Nominations sought for 2012 U.P. Service Awards

MARQUETTE – In recognition of the tremendous contributions of volunteers across the Upper Peninsula, the U.P. Volunteer Network (UPVN) announces the launch of the fourth annual U.P. Service Awards to coincide with National Volunteer Week, April 15-21. Nominations will be accepted through June 1.

Categories for the awards include Youth, Adult, Senior, Business Community Leader, Volunteer Program, and Volunteer Connect. The latter honors organizations that have effectively used and promoted UPvolunteer.org, an online database which volunteers use to search for volunteer opportunities in their community. Award recipients will be announced in July and honored at the U.P. Nonprofit Conference at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, October 19.

“Making a nomination for the U.P. Service Awards is a great way to recognize and thank the outstanding volunteers we have in the U.P.,” said Linda Remsburg, Youth Development Associate at the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development and partner in the UPVN. “The awards pay tribute to all volunteers and help to inspire potential volunteers as well.”

To submit a nomination online, or to download a nomination packet, go to www.upvolunteer.org/nominate. Nomination packets are also available at the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development office, 1175 Erie St., Marquette.

For more information, call 877-339-6884 or email upvolunteernetwork@glcyd.org.

The UPVN’s mission is to build the capacity of organizations to connect with and manage volunteers. In addition to promoting volunteerism and recognizing volunteers, the UPVN provides volunteer management training to nonprofits and is the administrator of UPvolunteer.org.

The UPVN is led by the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development with core partners including U.P. 2-1-1, United Way of the Eastern U.P. Volunteer Center, Volunteer Center and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency, RSVP of Delta, Menominee, Schoolcraft and Marinette counties, and RSVP of Marquette County.