There were other candidates for the Newsletter
award, but their editor was not a member of IPMS/USA.
Chapter of the Year (R10)
The 2019 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the Albuquerque
Scale Modelers Chapter. They submitted a very comprehensive
nomination, explaining in detail the many activities they support.
This club does an excellent job promoting the hobby to audiences
outside their own club, supporting community outreach, and
promoting membership in IPMS/USA. They supported a contest at the
New Mexico State Fair, had a library display, an Apollo 11
anniversary display at a museum, and supported several other
community events and displays.
Citation: For excellence in promoting the craft of scale
modeling and the Society via competitions, displays, community
events, and support of local, regional, and national modeling
competitions.
Webmaster of the Year (R10)
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque Scale Modelers) is the R10 Webmaster
of the Year for 2019. Albuquerque’s site is very
comprehensive, easy to navigate, promotes IPMS/USA on the main
page, and has a specific page for people new to the hobby. Their
self-nomination essay was very detailed. Mike Blohm is a current
member of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use, well organized
website with useful and timely content including ready links to
IPMS/USA. Newsletter of the Year (R10)
The Corsair, editor Lyn Gorton, from the Phoenix, Arizona chapter
is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year for 2019. This is a repeat
winner from last year as The Corsair consistently has quality
content, including information on club activities, coverage of
their meetings, and announcements about other hobby events in the
local area. This newsletter has good articles on actual modeling
techniques, tips, and kit reviews, with an easy to find on-line
archive, and has prominent promotion of IPMS/USA. Lyn Gorton is a
current member of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For publishing an easy to read newsletter on a
regular basis with useful and timely content including ready links
to IPMS/USA.
2018 IPMS Region 10
Awards
Period covered: January 1, 2018 - December 31,
2018
Process
used
I requested and received self-nominations, but I
only received inputs from two chapters for Chapter
and Webmaster awards. I received no self-nominations
for Newsletter. For the website and newsletter
awards, special attention was given to media that
had prominent placement of IPMS/USA membership
information. Clubs that have the motivation to
nominate themselves get extra consideration, but it
did not guarantee an award. There were other
candidates for the Newsletter award, but their
editor was not a member of IPMS/USA.
Chapter of the Year 2018
The 2018 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is
IPMS Phoenix / Craig Hewitt Chapter. While they did
not submit a self-nomination, I am a member of this
club (possible conflict of interest acknowledged)
and very familiar with their activities. While they
are consistently active with regular meetings,
make’n’take events, a solid website and newsletter,
and hosting a large local contest (ModelZona), the
primary reason they are the 2018 winner is due to
their hosting their third IPMS National Convention
in the span of 14 years. This is no small feat of
dedication and hard work and needs to be
acknowledged. Additionally, attendance at their
monthly meetings averages 50-60 people or more. If
folks were not having fun, they wouldn’t keep coming
back, which says something about the friendliness
and inclusivity of the chapter.
Citation: For exhibiting dedication and
consistent support of IPMS/USA by hosting three
successful National Conventions over the span of 14
years, in addition to running a full slate of local
chapter activities (meetings, contests,
communications, and community involvement).
Webmaster of the Year 2018
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque Scale Modelers) is the
R10 Webmaster of the Year for 2018.
Albuquerque’s site is very comprehensive, easy to
navigate, promotes IPMS/USA on the main page, and
has a specific page for people new to the hobby.
Their self-nomination essay is attached and is very
detailed. Mike Blohm is a current member of
IPMS/USA.
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use,
well organized website with useful and timely
content including ready links to IPMS/USA.
Their site is at: http://abqscalemodelers.com
Newsletter of the Year 2018
The Corsair, editor Lyn Gorton Tim Bongard, from the
Phoenix, Arizona chapter is the Region 10 Newsletter
of the Year for 2018. The Corsair consistently has
quality content, including kit reviews and modeling
tips without padding it with content that is better
suited to a website. This newsletter has good
articles on actual modeling techniques and kit
reviews, has an easy to find on-line archive, and
had prominent promotion of IPMS/USA. (There was no
self-nomination.)
Citation: For publishing an easy to read
newsletter on a regular basis with useful and timely
content including ready links to IPMS/USA.
2017
IPMS Region 10 Awards
Due to work and family commitments and my own health
issues, I did not select any chapter awards for 2017. My
apologies.
2016
IPMS Region 10 Awards
Period covered: January 1, 2016 - December 31,
2016
Process
used
I requested and received self-nominations but I only
received inputs from three chapters for Chapter and
Webmaster awards. I received no self-nominations for
Newsletter. For the website and newsletter awards,
special attention was given to media that had prominent
placement of IPMS/USA membership information. Clubs that
have the motivation to nominate themselves get extra
consideration but it did not guarantee an award. There
were other candidates for the Newsletter award but their
editor was not a member of IPMS/USA.
Chapter of the Year 2016 (R10)
The 2016 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the
CoMMiES (Colorado Modeling Militia Enjoying SciFi) of
Denver, CO. They submitted a thorough self-nomination
statement that demonstrates their many efforts to
promote IPMS/USA and the hobby of scale modeling. They
may not have an encyclopedic website nor a newsletter
but they make up for it with their numerous outreach
activities and positive attitude. They meet twice a
month in the Denver area and sponsor an annual show,
CoMMiESFest. They have outreach displays and
make’n’takes at several events each year including the
WonderFest in Louisville, Kentucky (not exactly close to
Denver) where they have had a presence for the past
twelve years. Their emphasis on the FUN of modeling is a
crucial part of retaining current member and recruiting
new ones, and makes them deserving of the Region 10 COY
award for 2016.
Citation: For exhibiting enthusiasm for the fun of
scale modeling as exemplified by one of their mottos,
“Finished is Better than Perfect”, and support of the
Society via contests, displays, and Make ‘n Takes.
Webmaster of the Year 2016 (R10)
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque Scale Modelers) is the R10
Webmaster of the Year for 2016. Albuquerque’s site
is very comprehensive, easy to navigate, promotes
IPMS/USA on the main page, and has a specific page for
people new to the hobby. Their self-nomination essay is
attached and is very detailed. Mike Blohm is a current
member of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use, well
organized website with useful and timely content
including ready links to IPMS/USA.
Their site is at: http://abqscalemodelers.com
Newsletter of the Year 2016 (R10)
Mold Lines, editor Dave Diaz, from the Sonoran Desert
Model Builders in Tucson, Arizona chapter is the Region
10 Newsletter of the Year for 2016. This is a relatively
new publication (started in 2015) and exhibits quality
content without padding it with material that is better
suited to a website. The Mold Lines newsletter has
excellent overall content, with good articles on actual
modeling techniques or kit reviews, has an easy to find
on-line archive, and includes promotion of IPMS/USA.
Dave Diaz is a current member of IPMS/USA. A sample copy
is attached and more may be found at:
https://sdmb.yolasite.com/sdmb-newsletter.php
Citation: For publishing a easy to read newsletter
on a regular basis with useful and timely content
including ready links to IPMS/USA.
2015 IPMS Region 10 Awards
Period covered: January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Submitted by Michael Mackowski, IPMS/USA Region 10 Coordinator
Process used
I requested and received self-nominations but I only received
inputs from three chapters for Chapter and Webmaster awards. I
received no self-nominations for Newsletter. For the website and
newsletter awards, special attention was given to media that had
prominent placement of IPMS/USA membership information. Clubs that
have the motivation to nominate themselves get extra consideration
but it did not guarantee an award. Some clubs had an outstanding
activity in one category but were weak in others, so I could not
recognize them for overall effort. Additionally, some nice
websites and newsletters will go unrecognized because the
individuals were not current IPMS/USA members at the end of 2015.
I plan to contact individual chapters soon about this.
Chapter of the Year 2015 (R10)
The 2015 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the Sonoran
Desert Model Builders of Tucson, AZ. They submitted a colorful,
comprehensive nomination package and have shown a marked
improvement over the past few years. They have good
communications, many community outreach events, and an emphasis on
helping members become better model builders. They are strong
promoters of IPMS/USA via their website and participation in
regional events and national conventions. Their local annual swap
meet has grown into a nice event with a good contest and friendly
atmosphere. The club does a lot of outreach via Make ‘n Take
events, model displays, and service projects.
Citation: For excellence in promoting the craft of scale
modeling and the Society via competitions, displays, Make ‘n
Takes, and support of local, regional, and national modeling
events.
Webmaster of the Year 2015 (R10)
Pablo Bauleo (from High Plains Modelers in northern Colorado) is
the R10 Webmaster of the Year for 2014. He is a repeat
winner from 2014. While their website may not be as extensive as
other clubs, they promote IPMS/USA on the main page, and the
content is well-organized and easy to find. They did not provide a
self-nomination but they stood out after a review of all the R10
websites. They clearly met all the main criteria:
• Promote IPMS/USA
• Timely announcements
• Regular updates
• Easy to navigate
• Easy to find contact info
Their site is at: http://ipmshpm.blogspot.com/
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use, well-organized
website with useful and timely content including ready links to
IPMS/USA.
Newsletter of the Year 2015 (R10)
The Corsair, editor Mike Pabis, from the Phoenix, Arizona chapter
is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year for 2015. This is a repeat
winner from last year as The Corsair consistently has quality
content, including kit reviews and modeling tips without padding
it with content that is better suited to a website. This
newsletter has excellent overall content, with good articles on
actual modeling techniques or kit reviews, has an easy to find
on-line archive, and had prominent promotion of IPMS/USA. There
was no self-nomination.
Citation: For publishing a easy to read newsletter on a
regular basis with useful and timely content including ready links
to IPMS/USA.
2014 IPMS
Region 10 Award Winners
Period
covered: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
Process used
I requested and received self-nominations but I only received
inputs from three chapters, and one of those was late. For the
website and newsletter awards, special attention was given to
media that had prominent placement of IPMS/USA membership
information. Clubs that have the motivation to nominate themselves
get extra consideration but it does not guarantee an award.
Chapter of the Year 2014 (R10)
The 2014 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the Albuquerque
Scale Modelers. They are repeat winners from last year, with good
communications, many events, and an emphasis on helping members
become better model builders. They are strong promoters of
IPMS/USA via their website and participation in national
conventions. Their sponsorship of the 2014 Region 10 Convention
was very much appreciated and no small factor in their award this
year. The club does a lot of outreach via Make ‘n Take events,
model displays, and service projects. Their self-nomination essay
is attached and is very detailed.
Citation: For excellence in promoting the craft of scale
modeling and the Society via competitions, displays, Make ‘n
Takes, and support of local, regional, and national modeling
events.
Webmaster of the Year 2014 (R10)
Pablo Bauleo (and his team from High Plains Modelers in northern
Colorado) is the R10 Webmaster of the Year for 2014. While
their website may not be as extensive as other clubs, it is much
improved over last years version from High Plains. They promote
IPMS/USA on the main page, and the content is well-organized and
easy to find. They did not provide a self-nomination but they
stood out after a review of all the R10 websites. They clearly met
all the main criteria:
• Promote IPMS/USA
• Timely announcements
• Regular updates
• Easy to navigate
• Easy to find contact info
Their site is at: http://ipmshpm.blogspot.com/
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use, well-organized
website with useful and timely content including ready links to
IPMS/USA. This club’s improvement over last year is notable and
deserves this recognition.
Newsletter of the Year 2014 (R10)
The Corsair, editor Mike Pabis, from the Phoenix, Arizona
chapter is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year for 2014. This is
a repeat winner from last year as The Corsair consistently has
quality content, including kit reviews and modeling tips without
padding it with content that is better suited to a website. This
newsletter had excellent overall content, with good articles on
actual modeling techniques or kit reviews, has an easy to find
on-line archive, and had prominent promotion of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For publishing a easy to read newsletter on a
regular basis with useful and timely content including ready links
to IPMS/USA.
2013 IPMS
Region 10 Award Winners
Period
covered: January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Submitted by Michael Mackowski, IPMS/USA Region 10 Coordinator
Process used
I requested and received self-nominations but I only received two.
Since most chapters’ level of activity does not change much from
year to year, I mostly did a double check of the data I reviewed
last year. For the website and newsletter awards, special
attention was given to media that had prominent placement of
IPMS/USA membership information. Clubs that have the motivation to
nominate themselves get extra consideration but it does not
guarantee an award.
Chapter of the Year (R10)
The 2013 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the Albuquerque
Scale Modelers. They are a very active club, with good
communications, many events, and an emphasis on helping members
become better model builders. They are strong promoters of
IPMS/USA via their website and participation in national
conventions. This club does a lot of outreach via Make ‘n Take
events, model displays, and service projects. Their
self-nomination essay is attached and is very detailed.
Citation: For excellence in promoting the craft of scale
modeling and the Society via competitions, displays, Make ‘n
Takes, and support of local, regional, and national modeling
events.
Webmaster of the Year (R10)
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque Scale Modelers) is the R10 Webmaster
of the Year for 2013. Albuquerque’s site is very
comprehensive, easy to navigate, promotes IPMS/USA on the main
pages, and has a specific page for people new to the hobby. Their
self-nomination essay is attached and is very detailed.
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use, well-organized
website with useful and timely content including ready links to
IPMS/USA.
Newsletter of the Year (R10)
The Corsair, editor Mike Pabis, from the Phoenix, Arizona chapter
is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year for 2013. This newsletter
had excellent overall content, with good articles on actual
modeling techniques or kit reviews, was easy to find on-line, and
had prominent promotion of IPMS/USA. Three samples are attached.
Citation: For publishing a easy to read newsletter on a
regular basis with useful and timely content including ready links
to IPMS/USA.
2012 IPMS
Region 10 Award Winners
Period
covered: April 15, 2012 - April 14, 2013
Submitted by Michael Mackowski, IPMS/USA Region 10 Coordinator
Process used
I requested and received self-nominations but I first did an
independent review of all three awards. For the most part,
chapters that sent self nominations for COY got the strongest
consideration but this was not a prerequisite for an award.
Clubs that have the motivation to nominate themselves should get
extra consideration.
Chapter of the Year (R10)
The 2012-13 IPMS/USA Region 10 Chapter of the Year is the
Phoenix / Craig Hewitt Chapter (Keith Pieper, chapter
president). This was a close call but Phoenix did a lot of Make
‘n Take events and a better job of promoting IPMS/USA on their
website and newsletter than most other clubs. Phoenix also does
a large annual contest (ModelZona) and held a very successful
Modeling Clinic outside the normal schedule of club meetings.
(Note that since I am a member of this club, I had an
independent IPMS/USA member of this region, a former national
officer, review my selection.)
Citation: For excellence in promoting the craft of scale
modeling and the Society via competitions, clinics, Make ‘n
Takes, and general publicity.
Webmaster of the Year (R10)
Mike Blohm (from Albuquerque Scale Modelers) is the R10
Webmaster of the Year for 2012-13. Albuquerque’s site is
very comprehensive, easy to navigate, promotes IPMS/USA on the
main pages, and has a specific page for people new to the hobby.
Citation: For producing a sharp, easy to use,
well-organized website with useful and timely content including
ready links to IPMS/USA.
Newsletter of the Year (R10)
The High Plains Gazette, editor Jeff Brown, from the High Plains
(Loveland, CO) chapter is the Region 10 Newsletter of the Year
for 2012-13. This newsletter had the best overall content, with
good articles on actual modeling techniques or kit reviews, was
easy to find on-line, and had prominent promotion of IPMS/USA.
Citation: For publishing a professional-looking newsletter
on a regular basis with useful and timely content including
ready links to IPMS/USA.
2011 IPMS
Region 10 Award Winners
Chapter of the
Year (R10)
Albuquerque Scale Modelers
Webmaster of
the Year (R10)
Mike Blohm, Albuquerque Scale Modelers
Newsletter of the Year (R10) The Corsair, editor Keenan Chittester, Phoenix-Craig
Hewitt chapter