How I Can Make a Difference in My Community...

1.  VOLUNTEER!  Register at the Volunteer Center and "Get Connected"!

2.  Be a part of the Youth Advisory Committee - YAC - (see below...)

3.  Join a non-profit board!  Local boards are looking for a youth voice.  You can choose from Alpenfest, Gus Macker, American Cancer Society, Friendship Shelter, OWLS, Volunteer Center, Habitat for Humanity, Otsego County Community Foundation, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, Trout Unlimited, and many more!

4.  Attend a meeting of a local government (city council, county commissioners or township board):

* Be prepared, know what is on the agenda, introduce yourself to others, shake hands, know when to speak and when not to, dress appropriately, be on time!

5. Attend a school board meeting. (*Follow the above suggestions)

6. Read the local newspaper, not just the sports sections!

7. Listen to the local news on radio or TV.

8.  Attend "Business After Hours" and meet the people who "hire" you.

9.  Register to vote when you turn 18, and then make it a life-long commitment to vote in every election.  One vote can make a difference!

10.  Get "behind" a cause you believe in:

*Put together a strong group of supporters, get the facts, campaign honestly, use the media, be a gracious winner/loser.

11.  Attend local memorials...Yellow Ribbon, Veteran's Day, 9/11, etc.

12.  Follow the law!  Learn the laws and then be a good role model.

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YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Otsego County Community Foundation is seeking Otsego County youth in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12  who have an interest in representing the youth of Otsego County. 

Every year the Youth Advisory Committee (Y.A.C.) makes grants to deserving projects in Otsego County.  Learn about the grant making process through the Youth Grantmaker certification program.  Participate in meaningful community projects.  Make actual grants to support areas of need in our community.

For more information, contact Bill Dawson, Otsego County Community Foundation Director at 989-731-0597. Hours served with Y.A.C. can be credited toward your Michigan Student Service Award hours.

• Y.A.C. stands for Youth Advisory Committee.
• Y.A.C. provides an excellent leadership opportunity for Otsego County youth!
• Y.A.C. meets on a monthly basis for the school year.  
• Y.A.C. is high school youth from Gaylord, Gaylord St. Mary's, Vanderbilt, and Johannesburg - Lewiston.
• Y.A.C. identifies youth needs through a youth assessment done every two (2) years in Otsego County.
• Y.A.C. mainly focuses on making recommendations to the Foundation on how grant money should be spent in the community to address youth needs.
• Y.A.C. is Fun!

YOUTH ON BOARDS

YES!  High school youth can and do serve on non-profit boards!  The Volunteer Center has current area non-profit agencies and organizations with available board positions.  If you are in interested in serving on the board of directors for an area agency, contact the Volunteer Center at 705-8584.

YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM SCHOLARSHIPS

The goals of the Youth Volunteerism Scholarships Program are to recognize deserving students and help them attend college, to further an ethic of service, and to encourage more young people to volunteer.

Eligibility for the scholarships include that a student must be a graduating high school senior; and resident of Otsego County planning to attend college or trade school n the fall; have all of the volunteer service hours fulfilled; and have an application submitted to the Volunteer Center by the April deadline.

Applications are available from all local high schools, from the Volunteer Center office, or on the webpage.

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Michigan Student Service Award

Honored for their outstanding commitment to volunteerism and exemplary performance in enhancing community life in Otsego County, these  honorees have distinguished themselves by outstanding volunteer efforts throughout the course of their high school career.  All have completed and documented more than the minimum required hours of volunteer service for their graduation year.  A medallion of distinction and certificate of recognition from Governor Jennifer M. Granholm was presented to each award recipient.

2005 MICHIGAN STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

The State of Michigan award recipients:

  Elyse Granlund

Cassidy Hart

Toree Johnston

Derek Rudel

Jennifer Sehl

2004 MICHIGAN STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

The State of Michigan award recipients:

Kimberly Abeel

Terra Noirot

2003 MICHIGAN STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

The State of Michigan award recipients:

David Coger

Kim Greening

Codee Hart

Amy Lisuk

Beth Petruska

Jessie Wambold

WHAT IS THE MICHIGAN STUDENT SERVICE AWARD?

The Michigan Student Service Award Program is a way of recognizing high school graduates who volunteer a significant number of hours to benefit their community through service and volunteerism during the course of their high school careers.

Similar to other awards bestowed on graduating seniors of talent, commitment and perseverance in academics and athletics, the The Michigan Student Service Award honors those special students who participate in activities outside of school that make their community a better place to live. The Michigan Student Service Award rewards their commitment to helping other people and organizations in a significant way.

How Does the Award Program Work?

Over the course of their four years in high school, students complete and document a significant number of non-paid community service.  These activities must meet a recognized community need and be undertaken through nonprofit organizations, government programs, community groups, or schools.  Hours must be served in Otsego County.

Questions and Answers...

Who can enroll in this program?  Enrollment is open to all Otsego County 9th-12th graders. Youth can enroll at any time during the year.

Where are enrollment forms?  Youth can pick up application forms at the Volunteer Center or at their high school counselor’s office.

How do I keep track of my hours? Youth are responsible for keeping track of their hours and getting signatures from the agency staff that supervised each of the activities they have been involved in. Time sheets are available at the Volunteer Center and high school counselor offices. The school collects time sheets or they can be mailed or dropped off at the Volunteer Center. The Volunteer Center records student hours in a database and maintains a permanent record of service hours. Students can get copies of their records at any time.

I’m a Senior this year, so how many hours do I need?  In order to receive a medallion to wear during graduation (2006) you will need 400 hours.

What is the deadline to submit my hours?  The deadline for your senior year is May 1st.  All students should turn in their time sheets at least once a quarter (December 31st; April 30th; August 31st).

What things count toward volunteer hours?  Hopefully the chart below will help you out. And remember, you can always call the Volunteer Center at 989-705-8584 if you have questions!

Things that DO COUNT          toward volunteer hours:

Volunteering at a community nonprofit organization (examples: Habitat for Humanity, Public Library, Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters).

Taking up collections, such as returnable cans, food drives, donating to a community organization (as long as it is not to raise money for school or church).

Snow shoveling, raking and helping neighbors (as long as you are not paid as a job).

Tutoring and helping young kids outside of school hours.

Litter pick-up, recycling, flower planting and other community beautification projects, Winterfest, Alpenfest, and Holiday Giving Efforts such as Salvation Army Bell Ringing and Adopt-A-Family.

       Things that DO NOT COUNT   toward volunteer hours:

Church-related activities that only involve your congregation (examples: Bible school, childcare at church, pancake breakfasts).

School activities that only involved those connected to school (examples: cheerleading, student council, classroom/office aide, coaching assistant, decorating for prom, homecoming floats, concessions at sporting events).

Volunteer work done for school credit (service learning).

Fundraisers to raise money for school programs.

Campaign work for a political candidate.

Mission trips outside of Otsego County.