Award Of Merit
Chain of Awards =
High Commendation-→
Honorable Mention-→Award of Merit-→Special Medals
"One of The American Iris Society's most coveted awards is the Award of Merit (AM). The award is given each year to a limited number of iris varieties in each of the classifications of iris listed above and only after the eligible varieties have been marketed over a period of time. This assures wide distribution and thus affords the judges sufficient opportunities to properly evaluate the eligible varieties as worthy of the award. Judges are again reminded that it is the responsibility of the individual judge to determine that the iris variety conforms to the requirements of the classification in which it is registered.
Eligibility for the Award of Merit begins the second year after the variety has received the HM Award, and eligibility continues for three years. All eligible varieties are listed on the Official Ballot during the three years of eligibility. An iris may win an Award of Merit only once.
The judge is permitted to cast votes to ten percent (10%) of the irises eligible to be voted in each classification or a minimum of two for each classification.
In each award year, the AM is awarded to the top ten percent (10%) of the irises in each classification rounded to the next higher number, or a minmum of two.
In any given year in which there are fewer than three eligible cultivars for any Award of Merit, that Award of Merit will not be placed on the Official AIS Ballot for vote until there are at least three eligible cultivars for that specific Award of Merit. Each eligible cultivar will continue on the printed Ballot for the full three years of eligibility."
Handbook for Judges and Show Officials, 2007 AIS
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BobPries - 2012-07-11