History

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service.

               
In 2003, President Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers

The President’s 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. This type of recognition is also designed to set a standard for every American – to encourage a sustained commitment to helping others and a lifelong habit of service.

Award recipients receive:

  • An official President’s Volunteer Service Award pin
  • A personalized certificate of achievement
  • A note of congratulations from the President of the United States
  • A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
RMS established the RSVP program to provide a formal way to recognize students for their volunteer service efforts and to coordinate with the President’s national award program. RMS is a credited organization of that program, offering the awards noted above. We also provide a certificate for those students who volunteer twenty hours of service or more with a certificate of recognition from RMS.

Students who volunteer receive the following at the end of the year program:

  • 100 hours or more: earn the GOLD service pin
  • 75 hours or more: earn the SILVER service pin
  • 50 hours or more earn the BRONZE service pin
  • 20 hours or more: recognized by the RSVP Program