The IMA, in creating chapters early in its existence, assumed an obligation to utilize all appropriate means for assisting those chapters in fulfilling their responsibilities and achieving their goals. This assistance in the early years was accomplished through memoranda, correspondence, and other communications. A system was developed early for periodic payments to chapter treasuries based on their membership. It soon became evident that more guidance and encouragement to the chapters was needed to obtain the full benefits from the concept of chapter operations. To meet these needs, an annual competition among chapters was inaugurated in 1924 at the suggestion of Charles R. Stevenson, who commissioned a trophy to be awarded the winner. Various other trophies and awards have been introduced through the ensuing years to provide additional recognition for high performance and excellence of operations but none quite matches the Stevenson Trophy in stature and respectability.

Chapters compete for the Stevenson Trophy if their regular membership on June 1 is 125 or more. Competition is based on a combination of certification, education, membership growth, and overall chapter activity to support and promote the IMA over the long term. Only one such trophy is issued each year. Competition is tough. Some chapters go their entire existence without ever winning this highly valued award. For the 2006-2007 year Silicon Valley chapter was awarded the Stevenson Trophy for the 2nd year in a row. We are a leading contender for this year's trophy as well. This might be the first time in IMA's long history that one chapter wins the trophy 3 years in a row.

We are proud not only of the trophies but what they represent. Less than 5 years ago our chapter was at a crossroads that threatened our very existence. Our technical meetings had low turnouts. Half the attendees were chapter board members. Our members were transferring to other chapters, to Member-at-Large status, or out of the IMA completely. IMA headquarters, other chapters, and some of our own members, encouraged us to fold completely. You need only attend one of our chapter functions, many of which sell out, and experience the energy of the crowd to see how far we have come in such a short time. The chapter once asked to fold for not meeting IMA standards now defines the standards, and other chapters in our area are following our example.

Special thanks goes to all the board members and IMA volunteers who helped turn our chapter around - Wesley Fachner, Renee Farnsworth, Joseph Franck, Jeff Hayes, Richard Hermerding, Jeff Jones, Marc Light, George Macko, Jane Meyer, Emanuel Schwarz, and especially Mike Van Roy who's leadership and vision guided us toward this end.