Nominations open for Governor’s Awards

AUGUSTA — Each year the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism celebrate and honor the exemplary community service of Maine's dedicated citizens.

At the same time, the award program seeks to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those recognized. Through their donated time and talent, volunteers help communities stretch finite cash resources to deliver the most services possible.

Individual, Roll of Honor, and Organization/School District nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism are now being accepted. Nominations must be submitted electronically by February 1, 2013. For information on how to submit nominations, visit VolunteerMaine.org.

Award categories for individuals are Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding National Service Volunteer, Outstanding Public Sector Volunteer, Outstanding Service-learning Practitioner and Excellence in Volunteer Administration.

Roll of Honor recognizes volunteers serving 500 hours or more during 2012.

Award categories for Organizations/School Districts are Small Business Volunteerism Award, Outstanding Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award and Corporate Volunteerism Award.

The Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism were established in 1986 and have continued uninterrupted since then. The awards are presented at the Capitol each year in April during National Volunteer Week. The awards program is managed for the Governor’s Office by the Maine Commission for Community Service.

The Maine Commission for Community Service builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy.

For more information about the Maine Commission for Community Service, visit www.maineservicecommission.gov.