[Cynette]

The Chairman's award recognizes a team that makes a good role model for other teams, so one of the things your team can do is figure out what things they do that are worth emulating. And the best part of that is that Chairman's teams will help you do that. I know our team loves to share the things we do with other teams with the hope that it will make the other teams stronger as well!

And it isn't a matter of "catching" them. It's a matter of finding your own team's strength and using them to make the greatest impact on your team, your school (or sponsoring organizations, i.e. Girl Scouts, 4-H), your community, and so on. And its a matter of being proud of your efforts and taking the time to write the essay, make the video, complete the application, prepare the presentation and having a great time telling the judges who you are and what you've done!

Young teams "catch" older teams all the time. I wish that all the teams would take the time to apply for Chairman's. To me, the process of documenting your team's efforts is worth so much in developing student leadership and presentation skills, and is useful for selling your team to your school and sponsors.

Please continue to GO FOR IT!!!