Michigan Student Service Awards

For the 2008-2009 school year, 113 high school seniors across Michigan were recognized for completing at least 400 hours of community service! Volunteer Centers of Michigan is proud of these students for serving a combined total of over 45,000 hours. Contact Ashley Gulker at agulker@mivolunteers.org to share a Michigan Student Service Award story.

The Michigan Student Service Award, is a premier statewide program recognizing high school graduates who volunteer a significant number of hours to benefit their communities.

Currently eleven community Volunteer Centers are participating in the award program.  These Volunteer Centers have shown exemplary dedication to youth service, willingness to devote increased time and resources to working with local high schools and students.  In launching and administering this program local volunteer centers are gaining wide geographic representation throughout the state.

Students involved in the Michigan Student Service program over four years will complete and document 400 hours of non-paid community service that meet a recognized community need, under the auspices of a nonprofit organization, government program, community group or school. The following types of activities qualify for certification by the Volunteer Center:

• Direct Service, such as river clean up, tutoring, spending time with a nursing home resident;
• Indirect Service, such as computer data entry, fundraising, food collection, board or committee work for a nonprofit;
• Civic Engagement, advocacy or community organizing, such as beautification, mural painting, community surveys;

Recognition usually takes place at the high school honors event. Students receive:

• An Honor Medallion, to be worn at commencement exercises
• A Certificate of Distinction for Commitment to Service from the community Volunteer Center
• Community-wide recognition by the Volunteer Center during National Volunteer Week

Evaluations of the program show great enthusiasm and success. Volunteer Centers of Michigan, in affiliation with Michigan Nonprofit Association, will partner in seeking statewide business sponsors to expand this program.

MSSA Resources

Please use and modify the following douments to fit your Volunteer Center needs for the Michigan Student Service Awards:

• About MSSA- This is a one page overview about the Michigan Student Service Awards.
• MSSA Brochure- This brochure can be modified and used for general MSSA recruitment.
  • Brochure Insert- This two-sided insert helps explain what kind of volunteer activities are and are not allowable for MSSA hours.
• Student Essay Guidelines- The reflective essay is the final step needed by students to complete award requirements.
• Student Volunteer Activity Report-This is a form for students to use in documenting their service hours. It should be completed by participating students and turned at their school's office.
• Alternative Form for Recording Volunteer Hours- Provided by United Way of Bay County Volunteer Center
• Sample Press Release- available to use as a template for MSSA media and community outreach
• Sample Scholarship Letter- Available to use as a template for the solitation of funds from community organizations to provide a scholarship to one exemplary senior award winner.
• Sample PowerPoint Presentation- Provided by United Way of Bay County Volunteer Center, this can be used for advertising the program and/or recruiting sponsors for program or scolarship costs.
• Sample Award Cermony Letter-for use in contacting award winner's school regarding graduation ceremony participation
• Sample Grant Proposal- Provided by United Way of Bay County Volunteer Center, this can be used to request funding for program costs.
  • Sample Grant Proposal Presentation Outline- Key points to include when requesting funding for MSSA
• MSSA Evaluation- To be completed at end of each academic year by participating volunteer centers and returned to Ashley Gulker.