Recognizing student volunteers with leadership awards
Abstract
Although service is its own reward, it's human nature to desire recognition! At Ferris State University, leadership awards are given annually through a collaboration of the Student Leadership and Activities Office and the Student Volunteer Center. With more than 200 registered student organizations on campus participating in community service projects during the year, individuals and organizations are selected based on number of total hours reported, creativity and variety of service projects, and the impact their projects had on the community. Candice D. Fortman, Americorps*VISTA, with the Michigan Campus Compact, submitted this effective practice in September 2005.Issue
Keeping students engaged in service can be difficult if they feel underappreciated or unrecognized for their efforts.Action
Ferris State University (FSU) has held the Torchbearer Leadership Awards Luncheon since 2001. The event is a chance to honor campus leaders and highlight the projects they have worked on. Steps to take include:
The Torchbearer Awards ceremony takes place each year on the third Tuesday of April, in the Student Center and is held at 11:00 a.m. when there are no classes. The Director of Student Leadership presents the various awards, in an event that typically lasts about an hour.
Student Leadership and Activities, which also houses the FSU Volunteer Center, hosts this event. Both groups represent students who have shown leadership in social, civic, and philanthropic activities.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members nominate students for the awards. Once nominated, students are contacted and may apply for an award.
FSU alumni who are members of the Torchbearer Society select the winners of the award. Torchbearers are a select group of alumni who held leadership roles on campus as students and remain committed to the development of current campus student leadership.
Several different categories of awards are presented:
- The Rising Star award is given to individuals whose class standing is between freshman and junior, and the Torchbearer award winners are graduating seniors.
- Individual students who have logged the most volunteer hours on the volunteer center database are honored by the Student Volunteer Center.
- Student organization awards are given to both the Greek and non-Greek organizations with the most volunteer hours, the most creative service project, and the largest donation to a philanthropic project.
- Student organization recognition awards are also conferred in three-star, four-star, and five-star categories. All student organizations that completed their mandatory update forms for the year and attended the presidents’ meetings both semesters are eligible to apply for this recognition. To receive the award, an organization completes an application that describes the work they have done in the community and on campus. Other considerations include events sponsored throughout the year for which attendance is tracked, and the number of volunteer hours reported by an organization.
- Every organization that applies is eligible for at least three-star status. These organizations receive a twenty dollar university catering credit.
- Four-star organizations receive a forty dollar catering credit.
- Five-star organizations receive a check for one hundred fifty dollars to be used to help the organization with future events. There are only five organizations awarded five-star status each school year.
Funds for the luncheon and award come from Student Leadership and Activities, as well as donations from the Torchbearer Society.
Key Questions to Consider:
- Who will you recognize (individual students, organizations, advisors)?
- Will those recognized receive a plaque, trophy, certificate or other item?
- When will you host the event?
- Who will pay for the event?
- Who will review the award applications?
Context
The Ferris State University Torchbearer Society is designed to bring student leader alumni together to enrich and enhance the quality of life for current student leaders at Ferris State University. Torchbearer Society members support innovative programs that help students pursue their educational goals while building their leadership skills through campus involvement. Through networking activities and events, the Torchbearer Society helps current student leaders learn from alumni who continue to exhibit leadership in their careers and communities.
All students who report their hours to the Student Volunteer Center receive a recognition certificate. One student is selected from the hundreds of students who report their community service projects to the Student Volunteer Center. This student is honored for the quantity of time donated and the variety of service projects reported. Candice Fortman, Michigan Campus Compact Americorps*VISTA member, was the recipient of the Volunteer Center Special Recognition for the 2004-2005 school year.
Outcome
Receiving recognition promotes goodwill among volunteers, and also highlights service within the community, as there is typically media activity that corresponds with these events. For example, at FSU, each organization that receives a five-star recognition award also receives public acknowledgment in the student newspaper.Posted On
April 18, 2006For More Information
Resources
Michigan Campus Compact promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college students to be civically engaged citizens, through creating and expanding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.Related Practices
Related sites
National Service Learning Clearinghouse