Volunteer Southern Maryland
Fostering change through volunteerism to build a stronger community.
AWARDS
Interested in receiving some national recognition for all of your service-learning or volunteer hours?
Here are two awards that offer national recognition for volunteers. Service Awards help promote civic involvement by recognizing community service. Service awards can commemorate time spent volunteering, be highlighted on résumés and job applications and simply reward you for volunteering.
The Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress' award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you'd like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace - on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals.
Regardless of your situation, you can earn The Congressional Award. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge. The Congressional Award is open to all.
The Presidential Service Award
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service, and civic participation. The Award is given to individuals, families, and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period.
Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for their annual commitment to volunteer service. In addition, individuals who complete 4,000 or more hours of volunteer service over the course of their lifetime will be recognized with the President’s Call to Service Award.
VSMD is a member of The Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Center National Network (VCNN).
