Volunteer Recognition

Since volunteer recognition is a such an important part of successful volunteer management, the ICVS wants to help support Iowa organizations in their efforts to recognize their volunteers.  Visit the Volunteer Management section of our website for more information about recognition as a best practice, or read below for examples of volunteer awards offered by the ICVS and others.

 

State Volunteer Recognition Programs

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service coordinates the State of Iowa’s two most prestigious volunteer recognition programs: the Governor’s Volunteer Awards (established in 1982), and the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame (established in 1986).  Whenever new information and nomination forms are released for either program, an announcement will be added to www.volunteeriowa.org. 
We invite you to get the latest news and announcements by joining the “Volunteer Iowa” e-news list.  Get started by clicking the “Register” button at www.iowalifechanging.com.  If you have questions not answered here, contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at icvs@iowa.gov or 1.800.308.5987. 

 

Governor’s Volunteer Awards

http://www.volunteeriowa.org/awards/
Typically, Governor’s Volunteer Awards are given to every person or group that is nominated.  We rely on the people submitting the names to let us know these people are deserving of this honor.  Several hundred awards are presented each year during regional recognition ceremonies.
Nominations are coordinated by state government agencies, the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, and the Iowa League of Cities, since there is a small handling fee for each nomination.  A few examples:

• All schools in the state may submit nominations, but those must come through and be approved by the Iowa Department of Education, which covers the fee.
• Each of the following types of organizations must include a check for the handling fee with their nomination forms:
  • Iowa nonprofit organizations may submit nominations through the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center
  • City governments may submit nominations through the Iowa League of Cities
  • Branches of federal government agencies operating in Iowa may submit nominations through the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service
  • Nomination forms are available in early February each year.

 

Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame

Anyone can submit a nomination for the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame, which come directly to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.  There is no handling fee.  This program is extremely competitive — sort of like the “Oscars” for volunteers — and only a few honorees are selected each year.  A review panel comprised of several of our commissioners evaluates and scores each nomination to help determine which Iowa individuals or groups will be recognized.
Being inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame is the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can receive; the people selected are those who have forever changed their community, the state, the nation, or the world with their volunteer service and action.  Names of inductees are engraved on a special plaque on permanent display in the State Historical Museum and a special recognition ceremony is held in the State Capitol each year.
Nomination materials are available each autumn.
2012 Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame Materials [PDF form: 1.2MB] or [MS Word: 689k]

 

Other Recognition Ideas

Celebrate National Volunteer Week — normally the third week of April.  National Volunteer Week is a call to action for Americans to volunteer and a week to inspire by example.  Created by executive order of President Richard Nixon in 1974, this week signaled a recommitment to creating a culture of service in America.  Millions of Americans volunteer this week and demonstrate the positive community impact that engaged individuals, families, businesses and organizations create year-round.
Daily Point of Light Awards — The program was established by the administration of former President George H.W. Bush as part of “A movement to engage all individuals, families, businesses, groups and organizations in America to solve community problems.”  Between 1989 and 1993, President Bush distributed 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards during his presidency, placing volunteer service at the top of its agenda.  He continues to sign all of the awards today.
Presidential Service Awards — The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.  The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for Youth Volunteerism — The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.  The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.