President’s Volunteer Service Award FAQ
www.presidentialserviceawards.gov
Q: What is it?
A: A national volunteer awards program, encouraging people to live a life of service.
Q: Is Girl Scouts of Western Washington a certifying organization?
A: Yes, GSUSA is the partner organization and Girl Scouts of Western Washington is one of its certifying
organizations.
Q: Who can participate?
A: Girl Scout Members from age 5 and up.
Q: Can family members who are not Girl Scout members participate?
A: No, they must be a member of the certifying organization. They may be eligible for other organizations.
Q: When I set up a record of service account, why does it ask if I’m older than 14?
A: Girls 14 and under can participate, but an adult must sign them up.
Q: It says entering my first and last name is optional – is that true?
A: It is MUCH easier to manage these accounts if we have your first and last name.
Q: Should I enter hours as an Individual or Group?
A: All hours should be entered under “Individual.”
Q: Can I just enter “Girl Scouts”?
A: No, your entry must clearly indicate service, i.e.: organizing cookie site sales.
Q: Can I get service hours for selling cookies?
A: No, not as a girl member; but adult members who help facilitate cookie sales can get hours.
Q: Is it OK to use “recurring” if I am a troop leader twice a month?
A: Yes, but please delete entries that fall on summer vacations or holidays when your troop does not meet.
Q: Can I add the hours that I volunteer for an organization other than Girl Scouts?
A: Yes, please do!
Q: What is a ROS Key (Record of Service Key)?
A: It links your hours to Girl Scouts of Western Washington – our ROS Key is JBF-29252
Q: Is the PVSA “year” like a Girl Scout calendar year?
A: No, it is the calendar year – January to December.
Q: Do we have to buy the awards we earn?
A: No, Girl Scouts of Western Washington will provide them.
Q: How do we get the awards?
A: Individual records are reviewed and the resulting awards are ordered annually; they can either be
direct mailed to the recipient or to a Service Unit manager or troop leader for presentation.
Q: How many awards can I earn in a calendar year?
A: One, but all of your volunteer hours over the years can be used towards a Lifetime Award.
Q: Can I get the same award more than once?
A: Yes, you are eligible to receive one award per year of any level.
Q: What if I still have questions?
A: Contact [email protected]