Thank you for your interest in the American Academy of Floriculture.
Members of the American Academy of Floriculture share an honor that can be achieved by those individuals meeting the Academy's high standards of service to their industry and community. Nomination and acceptance into the Academy is open to qualified persons in all segments of the industry. Current Academy members include retailers, wholesalers, growers, educators, scientists, designers and business persons in allied services. The stringent requirements of the Academy make AAF status a distinction recognized throughout the industry.
Established in 1965 under the auspices of the Society of American Florists, the Academy carries out SAF's efforts to encourage, measure and recognize those members who have committed their time and energy to both the floral industry and their community.
The SAF Awards Committee reviews all applications at its spring meeting. Formal induction into the Academy is made during the SAF annual convention. The deadline for the 2008 applications is February 1, 2008.
As an AAF applicant, you must maintain an active SAF membership. If you are an employee, not the owner of an SAF member firm, you must have your own individual SAF associate membership in order to be considered for AAF. Please contact me and I will forward any membership forms you may need.
Please review the criteria below, and if you qualify, I hope you will consider applying. To receive an AAF application, please contact me at (800) 336-4743;
. Or you can complete the online AAF application. All submitted applications become the sole property of the Society of American Florists.
Sincerely,
Karen Eppard Awards Committee Liaison
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING AN APPLICATION WITH THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FLORICULTURE
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Care in filling out the information required in the application is extremely important. Incomplete or inaccurate recording of facts can cause delay and disappointment. Please keep in mind that all information will be kept confidential.
1. Please read the criteria and application for admission to the Academy in its entirety before you fill anything out.
2. Please print legibly or complete the online application form.
3. There is a non-refundable application fee of $150. A check in that amount must accompany this application.
4. Please return the completed application with your check by February 1, 2008 to: American Academy of Floriculture, Society of American Florists, 1601 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
5. Below is a timeline for the 2008 American Academy of Floriculture application process:
Application and Credit Letters due to SAF
February 1, 2008
Applications reviewed by Awards Committee
March 2008
Notification of approval or denial by SAF
April 2008
Color Photo and Biographical Material due to SAF
June 2008
Induction into AAF at SAF Palm Beach 2008 Convention
September 2008
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION
TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FLORICULTURE
OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS
This criteria is the minimum criteria for applicants for admission to the American Academy of Floriculture. Meeting the minimum criteria does not automatically confer membership in AAF nor guarantees admission to AAF.
GENERAL CRITERIA
1. The candidate for admission must be a member in good standing of the Society of American Florists for three years or more and must maintain that membership to qualify for using the AAF designation. Employees of SAF member firms must have their own SAF Associate membership.
2. If applicants are owners, principles or partners of a business, they must have a favorable credit rating as evidenced by four letters from trade references. If applicants are employees of a member firm they must provide two letters of personal reference. Personal reference letters should not be from immediate family members or same company employees.
3. The candidate for admission must be endorsed in writing by two current members of the Academy. Endorsement letters should not be from immediate family members or same company employees.
4. The candidate for admission must have served or worked in the floral industry on a full-time basis a minimum of 10 years.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Admittance to the American Academy of Floriculture is an honor that is bestowed on those who have not only contributed to their industry, but also to their community. As evidence of a candidate's community service, a candidate should meet three of the 10 criteria listed below.
The candidate for admission is a current or former active member of a community service organization such as the Kiwanis, Soroptomists, PTA, etc.
The candidate has been actively involved in a community service project.
The candidate has served as chairman of a local civic service project.
The candidate has actively participated in a neighborhood or community improvement or beautification project.
The candidate has served as an officer of a neighborhood or community organization.
The candidate has served as an officer or director of a community service group or organization.
The candidate has been actively involved in a local issue or referendum such as a school bond or tax issue.
The candidate has served as an elected local or state official.
The candidate has served on a community board such as a planning board.
The candidate has been the recipient of an award for community service.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
I. The candidate for admission must hold membership in the local, state or regional allied floral societies serving his or her area.
II. The candidate for admission must have served as a member of a committee or on the board of directors of a local, state or regional allied floral society, or the Society of American Florists or another major national floral association affiliated with the Society of American Florists, such as WF&FSA, AIFD, Foliage Marketing Institute, etc.
III. In addition to the two requirements listed above, the candidate for admission must meet at least three of the following criteria:
The candidate has attended an educational program sponsored by SAF or one of its allied societies designed to improve the candidate's competence in the floral business.
The candidate has attended a state, regional or national convention of a floricultural organization allied with the Society of American Florists.
The candidate has conducted an educational program or seminar of at least one hours' duration for members of the floral industry.
The candidate has written an article published in the official publication of SAF or one of its allied societies.
The candidate has conducted a program of at least 30 minutes' duration on some aspect of ornamental horticulture for members of the public, i.e. a program at a service club meeting.
The candidate has conducted a program informing students at the high school or college level of the benefits of a career in ornamental horticulture.
The candidate has engaged in or supported biological research designed to improve the quality or variety of ornamental horticulture.
The candidate has received an award from SAF or one of its allied societies recognizing the candidate's contribution.
The candidate has served as a volunteer designer or commentator at an industry gathering such as a convention or educational program.
Candidates who meet the minimum criteria and who file an application for admittance will be considered for admittance by the Board of Trustees at the next meeting if all required documentation for the candidate is received at least 60 days prior to the scheduled meeting of the Trustees. Materials received after the deadline will be held over to the next scheduled meeting.
Click here to request an application for the American Academy of Floriculture.
