Awards and Recognition

VPIS has two awards programs the Community Awards and the Excellence in Design Awards. These awards are given out at VPIS’s annual membership meetings.

Community Awards

VPIS community awards are to be considered on an annual basis, although awards in all categories may not occur each year.  The President shall appoint an Awards Committee each spring to determine candidates for each level of award.  The Presidents Award will be determined by the President as a special thank you to the honoree(s) rather than the committee.

The committee will report to the full Board in the fall of each year in time for the awards to be ratified by the VPIS Board and presented during the Fall Membership meeting generally held in November of each year.  The Awards Committee will also recommend appropriate personal gifts to be presented to each honoree as detailed below.

Spirit of Falls Church Award  

(Past Winners:  Hal Silverstein, Lou Olom, Mel and Ruby Bolster, Dave Eckert and Annette Mills, Keith Thurston, Ed Strait, Barb Cram, Barry Buschow)

The “Spirit of Falls Church” award is given in recognition to an individual or couple for their long-term service to multiple spheres of community life that has resulted in the enrichment, an enhancement or significant protection of the quality of life in Falls Church.  Their contribution, either individually or through the ennoblement of organizations, has clearly added to the sustainable fabric of the City of Falls Church.  This award is the highest level of honor given by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society .  It is bestowed infrequently, after research and nomination by committee, two votes of the Board of Directors taken not less than 21 days apart with two-thirds of those voting affirmatively.  The award presentation is made on an occasion as approved by the Board.  The award consists of a native tree(s), type and planting location as agreed to by the VPIS Board and the City Arborist, also a plaque with the honorees name(s) will be placed near the tree as appropriate and a personal gift to the receipent(s) acknowledging the award.

Virginia Village Award

(Past Winners:  Harry English, The Burgess’, Barbara Cram, Jesse Thackrey, Maurice “Ric” Terman)

The “Virginia Village” award is given in recognition to an individual or couple for their sustained service or contribution that has resulted in the enrichment, an enhancement or significant protection of the quality of life in Falls Church.  The contribution, either individually or through the enablement of organizations, has clearly added to the sustainable fabric of the City of Falls Church.  This award by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society is granted after research and nomination by committee, and approval by the Board of Directors and with two-thirds of those voting affirmatively.  The award presentation is made on an occasion as approved by the Board.  The award consists of a native tree(s), type and planting location as agreed to by the VPIS Board and the City Arborist and a personal gift with a value of approximately $150 acknowledging the award.

Elwood Street VPIS Community Service Award

(Past Winners:  Tom Gittens 2007, Kathleen Nixon 2008)

In recognition of VPIS founding member and community activist, The Elwood Street VPIS Award is given to a community citizen/couple, business or organization in recognition for service or efforts that help further the VPIS purpose, projects of the Society or other actions that reflect well on the City or the Society.  The award presentation is made on an occasion as approved by the Board.  The award consists of a personal gift with a value of approximately $75 acknowledging the award.

 Louise Sheppard VPIS Leadership Award

(Past Winners:  Jon Hundley, Marian Starr 2007)

In recognition of VPIS founding member and early Board member, The Louise Sheppard Award is given to a VPIS member or couple in recognition for service or efforts that help further the VPIS purpose, projects of the Society or other actions that reflect well on the City or the Society.  The award presentation is made on an occasion as approved by the Board.  The award consists of a personal gift with a value of approximately $75 acknowledging the award.

 VPIS President’s Award

 The VPIS Presidents Award is given to a VPIS member(s) or couple(s) in recognition for service or efforts that help further the VPIS purpose, projects of the Society or other actions that reflect well on the City or the Society.  The award presentation is made on an occasion as approved by the Board.  The award consists of a personal gift with a value of approximately $30 acknowledging the award.

Excellence in Design Award

VPIS awards the Excellence in Design Award every 2 years to homeowners for new or renovated residential and commercial buildings, gardens, and landscaping. The project must be finished within the past 5 years to be eligible for consideration.  All candidate projects must be located in the City of Falls Church and are juried by a panel of credentialed architects based on criteria provided by the Design Awards Committee.  The jury provides assessments and recommendations and the Committee decides the number of awards to be granted.