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FMA wins ASAE's 2008 Associations Advance America Award of Excellence

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA) is one of only 11 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the third round of the 2008 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership.

FMA received the award for its Summer Manufacturing Camps for Youth program that provides grants to non-for-profit organizations and educational institutions that offer overnight or day camps to introduce young people to careers in manufacturing and engineering. FMA's entry now is automatically eligible for the 2008 Summit Award, ASAE & The Center's highest level of recognition for associations, to be announced in September.

In 2008, the FMA Foundation awarded 19 grants, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, to organizations offering manufacturing and engineering camps to youth age 12 to 16. The camps expose participants to math, science and engineering principles, and provide them opportunities to see the technology being used in industry and the high level of skills that will be required from the work force.

"The purpose of these camps is to provide a positive, hands-on experience so that young people will consider manufacturing as a career option," said Terry Egan, director of the FMA Foundation. "Inspiring youth to consider these trades will have a positive effect on graduation rates, increase the chances for them to earn a living wage, help create a more qualified work force and enhance community development in impoverished areas."

Now in its 18th year, the prestigious AAA awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward—with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship and community service.

"FMA's Summer Manufacturing Camps for Youth program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America Campaign," said 2007-2008 Associations Advance America Committee Chair Matthew D'Uva, CAE, president of SOCAP International. "It is an honor and an inspiration to recognize this outstanding contribution to American society."

Based in Rockford, Ill., the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. (FMA), is a professional organization with more than 2,300 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, and the FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show. FMA also has a technology affiliate, the Tube & Pipe Association, International (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating.