Established January 30, 1988

Purpose: To honor and recognize a staff or volunteer member of the AMC White Mountain community who best exemplifies the type of high quality public service that became the hallmark of longtime AMC Huts Manager Joe Dodge's distinguished career at Pinkham Notch. Beyond his commitment to the AMC, Joe showed dedication to the surrounding community through his work as a weather observer, coordinator of search and rescue, and a founding member of the Mt. Washington Observatory. The award aims to recognize the special ability of Joe Dodge to inspire those working with him: on some occasions it was accomplished by hearty compliment; on others by strongly worded injunction; on still others not by words but by being left alone with the abundantly clear expectation that a mission would be carried out effectively and on time.

Criteria: A nominee may be a current employee, former employee, or volunteer. The essential idea is that the award recognizes the ideals and practices of Joe Dodge and previous award recipients; and the award's existence might stimulate others to strive for consistent excellence into the future. The traits of friendly public service and inspiration to fellow workers are integral to the award and character of Joseph Brooks Dodge, Huts Manager from 1928-1959. Further, the award should focus on actions that relate to AMC activities in the White Mountains – particularly the huts and trails and Pinkham Notch.

Nomination Process: Annual solicitation of nominations will be placed on the AMC website, in the September issue of AMC Outdoors, and sent to all AMC staff and AMC Chapter Newsletter editors. Staff and volunteers from all areas are welcome to make nominations on a standard form that is forwarded to a contact person. Electronic submission of nominations is encouraged to facilitate distribution to the Award Review Committee. Members of the award review committee are not eligible during their terms of office. Nomination form >>

Award Review Committee: The review committee will consist of up to seven members from the following constituencies: three members nominated by the Old Hutman's Association including representatives of the Dodge Family, two members of AMC North Country staff appointed by the Executive Director, and two members of AMC North Country volunteer programs (Trail Adopters, Volunteer Naturalists, Information Volunteers) appointed by the President of the Board of Directors. One member of the committee will be designated as chair and contact person for the nomination and review process.

Review Process: Following an initial review, appropriate members of the review committee will seek additional input on the most promising nominees from volunteers and staff familiar with the nominee's contributions. The review committee will forward their recommendation to the Board Executive Committee for their final decision as with other annual club-wide rewards.

Award: Awards are presented during the AMC's Annual Meeting. A framed certificate will be presented to the recipient and their name will be included on the Joe Dodge Award plaque hung prominently at Pinkham Notch. Information on the award recipients will be communicated to the AMC website and AMC Outdoors and announced in other appropriate locations.  Recent award recipients >>