In January of 2003, by Executive Order, President George W. Bush announced the formation of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. On January 27, 2005, President Bush amended the Executive Order, extending the President’s Council through January 2007.

Administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media. Click here for a complete list of Council Members or listen to their new radio PSAs encouraging more Americans to get involved in their communities.

One of the first priorities of the Council was to establish a volunteer recognition program. Since 2003, the Council has recognized more than 662,000 Americans with the President’s Volunteer Service Award. To learn more about the Award or to register your organization for the program, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Another Council initiative, The Summit on Corporate Volunteerism, was begun in February 2008 with the aim of expanding the donation of business employees'  professional skills and services to nonprofit organizations in need of those services. To learn more or to become a Pro Bono Champion, please click here.