We are excited to announce open nominations for the 2018 International Volunteer Awards! This is your opportunity to recognize the dedication of our outstanding volunteers. Nominations are open for the following two 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 nomination here. The deadline is November 5, 2018.
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 nomination here. The deadline is November 5, 2018.
Past Galatti Award Nominees (International Winners denoted by **)
2017 Jean Goecks (Oregon)
2016 Linne Shields (Texas)**
2015 Jan Perkins (Arkansas)
2014 Sharon Held (Michigan)**
2013 Sarah Yancey (Missouri Gateway)
2012 Nancy Henderson (Greater Puget Sound)
2011 Minna Smith (Milwaukee)
2010 Larry Ralph (Downeast Maine)**
2009 Carol Ann Zimmerman (Heartland KS)
2008 Gerry Bair (Carolinas)
2007 Judy Weyand (Downeast Maine)**
2006 Mary Porterfield (Heartland KS)
2004 Jerene Thomas (Virginia)**
2003 Cathie Currin (New York)**
1987 Gordon Clemens (Steinbeck Coast)
1986 Fran Furlong (Kansas City)
1985 Rosemary Gettleman (Greater Cleveland)
1984 Eunice Grimaldi (New York)
1983 Gus Leimkuhler (Kansas City)
1983 Elita Hawley (Salinas)
Past Howe Award Nominees (International Winners denoted by **)
2017 Andres Family (Michigan)
2016 Munro-Proulx Family (California)**
Questions about these awards can be directed to the AFS-USA Volunteer Recognition Committee at volrecognition@afsusa.org.