Great Waters Association of Vexillology

The Great Waters Association of Vexillology (GWAV) is an organization devoted to vexillology, the scientific study of flags. GWAV has a particular focus on flags found in the Midwest.

The group was established May 11, 1991 in Kettering, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Initially, the members met with the intent to establish a local chapter of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA). When NAVA decided to not have chapters, the group set out to be independent.

Initially, the group covered the US States of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. The name acknowledges the Great Lakes and Ohio River as vital components of this region. In 2000, the State of Illinois was added.

The organization’s flag was designed in 1991 and was modified with the addition of Illinois in 2000. It currently depicts five chevrons or “V”s on a blue background. The chevrons (which resemble the letter V) represent Vexillology, and alternate in color from white to red indicate each of the states covered by the group.

The group meets semi-annually, normally in May and November and in 1990, began to publish "Flagwaver, a Journal of Vexillology" each June and December.

In May 1999, the membership established the Commodore Award and the Flying Colors Award. The Commodore award is given for significant individual contribution to the field of vexillology, especially in, but not limited to the GWAV states and the Flying Colors Award is presented to a flag designer and adopting entity for excellence in flag design.

In 1999, GWAV became a member of International Federation of Vexillological Associations, known by its French acronym FIAV (Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques).

GWAV hosted the North American Vexillological Association’s 1995 annual meeting in Covington, Kentucky, the 2000 annual meeting in Lansing, Michigan and the 2004 annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.

External links

* [http://gwav.tripod.com/|Official Home Page]
* [http://www.nava.org/Flag%20Resources/FIAV/ICVs/icv18.htm| GWAV at NAVA.org]