RMPA SERVICE AWARDS
The RMPA Awards program was formally established in 1998 as a way
to recognize the special contributions of planetarians both within the RMPA region and around the country.
There are three different categories of awards described below.
Any RMPA member can nominate someone for an award. Nominees should be sent to Mickey Schmidt at
mds3dmodels@msn.com. The name should also include
a decription of why they think the person is deserving of the specified award.
THE ZENITH AWARD RMPA's most prestigious award is the Zenith Award.
In astronomy "zenith" signifies the highest possible attainment.
It is given for a life time of achievement or accomplishments so significant that
they affect not only the Rocky Mountain Planetarium Association but the
planetarium community at large, and have inspired others to follow their example.
The recipients are members who are professionals --
they are innovators, mentors, and teachers who inspire others to follow in striving for excellence.
Only members of RMPA are eligible for this award. THE FOUNDER'S AWARD
The title "founder" is meant to convey these connotations:
producer, craftsman, author, originator, initiator, inventor, builder, architect, planner, executor or artist.
Probably the most fitting for RMPA is "Prime-Mover."
The award is chosen by RMPA to honor an individual whose exceptional vision and actions
have provided the Rocky Mountain region with professional and inspiring planetarium institutions. THE POLARIS AWARD
The quality sought after for this award is a candidate that represents a kind of
"guiding star," or "showing the way." Initiated by the Awards Committee in 1999,
this annual award recognizes a member for some particularly well done project that
reflects positively on the planetarium community, or exemplary association involvement.
The Polaris Award recognizes individuals who go "above and beyond the call of duty"
and hopefully serves as an incentive to other members to follow suit by incorporating good ideas and practices.