6.1 Purpose and Granting of Awards

AOS awards are designed to encourage and to recognize meritorious achievement in all fields of orchid endeavor. To accomplish this, awards are granted to individual persons, individual orchid plants, groups of orchid plants, cut flowers, and orchid arrangements, all in accordance with established rules. Wherever the granting of such awards is determined by use of point scores, the appropriate point scale shall be used. Awards granted to individual plants are made to a particular cultivar, which must be designated by a permanent cultivar name and the award (or highest award if there are two or more), although only the originally judged portion receives a certificate.

Though a cultivar name is required for an award, the Certificate of Cultural Excellence or Certificate of Cultural Merit are awarded to the exhibitor of the plant and do not become a part of the plant’s historic record. Therefore, divisions of the cultivar bear the cultivar name but not the designation of CCE or CCM.

Awards are granted either by the Board of Trustees, in the case of the Special Annual Awards, or by AOS judges in all other cases except the Certificate of Meritorious Arrangement.

Awards may be made only in accordance with the rules in this Handbook in the following situations:

1. At the 27 AOS-approved judging centers, and their 11 additional sites.

2. At AOS-sanctioned shows and events of Affiliated Societies.

3. At regional or international orchid congresses and conferences, if the event or show is sanctioned by the AOS; and

4. At overseas shows sanctioned by the AOS in which AOS judges conduct the award judging.

6.1.1 Accepted Authorities

The American Orchid Society accepts the Plants of the World online https://powo.science.kew.org), (formerly World Checklist of Selected Plant Families) (https://wcsp.science.kew.org) as its primary source of validly published and recognized orchid species nomenclature, including subspecies, forms, and varieties. Names below the level of species (formas and varieties) synonymized by the checklist are still used for award purposes as long as that name is validly published, and a set of clear distinguishing features can be determined. For instance, awards to Cattleya trianae f. alba are published because a clear determination can be made that the plant in question fits the circumscription of the taxa. For horticultural variants for which there is no validly published taxonomic name, the distinguishing feature should be included in the cultivar name such as Cattleya trianae 'Blue Giant'. Alternatively, such cultivars can be indicated by a color group name, capitalized and in Roman type in parentheses following the plant name - i.e., Cattleya trianae (Blue Group) or Cattleya trianae (Coerulea) would be designated to accommodate the cerulean forms of C. trianae.

For matters of hybrid nomenclature, the AOS accepts the Royal Horticultural Society Orchid Hybrid Register as its source of grex names and hybrid parentage.

6.2 Awards for Individual Plants (and Special Groups of Plants)

6.2.1 Flower Quality Awards

The AOS offers three flower quality awards – the First Class Certificate (FCC), the Award of Merit

(AM), and the Highly Commended Certificate (HCC). All are scored based on the point scales defined in 7.2.1 through 7.2.10; all scores are recorded as whole numbers. The award definitions are as follows:

6.2.1.1 First Class Certificate (FCC)

Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores 90 points or more.

6.2.1.2 Award of Merit (AM)

Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores between 80 and 89 points, inclusive.

6.2.1.3 Highly Commended Certificate (HCC)

Awarded to an orchid species or hybrid which scores between 75 and 79 points, inclusive.

6.2.2 Awards Recognizing Superior Plant Cultivation

The AOS offers two awards recognizing sustained, outstanding culture of an orchid – the Certificate of Cultural Excellence (CCE) and the Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM). Both are awarded to the exhibitor and require that the entry have been in the care of the exhibitor for at least 12 months immediately prior to the award. The entry must be of robust health and appearance with an unusually large number of flowers.

Plants presented for judging must clearly be a single cultivar and adhere to the following:

- For plants with a sympodial growth habit each growth must be continuously connected to its preceding growth.

- For plants with a monopodial growth habit, lateral growths, offshoots, or ‘keikis’ must have a clear, unbroken connection to the mother plant.

- For colony-forming terrestrial or semi-terrestrial genera (which may be neither sympodial or monopodial in nature), the colony must be of a single cultivar.

Nominated plants are scored on the point scale found in paragraph 7.3.1

6.2.2.1 Certificate of Cultural Excellence (CCE)

To be awarded, the plant must score at least 90 points.

6.2.2.2 Certificate of Cultural Merit (CCM)

To be awarded, the plant must score between 80 and 89 points, inclusive.

6.2.3 Botanical Awards

The AOS offers two botanical awards – the Certificate of Horticultural Merit (CHM) and the Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR). Both awards are granted provisionally pending taxonomic verification by the Species Identification Task Force (SITF) and are filed with the judging center chair; submission of a plant for verification must take place no more than 60 days after the date the award takes place.

Taxonomic verification need not be presented prior to an award being granted; if it was previously obtained, it should be submitted when the plant is judged for inclusion with the request for identification by the SITF. So long as the question of verification is actively being pursued by the SITF the award will remain provisional and need not be considered for nullification.

Taxonomic verifications should acknowledge the name or names under which the taxon has been previously known if that differs from the botanically correct name. Once an award has been cleared it

shall stand, regardless of subsequent name changes resulting from taxonomic changes or award challenges. A species or natural hybrid shall not receive, at the same judging, a CBR and a CHM.

6.2.3.1 Certificate of Horticultural Merit (CHM)

Awarded to a cultivar of a species, subspecies, variety, or natural hybrid with outstanding aesthetic appeal that contributes to the horticultural aspects of orchidology. The entire plant must be exhibited. The plant and flowers displayed must be established in or upon its growing medium, in good condition, and have sufficient flowers to judge the horticultural merit of the plant. This certificate may be awarded more than once if a plant has characteristics significantly desirable and different from other awarded cultivars. The distinctive features of the cultivar must be clearly described, measurements recorded, and the country of origin, if known, should be noted. The award may not be granted to a cultivar which has previously received a Certificate of Botanical Merit (an award that has been discontinued). A score of at least 80 points on the point scale in paragraph 7.3.2 is required.

6.2.3.2 Certificate of Botanical Recognition (CBR)

Awarded to a cultivar of a species, subspecies, variety, or natural hybrid deemed especially worthy of recognition for rarity, novelty, or educational value previously unrecorded by AOS. The entire plant must be exhibited. The plant must be established in or upon its growing medium, in good condition, and while it need have no special horticultural value, it must be deemed by the judging team to be representative of the taxon being recognized.

No award of any kind may have previously been made to the taxon. A taxon may be granted a second CBR only to correct a clear taxonomic error in the record and the description of such an award must clearly state the reason for the second award.

6.2.4 Awards Recognizing Excellence in Orchid Breeding and Hybridization

6.2.4.1 Award of Distinction (AD)

Awarded once to a grex or strain, exhibited individually or collectively, representing a worthy new direction in breeding. The award is granted unanimously without scoring by the judging team assigned. The specific values for which this award is granted must be recorded in the award description by the judging team. If the hybridizer and exhibitor are different, each shall receive a certificate. The Award of Distinction is not given a cultivar name.

6.2.4.2 Award of Quality (AQ)

Awarded once to a strain which is the result of a mating of specific cultivars which meets all of the following requirements:

- The entry must be exhibited as a group of not less than 12 different clones or inflorescences thereof: and

- The entry must be of a seed-raised species or hybrid, and

- The entry must demonstrate a result of sufficient improvement over the former type, and,

- The parental cultivar epithets and the hybridizer of this strain, (not necessarily the registrant of the hybrid), must be provided by the exhibitor(s) upon entry, and

- At least one cultivar of the exhibited strain must receive, or have received, a flower quality award. It is granted unanimously without scoring by the judging team assigned. The specific values for which this award is granted must be recorded in the award description by the judging team. If the hybridizer and exhibitor are different, each shall receive a certificate. The Award of Quality is not given a cultivar name.

- It is granted unanimously without scoring by the judging team assigned. The specific values for which this award is granted must be recorded in the award description by the judging team. If the hybridizer and exhibitor are different, each shall receive a certificate. The Award of Quality is not given a cultivar name.

6.2.5 Other Awards for Individual Plants (and Special Groups of Plants)

6.2.5.1 Judges' Commendation (JC)

Awarded to flowers or plants, individually or in groups, for a distinctive characteristic or aspect of historical or other importance which, in the opinion of the judges, is worthy of recognition. Judges' Commendations must record the specific values for which the award is given. The award is granted without scoring by an affirmative vote of at least 75 percent of the judging team assigned.

6.3 Special Annual Awards

6.3.1 Creation of New Awards

The national AOS awards program began in 1964 as a mechanism to recognize and honor individuals and photographers who exhibited and photographed the best awarded plant/flower in various broad categories across the entire judging system in the previous calendar year and to honor various individuals for their life-long contributions to the AOS and orchids.

Every year, each judging center submits their selection for the best example of each one of the Special Annual Awards from the previous calendar year, which are then put forward for the overall vote to choose the winning orchid or display. These award-winning plants, exhibitors and photographers are honored at the spring Members’ Meeting. They are also recognized in OrchidPro and appear in the April issue of Orchids Magazine.

6.3.1.1 Process:
Applications should indicate the name of the sponsoring individual or institutions, the individual(s) intended to be honored and a detailed account of the honoree’s contributions to the AOS and orchids. The application should detail funding the endowment in its entirety upon approval. The AOS cannot receive and hold donations for a proposed award.

6.3.1.2 The cost of the endowment is currently $10,000. Remuneration should not be sent to the AOS until the award has been voted on and approved, at which time the funding should be sent within 30 days. Individuals or institutions wishing to nominate an annual award to be named in some manner should not send any funds to the AOS until such time as the proposed award has been approved. The winning recipient each year will be bestowed the interest earned on the account.

6.3.1.3 Applications for the following categories for new annual national plant awards should be sent to the Chair of the Judging Committee (judging_committee@aos.org) for review prior to actions by the Judging Policy Task Force, the Judging Committee and final recommendation to the Board of Trustees for approval:

• Coelogyninae

• Maxillariinae (that do not fall under the Berliner award)

• Terrestrials

• Zygopetalinae 

• Oncidiinae (that do not fall under the Dugger, Carpenter and Riopelle awards)

6.3.1.4 Individuals/institutions wishing to sponsor an award for a different category, must obtain approval from the Judging Committee in advance of making a submission for a new award.

6.3.1.5 Each winner shall receive an appropriate, signed award certificate. All awards must have been cleared (paid for) before they can be eligible for these Special Annual Awards.

6.3.2 The Special Annual Awards

6.3.2.1 The Ann and Phil Jesup Botanical Trophy
The Ann and Phil Jesup Botanical Trophy is a trophy awarded to the grower of the orchid species plant which is regarded as the most outstanding orchid species awarded during the previous calendar year. The award was established in 2002 and endowed by donations to honor Ann and Phil Jesup.

6.3.2.2 The Butterworth Prize
The Butterworth Prize is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of orchid culture to have been awarded a Certificate of Cultural Excellence or Certificate of Cultural Merit during the preceding calendar year. This, the first of the AOS' permanently endowed awards, was provided in l966 through the gift to the AOS from Mrs.

Rachel Butterworth Dietz in memory of her parents, John and Nancy Butterworth, and of George Butterworth, past president of the AOS.

6.3.2.3 The W. W. Wilson Award
The W. W. Wilson Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Cypripedium Alliance awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 1990 and endowed by donations to honor William W. Wilson, MD.

6.3.2.4 The Masatoshi Miyamoto Award
The Masatoshi Miyamoto Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Cattleya Alliance awarded during the preceding calendar year. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the Miyamoto and Gerber awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The award was established in 1991 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Masatoshi Miyamoto.

6.3.2.5 The Herbert Hager Award
The Herbert Hager Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the genus Phalaenopsis awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 1992 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Herbert Hager.

6.3.2.6 The Carlyle A. Luer Award
The Carlyle A. Luer Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Pleurothallid Alliance awarded during the preceding calendar year. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the Luer and Ferrusi awards, however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The award was established in 1992 and endowed by donations to honor Carlyle A. Luer, MD.

6.3.2.7 The Merritt W. Huntington Award
The Merritt W. Huntington Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding flower to have been awarded a First Class Certificate (FCC) during the preceding calendar year. No judging center nominations are necessary for this award as all FCCs are eligible. The award was established in 1992 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Merritt W. Huntington.

6.3.2.8 The Roy T. Fukumura Award
The Roy T. Fukumura Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the genus Vanda, those genera in the subtribe Aeridinae (=Sarcanthinae) which hybridize with Vanda, and their intergeneric hybrids, excluding Phalaenopsis, awarded during the preceding calendar year. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for both the Fukumura and the Fuchs Awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The award was established in 1993 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Roy T. Fukumura.

6.3.2.9 The James and Marie Riopelle Award
The James and Marie Riopelle Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species, intersectional hybrid or intrasectional hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of Miltonia/Miltoniopsis awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 1993, endowed by Mr. and Mrs. James H. Riopelle, and augmented by donations to honor them.

6.3.2.10 The Robert B. Dugger Award
The Robert B. Dugger Odontoglossum Award, established by the friends of Robert B. Dugger and members of the Odontoglossum Alliance, has been presented by the AOS trustees since 1996. It recognizes the work of a man who was responsible for the 1980s renaissance in Odontoglossums. Dugger established new pathways in intergeneric breeding and created more than 8,000 crosses. Plants, either species or hybrid, eligible for the Robert B. Dugger Award should have parentage that contains an Odontoglossum as defined by the taxonomy in place at the time the award was established and have been awarded during the preceding calendar year. Examples of these species include the following: Odm. crispum/Onc. alexandrae, Odm./Onc. nobile (Odm. pescatorei), Odm./Onc. cirrhosum, Odm./Onc. spectatissimum, Odm./Onc. luteo-purpureum, and Odm./Onc. Hallii. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the Carpenter and Dugger awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these Awards.

6.3.2.11 The Benjamin Kodama Award
The Benjamin Kodama Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Dendrobium Alliance awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 1996 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Benjamin Kodama.

6.3.2.12 The Fred Hillerman Award
The Fred Hillerman Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Angraecoid Alliance awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 2000 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Fred Hillerman.

6.3.2.13 The Benjamin C. Berliner Award
The Benjamin C. Berliner Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the genera Lycaste, Ida, or Anguloa or the hybrids between those genera awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 2000 and endowed by donations to honor Benjamin C. Berliner, M.D.

6.3.2.14 The Milton Carpenter Award
The Milton Carpenter Oncidiinae Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, regarded the most outstanding example of intergeneric hybridizing within the Oncidiinae alliance, excluding Trichocentrum, Tolumnia, Cyrtochilum and Psychopsis, awarded during the previous calendar year. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the Carpenter and Dugger awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The Award was established in 2005 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Milton Carpenter, commercial grower, hybridizer, past president of the AOS, and one of the truly great ambassadors for the hobby.

6.3.2.15 The Ernest Hetherington Award
The Ernest Hetherington Cymbidium Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either standard, miniature or novelty hybrid, or species, regarded as the most outstanding example of the genus Cymbidium awarded in the previous calendar year. The award was established in 2006 and endowed by donations from the Cymbidium Society of America to honor Mr. Ernest Hetherington.

6.3.2.16 The Bill Thoms Award
The Bill Thoms Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Bulbophyllinae Subtribe awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 2007 and endowed by donations to honor Mr. Bill Thoms.

6.3.2.17 The Frank Sr. and Elizabeth Jasen Award
The Frank Sr. and Elizabeth Jasen Award is a monetary award given annually by the Board of Trustees to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid, regarded as the most outstanding example, species or hybrid of the Stanhopea alliance; Acineta, Coryanthes, Stanhopea, Embreei, Gongora, Houlletia, Polycycnis, Sievekingia, Kegeliella, Lacaena, Lueddemannia, Peristeria, Braemia, Schlimia, or Soterosanthus and their intergeneric hybrids, awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 2012 and endowed by the Jasen family to honor their parents Frank Sr. a long-time avid but amateur orchid grower and Elizabeth (Betty) Jasen. The award honors the grower that dares to grow unique and unusual orchids and the spouse that tolerates and helps nurture the grower’s hobby.

6.3.2.18 The Fuchs Family Award
The Fuchs Family award is given to the most outstanding example of the genus Vanda as currently circumscribed, species or hybrid, awarded during the previous calendar year. Intergeneric hybrids are excluded from consideration. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for both the Fukumura and the Fuchs Awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The award was established and endowed by the West Palm Beach Judging Center in 2016 to honor the Fuchs family for their hybrids, awards, and being great ambassadors for AOS over three generations.

6.3.2.19 The Walter Off Exhibit Award
The Walter Off Exhibit Award is given to an AOS Show Trophy Award, Silver Certificate or Gold Certificate or Educational Award recognized as the most outstanding example of these types of awards given at an AOS sanctioned orchid show awarded during the previous calendar year. The Award shall be determined based upon the submissions of photograph(s) from each judging center of its nomination for the award. This award was established in 2017 and endowed by donations to honor Walter Off, exhibitor and teacher of exhibition.

6.3.2.20 The Paul and Mary Storm Award
The Paul and Mary Storm Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant regarded as the most outstanding example of a hybrid with at least one valid Myrmecophila species and/or the following former Schomburgkia species now classified in the genus Laelia: colombiana, heidii, elata, gloriosa, lueddemannii, lyonsii, marginata, moyobambae, rosea, schultzei, splendida, superbiens, undulata, or weberbaueriana in its background, awarded during the previous calendar year. The award was established in 2017 and endowed by friends of Paul and Mary Storm. The award honors hybrids that are not intended to be round, full flowers.

6.3.2.21 The Martin Motes Orchid Breeder Award
The Martin Motes Orchid Breeder's Award is given to the breeder and exhibitor of the best Award of Quality or Award of Distinction awarded during the preceding calendar year. The goal is to encourage hybridizers and growers to exhibit their work and to make more hybrids. This award for a single AD or AQ differs from the AOS Hybridizer's Award which recognizes a lifetime of hybridizing efforts. As with ADs and AQs, if the hybridizer and exhibitor are different, the prize will be divided equally between them.

6.3.2.22 The Mario and Conni Ferrusi Award
The Mario and Conni Ferrusi Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, which is regarded as the most outstanding example of Masdevallia, Dracula, or Dracuvallia, awarded during the preceding calendar year. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the both the Ferrusi and the Luer Awards; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The Award was established in 2018 and endowed by donations to honor Mario and Conni Ferrusi, avid orchid growers and exhibitors, and among the truly great ambassadors for the hobby.

6.3.2.23 The Renee and Marvin Gerber Brassavola Hybrid Award
The Renee and Marvin Gerber award is given to the most outstanding example of a hybrid using Brassavola as one parent. A plant may be simultaneously eligible for the Masatoshi Miyamoto Cattleya Alliance Award; however, the plant may not win more than one of these awards. The award was established in 2020 and endowed by donations to honor the work of Renee and Marvin Gerber in hybridizing with Brassavola.

6.3.2.24 The Fred Clarke Catasetinae Award
The Fred Clarke Catasetinae Alliance Award is given to the grower of the orchid plant, either species or hybrid which is regarded as the most outstanding example of the Catasetinae Alliance; Catasetum, Clowesia, Cycnoches, and Mormodes and their intrageneric and intergeneric hybrids, awarded during the preceding calendar year. The award was established in 2023 and endowed by Nile and Lois Dusdieker, friends of Fred Clarke in honor of his efforts in cultivation, hybridization and education with this alliance of orchids.

6.4 Awards for Display of Plants, Flowers, and Educational Material

6.4.1 Awards for Display of Plants, Flowers, and Educational Material

The American Orchid Society sponsors many awards aimed at encouraging excellence in competition by recognizing the best material collectively and meritoriously displayed in public exhibition. All awards, except the Educational Exhibit Certificate and the Artistic Certificate, are governed and evaluated based on the Principles of Design outlined in section 7.4. The pooling of resources by groups or individuals is permitted.

6.4.1.1 Awards Governed by Section 7.4 (Principles of Design) Judged Using the Show Trophy Ballot

1. AOS Show Trophy Considered the most prestigious of the exhibit awards and intended to encourage the improvement of the standards of exhibits, the AOS Show Trophy will be made available upon request to the AOS to any show staged by an affiliated society within or outside the United States, which has conformed to the procedures in paragraph 5.6.1.for securing AOS sanction for the show, including the exclusive use of AOS judges for award judging.

   • Only one trophy may be awarded at a show.
   • The trophy is awarded to the exhibit receiving the highest averaged score received during exhibit judging as conducted according to the Regulations Governing All Awards Judged Using the Show Trophy Ballot (section 6.4.1)
   • A minimum averaged score of 80 points must be achieved for any exhibit to be eligible to receive a show trophy.
   • The awarding of the trophy is not obligatory.
   • The chair of AOS judging will gather a team of all available judging personnel to review all exhibits to be judged by the Principles of Design using the Show Trophy Ballot.

2. Gold Certificate

   • A Gold Certificate shall be awarded to the exhibit that wins the AOS Show Trophy if the average of all scores for that exhibit is at least 90 points.
   • Any other scored exhibit with an averaged score of at least 90 points on this Point Scale and less than the Show Trophy shall be awarded a Gold Certificate.

3. Silver Certificate

   • A Silver Certificate shall be awarded to the exhibit that wins the AOS Show Trophy if the average of all scores for that exhibit is between 85 and 89 points, inclusive.
   • Any other scored exhibit with an averaged scored between 85 and 89 points, inclusive, on this Point Scale and less than the Show Trophy shall be awarded a Silver Certificate.

6.4.2 Regulations Governing All Awards Judged Using the Show Trophy Ballot

1. All exhibits entered in a show which use orchids as the focal point of the display shall be considered eligible for judging using the AOS Show Trophy ballot.

2. The use of foliage is encouraged and an occasional non-orchid flower(s) that is not a focal point should not disqualify the display.

3. All certified, senior and emeritus judges present are eligible to participate in the judging of exhibits, except for:

   • judges who must disqualify themselves as per paragraph 4.8 (2) and
   • the chair of AOS Judging whose vote is reserved to break a tie in accordance with section 5.6.4.1.

4. Should the chair of AOS Judging be similarly disqualified, the eligible judges will elect one of their number to be held in reserve to break any tie.

   • The appointed team will judge as a group and must be properly constituted, with no more than 50% of the team being associates.
   • Once formed, the team will appoint one of its members to serve as the team captain.
   • The appointed team of judges will review all eligible exhibits, either as a team or individually. This review shall take place prior to ribbon judging in shows where the AOS judges take part in that process.
   • After all eligible exhibits are reviewed by the team, the team captain will ask whether any member of the team wishes to nominate a single exhibit for scoring using the Show Trophy scale. If so, all exhibits receiving at least 2 nominations will be scored and the averages of those scores recorded.
   • All ballots must be signed.
   • No final scores will be announced until all exhibit judging is complete.
   • If a tie in scores exists between scored exhibits, the chair of AOS judging will score the tied exhibits and break the tie.
   • If fewer than 3 judges are eligible to vote, all judges present may nominate one exhibit for Show Trophy excluding their own exhibit. All nominations must be signed to qualify.
   • Those judges whose exhibits are not nominated may participate in the scoring process. Judges must recuse themselves if they have a Conflict of Interest in any nominated display. A judge may not nominate or vote for their own display, or their society display if they helped design and/or install it.

6.4.3 Awards Judged Using Ballot Specified for that Award.

1. Educational Exhibit Certificate Awarded to an educational exhibit that furthers the knowledge and education of the public regarding orchids and/or further conservation awareness.

   • The following regulations apply:
     • The decision whether or not to award this certificate shall be made by a judging team assigned for the purpose.
     • An exhibit must receive a score of at least 80 points using the point scales in paragraph 7.3.4.
     • An exhibit shall receive this award only once; however, there is no limit to the number of Educational Exhibit Certificates which may be awarded at any one show.
     • In judging exhibits which further conservation awareness, the judging team is encouraged to consider the exhibit and its message in light of the AOS Conservation Policy, as adopted by the Trustees in October 1989, as follows:

"Preservation and protection of orchids and their habitats throughout the world are among the primary goals of the AOS. The AOS encourages and engages in worthwhile activities to these ends, including but not limited to:

1. Propagation and cultivation of orchid species to maintain a diverse gene pool, especially for endangered species.

2. Formalization of procedures to ensure the protection and maintenance of orchid species in private and research collections where neglect endangers the plants.

3. Development and dissemination of proper cultural information for species to ensure their survival and propagation.

4. Support the development of national parks and nature preserves worldwide.

5. Salvage and rescue of orchid species and other flora where preservation is not possible or practical.

6. Management of orchid habitats, endangered or not.'

6.4.4 Awards Judged by Other Means

1. Unscored Gold or Silver Certificates

   • Any exhibit, group of orchid plants, or cut-flower exhibit deemed ineligible for Show Trophy scoring may be nominated by an accredited judge for either a Gold or Silver Certificate on the basis that it is exceptional, unique, or worthy of high recognition but that it does not meet the requirements of the Show Trophy.
   • Exhibits judged using the Show Trophy process detailed in 6.4.1(b) are ineligible for consideration using this process. Educational value and creativity may be part of the consideration.
   • It is preferable that all eligible judges vote; however, in a large show the chairman may appoint a team of at least five judges to vote on the nomination.
   • A Gold or Silver Certificate shall be awarded by a positive vote by at least ¾ of those voting.
   • An award description will be written that describes the reasons for this prestigious award.

2. Certificate of Meritorious Arrangement Awarded to an outstanding exhibit in the cut flower arrangement class of a show in which orchid flowers are dominant (see 7.4 Principles of Design). This certificate is available to AOS-sanctioned shows and may be awarded by nationally accredited decorative or flower arrangement judges. If flower arrangement judges with these qualifications are used to judge flower arrangements, they may recommend an award, but a team of AOS certified judges assigned for the purpose must confirm the award. The following stipulations apply:

   • There shall be no limitation on size.
   • Orchids shall be dominant in the arrangement.
   • Orchid flowers need not have been grown by the exhibitor.
   • Corsages are considered arrangements for purposes of this award.
   • The award should be given only once at any show.
   • If nationally accredited flower show judges make the award, this fact shall be noted and authenticated by the chair on the summary sheet.
   • Photographic records are required

3. Artistic Certificate Awarded to an outstanding exhibit which the judges consider to be exceptionally artistic.

   • No restriction shall be applied to the class of exhibitor, whether amateur, commercial, or professional florist.
   • Judges are expected to consider the exhibit with the point scale in paragraph 7.3.5 in mind (see 7.4 Principles of Design).
   • A score at least 80 points is required to grant the award.

4. AOS Show Trophy Certificate The American Orchid Society offers a Show Trophy Certificate upon request to affiliated societies staging shows outside the United States where judging is not performed exclusively by certified AOS judges.

   • This certificate award is intended to encourage the improvement of the standard of exhibits and may be given by persons who are recognized in their country as qualified to judge. (See 7.4 Principles of Design).