Honorary Service Awards

Applications – Awarded Year Round

Purpose – Honorary Service Awards (HSAs) are designed as a unique way for PTA units, councils, and districts to publicly acknowledge both individuals and organizations for outstanding community service to children and youth in a community.

HSAs are awarded at PTA sponsored meetings or at functions of allied groups as a way to say thank you for all you do for the children in our community.

One indication of the program's popularity is the number of HSAs given out each year with more than 3,300 recipients honored by PTA units, councils and districts in 2011.

All monies collected with this program are used exclusively to fund the California State PTA Scholarship and Grant Program.

Honorary Service Awards March – November 2011

Presented by Unit, Council and District PTAs

1st District 540 Awards 16th District 61 Awards
2nd District 9 Awards 17th District 131 Awards
3rd District 21 Awards 18th District 3 Awards
4th District 523 Awards 20th District N/A
5th District 148 Awards 21st District 21 Awards
6th District 133 Awards 22nd District 5 Awards
7th District 2 Awards 23rd District 119 Awards
8th District 14 Awards 24th District 11 Awards
9th District 197 Awards 30th District N/A
10th District 42 Awards 31st District 16 Awards
11th District N/A 32nd District 142 Awards
12th District 205 Awards 33rd District 709 Awards
13th District 26 Awards 34th District 64 Awards
14th District 8 Awards Peralta District 93 Awards
15th District 59 Awards

Recognitions

The Honorary Service Award Program is a series of awards that PTAs may apply for to recognize the community service of their individual volunteers and the valued service of organizations that are their community partners.

The program offers five, distinctive types of awards:

  • Very Special Person Award (VSP) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for their service to PTA.
    • VSP Award is available with a contribution of $15 or more by a PTA unit, council or district.
    • PTAs may also purchase a VSP service pin at an additional cost ($8) to present to a VSP recipient.
  • Honorary Service Award (HSA) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding service to children and youth in your community, going above and beyond what is asked of them.
    • HSA Award certificate is available with a contribution of $30 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.
    • PTAs may also purchase a HSA service pin at an additional cost ($5) to present to a HSA recipient.
  • Continuing Service Award (CSA) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for ongoing or long-time service to children and youth, providing support year after year.
    • CSA award certificate is available with a contribution of $30 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.
    • PTAs may also purchase a CSA service pin at an additional cost ($14) to present to a CSA recipient.
  • Golden Oak Service Award (GOSA) – This award is given to recognize, as the most prestigious of the Honorary Service Awards, an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school or community.
    • GOSA Award certificate is available with a contribution of $60 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.
    • PTAs may also purchase a GOSP service pin at an additional cost ($20) to present to a GOSP recipient.
  • In Memoriam or Tribute Donations – This award is issued when donations of $10 or more are made by PTAs or by individuals in tribute to a person, a group or in memoriam.
    • Donations are another way to make a financial contribution to California State PTA; honor an individual for service; as a tribute to a person who has already received an HSA; as a tribute to an organization or group of people for service given; or, in memoriam.
    • Donors may specify the use of the funds by California State PTA for scholarships, grants, leadership outreach or another area of their choice on the application form, 326 In Memoriam or Tribute Donation.
    • An acknowledgment card or a certificate suitable for framing, as requested, will be issued in the name of the recipient

Application Tips

PTAs apply for HSAs by completing and sending the following two forms to California State PTA:

  • Honorary Service Award Nomination Form
  • Honorary Service Award Order Form

When making a donation in memoriam or tribute in the name of an individual or organization, please use the 'In Memoriam or Tribute Donation' form instead of the HSA Nomination Form.

All monies that you contribute to this program are used exclusively to fund the California Scholarship and Grant Program.

When presenting an HSA award, keep in mind that honorees may receive:

  • More than one of any of these awards in different years
  • HSA any time during the term from a PTA unit, council or district
  • Recognition at a special PTA function such as a Founders Day event or an end of the term meeting or luncheon

A brief overview of the program is available as a brochure: HSA Brochure

If you have questions, please contact: hsa@capta.org

Download Application and Order Forms:

PTA CHECK LIST – HONORARY SERVICE AWARDS

  • Review the types of awards, donation amounts and criteria for selecting honorees for specific awards.
  • Publicize the awards and ask for suggestions for honorees from your members. Distribute a flyer requesting names and information.
  • Meet to discuss and select honorees. Remember to keep your proceedings confidential.
  • Budget for HSA awards as a line item and keep expenditures within your budget.
  • Order specific awards and certificates using order forms in the California State PTA Toolkit. Service pins can also be ordered at the same time, allowing four to six weeks for delivery.
  • Arrange for award presentations at a meeting or function such as Founders Day or end-of-the-year luncheon.
  • Devise an innovative way to present an award using a poem, skit or other unique way to highlight the recipients' accomplishments. Remember to mention that HSA contributions fund the California State PTA Scholarship and Grant program in the honoree's name.
  • Arrange for families and friends of the honorees to attend the presentation.
  • Provide the award recipient with a copy of the biographical materials used in the presentation. Assign a committee member to take photos for the recipient.
  • Write a summary of the event for the chairman's procedure book and add copies of the photos, program and biographies as well.
  • Maintain an accurate record of all HSA awards in a permanent file.
  • Celebrate volunteers and community service.