RAS Chapter of the year award

About the award
Description:	To encourage IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) chapters to serve their members, and recognize the outstanding performance by a Chapter in serving its members.
Established:	2002
Prize:	$1,000 and Certificate
Funding:	Funded by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society
Eligibility:	The chapter must have been active at least one year when the nomination is made. The eligibility requirements are outstanding activities and services to its local RAS members in one or more of the following areas: technical meetings, tours and conferences, seminars and/or tutorials, other services and activities for the local members of IEEE RA Society.
Basis for judging:	Factors that will be considered: services to its members both in the technical area and in the educational area, membership advancements, senior member and fellow nominations, and membership development.
Presentation:	One award will be given per year. The award will be announced and presented at our annual IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. (No award will be given if no qualified candidate is nominated).

Winners of this award

Year	Winner and reason
2008	Hong Kong Chapter, Chair, Dong Sun
2008	Paul G. Backes, Eric T. Baumgartner, and Larry H. Matthnies “For contributions to robotics enabling effective autonomous operations of science investigations under extreme conditions on the planet Mars”
2007	Mexico Chapter, Alfredo Weitzenfeld, Chair
2006	Italy Chapter, Paolo Fiorini, Chair
2005	No award given
2004	IEEE-CSS/R&A Joint Societies Chapter, Queensland, L. Vlacic
2003	No award given
2002	Poland Section Chapter, Chair: Krzysztof Kozlowski