Follmer Bronze Award

Aims and Purpose

1. To recognize, in a fitting manner and on a uniform basis, the meritorious services rendered and the sacrifices of time and effort made by members on behalf of their own chapter. That is, recognition of actual work performed for one chapter on a basis common to all.
2. To create an award of real merit which will be highly cherished in the years to come.
3. To develop a real stimulus for sustained effort over a period of years on behalf of a chapter, which is essential to its success and continued growth.
4. To encourage all of the members to take an active part in chapter functions, to encourage leadership and to broaden the activities of the chapter.
5. To retain the interest of those members who have served the highest positions so their knowledge and experience may always be available to the chapter.
6. To develop a merit award group to be a national source of highly trained and experienced organization workers available for selection and promotion to national activities.

Scoring Details

1. The award became effective June 1, 1960.
2. Retroactive scoring is permissible in all categories in the point system if appropriate documentation is presented.
3. A total of one hundred (100) points is necessary to qualify for the award.
4. Maximum points which can be earned in any one year is 40.
5. Records for each chapter member are maintained by the chapter for the current year. Previous years' records are maintained by the national office.
6. Computer-generated forms are forwarded by the national office to the chapter secretary before May 31 each year for insertion of points earned by individual members during the previous year. The completed forms are returnable to the national office before July 31, signed by the chapter secretary and verified by the chapter president's signature.
7. Computer-generated printouts of accumulated points earned by individual members are forwarded to the chapter before November 30. The chapter secretary will inform individual members of point status via the best means available.
8. The national office, when recording current year's points, will identify members who qualify for the award and will immediately order the inscribed plaque. The chapter presidents will be notified by letter of the names of recipients.
9. No credit for any term of chapter service of less than one-half of the chapter fiscal year will be recognized in any category.

William G. Follmer Biography

William G. Follmer was born in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Rochester, New York, where he attended grade and high schools. His later education included extension courses in office management and basic, advanced and cost accounting.

In 1943, he was employed by the Rochester Hospital Council as accounting consultant, a position he held until 1948 when he accepted a similar position with the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

Follmer then accepted a position with the General State Authority. While returning to Harrisburg on December 21, 1950 from a field assignment, Follmer met sudden death on an icy highway near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania.

Bill Follmer created the American Association of Hospital Accountants (now HFMA). Others could have done it before Bill took the initiative, but the simple fact is that he did it.

July 1944 - He attended an institute at Indiana University and heard some discussion about creating a national association.

June 1945 - He gathered a small group together at Indiana University and offered his ideas for organizing such a group.

August 1945 - He formed an organizing committee of 16 interested persons.

October 1945 - He wrote to all registrants of all former institutes to obtain their comments.

May 1946 - He revised a tentative Constitution and bylaws and obtained approval of the organizing committee.

June 1946 - He sent membership application blanks to the organizing committee and created the first membership roll.

June 1947 - He helped to publish Volume 1, Number 1, of Hospital Accounting.

1946-1950 - He worked unceasingly toward development of AAHA (now HFMA).

July 1950 - He was presented with a Certificate of Life Membership.

In the records and in many memories there stands out the name of one person more responsible than any other for translating an idea of organized effort into reality. Bill Follmer created AAHA (now HFMA).