President's Volunteer Service Award FAQs

• President's Volunteer Service Award
• FAQs

Where can I find out more about the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards?

For more information about the Awards and for Frequently Asked Questions visit: http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/.

What is The University of Texas at Austin Service and Civic Participation?

Chancellor Mark Yudof serves on the President's Council on Service & Civic Participation. As a result, UT System has partnered with the President's Council on Service & Civic Participation to bring the President's Volunteer Service Awards program to the University of Texas at Austin along with the other UT System institutions.

What is the President's Council on Service & Civic Participation?

In January of 2003, by Executive Order, President George W. Bush announced the formation of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement.

Who is eligible to win the award?

Any student, faculty, or staff who volunteers and keeps of record of their activities at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/ut/.

How does the Volunteer and Service Learning Center verify the hours?

At the end of the 12 month time period, the Volunteer and Service Learning Center will check hours entered into the website and notify individual award winners. The Volunteer and Service Learning Center may randomly audit a volunteer's information with their agency.

By when must hours be submitted?

Hours must be submitted by March 8, 2008. The 12 month time period the Volunteer and Service Learning Center is certifying hours for is February 28, 2007 to March 1, 2008.

How far back can I track my hours?

You may track your hours as far back as January 2004. However, hours accrued before February 28, 2007 date will only count towards the lifetime award.

When will I receive my Presidential Volunteer Service Award?

Awards will be presented to eligible individuals at the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.

What is included in the Award package?

Award recipients receive:

• An official President's Volunteer Service Awards 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 & Civic Participation

Why can I not register my student organization for the award?

Currently the Presidential Volunteer Service Award database cannot accommodate more than one group per individual. In an attempt to eliminate confusion, we have eliminated Group Awards from our system.

What counts as volunteer service?

Volunteerism is defined as "a freely chosen beneficial act where meaningful service is done with no anticipated personal benefit". (www.vlsc.org).

What should I select as my Presidential Priority Service area?

As you are entering your new service activity, under the General section you will be asked to supply a Presidential Priority Service area. All UT institutions have been advised to direct web-users to select the "Healthy Communities" option. If your service more relates to one of the below options, feel free to select that Priority Service area.

What are the areas of particular need in our Nation?

• Youth Achievement- includes volunteer activities such as mentoring, coaching, tutoring, improving literacy in areas such as reading and finance, and volunteering to keep young people engaged academically in education
• Parks and Open Spaces- includes volunteer efforts to conserve and protect our parklands and gardens, neighborhood cleanups and creating safe playgrounds. It also includes creating safe and meaningful experiences and outdoor activities for individuals to enjoy the environment and our natural resources.
• Healthy Communities- includes volunteer efforts to help the elderly, disabled, diseased, hungry or homeless, and to improve the economic health of the community. These could include volunteering for health and nutrition education services, immunization campaigns, resume building, career training, disease screenings, hospital support, blood drives, veterans outreach, working with local public health programs, micro-enterprise and business development.
• Public Safety and Emergency Response- includes volunteer efforts for individuals and families to make their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. It includes preparedness training, volunteer firefighters, and programs like Citizen Corps, Neighborhood Watch, Medical Reserve Corps and Volunteers in Police Service.

I signed up for the program but it doesn't say that I have a Certifying Organization selected. I don't see The University of Texas logo on my personal page. What happened?

You most likely signed up through the National Program's webpage instead of through the UT Systems portal. To have the Volunteer and Service Learning Center serve as your Certifying Organization at UT, you need to add the Certifying Organization code. Simply typing in the Certifying Organization will not link you to the University; it is imperative that you enter the code below in order to be associated with the University.

What is the Certifying Organization code and where do I place the code?

The Volunteer and Service Learning Center Certifying Organization Code is LPP-20656. After logging into your personal PVSA page, enter the code under the "Profile" link in the "Your Account Information" section where it asks for your Certifying Organization.

Can I continue to use the system once I graduate and work toward the Lifetime Achievement Award?

Yes, you may continue to work towards your Lifetime Achievement Award, but at this time the UT Systems program is asking graduating students to go online and remove the code from their web page. If you choose to continue participating in the program following graduation, the National office will do the certifying and award distribution once the code has been deleted. UT Systems has chosen not to include alums in the program because it might be too difficult to track you down and give you the award.

Who do I contact for more information?

You may contact the Volunteer and Service Learning Center at (512) 471-6161. Additional information about the National Program can be found at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/.