Q.  Will President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris be in attendance at the award ceremony?  

A.   No. President Biden nor Vice President Harris will not be in attendance. Eden Estates International is an official certified presenter of the President's Volunteer Service Awards and will be presenting the awards on the behalf of the White House with Commander Charles Eggelston.

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Q.  I would like to nominate myself or another individual for an award. How do I make a nomination? 

A.  Nominations may be made by clicking on the Submit Nomination Page link.  Upon submission you will be contacted by a Eden Estates International staff member to begin the vetting process.

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Q.  When will the Award ceremony and the Grand Gala be held? 

A.  This is part of a weekend-long celebration from May 24th to May 26th.

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FRIDAY

Starting on Friday May 24th, 2024 in New Bern, NC, with a Meet and Mingle event at Persimmons Restaurant from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM, and a Mixed Sports Seminar scheduled from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, . Business professional attire is required.

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SATURDAY

The award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday May 25th, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, followed by the Grand Dinner Gala from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. An after-party will commence at 9:00 PM, concluding at 11:00 PM. Formal Dress Attire, After 5 Attire is required.

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SUNDAY

On Sunday May 26th, 2024, join us in New Bern, NC, for a Prayer Breakfast at the historic First Missionary Baptist Church, located at 819 Cypress Street, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. This will be followed by a Church Service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Church and comfort attire required.

 

Q.  At what location will the President's Lifetime Achievement award ceremony be held?

A.  The Eden Estates International award ceremony will be held at the Greenville Convention Center located at 303 Greenville Blvd SW, Greenville, NC 27834.

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Q.  How do we purchase tickets?

A.  To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.edenestates.org/ncpresidentialaward. Ensure you point your cursor directly over the seat you wish to purchase. Please note that seats may not be available the day before the events. All ticket sales will end two days prior to the event.

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Q.  How much are the tickets to attend?

A.  Tickets vary based on Sponorship or specific seating areas. Seating areas are concert style seating costs. All seating is based on tabled seats of 10 seats per table. Tables and group seating is also availabe.

 

Q.   What if I'm a community service volunteer but I am not yet a United States citizen, can I receive a Presidet's Volunteer Service Award? 

A.  Per federal program rules, only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders) may be awarded the PVSA, however, you cn receive a We The People nomination from Eden Estates International.

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Q.  What distinguishes "certified volunteer hours" from "available volunteer hours"?

A.  "Available hours" are those a volunteer can accrue towards eligibility for an award, while "certified hours" are those that have already contributed to earning an award. It's crucial to understand that once hours are certified for an award, they cannot be applied to future annual awards (bronze, silver, gold). Yet, they count towards the lifetime goal of 4,000 hours needed for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Q.  What criteria does Eden Estates International use to select nominees?

When selecting nominees for recognition, Eden Estates International focuses on a comprehensive set of criteria designed to highlight individuals who have notably contributed through their service and exemplify the organization's values of commitment, impact, and community betterment.

 

Key areas of consideration include:

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1. Years of Service: Assessing the length of time the nominee has dedicated to volunteerism, reflecting their long-term commitment to serving the community.

2. Hours of Service per Year: Evaluating the amount of time the nominee has invested in volunteer activities annually, showcasing their dedication and effort.

3. Type of Service: Considering the nature of the volunteer work undertaken, whether it's in education, health, social services, environment, or any other sector, to understand the scope of the nominee's impact.

4. Service Impact: Looking at both the tangible and intangible effects of the nominee's volunteer efforts on the community, including specific achievements or improvements.

5. Leadership and Inspiration: Identifying nominees who have led by example, inspiring or mobilizing others to contribute and make a difference through volunteering.

6. Innovative Approaches: Recognizing individuals who have employed innovative methods or solutions to address challenges within their community through volunteering.

7. Ethical Integrity: Ensuring that nominees have upheld the highest standards of integrity and ethics in their volunteer activities and personal conduct, including a clear history free from any activities related to sexual misconduct.

8. Diversity and Inclusivity: Valuing nominees who have worked towards enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their volunteer activities or who have served underrepresented or marginalized communities.

9. Partnerships: Acknowledging nominees who have fostered effective collaborations or partnerships with organizations, businesses, or other community groups in their service efforts.

10. Lifetime of Service: Specifically for awards like the Lifetime Achievement Award, seeking nominees with a significant portion of their lives dedicated to volunteer service, demonstrating an enduring commitment to positive social impact.

 

Certifying organizations may seek additional details from volunteers to ascertain their eligibility and service completion before certifying hours and processing awards. The PVSA trusts Certifying Organizations to uphold standards that meet their unique requirements, and it defers to these organizations' judgment on volunteer eligibility. Certified Organizations are prohibited from issuing a PVSA certificate to individuals with a history related to sexual misconduct.

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By considering these criteria, Eden Estates International aims to honor those whose remarkable service and leadership have made a lasting difference, thereby setting a powerful example of altruism and community building.

 

Please reach us at executiveoffice@edenestates.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.