Award nominations are being accepted until May 15, 2026. Please use the online form to submit your nomination to recognize one of our deserving volunteers.

This is the list of awards available to recognize Tri-State Seminar volunteers. Please see the link provided under Quick Links to view a complete list of the Tri-State Seminar's “Honor Roll” of award recipients since 1990.

Outstanding Service Award (OSA)

This is the first level of tiered awards. In 1990, the Tri-State Seminar Executive Committee recognized the extraordinary service of Charles E. (Chuck) Ohr with the first TSS Outstanding Service Award. May be nominated by any prior recipient via an application. This is voted on by the Awards Committee.

• For those whose volunteer contribution is almost entirely at the seminar, the minimum time investment will generally be eight
• For those who make considerable volunteer contributions year-round, the general requirement is five years.
• Exceptional candidates can be considered sooner.

Big Bend Canoe Club (BBCC)

This is the second level of tiered awards. It was created in 1994. Membership in the BBCC has grown slowly, since it requires extraordinary service to Tri-State Seminar.

The badge of a Navigator is a gold paddle dubbed the 'Ohr' in honor of previously mentioned Chuck Ohr. Getting the paddle by a navigator is a prestigious moment for a Tri-State volunteer. An application must be submitted by a current member of the Big Bend Canoe Club. The Award is voted on by members of the BBCC.

• The minimum requirement for individuals whose contribution is primarily at seminars will generally be an additional eight years beyond the OSA.
• For those who make considerable volunteer contributions year-round for the seminar, the general requirement is five additional years beyond the OSA.
• Candidates with exceptional contributions can be considered earlier.

Anchor Society AKA Lifetime Achievement Award

This is the highest level of tiered awards. The three longest serving eligible active members of TSS were the initial inductees into the Anchor Society in 2017. It requires a minimum of twenty-five years of service to Tri-State. Many of these years must also include considerable contributions made outside of the actual seminar. The nominator must be a past awardee and requires an application. The award is decided by a vote by past winners. The awardee is honored with an anchor pin or necklace.

Past Chair

This is an automatic award given to the outgoing Chairman of Tri-state generally given at their outgoing seminar. This is generally an indication of many years of service, including several years on the Board of Managers.

Chairmans Award

This is given to an individual at the Chair’s discretion and approved by the awards committee for something that is deemed to deserve special recognition. Any volunteer may submit an application.

Employer Appreciation Award

This gives the volunteers of Tri-State the opportunity to recognize their agency, someone specific in their agency or an outside agency, for assistance and support, such as time or funding. Thus, enabling the volunteer(s) to participate in Tri-State. An application is required and approval from the awards committee is required.