Honorary Service Awards (HSA) are available to recognize the service and dedication of both individuals and organizations. They may be awarded only by unit, council, district PTA and the California State PTA and should be presented by duly authorized PTA representatives at PTAsponsored meetings or at functions of allied groups.

The HSA Program includes the Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award, Golden Oak Service Award, Very Special Person Award, and donations to the HSA Program. A person may receive more than one of any of these awards.

Funds contributed to the HSA Program provide resources for the California Scholarship and Grant Program (Scholarships 7.28, 338; Grants 7.17, 312).

Individuals or organizations can make donations:

• As a contribution;
• To say thank you or to honor an individual for service given;
• In tribute to a person who already has received an Honorary Lifetime Membership, Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award or Golden Oak Service Award;
• In tribute to an organization or group of people for service given; or
• In memoriam.

An acknowledgement card or certificate suitable for framing will be sent, upon request, when a minimum donation of $10 or more is made (Donation Form, Forms 391).

A person may receive more than one HSA, more than one CSA, or more than one Golden Oak Service Award, or may have more than one donation made in his/her name.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The unit HSA chairman, with a committee appointed by the president, shall

• Study the various types of awards, the donation amounts and the criteria for selecting honorees for specific awards.
• Publicize to the membership that the HSA selection committee will be meeting and ask for suggestions for honorees. (A flyer may be distributed requesting names and information.)
• Meet for the specific purpose of selecting honorees. All proceedings must be kept confidential. Budget allocations must be observed.
• Order specific awards using the order forms in the California State PTA Toolkit . Pins may be ordered at the same time. (Allow four to six weeks for delivery.)
• Arrange for presentation of awards at a meeting as determined by the executive board and the program committee (e.g., at a Founders Day program meeting or end-of-the-year luncheon).
• Devise an innovative way to present the award(s) using a poem, skit or other unique way to praise the honorees' accomplishments. Be sure to mention that the donation made to the California State PTA scholarship and grant program in the honoree's name assists in the education of other individuals.
• Arrange for families and friends of the honorees to attend the presentation.
• Give a copy of the biographical presentation to the honoree. Assign a committee member to take pictures for the honoree. Retain copies of the pictures, programs and biographies.
• Write a summary of the event and place it in the chairman's procedure book.
• Maintain accurate records of all awards in a permanent file.

The committee should be:

• Appointed early in the officers' term to allow time for planning and ordering awards.
• Composed of different members each year.
• Representative of the school's community.
• Composed of an uneven number (five is suggested).

The applicants being considered should be recognized for outstanding service to children and youth and not for routine, assigned responsibilities or for retirement.

Avoid establishing a pattern such as always presenting an award to the outgoing president or retiring faculty members.

Remember to consider those who work behind the scenes quietly and efficiently serving youth.

HONORARY SERVICE AWARD

An Honorary Service Award (HSA) may be given to an individual or organization in special recognition of outstanding service to children and youth. This award is available by a contribution of $30 in the name of the recipient. An HSA pin (tack back) is available at an additional cost (Award Order, Forms 361).

CONTINUING SERVICE AWARD

A Continuing Service Award (CSA) may be given to an individual or organization in special recognition of continued service to children and youth and may or may not have received a California State PTA Honorary Service Award. This award is available by a contribution of $30 in the name of the recipient. A CSA pin is available for an additional cost (Award Order Form, Forms 361).

GOLDEN OAK SERVICE AWARD

The Golden Oak Service Award is the most prestigious PTA award in California. This award may be given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in the school or community. This award is available by a contribution of $60 in the name of the recipient. A Golden Oak Service pin (tack back) is available at an additional cost (Award Order Form, Forms 361).

VERY SPECIAL PERSON AWARD

The Very Special Person (VSP) Award may be given by individuals or PTA constituent organizations to recognize an individual or group. This award is available by a contribution of $15 or more. A VSP pin is available at an additional cost (Award Order Form, Forms 361).

DONATIONS

Donations may be given by PTAs/PTSAs or by individuals in tribute to a person, a group or in memoriam. The donation may be made in any amount. An acknowledgement card or certificate, as requested, will be sent when a donation of $10.00 or more is made. Anyone or any group may donate to the HSA program fund; the fund is not limited to contributions by PTAs (Donation Form, Forms 363).

Download the Honorary Service Award Order Form [pdf]