Looking for the work of the Awards Committee?
This page is the internal page describing the committee and providing volunteer contacts. The work of the committee can be found by clicking here:
What the committee does:
At the awards banquet during each annual NSS Convention, the NSS recognizes exceptional people both in and outside of the Society by presenting awards for outstanding accomplishments. More information on the individual awards and how to submit nominations is on the NSS Awards page.
Reports to:
Membership Division
Contact Information
Important Links
NOVEMBER 15 - Before this date, NSS members send award suggestions and support material to the individual award subcommittee chairman. In addition to these nominating letters, the subcommittee chairman also solicits suggestions from his or her own subcommittee. The sub-chairman then sends his or her final list of suggestions to the Awards Committee Chairman. The sub-chairman also sends the list to the NSS office to verify eligibility and to verify no breaks in membership. Remember, all award nominations and supporting materials must be received by the appropriate subcommittee chair by November 15th.
DECEMBER 15 - The Awards Committee Chairman sends a list of the award nominees to all members of the Awards Committee and the Board of Governors for comment and additional background they may have on the nominee.
JANUARY 15 - A packet containing copies of comments and letters about each nominee is circulated to members of the Awards Committee together with a ballot. The Awards Committee does not make a recommendation for the Outstanding Service and Honorary Member Awards. These two awards are selected by the Board of Governors.
FEBRUARY 15 - The Awards Committee Chairman sends a final list of nominees, with the recommended recipient, to the members of the Board of Governors for their information and in preparation for the spring Board of Governors meeting.
SPRING BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING (Usually in March) - The Board of Governors chooses and/or ratifies the awards.
AFTER THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING - The Awards Committee Chairman notifies the members of the Awards Committee who has been chosen to receive an award and instructs the appropriate sub-chairman to notify the recipient of his or her selection. Award recipients are asked to keep his or her selection secret until the convention banquet.
The William J. Stephenson Award for Outstanding Service
Honorary Member Award
Lew Bicking Award
Victor A. Schmidt Conservation Award
Science Award
Spelean Arts and Letters Award
Certificate of Merit
Fellow of the Society
Peter M. Hauer Spelean History Award
James G. Mitchell Award
Steve Hudson Award for Cave Rescue
Outstanding Landowner Award
Group Conservation Award
Nominations can be sent to [email protected]. ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 15th. Please see 'Nominating Criteria & Past Recipients' Above for information on each award.
