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.

 

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 Gala Reception be held? 

 A.  It will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at the Isada Conference & Event Center located at 4355 Ridgewood,

       Center Court, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192 from 4:00 pm - 2:00 am.

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                   4:00 - 4:30 pm             Corporate Meet and Greet Networking Opportunity.

                   4:45 - 6:00 pm             Dignitary Dinner

                   6:00 - 7:00 pm             Dignitaries & Athlete’s Photo Op & Signing.

                   7:00 - 9:00 pm             The President's Volunteer Service Award Presentation.

                   10:00 pm - 2:00 am     Reception Gala.

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Q.  How many round tables can be seated into the event facility?

A.  15 round tables will be arranged, each accommodating approximately 8-10 guests, complete with place settings.

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Q.  Is there an overflow area?

A.  Short answer is Yes! The overflow area provides an additional 5 tables, accommodating another 50 seats.

 

​Q.  How much are the tickets to attend?

A.  Ticket prices vary based on sponsorship levels and seating areas. All seating is arranged in tables of 8-10, with concert-style seating costs. Group seating options are available on this website.

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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 elgible for PVSA awards, however, you can 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 volunteer hours that can be applied toward earning an award. Once these hours are "certified"—meaning they've been used to receive an award—they cannot be reused for future annual awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold). However, certified hours do count toward the required hours for PVSA awards. 

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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.