Every day extraordinary individuals, organizations, and businesses effect real change in their communities through their volunteer service.  They are the catalysts that help people and groups move past their differences to build shared understanding and solve common problems.  Volunteers give Hawai‘i hope for the future. 

The Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their dedication, commitment, and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout Hawai‘i.  It is the highest honor bestowed by the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service with the purpose of inspiring individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of people who need it and places where it can make a difference.

Governor Linda Lingle and the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service, in celebration of volunteers across Hawai‘i invite nominations for the 2008 Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Awards.

Nominations are due to the Hawai‘i Commission on August 8, 2008.  The awards will be presented at a dinner banquet on October 17, 2008 at the Ala Moana Hotel.
 

General Information

•  Nomination entrees must be postmarked by August 8, 2008 or delivered by 4:00 pm on August 8, 2008 to:

Governor's Volunteer Recognition Awards

c/o Hawai‘i Commission for National

and Community Service

University of Hawai‘i

1960 East-West Road, Biomed B101

Honolulu, HI 96822

•  The Commission cannot respond to queries about specific nominees.

•  No more than 3 nominations may be submitted by the same nominator.

•  Recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Awards will receive the awards from the Governor at a dinner banquet on October 17, 2008 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

•  A list of the 2008 Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Awards recipients will be posted on this website on September 9, 2008.

Eligibility

•   Any individual, organization, group or business actively engaged in voluntary service within Hawai‘i may be nominated.

•  Individuals who receive a stipend or salary for their service are not eligible.

•  Employees and members of the board of directors of the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service and the Office of the Governor are not eligible to receive an award and may not submit nominations.

Award Categories

•  Youth (K-12):  Young people who made contributions through voluntary efforts or programs that serve as models of inspiration to other young volunteers.

•  Young Adult:  Recognizes people ages 19-25 for service in 2007

•  Adult:  Recognizes the exemplary contributions of people ages 26-59

•  Senior:  Recognizes a person aged 60 or older for significant volunteer service during 2007

•  Organization:  Recognizes any group of volunteers providing service in 2007, including but not limited to: nonprofits, civic and faith based organizations, labor unions, clubs and schools

•  Business:  Recognizes a for-profit organization that supported service through its policies and practices in 2007
 

Nomination Criteria

•  Achievement:  The nomination must reflect the accomplishments achieved through the voluntary service performed by the individual, business, or agency.

•   Need:  The voluntary service must address human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs.

•  Innovation:  The voluntary service should reflect innovative or unique approaches to solving serious social problems.

•   Mobilization:  The voluntary service should result in present opportunities for mobilizing other volunteers.

•  Endurance:  The voluntary service must be hands-on and ongoing rather than a one-time activity, with exception to short-term crisis situations.
 

Nomination Form

Please complete the Official Nomination Form and attach a statement of 500 words or less describing the nominee’s activities.  In addition, you may include appropriate supporting materials.  All nominations must be complete in one package when submitted.  Any materials received separately will not be processed or considered in the judging.

Official Nomination Form

Indicate the award category in the left-hand column of the form and complete all the information requested.  For individuals, please indicate the nominee’s age.  For families, organizations, and businesses, identify a contact person who will represent the group at the awards banquet.  Also indicate the number of years in operation.

References

Because the nomination may rely on references for verification of activities and accomplishments, please choose references who are familiar with and are available to discuss the nominee’s voluntary community service.

Statement

Attach a narrative statement of 500 words or less that describes the nominee’s community service activities and that illustrates how those activities address the community’s needs.  In the review process, the judges use the statement criteria listed on the following page.  Please be sure to address each of these criteria within the statement.  Include specific information on how and when the activity began.

Supporting Materials

Up to five pages (front and back) of supporting materials may be submitted along with the nomination.  Materials can include letters, testimonials, news clippings, pamphlets, etc.  Anything longer than five pages will be discarded.  Do not submit audiotapes or videotapes, display materials, film, or scrapbooks.  They will not be considered.  Accompanying materials must be on 8˝” x 11” sheets of paper.  All submitted materials become the property of the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service and will not be returned.
 

Statement Criteria

Please remember that the reviewers’ only knowledge about the nominee’s volunteer efforts is through the material submitted with the nomination.  Your 500 word statement should address the following criteria that will be used in reviewing and judging the nominations.

Community Needs
What community need did the nominee address?  How did the nominee recognize the need?  What motivated the nominee to become involved in the volunteer activities?  Why did the nominee believe this activity was important for the recipients, community, and state?

Ongoing Involvement
What is the nominee’s ongoing involvement?  Is the service hands-on and ongoing or outstanding service for a short-term crisis?

Impact
What difference was made in the community or state because of what the nominee did?  Nominees should have directly improved the lives of people in Hawai‘i.

Innovation
How was the nominee innovative in performing volunteer service, in such areas as building community support, generating resources, recruiting volunteers, developing public/private partnerships, etc.  How did the nominee overcome any unique challenges to perform the service?
 

Nomination Checklist

o  Official Nomination Form is completed in its entirety

o  Official Nomination Form is detached and used as the cover sheet for the  
 nomination

o  The 500-word or less statement addressing the criteria questions is included

o  Support materials submitted to strengthen the nomination (no more than five
 8˝” x 11” pages front and back)

o  Original nomination statement and support materials plus four(4) stapled copies
 of all materials submitted – no binders, notebooks, or covers

o  Nominations postmarked or delivered by 5:00 pm on July 7, 2008