Recognizing and Rewarding Ducks Unlimited Chapters

As the heart and soul of Ducks Unlimited, dedicated volunteers across our country manage and coordinate more than 5,000 local fund-raising events, energize college campuses, raise political awareness and showcase wildlife art.

Whether it's selling tickets, gathering donations, securing sponsors or putting together one heck of a party, DU volunteers annually generate more than $45 million and more than 400,000 memberships, the lifeblood of our mission.

The Presidential Citation Award is designed to reward a Ducks Unlimited volunteer chapter for growth. It also helps plan the chapter's activities in a focused manner. It is awarded to chapters based on calendar year fund-raising accomplishments. Award criteria are in the areas of grassroots income, adult event members, event efficiency and 10/30. Each chapter that qualifies is awarded a Presidential Citation banner to be displayed at the next year's event.

Presidential Citation Award Levels

Qualifications for the Presidential Citation Award
(Suggested Strategies bulleted)

1.  Calendar year minimum of $5,000 chapter grassroots income and 50 adult event members

2.  Increase in chapter grassroots income over prior year by 5%

• Increase number of sponsors
• Upgrade bronze sponsors to silver, gold and life
• Increase underwriting
• Hold a 2nd event

3.  Increase in chapter adult event members over prior year by 5%

• New committee members that can sell tickets to new attendees
• Target waterfowl hunters for advance ticket sales
• Use event attendance prospecting report to increase advance ticket sales
• Corporate table program
• Capture all banquet attendees on tickets
• Post-event membership drive
• 2nd event

4.  Net/net to Gross on Chapter Dinner event of 60%

• Merchandise fits attendance needs
• Raffle planning for a 3:1 ratio between gross and cost
• Auction item donations

5.  Event Tickets must be received within 10 days of events; financial report and final proceeds in 30 days

• Make sure volunteers check committee member box on the event ticket
• Make sure sponsor amounts are written on the event ticket
• Ticket count matches attendance