The “Certificate of Merit” is Gamma Beta Phi’s highest award, and it is presented at the National Convention each year. The National Executive Committee chooses the recipients based on information given in written nominations. Nominations may originate at the Chapter level or at the State level, with the other level cosponsoring the nomination to make it official. A two-thirds favorable vote by the NEC will then be necessary for the Certificate of Merit to be awarded. This vote is cast by Secret Ballot, and only the National Executive Director knows the outcome until it is announced at the National Convention.

A member may receive the Certificate of Merit only once every ten years. If there is a question regarding a previous recipient of the Certificate of Merit, please contact the National Headquarters.

To qualify for the Certificate of Merit Award, a member must have given “truly outstanding” service to Gamma Beta Phi. These contributions should be on at least two of the three levels of the Society. The three levels of the Society are Chapter, State, and National. It isn’t always possible to serve on all three levels; however, a member certainly has many opportunities to serve Gamma Beta Phi and should be recognized for his or her service.

Each Chapter has one or more deserving members; however, the member’s Chapter or State must assume the responsibility of nominating the members. The information should be completed in paragraph or letter form and should stress the member’s service and/or contributions to the Gamma Beta Phi Society. Remember the more levels the member has served “with distinction”, the better his or her chance is of receiving the Certificate of Merit.

The nomination(s) should be submitted to the State Advisor or State President for cosponsorship. The State Advisor or State President may also nominate a member from any of the Chapters in his or her State Council; however, these nominations must be co-sponsored by the Chapter.

ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MARCH 1st.