Membership A membership growth goal is assigned to each chapter at the beginning of the AMBUCS year. It is based on club size and is called the Blue Chip Goal. A club that reaches 100% of its assigned quota by May 31 receives a Blue Chip Banner Medallion at the National Convention. The National Blue Chip Award Program encourages chapters to maintain an active growth in their community throughout the full club year from June 1 to May 31. * Associate Membership - If a member has been active for over a year and can no longer attend meetings, they can go on associate status until they are able to participate full time again. * Friends Membership - Membership in AMBUCS is not limited to active membership in a local chapter.  For people who do not live in a chapter area or who don't have the time to be an active member, we offer the Friends Membership! Spring Round Up - March 1 - May 31. During this period we try for a net gain of 5 members. When a club reaches the goal their president is designated as a #1 Cowpoke and is recognized in THE AMBUC magazine. Members receive silver spurs, boots and branding irons to wear on their hats. Big Hatters receive stars and spurs. Branding Time - September 1 -November 30.  The goal is 5 new members with the club becoming a Top Spread Club and the President becoming a Trail Boss. Members are rewarded with spurs until you bring in 3 members then you receive 2 Spurs and a Branding Iron. Big Hat Club The Big Hat Club is a "prestigious" club within the association restricted to those AMBUCS members who have, by their own efforts, secured three or more new members in existing chapters or newly chartered chapters during any twelve-month period. Purpose: Fun, Membership Recruitment, Fellowship, To encourage all AMBUCS members to become Big Hatters,Promote principles of National AMBUCS, Inc. and national programs.