T**he President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
To date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 80 Leadership Organizations and more than 28,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation’s deserving volunteers.
Scout Units are qualified to become Certifying Organizations through a fairly simple application process. Once registered the Unit can nominate recipients for the award by submitting a record of their service. I think this is a particularly good way to recognize and thank volunteer leaders every year. It is a dignified simple recognition. It can be presented with the appropriate service star that can be worn on the Scout Uniform, and Veteran Scouter Pin (for ‘civilian’ wear) on an annual basis.
Note that the President’s award is not approved for wearing on the Scout Uniform.
The Award
Depending on which award package is ordered, award recipients can receive:
* An official President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin
* A personalized certificate of achievement
* A congratulatory letter from the President of the United States
* A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
Award Criteria
Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad.
Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award Pin
Kids: 50 to 74 hours
Young Adults: 100 to 174 hours
Adults: 100 to 249 hours
Family & Groups: 200 to 499 hours
Silver President’s Volunteer Service Award Pin
Kids: 75 to 99 hours
Young Adults: 175 to 249 hours
Adults: 250 to 499 hours
Family & Groups: 500 to 999 hours
Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award Pin
Kids: 100 hours or more
Young Adults: 250 hours or more
Adults: 500 hours or more
Family & Groups: 1000 hours or more
President’s Call to Service Award
All Ages
4,000 hours or more of volunteer service (over a lifetime).
Service Stars in the Insignia Guide
President’s Volunteer Service Award website