Augusta Horsey Nash Service Award

Andrea Hopke Receives the 2009 Augusta Horsey Nash Service Award

Last Saturday, December 12th, approximately 60 GCA members and guests had the pleasure of seeing Jane Howe and Kelly Jones present the 2009 Augusta Horsey Nash Service Award to Andrea Hopke.  This award recognizes outstanding service to GCA and the coaching community.  Originally conceived in 2005 by the GCA Board of Directors, this annual Service Award is named in honor of its first recipient, Augusta Horsey Nash, MCC.  Past recipients include Betsy Pickren, Jane Howe, and Kelly Jones.

As the recipient of this year’s Service Award, Andrea was recognized by the Board of Directors for her consistent and enthusiastic support of GCA, its mission, and its membership.  In addition to acknowledging Andrea’s service to GCA, this Award celebrates her role as Co-Chair for the 2009 Prism Award event. 

• Andrea's very presence is filled with integrity, consideration, inclusion and professionalism.  I appreciate her positive attitude and the ease at which she creates unity by inviting people to be a part of something greater thereby contributing their talents. 
• Formation of Mastermind groups: Andrea volunteered to continue this invaluable asset to GCA community.
• Co-Chair of Prism 2008 selection committee:  Andrea not only headed up this committee, she created a new philosophy and direction so this team could be more effective. She revised the nomination form and selection criteria to create greater standards of fairness and objectivity in the selection of Prism winners.
• Co-Chair Prism 2009:  Although she declined this role initially, her awareness of the greater good GCA and the coaching profession had her step up and co-lead this event with Charles Lewis.  It's that unselfish and strategic thinking that make her so effective.  In addition, when it came time to look to Prism 2010, Andrea pulled together past leaders for their advice and wisdom; became the formation of a theme and recruited almost 80% of the new team.
• The other thing I appreciate about Andrea is that she has never been on the GCA board -- and yet, she is inspired to lead from her membership position.  Andrea Hopke is a shining example of someone inspired from within to give outstanding service from the kindness of her heart and the quality of her character - without being told or asked to.

Andrea’s gracious acceptance speech vividly demonstrated the values for which she was being recognized – creativity, fun, warmth, inclusion, achievement, and inspiration. 

In October, the GCA Board of Directors solicited nominations from the membership for this prestigious Service Award.  In addition to Ms. Hopke, Cathy Perry, Tony Klingmeyer, and Letitia Switzer were nominated by GCA members.  All three of these people exemplify volunteerism at its very best.  They and others like them are the fuel that runs GCA.  Congratulations!        

Congratulations Andrea!