We are excited to announce nominations are OPEN for the 2021 International Volunteer Awards! This is your opportunity to recognize the dedication of our outstanding volunteers. Nominations are open for the following three awards:

The Galatti Award

Established in 1983, the Galatti Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service honors AFS Volunteers whose commitment and dedication to the organization have advanced the mission and goals of AFS. Stephen Galatti served as the Director General of AFS for more than 28 years, from its beginnings in 1936 until his death in 1964. He built and transformed AFS from a volunteer ambulance service into a worldwide organization that promotes peace and global awareness through intercultural learning experiences. In keeping with Galatti’s vision, AFS places the highest value on its volunteers and recognizes them as the drivers of all AFS programs. This award is an opportunity to honor volunteers who are long-time AFS role models and inspire other generations to volunteer.

Submit your Galatti Nomination Here

The deadline is April 30th, 2021

The Peggy and Art Howe Award

Families are at the heart of AFS. We often see multiple members of a family actively volunteering for the organization and sharing the #AFSeffect. With this award, we want to honor the families of our volunteers while remembering Peggy and Art Howe, an exceptional couple who remarkably advanced the mission and goals of AFS both within the organization and in society at large.

Art Howe, a long-time champion of AFS, began as an ambulance driver and later served as President and as a Life Trustee. Peggy Howe served as a local chapter volunteer and as the volunteer coordinator at the AFS headquarters, and she was also a key support and behind-the-scenes facilitator during Art’s tenure as AFS President. Art and Peggy have supported and collaborated with each other in their effort to foster diversity and inclusion on numerous occasions.

Though there are many examples of ways that the Howes supported diversity and inclusion, there are many different ways of interpreting diversity and inclusion. Tell us about how your favorite family of AFS Volunteers promotes diversity, inclusion, and the AFS mission.

Submit your Peggy and Art Howe Nomination Here

Deadline is April 30th, 2021

Young AFS Volunteer Award

Volunteerism has an important role to play in harnessing the potential of young people, and in AFS, young volunteers make fundamental contributions to promote intercultural understanding. Established in 2015 internationally, the Young AFS Volunteer Award for Outstanding Service recognizes AFS volunteers under the age of 30 whose exceptional contributions to the organization have made a difference in advancing the AFS mission and goals of AFS.

Submit your nomination here Submit your Young AFS Volunteer Nomination Here

Deadline is April 30th, 2021

Join the Volunteer Recognition Committee (VRC) on March 30th for a live “Volunteer Recognition Info Session” to learn more about the process of submitting a nomination.

Volunteer Recognition Info Session Sign Up

Start nominating today!  All awards are open between March 15th- April 30th, 2021

Questions about these awards can be directed to the AFS-USA Volunteer Recognition Committee at volrecognition@afsusa.org