Recognizing Outstanding Volunteers in Maryland

The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) works with a number of partners to provide opportunities for nonprofits, businesses, and schools to honor the contributions of local volunteers. From state-wide events, like the Governor’s Service Awards to volunteer certificates awarded to individual citizens, there are many ways to recognize the extraordinary work of volunteers across Maryland.

Click on the links below to find more information about the following:

Governor's Citation | Governor's Proclamation | Annual Events

Volunteer Certificates

The GOSV awards volunteer certificates to Marylanders for outstanding contributions to local communities.Sample Certificate

Agencies may request up to 350 certificates; and requests must be submitted via an online submission form. In order to complete your request, you will be required to complete an online form with basic information such as your contact information and the number of certificates needed.

After your request is submitted, you will receive an email at the email address provided in the form. You will then be prompted to populate an Excel spreadsheet with the names of the volunteers to be honored and the reason for honor. Reply to the original email with the Excel document attached. Complete details will be included in the form and email instructions.

Before you begin your request, be sure to have:

  • a valid email address;
  • access to your email;
  • the complete street address where the certificates should be mailed;
  • the date when the certificates are needed; and
  • correct spelling of the volunteers to be honored.

 

Cick on the arrows below for more information about Volunteer Certificates.

arrowdown Deadlines

If you plan to present the certificate at a ceremony or event, your request must be received at least two weeks prior to the event.

Please Note: Due to a high volume of requests in summer months, requests over 100 certificates may require additional fulfillment time.

arrowdown Frequently Asked Questions

What do the certificates look like?

Certificates are addressed to individual volunteers, and they are usually presented as part of an annual or special recognition event.  Certificates are 8.5 x 11 inches in size,

What are the volunteer certificates for?

The GOSV awards volunteer certificates to Marylanders for outstanding contributions to local communities. 

Certificates are addressed to individual volunteers, and they are usually presented as part of an annual or special recognition event. 

How many can certificates can I request?

Agencies may request up to 350 certificates.

Submit a certificate request

Annual Events

Cick on the links below for more information about the GOSV's annual events.

 

honor rows

service awards

Other Recognition Tools

Please Note: The tools listed below are filled outside of the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism. To find out more information about the status of your request email governor@gov.state.md.us.

 

Governor’s Citation

You may request one or more Governor’s Citations from the State House to honor the contributions of a particular volunteer, a group of volunteers, or an agency or Sample Citationnonprofit organization that works with volunteers.

To request a Citation, submit a description of the recipient’s full name and accomplishments, the date, time, and location of the recognition event (if applicable), and an overview of the organization requesting the Citation.

The Citation(s) will need to be picked up at the State House in Annapolis or mailed to you. Be sure to include your full mailing address—and note that the Citations are approximately 12 x 16 inches in size. Submit this information via email to governor@gov.state.md.us.

Cick on the arrows below for more information about the Governor's Citation.

arrowdown Deadlines
If you plan to present the citation at a ceremony or event, your request must be received at least one month prior to the event.
arrowdown Description of Citations

Each Citation includes a tailored description of the contribution of the recipient(s) and official recognition from the Governor; in general,

Citations are presented as part of a ceremony or event (e.g. volunteer recognition banquet).

 

Governor’s Proclamation

You may request a Proclamation from the Governor to call attention to a particular period of time (e.g. National Volunteer Week) or raise awareness about a specific issue or cause for your agency or volunteers. Sample Proclamation Proclamations are produced for regional or state-wide events and issued in conjunction with programs sponsored by organizations, schools, and other institutions.

To request a Proclamation, submit a description of the period of time or issue to be recognized, the date, time, and location of the program, and an overview of the organization requesting the Proclamation. The Proclamation(s) will need to be picked up at the State House in Annapolis or mailed to you.

Be sure to include your full mailing address—and note that the Proclamations are approximately 12 x 16 inches in size. Submit this information via email to governor@gov.state.md.us.

Cick on the arrow below for more information about the Governor's Proclamation.

arrowdown Deadlines
Your request must be received at least one month prior to the event.