UTD Service and Civic Participation FAQ
- What is the President's Council on Service & Civic Participation?
- What is UTD Service & Civic Participation?
- What is the President's Volunteer Service Award?
- How do I earn a President's Volunteer Service Award?
- What do I get in the Award package?
- What are the Award levels?
- When will I receive my Volunteer Service Award?
- What should I select as my Presidential Priority Service Area?
- What 12-month period is UT Dallas using to certify my hours?
- How far back can I track my hours?
- What counts as volunteer service?
- Who can participate?
- Who do I contact for more information?
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.
What is UTD Service & 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 UT Dallas and to other UT System institutions. A UTD Service & Civic Participation Steering Committee has been developed to implement the program campus-wide.
What is the President's Volunteer Service Award?
The President’s Volunteer Service Awards have been developed to thank and honor Americans who engage in volunteer service and, in doing so, inspire others to volunteer their time and energy. Any individual can receive Presidential recognition for annual commitments to volunteer service. Individuals who serve a minimum of 100 hours in a 1-year period are eligible to receive awards. Awards are also given to individuals who contribute 250, 500 or 4,000 hours (over a lifetime).
How do I earn a President's Volunteer Service Award?
To earn an award, individuals must keep a record of volunteer activities served. Individuals may record service and participate in the program by clicking on the UTD logo at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/ut/. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation provides a simple web-based method for individuals to record and measure ongoing volunteer efforts. The UT Dallas Office of Public Affairs will monitor service hours entered on this website and contact individuals who are eligible for awards.
What do I get 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
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Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Bronze Level 100 to 249 hours |
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Presidential Volunteer Service Award Silver Level 250 to 499 hours |
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Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold Level 500 hours or more |
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President’s Call to Service Award 4,000 hours or more of volunteer service (over a lifetime) |
When will I receive my Volunteer Service Award?
Awards will be presented to eligible individuals at a special ceremony.
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.
What 12-month period is UT Dallas using to certify my hours?
UT Dallas is certifying hours from November 1 to October 31 of every year.
How far back can I track my hours?
You may track your hours as far back as January 2004. However, hours accrued before November 1, 2006, will only count towards the lifetime award.
What counts as volunteer service?
It is up to each individual to determine what counts as volunteer service. The responsibility of the Office of Public Affairs is to ensure that hours have been entered in correctly.
All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate.
Who do I contact for more information?
Please contact the Office of Public Affairs at publicaffairs@utdallas.edu or 972-883-2106. Additional information about the national program is available at http://presidentialserviceawards.gov.
Updated: October 8, 2007
