The Ohio State University's Alumni Association awarded the Sandhills Alumni Club a second Gold Star at the Alumni Leadership Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

To be a Gold Star recipient, a club has to meet specific criteria set forth by the OSU Alumni Association.

The guidelines are set up to include student recruitment and scholarship, community involvement, social activities, publicity, networking as well as other outlined requirements for a nonprofit organization.

President Nancy Phelps attended the 2009 OSU Leadership Conference "Buckeyes without Boundaries" to accept the award presented to the club.

While attending the conference, Phelps participated in a panel discussion, along with four other 2009 Gold Star recipients, by giving a presentation on the club's best practices. Also representing the Sandhills Alumni Club at this conference were Kim Thomas, the club's vice-president, and Glenn Phelps, the club's secretary.

In addition to the club's receiving the Gold Star Award, President Phelps was also presented with the Best Buckeye Award.

This award is given to a current Alumni Association leader who has gone above and beyond the average in serving the club and Ohio State through club activities.

The club is currently conducting OSU football game watches at The Bell Tree in Southern Pines and Beef O'Brady's in Fayetteville.

"You will also find a Buckeye Christmas Tree on display in Southern Pines this season," says a spokesman. "The monies raised from this activity will go the county's Empty Stocking Fund."

For additional information on the OSU Sandhills Buckeye Club and all club activities and events, visit the Web site www.sandhillsbuckeyes.net