KCGS VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

HONOR YOUR MEMBERS

WITH THE KCGS VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

Encourage membership and volunteerism in your Society by promoting this unique and rewarding benefit your members!  As a member of the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies, your organization can offer an exciting award package to your members that involves recognition from your local Society, State recognition from KCGS, and National recognition through KCGS from the Corporation For National & Community Service and the Points of Light Foundation.

There are 3 levels of recognition.  1) You can recognize local volunteers no matter how many volunteer hours they give in a year's time.  2) At the State level, KCGS will recognize (at no cost) all your volunteers who give at least 48 hours in the year to genealogy and family history projects (that averages just 4 hours a month).  3) Through your certification, KCGS will offer the National Award (3 Levels - Bronze, Silver, & Gold) based upon the following PSVA award criteria:

Hours By Award              BRONZE              SILVER               GOLD
Kids (5-10)                       26-49                     50-74                     75+
Teens (11-15)                   50- 74                    75-99                    100+
Young Adults (16-25)    100-174                 175-249                  250+
Adults (26 and older)    100-249                250-499                 500+

Thus, your adult members can easily earn the National PVSA Bronze award package by completing 100 hours of Volunteer Service between January 1 and December 31.  This would average out to only about 2 hours each week.  There is also a special Lifetime Achievement Award when 4,000 volunteer hours are reached, no matter how many years it may take.

The full Awards package consists of a personal Thank You letter from the KCGS President, a personal Congratulations letter signed by the President of the United States, a personalized Certificate of Achievement, and an official President's Volunteer Service Award pin.  You will distribute these awards to your volunteers and recognize their service to your organization however you see fit.

How Does This Work?

1.  As a member of KCGS, simply send your organization name & contact information in a note to Darren McMannis, the KCGS Volunteer Awards Coordinator (Email Volunteers@KCGS.us).  In return you will receive an electronic and paper master volunteer record-keeping form, a press release you can use in your local newspaper, and sample ideas for getting the word out to your members.

2.  Start encouraging your members to record their volunteer time.

3.  Encourage new members to join in order to take advantage of this Award program.  Those in your county who are active in genealogy or history but who are not current members may be prompted to join in order to participate.

4.  Develop volunteer projects for your members to participate in.  KCGS will keep you supplied with new ideas, and step-by-step volunteer guides for a variety of projects (newspaper transcription, cemetery documentation, etc).

5.  In January of 2016, collect all volunteer record sheets, certify that the work being reported is "reasonable and consistent" with their involvement in society projects, and certify that each individual meets the National requirements if receiving the National award:

• Recipient(s) must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States.
• Awards are issued for volunteer service only; additional levels of participation with the organization (i.e., charitable support) are not a factor considered for the award.
• Court-ordered community service does not qualify for the award.
• Volunteer Service must be with projects directly or indirectly connected to the overall purpose of your local Society or Museum, or in achievement of the purposes of the KCGS; primarily, in promoting genealogy and family history research, collection and preservation of genealogical and historical records, assisting others in their research, educating others in any aspect of family history, etc.

6.  Submit a summary and certification to KCGS for each award recipient along with payment for the National Awards package.  The actual fee is determined by the Points of Light Foundation and is currently $ 5.50 for the Award letter, certificate, and pin.  The cost is $ 8.00 if you prefer the Medallion & Ribbon instead of the Pin for your members.  KCGS will pay shipping fees.  Also, KCGS will provide you with several ideas and sample letters to assist you in raising donations, if needed, to pay for the cost of these awards.    While you cannot charge the recipient for this cost, this can be provided for in many other ways.

7.  KCGS will send you the State & National awards when they arrive, along with a Press Release to honor your volunteers, as well as any corporate sponsors of your local volunteer efforts during the previous year.

That's it!  Even if you're not entirely sure you will want to participate in the full National Presidential Volunteer Service Award at this time, you will at least want to encourage your volunteers to record their time so that you and the KCGS can recognize their annual efforts.

In an age when the typical Genealogy & Historical Society is struggling and being forced to adapt to new technologies, getting your County resources compiled and online is essential.  The Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies wants to help your organization remain viable and thriving in today's world, preserving the past for all future generations.  The KCGS Volunteer Awards program is one way we can support you in your mission and at the same time promote recognition of the tremendous contributions made by all of the Genealogy and Family History volunteers in Kansas.