We are excited to announce that Royal College Consulting has been approved as a Certifying Organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)! This is another benefit we will now be able to offer all our comprehensive college planning students at no additional cost.
What Is PVSA?
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts
communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to act, too. The PVSA has continued under each administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation. The PVSA is led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light.
Who Can Receive the PVSA Award?
Volunteer Eligibility
-United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
-Must be at least five years old
-Completes eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)
Eligible Service
-Unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others
Service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards)
Travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility
Eligible Service does not include:
-Donating funds
-Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
-Religious instruction
-Conducting worship service
-Proselytizing
-Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
-Serving only family members
If you or a student you know is looking for volunteer opportunities they can do in the community or from their home, we encourage you to visit Points of Light's website or explore more ways to serve through AmeriCorps.
A Word About Volunteering
College admission officers are not looking for a certain number of volunteer hours from applicants, nor are they looking for a particular area where students volunteer. Instead, they are interested in admitting students who have engaged with a single organization. It tells admissions officers that the student is more likely to engage upon enrollment, which is important to the college community.
Engagement is Key
Colleges want to see that a student is actively or heavily engaged in a particular volunteering opportunity. It tells admissions officers that the student truly enjoys and cares about that issue — rather than having a slight involvement with many organizations.
Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer
UC San Diego’s Center for Student Involvement lists the top reasons for students to volunteer:
10: It's good for you.
Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:
Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
Makes you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.
9: It saves resources.
Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.
The estimated value of a volunteer's time in California is $26.87 per hour based on the Corporation for National & Community Service.
8: Volunteers gain professional experience.
You can test out a career.
7: It brings people together.
As a volunteer you assist in:
Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
Building camaraderie and teamwork
6: It promotes personal growth and self-esteem.
Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.
5: Volunteering strengthens your community.
As a volunteer you help:
Support families (daycare and eldercare)
Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)
4: You learn a lot.
Volunteers learn things like these:
Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth.
Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.
3: You get a chance to give back.
People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.
2: Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.
Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.
1: You make a difference.
Every person counts!
This blog was written Janice Royal, MA. She is the Founder and CEO of Royal College Consulting.
Let's get started! Click here to book a complimentary discovery call with Janice.
Email: janice@royalcollegeconsulting.com
Phone: (714) 319-0399