Clarifications for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award-
1. Service is defined as the following:
· Service is performing a task for someone or for an organization without money being exchanged. Service is not doing a chore around the home such as the following: oil change, roofing, shoveling, planting flowers, raking, and recycling, etc. Service is done outside the home; it is done for someone that is not an immediate family member. Service is performing a task for someone who is unable to perform the task.
· Service is a helpful act that doesn't produce any money in any form.
· Service is not fund raising, lobbying, or recruiting someone to join your cause. Any paid or stipend services do not qualify for these awards.
· It is not service when you have been required to do something. For example, it is not service IF you had to go to Homme Home to sing. If it was considered part of a grade, it is not service. It is service IF it was optional, and you decided to go and entertain the Homme residents.
· Serve every year. A student who has served in grade school up until his or her senior year, might have a better chance of securing the scholarship than a student who has only tried for the Presidential Student Service Award one year.
· DO NOT COUNT ANY SERVICE PERFORMED AT HOME! Efforts directed to ANY family member does not count toward service time. Extended family members may receive your services, and the service will count as service time. Make certain that the person is unable to perform the service himself or herself!
· Service does not include conducting worship services or any form of religious instruction.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Be varied in the services you provide. Serve in many different areas such as the following: church, community, elderly, help the environment, public safety and violence, literacy and education.
2. You may secure more than the minimum hours. Track your hours well. Each time you serve, track it immediately. More hours might increase your chances of receiving the award.
3. Verification is important to do right away after the service is performed. Don't wait until the end of the year in order to seek verification. Putting things off until the last minute is not only stressful on you, but it is stressful on your parents and the verifiers too. Also the person that benefited from your services may not be able to remember what you had done. Be FAIR to everyone involved in this process.
4. Phone calls may be made to verify your community service.
5. Serve every year. A student who has served many years, might have a better chance of securing the scholarship than a student who has only tried for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award one year.
|