Overview

Thank you for visiting the Governor & First Lady’s Medals for Service page! The Governor & First Lady’s Medals for Service are designed to distinguish individual volunteers, business volunteer programs and nonprofit leaders whose innovation in the field of volunteerism have had a tangible impact on their community, region and the state of California. Shining a spotlight on the state’s commitment to service, the awards demonstrate how simple acts can create big changes in communities across California.

We encourage and invite you to nominate those in your community who are creating ripples of positive change. The categories for the Governor & First Lady’s Medals for Service are as follows:

• California’s Volunteer of the Year
  Honoring an outstanding Californian whose volunteer service is exemplary and inspirational
  
  
• California’s Small Business* Volunteer Program of the Year
  Honoring an outstanding California small business with an innovative, high-impact employee volunteer program
  *A California small business is defined as having less than 500 employees with primary or significant business operations in California
  **Not-for-profit entities with employee volunteer programs meeting the “less than 500 employee” threshold should apply in this category
  
  
• California’s Business Volunteer* Program of the Year
  Honoring an outstanding California business with an innovative, high-impact employee volunteer program
  * A California business is defined as having more than 500 employees with primary or significant business operations in California
  ** Not-for-profit entities with employee volunteer programs meeting the ”more than 500 employee” threshold should apply in this category
  
  
• California’s Nonprofit of the Year
  Honoring a California nonprofit that has shown an extraordinary ability to leverage volunteers in service to their organization
  
  
• California’s Service Group of the Year
  Honoring a California service group / club with a demonstrable impact and unwavering commitment to their community
  
  
• California’s AmeriCorps Member of the Year
  Honoring a California AmeriCorps member who has demonstrated AmeriCorps values, has made a significant contribution to their community, and is committed to a lifetime of service
  
  

Nominations must be received by CaliforniaVolunteers by 5:00PM Monday, April 5. For additional details, including eligibility, nomination packets, event date, etc., please see the Official Rules & Guidelines

Online Nominations

CaliforniaVolunteers strongly encourages you to submit your nomination online. To ensure your online nomination is accurate and given full consideration, please review these special online submission instructions PRIOR to submitting an online nomination.

To begin the online nomination process, please visit the following page:

Mail-In Nominations

CaliforniaVolunteers strongly encourages you to submit your nomination online, unless you are submitting electronic media. Please note that mail-in nominations are required if submitting any electronic media, such as CDs or DVDs.

Official Rules & Guidelines

For additional details, including eligibility, event date, etc., please see the Official Rules & Guidelines.

For any additional inquiries related to the nomination process, please e-mail recognition@CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov.