AWS Section Tool Kit
Section Tool Kit
    Local Sections are the very heart and foundation of AWS and are, therfore, very important to the well being and future of the Society.  The Section Tool Kit contains a wide variety of information designed to assist Sections in the organization and operations of day-to-day activities.  Section Officers will find "how-to" manuals, as well as useful templates for a variety of letters, award certificates, and for recording meeting minutes.  Know the purpose and importance of Disrict Conferences, and why your Section should be represented. Get ideas for upcoming meetings and events from Section Success Stories, compiled from attendees who have participated in past Leadership Symposiums and much more....


Tool Kit Information Guide - Quick Links
Activity Planner Sample planner to help Sections organize Executive Board and Section activities
Annual Reports Section Annual Reports (I & II) &
International Section Report
Awards Individual recognition, Section/District and National level awards
AWS and Marvel Iron Man Comic Book Order Form Order comic books, choose distribution options
Bulletin Board Online forum for AWS Section members to access and exchange ideas
Career Fair Sample guidelines, letter templates, and sample promotional flyer for planning and hosting a Section-sponsored Career Fair.
Corporate Recruitment & Sponsorship
Information on recruiting, retaining and recognizing corporate sponsorship
Certification & Seminar Programs Schedule
Schedule for all AWS certification and seminar programs.  Includes city, state, dates, application deadlines, site codes, and hotel information.
Certification
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) may be earned by attending local Section meetings.  What your Section can do to award PDHs for attendance at Section Meetings.
Dates to Remember Calendar of important dates/deadlines
District Conferences Purpose and importance of District Conferences and why your Section should be represented
Items Available from National List of items available for Section display & distribution
Letter Templates Sample letter templates for day-to-day Section use
Liability Insurance General information and request form
Manuals Section organization and operations manuals
Minutes Templates for recording Executive Committee and Section meeting minutes
Newsletter/Mailings Information on Section monthly mailings
Speakers Directory
Section guide to available speakers
Submit Section News/Photos for Publication Guidelines and submission form
Success Stories Success stories & contact information from past Leadership Symposium attendees
Student Chapters Information on establishing and operating an AWS Student Chapter




ACTIVITY PLANNER
This Activity Planner was developed by the AWS Colorado Section to help organize Executive Board and general Section activities. The Planner includes sample templates for meeting planning, Officer contact list, member roster, To Do list, Scholarship worksheet, District/Section Awards history, Section recognition award history, and much more.

DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY PLANNER - (XLS)   UPDATED!

ANNUAL REPORTS
Section Annual Report Form -  Part I - (DOC)
Annual Section operations report

Section Annual Report Form - Part II - (XLS)
Annual Section financial report

International Section Annual Report - (DOC)
Annual International Section operations and financial report

AWARDS
Individual Section Recognition Awards
Descriptions and criteria of various Section recognition awards

Individual Recognition Certificate Award Template
Sample recognition award certificate for Officers, speakers, and outstanding members

Corporate Recognition Certificate Award Template
Sample certificate for recognizing Section scholarship recipients

Image of Welding Award
The AWS Welding Equipment Manufacturers Committee (WEMCO), announces the recipients of the fourth annual Image of Welding Awards. Divided into seven categories, these awards recognize individuals and organizations who have excelled in promoting the image of welding in their communities.

Section Scholarship Recipient Certificate Award Template
Sample certificate to recognize local corporate support

Section-Sponsored Student Welding Competition Certificate Award Template
Sample certificate for recognizing winners of Section-sponsored welding competitions

Distinguished Member Award
The AWS Distinguished Member Award was created to recognized outstanding service and commitment of AWS Members to the Society and the welding industry.

National/District/Section Awards
Description, criteria, and nomination forms for these awards are located below under District Conferences

Student Chapter Member Award
The award provides an excellent opportunity for Student Chapter Advisors, Section Officers and District Directors to recognized outstanding students affilitated with AWS Student Chapters, as well as to enhance the image of welding within your communities.

AWS Awards Directory - Part I and Part II
Part I - District/Section awards and awardees
Part II - National awards and awardees




BULLETIN BOARD
Online forum for AWS Section members to access and exchange ideas


CAREER FAIR
These guidelines for organizing and hosting a Section-sponsored Career Fair were developed by the AWS Nebraska Section to aid in planning an annual Career Fair. Their approach has proven to be successful, and the Section's Officers were asked to share their knowledge and experiences so that other Sections may adopt these guidelines to assist in planning Career Fairs in their areas.

CORPORATE RECRUITMENT & SPONSORSHIP
The following links provide information on recruiting, retaining and recognizing corporate sponsorship.  Section Chairmen may request a list of AWS Corporate Members within their Sections at any time.  Contact the Director, Member Services for an up-to-date list.

Corporate Sponsor Program
The AWS Houston Section has initiated a successful program for recruiting, retaining, and recognizing corporate sponsors.  This program also provides a fundraising stream for the Section. 
Corporate sponsor recruitment letter
Sample letter for recruiting corporate sponsorship

Corporate sponsor recognition letter
Sample thank you/recognition letter for valued corporate sponsors

Corporate recognition certificate award template
Certificate template Sections can use to create recognition awards for local corporate support
CERTIFICATION

Awarding PDHs
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) may be earned by attending local Section meetings.  What your Section can do to award PDHs for attendance at Section Meetings.

Certificate of Attendance Form
Sample Certificate of Attendance Form for credits toward professional development hours (PDHs)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SEMINAR PROGRAMS SCHEDULE
Schedule for all AWS certification and seminar programs.  Includes city, state, dates, application deadlines, site codes, and hotel information.l






DATES TO REMEMBER
Important dates to mark on your calendar

DISTRICT CONFERENCES
District Conference - General Information
Explains the purpose and importance of District Conferences and why representatives from your Section should attend

District Conference Reimbursements
Explanation of reimbursement policies for travel to your District Conference, Section rebate for attendance at the Conference, and reimbursement for the Section hosting a District Conference

District Conference Section Report Form
Short, easy to complete form to use as an aid in reporting and discussing your Section's activities at the Conference

District Scholarship Selection
Districts are allocated $5,000 for District scholarships. Each year, Conference attendees participate in the important task of selecting the District Scholarship recipients from their areas. For detailed information on application distribution, recipient selection, and scholarship funding, please click here. (pdf download)

Guidelines for Nominating & Selecting National, District, and Section Level Awardees
Suggested quidelines to aid in the selection process of award recipients at the annual District Conference.  Conference attendees nominate and select recipients for the various National, District and Section awards for that year.  These awards provide an excellent opportunity for Sections to recognize outstanding Members, both nationally and locally.

National, District, and Section Awards
Description, criteria, and nomination forms, listed by award
Student Chapter Member Award
The award provides an excellent opportunity for Student Chapter Advisors, Section Officers and District Directors to recognize outstanding students affiliated with AWS Student Chapters, as well as to enhance the image of welding within your communities.

Leadership Symposium
Information fact sheet.  A representative from each District is selected to attend this annual leadership event held each summer in Miami, Florida.

Instructors Institute
Information fact sheet.  A representative from each District is selected to attend this annual event held each summer in Miami, Florida.




FORMS
Templates for the following forms are provided to assist Sections in day-to-day activities

Cash Receipt
Template for creating a cash reciept for Section use

Check Request  - (XLS)
Template for Section Officers to use when requesting a check from the Section's Treasurer

Evaluation Form - (DOC)
Section Officers will find this form useful in gauging the success of Section meetings and special events

Invoice Template - (XLS)
Template for creating a Section invoice

Section Meeting/Event Report Form
Shor, easy to complete form required for submitting news and photos for publication in the Welding Journal



ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM AWS NATIONAL
List of items available from National for Section use and distribution.



LETTER TEMPLATES
Templates for the following letters have been created to assist Section's in day-to-day activities.

Section Masthead - AWS Logo
Approved, authorized masthead that can be used for Section letterhead, newsletters and other Section-related promotional material.

Donation thank-you letter #1
Short version donation thank-you letter for contributions to Section golf tournament, Scholarship or general fund, or other Section event

Donation thank-you letter #2
Long version donation thank-you letter for contributions to Section golf tournament, Scholarship or general fund, or other Section event

Career Fair Exhibitor Set-up Information Letter Template
Sample letter to registered exhibitors providing set-up information and instructions.

Career Fair Invitation to Participate Letter Template
Sample letter to local companies inviting them to participate in the Fair.

Corporate sponsor recognition letter
Sample thank you/recognition letter for valued corporate sponsors

Corporate sponsor recruitment letter
Sample letter that can be used for recruiting corporate sponsorship in your area.  Section Chairmen may request a list of current AWS Corporate Members within their Section to aid in this endeavor.  Contact the Director, Member Services for an up-to-date list.

Welcoming new members
Letter and  phone script included

Member retention
Letter and phone script included

Past Chairman's Night invitation letter
Sample letter inviting past Section Chairmen to a recognition meeting in their honor

Speaker request letter
Sample letter to an individual/company requesting a speaker for a future Section meeting

Speaker confirmation letter
Sample letter to confirm/thank an individual for agreeing to be a speaker/presenter at a future Section meeting

Welding for the Strength of America
Letter template for the AWS Capital Campaign, "Welding for the Strength of America," a fundraising campaign to provide and assist with workforce development for the wedling industry

LIABILITY INSURANCE
Depending on the circumstances, Sections may be required to obtain liability insurance for an event(s).  Link includes general information and insurance request form.





MANUALS
AWS Manual of Operations for Sections and Divisions
General information on Section operations, provides suggested responsibilities & duties of Section Officers

Suggested Section Bylaws


How to Run a Successful Section Meeting
Tips to help maximize the success of your Section meetings

Getting Grassroots Publicity
Guide to generating local Section publicity

AWS Logo Graphics Identity Standard
Standard for preparing printed Section communicaiton using the AWS logo.  Contact Director, Member Services for the Standard and use of the AWS logo.

Organizational Manual for Sections, Divisions and International Sections
Guidelines for establishing a new AWS Section, Division or International Section

Guidelines for Establishing a Section Scholarship Committee and Program
Guidelines to assist Sections in establishing a local scholarship program.

Recommended Procedures for Conducting a SkillsUSA Welding Contest
Procedures for conducting a Skills USA Welding Contest

Section Officer Manual
The AWS Houston Section created their own Section Officer Manual which provides a quick guide to the duties and responsibilities of Section Officers and Committee Chairmen.  Other Sections may wish to use this template as a guide to create their own manual. 
Sample Section Manual Cover Page


MINUTES
Minutes - Executive Committee
Template for preparing the minutes of your Section's Executive Committee meetings

Minutes - Section Meetings
Template for preparing the minutes of your Section meetings.



SECTION NEWSLETTER

Section Newsletter - General Information
Information on mailing labels, electronic rosters/labels, roster changes and "hot sheets."

Section Masthead - AWS Logo
Sample masthead for use on Section newsletters, letterhead and other Section-related promotional material

USPS.com
This service may be a convenient way to send, print and mail out your Section newsletters.

SECTION SUCCESS STORIES
A list of Section success stories compiled from attendees who have participated in past AWS Leadership Symosiums.  Ideas run the gamut.  Whether it was hosting a golf tournament or a student night, all of these ideas were a success and made possble through the hard work and dedication of our AWS Sections and their many volunteers.


SECTION NEWS, EVENTS AND PHOTOS PUBLISHED IN THE WELDING JOURNAL

Guidelines for Submitting Section News and Photos for Publication in the WJ
Guidelines for submitting Section news and photos for publication in the WJ

Section Meeting /Event Report Form
Short, easy to complete form required for submitting Section news and photos for publication in WJ


SPEAKERS DIRECTORY
The AWS Speakers Directory has been prepared specifically to assist Sections in locating speakers for their educational and technical programs.  The Directory contains the names and contact information of those who have volunteered to speak at local Section meetings.


STUDENT CHAPTERS

Student Chapter Annual Report
Annual Student Chapter report

Student Chapter Manual - Organization and Operation
Information on how to etablish and operate a Student Chapter

Student Chapter Member Award
This award was established for the purpose of recognizing AWS Student Members whose Student Chapter activities have produced outstanding school, community and/or industry achievements.  The award provides an excellent opportunity for Student Chapter Advisors, Section Officers and District Directors to recognized outstanding students affiliated with AWS Student Chapters, as well as to enhance the image of welding within your communities.

Student Chapter Website
Direct Link to the AWS Sutdent Chapter webpage