What is the Presidential Service Award?

As of July 1, Save The Bay has become a certifying organization for volunteers who wish to participate in the Presidential Volunteer Service Award program. However, I keep getting the question, "Stephany, what IS the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and why should I do this?"

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (let's call it the PVSA from now on!) is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States. The award is given to individuals who are helping to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.

To earn an award, individuals, families and groups must keep a record of volunteer activities and hours served on the record you created on the PVSA site or as a diary or calendar. Each volunteer must submit a record of service to Save The Bay - your local certifying organization. We will review and verify the hours and then distribute the awards based on the total number of hours you have contributed to your community by June 30, 2013.

Here are some questions I've been getting quite a bit:

1. What's the website to participate and register?  www.presidentialserviceawards.gov

2.  Do I only count my hours of service at Save The Bay?  NO! You can count your hours of service to any organization in the area. We do ask that a portion be with us at Save The Bay, but we will consider all of your hours of service for the award.

3. What is the award?  Award recipients will receive a letter from the President, a certificate, and either a bronze, silver or gold pin.

4. How many hours do I have to give to get an award? The PVSA has a breakdown of hours you have to give in order to qualify for either the bronze, silver or gold level.

Kids - 14 and younger
 Bronze Award     50 - 74 hours
 Silver Award     75 - 99 hours
 Gold Award     100 or more hours

Adults - Ages 26 and up
Bronze Award    100 - 249 hours
Silver Award    250 - 499 hours
Gold Award    500 or more hours

Young Adults - Ages 15 - 25
 Bronze Award    100-174 hours
 Silver Award    175 - 249 hours
 Gold Award    250 or more hours

Families and Groups (two or more people)*
Bronze Award   200 - 499 hours
Silver Award   500 - 999 hours
Gold Award   1,000 or more hours
*Each member contributing at least 25 hours towards the total

5. How long do I have to complete the hours to get an award? Our service year at Save The Bay will be from July 1 - June 30. You have that 12 month period to perform community service hours and enter them in to the system or turn them in to us.

6. Do you already have people registered to do this? YES! We have 4 people so far registered on the PVSA site with Save The Bay. One has already qualified for a bronze award and one a silver. See - it's not hard! Time adds up quickly!

7. What's the benefit of doing this program? The benefit is really for your recognition. It's a great thing to tell your school, teachers, and perspective employers that you have received this award. It shows you are an individual dedicated to your community and service.

If this is a program you would like to participate in, please register on the website and notify me that you are enrolling. You will need Save The Bay's key code to link to our program. Once you are registered on the site, I'll give you the code!