Honorary Service Awards

Honorary Service Awards are awarded throughout the year and designed as a unique way for PTA units, councils and districts to publicly acknowledge both individuals and organizations for outstanding community service to children and youth in a community. Net proceeds from sales of Honorary Service Awards are used to support California State PTA’s scholarship and grant programs.

This program offers seven distinctive types of awards that include a certificate and a pin:

• Very Special Person Award (VSP) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for their service to PTA. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $25 or more by a PTA unit, council or district.

• Honorary Service Award (HSA) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding service to children and youth in your community, going above and beyond what is asked of them. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $40 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

• Continuing Service Award (CSA) – This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for ongoing or long-time service to children and youth, providing support year after year. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $45 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

• Outstanding Teacher Award (OTA) – This award may be given to recognize a teacher for outstanding service to children and youth through PTA, school, or community. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $40 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

• Outstanding Administrator Award (OAA) – This award may be given to recognize an administrator for outstanding service to children and youth through PTA, school, or the community. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $40 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

• Elected Official Honorary Service Award (EOHSA) – This award may be given to recognize an elected official for outstanding policy work and/or legislation that positively impacts the lives of children. This award may be given at the local, state or federal level. This award is not to be used as an endorsement of any elected official, but to celebrate the work of the elected official. An award certificate and pin is available with a contribution of $40 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

• Golden Oak Service Award (GOSA) – This award is given to recognize, as the most prestigious of the Honorary Service Awards, an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school or community. An award certificate and pin are available with a contribution of $85 by a PTA unit, council or district in the name of the recipient.

Scholarship Opportunities

Check the CAPTA website in late fall 2024 for 2025 scholarship opportunities. 

Continuing Education Scholarships

The scholarship must be used January 1 – December 31 following the year of award; proof of your enrollment and completion of coursework must be provided to California State PTA by June 1. Scholarships are available for:

• School staff members (teachers, counselors, nurses and staff)

• PTA volunteers

Graduating High-School Senior Scholarships

• Graduating high-school seniors are eligible to apply for the Volunteer Service Scholarship and the $500 Dr. Ralph E. White Scholarship for medical-field education.