The "Tough Tusk Award" is the highest award granted by the National Pachyderm Federation and its local chapters. It is awarded for outstanding service in the fields of political and governmental affairs; for contributions to community improvement; and the enhancement of the political processes in a free society. The award which can be given at the local club, state federation or national level is symbolic of the Pachyderm's most notable feature, its ivory tusks.
The Pachyderm's Tusk is a tool used for gathering food for the maintenance and advancement of the group, even as we Pachyderms gather political knowledge and information to advance the principles and practices of good government. The Tusk is also a tool for the protection and preservation of the Pachyderm group from invaders and predators, even as we Pachyderms work to defend our Constitutional freedoms and liberties threatened by internal as well as external forces.
Although many applications for National Level Tough Tusk Awards are received, few are granted due to the high standards set for the award. Often, several years will go by between the awarding of National level Tough Tusks.
National Tough Tusk Awards for 2005 and 2006
None granted
The "Meritorious Service Award" is awarded to recognize those members who have either exhibited special devotion to the club over long periods of time, who have contributed exceptional service to the Republican party or the Pachyderm movement over a shorter period of time, or club members who have performed exceptional service outside of the Pachyderm organization which has brought honor and acclaim to the Pachyderm organization.
As is the case with the National level Tough Tusk Award, it is not uncommon for no National Meritorious Service awards to be granted in a given year.
National Meritorious Service
Awards for 2005 and 2006
None Granted
The "Outstanding Club President Award" is awarded to the club president that is judged to have done the best job of guiding his or her club throughout the year. This award is judged on many criteria including program, membership growth and retention, club outreach and implementation of the programs outlined in the Club Handbook. Improvement of the club toward meeting these goals is heavily weighted so that the award is based on the effort of the current president rather than allowing them to rest of the efforts of their predecessors.
Thelma Baker, Missoula Montana
Five Valley Pachyderm Club
Most Outstanding Club President in the Nation Award for 2006
Bob Aldrich, Wichita Kansas
The Wichita Pachyderm Club
Outstanding Club President for 2005
Gary Starnes, Hamilton County Pachyderm Club
Outstanding Club President for 2006
Rubye Brown, Galveston Island Pachyderm Club
The "Distinguished Club
President Award" is awarded to club
presidents who are judged to have performed their duties in an
exemplary manner but were not the winner of the "Outstanding Club
President Award". This award is judged on many criteria including
program, membership growth and retention, club outreach and
implementation of the programs outlined in the Club Handbook.
Improvement of the club toward meeting these goals is heavily weighted
so that the award is based on the effort of the current president
rather than allowing them to rest of the efforts of their predecessors.
Tony Messaro, San Angelo Pachyderm Club
Tom Wilsdon, St. Louis CountyPachyderm Club
Randy Ficken, Sedgwick County Pachyderm Club
© 2008 National Federation of
the Grand Order of Pachyderm Clubs, Inc.