Founders Merit Award Series

Description
The Founders Merit Award Series, launched in 1960 with the William G. Follmer Award (now the Follmer Bronze), was
created to recognize individual HFMA members for meritorious service at the chapter level. The Robert H. Reeves and Frederick
T. Muncie Awards (now the Reeves Silver and Muncie Gold) were developed during the next nine years to recognize increasing
levels of chapter service. In 1986, a fourth award, the Founders Medal of Honor was added, along with categories of points for
national service to HFMA. The Founders Merit Award Series was revised in April 2004, returning to its core purpose of recognizing
Chapter volunteer activities. Through the series, HFMA members are rewarded for their contributions of time and effort,
without which chapter growth and success would not be possible.

Each of the first three awards is part of a merit rating plan in which specific volunteer activities are assigned a range of
point values. When the number of points earned by a member reaches 25, the Follmer Bronze Award is presented. When a 50
points are earned, the Reeves Silver Award is presented. Members who earn a 100 points are presented with the Muncie Gold
Award. Each award consists of an appropriately inscribed plaque, presented at a chapter institute each year. The award that will
be presented is determined by the number of points the member has accumulated through services at the chapter level.
Regulations governing attainment of each award are the same.

The fourth award, the Founders Medal of Honor, is not based on the point system, but is conferred by nomination of the
chapter Board of Directors. To be eligible, a member must have a minimum of three years of service since earning the Muncie
Gold Award, have provided significant service at the chapter and/or national level in at least two of those years, and currently be
a member in good standing.

Points are accumulated and accounted for on an annual basis — using the June-May membership year.

2008-09 HFMA Founders Merit Award Program: Overview and Points

(Revised May 13, 2005)

Background: The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) recognizes that its strength lies in volunteers, who contribute
their time, ideas, and energy to serve the healthcare industry, their profession, and one another. Active participation in HFMA
at the national, regional and/or chapter levels provides members with numerous opportunities for professional development, information,
networking, and advocacy. Established in 1960, the Founders Merit Award Series acknowledges the contributions made by
HFMA members. These awards are part of a merit-rating plan in which specific activities are assigned a range of point values.
The Founders Merit Award Series was revised in April 2004, returning to its core purpose of “Recognizing the Volunteer
in You”. Point categories were adjusted to reflect volunteer activity only - eliminating the accumulation of points for membership
and educational attendance. Corresponding point allocations and award levels were simultaneously adjusted.
HFMA encourages continuous active participation at the local and national levels. Therefore, the point system and award
levels have been established to promote continuous active participation in HFMA

The Awards

The William G. Follmer Bronze Award is awarded after an individual has earned 25 (formerly100) member points. This
award is named after William G. Follmer, who is credited with the creation of the American Association of Hospital Accountants
(AAHA) (now HFMA).

The Robert H. Reeves Silver Award is awarded to an individual who has earned 50 (formerly 200) total member points.
Reeves, an organizing member of the AAHA, was elected president of AAHA in 1956 and was instrumental in creating the structure
of AAHA.

The Frederick T. Muncie Gold Award is presented to a member who has earned a total of 100 (formerly 300) member
points. This award honors Frederick T. Muncie, an organizing member of the AAHA, and the first president of the association
(1947-1949). Muncie also assisted in the organization of the first AAHA chapter (First Illinois).

The Founders Medal of Honor was added in 1986 and is conferred by nomination of the Chapter Board of Directors. This
prestigious award recognizes an individual who has been actively involved in HFMA for at least three years after earning the
Muncie Gold Award, has provided significant service at the chapter, regional and/or national level in at least two of those years, and
remains a member in good standing. A chapter may nominate members for this award at any time during the year.

Note:

• Points earned by members during the prior fiscal year are reported by the Chapter’s Founders Award Chairperson to HFMA
  National by the tenth of August each year. Member points are totaled and an award list is generated for each chapter. The Chapter’s
  Founders Award Chairperson verifies the list, and the awards are then ordered.
• Although HFMA National and the chapters track most member points, it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual member
  to report points earned to the Chapter’s Founders Award Chairperson, who serves as a liaison to HFMA National.
• Member points are automatically transferred from one chapter to another. Retroactive scoring of points for all categories is permissible if appropriate documentation is provided.
• No points are earned for serving terms of office of less than one-half of a chapter’s fiscal year for any category; services a member
  is paid to perform; or for chapter participation prior to HFMA membership.
• Chapter members can view their Founders points on the HFMA National web site under activities in their personal profiles in the
  membership directory area.
  

Founders Award Point Categories and Allocations

Award And Presentation

Each award is a small, appropriately inscribed plaque.

Presentation of each award is to be made with appropriate chapter ceremonies. Presentations will be made during the months of September or October each year by all chapters.

Some Factors To Remember

• A total of 100 points is needed to qualify for each of the first three levels of awards;
• The maximum number of points members can earn during one fiscal year is 40;
• Members earning over the maximum of 40 points cannot carry these points forward;
• Points earned by members during the current fiscal year are reported to National HFMA before August 10 by local chapters;
• Points are then entered into the National HFMA database, award recipients are identified, and National HFMA notifies chapter presidents of award recipients names;
• Members points are transferred automatically from one chapter to another;
• Retroactive scoring of points for all categories is permissible if appropriate documentation is presented;
• Records may be corrected at any time;
• No points can be earned for: - services for terms of office of less than one-half of a chapter’s fiscal year for any category; - chapter participation prior to HFMA membership.