ALA Chapter of Distinction Award
| Arizona Chapter | Arkansas Chapter | Atlanta Chapter | Austin Chapter | Boston Chapter |
| Calgary Chapter | Capital Chapter | Central Florida Chapter | Chicago Chapter | Columbus Chapter |
| Cyber Chapter | Dallas Chapter | East Bay Chapter | First State Chapter | Gateway Chapter |
| Golden Gate Chapter | Greater Kansas City Chapter | Greater Los Angeles Chapter | Houston Chapter | Independence Chapter |
| Jacksonville Chapter | Las Vegas Chapter | Maryland Chapter | Metropolitan Detroit Chapter | Middle Tennessee Chapter |
| Minnesota Chapter | New Jersey Chapter | New Orleans Chapter | New York City Chapter | Orange County Chapter |
| Oregon Chapter | Philadelphia Chapter | Pittsburgh Chapter | Puget Sound Chapter | Raleigh/Durham Chapter |
| Richmond Chapter | San Diego Chapter | Silicon Valley Chapter | South Florida Chapter | Suncoast Chapter |
| Wisconsin Chapter |
About the Award
New in 2025-2026! ALA’s Board of Directors has approved a new award to recognize the important work chapters are doing. The ALA Chapter of Distinction is awarded to chapters that go above and beyond to embody and promote ALA’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Direction and, in doing so, have a true impact on members and the legal community in their area. Successful chapters strengthen ALA. We appreciate the hard work our chapters put in to make ALA a great resource for education, networking and support — and where members are welcome to learn and grow. The Chapter of Distinction Award is a way to recognize the efforts our chapters are making to help us achieve our goals.
Note: This award replaces the Presidents’ Award of Excellence.
The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2026.
Chapter of Distinction Achievement Criteria
Award submissions will be considered on a 100-point scale with 85 points being needed to achieve the Chapter of Distinction Award. Up to 75 points can be submitted through the checklist section, and up to 25 points can be submitted through the essay section. Eligibility: As the chapter performance objectives are a baseline for all chapters and part of general Chapter Compliance, only chapters that meet all of ALA’s Chapter Performance Objectives will be considered.
After the submission deadline, all submissions will be reviewed by a group appointed by the ALA Board of Directors.
Understand the Requirements
Please review the parameters for the Chapter of Distinction Award below. ALA's guidelines for a great awards submission can be a helpful resource as you review the criteria.
The items below include tasks and initiatives for each area of ALA’s Strategic Direction that successful chapters should strive to accomplish. The ALA Board of Directors has determined that the achievement of these items is foundational for successful chapters.
Please check all items achieved by the chapter from January 1, 2025–February 28, 2026.
Each item is worth three (3) points. As a reminder, chapters can achieve up to 75 points through the items listed in this section.
Member Experience (7):
- Communicate ALA information to chapter members. Examples of information to share: news, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events promote online community.
- Communicate chapter information to chapter members. Examples: chapter news, volunteer opportunities, member achievements, chapter achievements, upcoming events
- Regularly utilize the chapter’s Online Community in Tradewing to keep members updated on both chapter news and events and engage them through the discussion forum.
- Communicate benefits of membership to current and prospective members.
- Communicate, at minimum, six (6) times per year with the chapter’s Chapter Connections Committee liaison.
- Conduct an annual survey designed to determine how the chapter can optimize member experience
- Engage with independent members in your local community. Examples: email outreach, invitation to events
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (4):
- Maintain a DEIA mission statement and share with chapter members
- Maintain a DEIA committee
- Ensure that all chapter committees collaborate on DEIA efforts
- Ensure that meetings and events are accessible to all attendees
Impact (6):
- Submit an updated chapter profile, including a list of current business partners, to ALA annually
- Collaborate with and promote business partners
- Provide chapter activity reports and/or photos to ALA for inclusion in various ALA publications.
- Promote awareness of ALA’s Awards Program and nominate chapter members or your chapter for such awards where possible
- Upload chapter newsletters, news blasts and chapter meeting minutes to the chapter’s online community in Tradewing
- Actively encourage members to engage with the social media channels of ALA and its affiliates. Example: Like, follow and share content of all ALA business partners, like, follow and share content of other ALA chapters.
Innovation (1):
- Facilitate collaboration with firms, bar associations, strategic alliance partners and other chapters.
Education & Professional Development (7):
- Promote readership of Legal Management magazine
- Actively promote and educate members about ALA’s Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® Program
- Enter the chapter’s educational program summaries and evaluations into ALA’s Chapter Education Database
- Encourage board members to attend and/or listen to recordings of the Chapter Leader Educational Series sessions.
- Participate in the Chapter Leader Online Community
- Submit at least two (2) nominations from the chapter’s membership for an ALA or Foundation of ALA volunteer position
- Ensure that at least one chapter leader attends the Chapter Leadership Institute. Remember that funding assistance is available
- Ensure attendance at the Essentials of Chapter Leadership. Remember that funding assistance is available
Select at least one item below and share details in a single essay form (500 words or fewer) or in a single video format (five minutes or fewer) regarding a successful chapter initiative or activity that has had an impact on members and the legal community in your area and beyond. Multiple items can be shared within one essay or video, or multiple videos/essays can be submitted.
This section is worth up to 25 points. The group reviewing the submissions will assign point totals.
Member Experience:
- How does the chapter maintain and promote a member mentor or peer support program AND promote the ALA Member Ambassador Program?
- How does the chapter engage members at all levels (newer professionals and seasoned members)?
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility:
- How does the chapter move beyond traditional DEIA initiatives so that DEIA is seen and felt in everything you do? Does the chapter focus on accessibility?
Impact:
- How does the chapter encourage interaction and engagement with Business Partners?
- How does the chapter promote and create awareness of the Foundation of ALA?
- Does the chapter conduct joint events or initiatives with another organization? This can be as simple as hosting a joint idea exchange with the local paralegal association or marketing association.
- Does the chapter provide enrichment within the community through activities such as internship programs, advisory panels, etc. Describe initiatives.
Innovation:
- How do you use member survey data to drive innovation in your chapter?
- How is the chapter reinforcing ALA's position as an industry leader within the legal management ecosystem?
- What outside of the box ideas has the chapter implemented to effect positive change, growth or awareness in the local legal community?
Education & Professional Development:
- How is the chapter promoting and encouraging attendance at ALA's Annual Conference & Expo, specialized conferences and other educational opportunities?
- What innovative educational opportunities has the chapter offered in the past year?
Use These Forms to Track Your Progress
The submission form for the Chapter of Distinction Award will be available later this summer. To begin tracking your chapter's progress, please review the criteria above.
We’re Here to Help You With the Application Process
We understand you might have some questions as you work through your submission for this new award. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Chapter Connections Committee or email us at [email protected] so we can get you the answers you need.
Helpful Links
