The Couple of the Year program started in 1988. It's purpose is to recognize couples that exhibit the best qualities and values of GWRRA. It's an honor to be selected and you will be part of a special group of past and present COYs members who proudly wear their Couple of the Year pin on their vest or clothing. There are 4 steps in the program.
Step 1 - Chapter COY
The most important step in the program. The Chapter COY is the foundation for the other three steps. Chapters couples serve a one year term. They are picked by various means by the Chapter Directors and his or her staff. One of the best methods of selection, is to give chapter members a chance to nominate deserving couples. Potential COYs are then contacted and asked if they want to be considered. Duties and responsibilities should be explained to help the couples make an informed decision. A selection process should take place based upon the couples knowledge of, involvement in, and commitment to GWRRA. Chapter couples are ambassadors of GWRRA and usually end up being the future officers of the organization.
Requirements
1. Couple must consist of one male
and one female.
2. They must hold Individual or Family Memberships in GWRRA.
Memberships must be
valid through the term of the Chapter COY
position
Duties - Vary by chapter but could include:
1. Chapter Public Relations
Coordinator or Asst. Public Relations Coordinator
2. Greeters at Chapter Meetings.
3. Sit with and introduce first-time guests.
4. Membership coordinators, contacting inactive or expired GWRRA
members to
renew interest in GWRRA.
5. Assist at registration desks or “goodie” tables at events.
6. Assist at Mall Shows.
7. Submit articles for the Chapter newsletter.
8. Maintain the history of the Chapter and Chapter COYs.
9. Speaking at GWRRA events and non-GWRRA events and activities.
Awards & Recognition - Awards are based on what the Chapter can afford. (Some Suggestions)
1. Corsages and boutonnieres.
2. Personalized shirts with GWRRA 10” logo on back and Chapter COY
imprinted.
3. COY Pins with Chapter hanger bars.
4. Name tags.
5. COY announcement in Chapter Newletter.
6. 10” GWRRA back patches and Chapter COY rockers for the COY’s
vests.
7. Registration at District event if participating in District COY
competition.
Step 2 - District COY
The second step in the Couple of the Year Program is the District COY. The District COY is chosen each year in February at Cabin Fever. The couple serves with the Ohio District Staff for one year. A preliminary selection process takes place the prior year at the November Officers Meeting. All Chapter Couples are encouraged to participate in this process but it is not mandatory.
As soon as possible after a chapter couple decides to compete in the District Couple competition, the couple should notify their Chapter Director. The Chapter Director should notify his or hers Assistant State Director and if necessary, the District COY Coordinator. The District COY Coordinator will contact the couple and provide them with all the necessary paperwork and answer their questions about the selection process. The duties and responsibilities of the job will be detailed along with the highlights and benefits of the position.
All COY paper work should be submitted to the District COY coordinator by October 1st prior to the November Meeting. The District has to know how many couples are competing for planning purposes. For the district competition, it is not necessary for the couples to purchase expensive clothing. It is your choice. Your chapter shirt, vest, and black slacks is all that is required at this level.
Scoring - District Couple Selection
1. GWRRA commitment and
involvement. 40%
2. Oral presentation. 20%
3. Interview. 20%
4. Appearance. 20%
Requirements
1. Couple must consist of one male
and one female.
2. They must hold Individual or Family Memberships in GWRRA.
Memberships must be
valid through the term of the District COY
position.
3. Couple must be a current Chapter COY.
4. If selected as District COY, couple must be willing and able to
attend the Region COY
selection event and be considered for Region COY.
Duties
1. Assist District Public Relations
Coordinator.
2. At District Rally - serve as greeters, work the information or GWRRA
“goodies” table,
assist in Best Dressed judging,
Bike Show judging, etc.
3. Chapter visitation.
4. Assist in promotion of new Chapter kick-offs and assist at the
kick-off.
Awards & Recognition
1. Certificates of Appreciation to
all COY participants.
2. Vest or jacket with GWRRA 10” back patch and District COY
imprinted.
3. District hanger bars for their COY Pins.
4. Name tags.
5. Registration at Region event if participating in Region COY
competition.
6. Other items at the discretion of the District Director
Step 3 - Region COY
The Region Couple Competition takes place at the Region D Rally in September of each year. The competition is between the 3 District Couples, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
Requirements
1. Couple must consist of one male
and one female.
2. They must hold Individual or Family Memberships in GWRRA.
Memberships must be
valid through the term of the Region COY
position.
3. Couple must be a current District COY.
4. If selected as Region COY, couple must be willing and able to
attend Wing Ding and
to be considered for International COY.
Duties
1. Assist Region Public Relations
Coordinator with (a) media events, (b) collection of
charity information, and (c) SPEAKING AT NON-GWRRA
EVENTS/CLUBS ABOUT
GWRRA *.
2. Present COY seminars at Region Workshops and Rallies.
3. Assist in promoting Region events.
4. At Region Rally - serve as greeters, work the information or
GWRRA “goodie” table,
handle 50/50 sales, assist in Best Dressed
judging, Bike Show judging, etc.
5. Maintain contact with District COYs, providing encouragement and
guidance.
6. Participate in District Rallies and new Chapter kick-offs
whenever possible.
Awards & Recognition
1. Certificates of Appreciation to
all COY participants.
2. Vests with GWRRA 10” back patch and Region COY imprinted.
4. Region hanger bars for their COY Pins.
5. Name tags.
6. Other items at the discretion of the Region Director
NOTE: National Home Office will provide complimentary Wing Ding registration
and,
when possible hotel accommodations to all Region COYs competing at Wing Ding.
Resume
The Region COY should update their resume and
send it to the National COY
Coordinator at least two months prior to Wing Ding. The COY’s complete resume
should be no more than 6 pages (including forms and picture) and stapled only
(no
cover or binder)
Step 4 - International Couple
The final step of the program. The International Couple of the Year Competition takes place at Wing Ding in July of each year. There are usually 12 competitors, one each from each of the 12 regions that make up GWRRA. The new International Couple serves on the national staff and has a higher level of benefits that goes with the title.
Requirements
1. Couple must consist of one male
and one female.
2. They must hold Individual or Family Membership in GWRRA.
Memberships must be
valid through the term of the International COY
position.
3. Couple must be a current Region COY.
4. Couple must not have competed for International COY the previous
year (i.e., a
couple may not compete in back-to-back years).
5. Couple must not have ever been a National or International COY.
6. If selected as International COY, couple must be willing and able
to assume the
responsibilities of the International COY.
Duties
1. At Wing Ding: (a) Circulate and
participate as much as possible, demonstrating
their enthusiasm for GWRRA. (b) Attend seminars.
(c) Attend evening programs (at all
times, a special effort should be made to
introduce the International COY). (d) Ride in
parades. (e) Begin promoting next year’s Wing
Ding.
2. Throughout the year: (a) ARRANGE AND PERFORM SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
WITH NON-GWRRA GROUPS *. (b) Attend Region and
District Rallies (some to be
scheduled by the National Home Office. (c) Attend
non-GWRRA events. (NOTE: Prior
approval by GWRRA Member Enhancement Director and
Executive Director not
required for any of these activities unless
reimbursement of expenses will be required).
3. At the following year’s Wing Ding - work with the National COY
Coordinator, offering
support and guidance to the competing Region COYs.
Awards & Recognition
1. Special plaque
2. Name tags
3. International COY ribbons
4. International COY belt buckles
5. Vests with GWRRA 10” back patch and International COY imprinted
6. “National” hanger bars for their COY Pins
7. Business cards
A picture of each Region COY and an in-depth
article about the International COY with
picture should also appear in Wing World .
Note:
For a more detailed description of the Couple of the Year program. The
complete guidelines can be downloaded from the GWRRA National National Web Site.
Click the link below.