through the president`s volunteer service award

through the president`s volunteer service award

GAIN RECOGNITION FOR YOUR CLUB’S YOUTH OF THE YEAR
THROUGH THE
PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
Youth of the Year program participants organize service projects, volunteer at the Club throughout the year and serve as
role models, spokespersons and ambassadors. From delivering speeches to civic groups to working in the computer lab and
providing homework help for younger members, Youths of the Month and the Youth of the Year play a vital role in Club life.
They deserve to be honored for their efforts to make the Club and community a better place. After all, recognition is a key
element for deepening our impact on youth and is integral to the Club experience.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is proud to partner with the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
in bestowing the President’s Volunteer Service Award to deserving Club volunteers. This program was created to thank and
honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
ELIGIBILITY FOR YOUTH AWARDS
Youth of the Year program participants ages 15 and older are eligible for the following awards upon completion of a specified
number of service hours in a 12-month period:
r Bronze Award – 174 hours
r Silver Award – 175 to 249 hours
r Gold Award – 250 or more hours
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
1. Register as a Certifying Organization at http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/bgc/.
2. Use I.D. Code 33018236 to identify BGCA as the lead organization.
3. Once your Club is approved, you can track your older teen volunteers’ hours or direct them to the Web site where
they can track their own time. Help your younger volunteers track their hours using the Record of Service form for
youth age 14 and younger (download PDF file from Web site listed above).
4. Order awards kits to recognize volunteers who complete their service hours. Packages cost $1 to $2, plus shipping
and handling.
Rating Instructions for Screeners and Judges
Youth of the Year Program
These instructions and the Screening and Judging Form should be used by:
1. Screeners to screen nomination forms and identify candidates who will progress to the judging process.
2. Judges to select the Youth of the Year from those candidates being considered for the honor.
Screeners
1. Write in the name of each nominee in the appropriate space.
2. Review the nomination of each applicant and using the rating sheet, individually rank the nominees
on the first eight criteria.
3. Rate each criterion on a scale between one and five, with a five rating having the highest value.
4. Total each candidate’s scores on the first eight criteria.
Judges
1. Write in the name of each nominee in the appropriate space.
2. Review each nomination and make notations about questions you wish to ask nominees.
3. Interview all candidates to verify and clarify content of the Official Nomination Form.
4. A public speaking opportunity should be included in the judging process so that you can rate each
candidate on poise and public speaking.
5. Following interviews and speaking opportunities of each candidate, rate each candidate on each of the 10
criteria. Rate each criterion on a scale between one and five, with a five rating having the highest value.
6. Judges meet, discuss ratings and make selection.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the qualities of these Youth of the Year candidates.
You have performed a valuable service contributing to the selection of the National Youth of the Year.
Rating CriteriA
Youth of the Year Program
Each application is screened and judged on leadership qualities and service exhibited through:
Home and Family
Keep in mind responsibilities assumed over a period of time that might be considered exemplary or unusual.
Moral Character
Consider how moral character is exercised in daily life, including adherence to high moral standards.
Community
The types of activities engaged in, number of people served, the applicant’s role in planning and implementing activities, and the impact of activities on others should be assessed.
School
Activities engaged in and their diversity, scholastic achievement and contribution made to school, faculty
and peers should be appraised.
Service to Club
Length of membership, activities engaged in, responsibilities assumed, influence on peers, assistance to
staff, involvement in planning and consistency are some of the factors to consider.
Life Goals
The ability to make decisions and set goals that support independent life skills and career choices. Understands the importance of planning for the future.
Obstacles Overcome
Recognition should be given to unusual obstacles (physical, family, economic, etc.) that the candidate
has overcome.
Essays
Each applicant is asked to write two essays, one explaining what the Club means to him or her and the
other explaining why post-high school education is important. The essays provide additional insights into
the applicant’s thinking and skills of expression.
Poise
Consider how poised and confident the applicant is prior to and during the formal interview process.
Public Speaking
Consider how well the nominee articulates ideas. An oral presentation should be part of the selection process.
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Nominee’s Name
Home &
Family
1
3
Moral Community
Character
2
Youth of the Year Program
Screening and Judging Form
School
4
Service
to Club
5
7
8
Life Goals Obstacles Essay One
Overcome & Essay Two
6
Poise
9
Public
Speaking
10
Total
Fact Sheet
Youth of the Year Program
Target Audience: All Boys & Girls Club members can participate.
Program: The Youth of the Year program develops Club members who are articulate, well-groomed and knowledgeable
spokespersons for their Club and community. The qualities of character, service and leadership that make a Youth of the
Year are promoted in the Club every day. Whether a Club member actually becomes Youth of the Year, the time and effort
invested by staff helps these young people become all they are capable of being. Thus, the program is an effective year-round
development tool for all members.
At the Club Level: The Club’s Youth of the Month, Area Leaders, Junior Staff and teen leadership programs encourage
good citizenship and civic responsibility. Adult mentoring and guidance reinforce the disciplines needed for a life of
public service. All local Youth of the Year winners are recognized with a medallion and certificate.
At State, Regional and National Levels: Only one YOY candidate per organization, aged 14 to 18, can be advanced
to state competition. One winner per state is selected. State winners’ organizations must complete a background check
on their winner prior to regional competition. Five regional finalists (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and
Pacific) are chosen to participate in the annual national competition in Washington, D.C. Regional finalists are honored
at a Congressional breakfast and meet the President in the White House Oval Office, schedules permitting.
Program Awards and Scholarships:
• Each State Youth of the Year receives a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship.
• Each Regional Youth of the Year receives an engraved plaque and a $10,000 scholarship.
• The national winner receives the treasured National Youth of the Year plaque and an additional scholarship
of $15,000.
What State, Regional and National Youths of the Year and their families should expect:
• Delivering speeches at numerous public events and conferences.
• Air travel with an adult Club chaperone and staying in hotels (separate rooms).
• Being the subject of interviews with news media representatives.
• Having details of the YOY’s personal or family circumstances become public knowledge.
• Having the YOY’s likeness and/or voice published in print, Web, radio or TV media.
• Consenting to background checks and certifying that YOY is not in violation of any laws.
• Presenting valid government-issued photo identification for White House clearance.
• Receiving constructive feedback on personal behavior, speeches and attire.
• Having scholarship monies administered by the chief professional officer of the Youth of the Year’s Boys & Girls Club.
• Experiencing fun and adventure meeting new people and visiting new places.
Web Site: For more information, visit the All About Kids section of www.bgca.org.
BGCA Contact: Kelvin W. Davis, Senior Director, Character and Leadership Development, (404) 487-5762 or [email protected].
Programa del Joven del Año
Hoja de Datos
Público Al Que Va Dirigido: Todos los miembros del Boys & Girls Club pueden participar.
Programa: El programa del Joven del Año desarrolla a los miembros del Club para que sean portavoces elocuentes e informados para su Club y su comunidad. Los Clubs promueven todos los días las cualidades de carácter, servicio y liderazgo necesarias para ser el Joven del Año. Ya sea que un miembro del Club se convierta o no en el Joven del Año, el tiempo y esfuerzo
invertido por el personal ayuda a éstos jóvenes a alcanzar todo su potencial. El programa es una eficaz herramienta de desarrollo para todos los miembros.
A nivel del Club: El programa del Joven del Mes del Club, los Líderes del Area, el Personal Juvenil y los programas de
liderazgo para adolescentes fomentan la buena ciudadanía y la responsabilidad cívica. La asesoría y los consejos de los
adultos refuerzan las disciplinas necesarias para una vida de servicio público. Todos los ganadores del Joven del Año a
nivel local son premiados con un medallón y un certificado.
A nivel estatal, regional y nacional: Unicamente un candidato de 14 a 18 años de edad para el Joven del Año puede avanzar a la competencia estatal por cada organización. Se seleccionará un ganador por cada estado. Las organizaciones de los
ganadores a nivel estatal deben realizar una investigación completa de los antecedentes del ganador antes de la competencia al nivel regional. Posteriormente se seleccionarán cinco finalistas regionales (Noreste, Sureste, Medio Oeste, Sudoeste
y Pacífico) para participar en la competencia nacional que se realiza cada año en Washington, D.C. Los finalistas regionales son premiados durante un desayuno con miembros del Congreso y se entrevistan con el Presidente de los EE. UU. en
la Oficina Oval de la Casa Blanca (siempre y cuando lo permita la agenda del Presidente).
Premios y Becas del Programa:
• Cada Joven del Año a nivel estatal recibe una placa y una beca por $1,000.
• Cada Joven del Año a nivel regional recibe una placa y una beca por $10,000.
• El ganador a nivel nacional recibe la preciada placa del Joven del Año a Nivel Nacional y una beca adicional
por $15,000.
Lo que pueden esperar los Jóvenes del Año a nivel estatal, regional y nacional y sus familias:
• Ofrecer discursos en distintos eventos públicos y conferencias.
• Viajar en avión con un chaperón adulto del Club y quedarse en hoteles (en habitaciones separadas).
• Ser entrevistado por representantes de los medios de comunicación.
• Permitir que los detalles sobre las circunstancias personales o familiares del Joven del Año sean del conocimiento del público.
• Permitir que la semejanza y/o voz del Joven del Año sea publicada o transmitida en la prensa, el Internet, la radio o la televisión.
• Dar su consentimiento para que se realice una investigación de sus antecedentes y se certifique que el Joven del Año no
está violando alguna ley.
• Presentar una identificación válida con fotografía emitida por el gobierno para recibir autorización para visitar la Casa Blanca.
• Recibir una crítica constructiva sobre su vestimenta, sus discursos y su comportamiento personal.
• Permitir que el funcionario profesional en jefe del programa del Joven del Año del Boys & Girls Club administre los
fondos de su beca.
• Divertirse mucho al conocer a personas y visitar sitios nuevos.
Sitio Web: Si desea obtener mayor información, visite la sección “All About Kids” del sitio Web www.bgca.org. Contacto de BGCA: Heidy Lough, Director de la Alcanza Latina, (404) 487-5704 ó [email protected].
YOUTH OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
Sponsored by Reader’s Digest Foundation
SALUTES
Youth of the Year Judge
For identifying, from some 4.8 million youth, leading
contenders for consideration as National Youth of the Year
President
Chairman of the Board
Date