The closing date for 2012 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards has now passed
Finalists will be announced in February 2012

1. Who is eligible for The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards?
   Young people in post-primary/secondary level education who live on the island of Ireland, who have conducted a volunteer service activity within the past year are eligible to apply for The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards. (Employees of Pramerica, NAPD, GTCNI, or any of its affiliates and any firm involved in the programme, their children, are NOT eligible.)
   
   
2. How do I apply for The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards?
   Eligible students may complete a Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme application and submit it to their school principals. Students cannot apply directly to The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards. They must apply through the approved channel for judging.
   
   
3. I am home-schooled. Can I still apply?
   Yes. The person who is in charge of your education may sign the application (in most cases a parent) and send it to the National Judging Panel.
   
   
4. My friends and I worked on the programme together. Can we apply together?
   No, only individuals can apply. Groups are not eligible. This does not preclude an individual from applying who had assistance on his project. Everyone on the project can apply; however, they must do so individually and the certifying school or organisation decides which individual is submitted for national-level judging.
   
   
5. I am a Boy Scout. Can I apply for The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards?
   Yes. All young people in secondary level education who are conducting volunteer service may apply. Boy Scouts must submit their applications to their schools.
   
   
6. Does my school have to be a member of NAPD or GTCNI in order to participate?
   No. Any school may participate.
   
   

1. Where do I get an application?
   Applications are available from your school principal, on this website (www.pramerica.ie/spirit), or may be obtained by emailing us at spirit@pramerica.ie. Applications can be sent directly to an interested student; however, applicants must submit their completed applications to a school principal.
   
   
2. How do I apply?
   Students must apply through a secondary level/post-primary school. Individual applicants may request an application; however, applicants must submit completed applications to their school principal for judging.
   
   
3. May I make photocopies of the application form, or do I need to submit an original application form?
   You may photocopy the application.
   
   
4. May I complete the questions on the application on my home computer and paste it over the space allotted for the answer?
   Yes.
   
   
5. May I hand write my answers on the application?
   No, applications should be typed if possible.
   
   
6. I have the application completed. Now what do I do with it?
   Applications must be submitted to a school principal. Applications sent to the programme's judges directly by applicants are not eligible.
   
   
7. Where do I send the application?
   Students must submit their applications directly to a school principal by the 26th of October 2011. Participating schools must send their selected applications postmarked no later the 11th of November 2011 to:
   
   The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards
   Letterkenny Office Park
   Letterkenny
   Co. Donegal
   
   
8. May I submit my application directly to the awards programme?
   No. Applications must be submitted through a school to be eligible.
   
   
9. My school is not participating in the programme. How do I apply?
   Your school does not need to implement the programme for you to apply. Ask your principal if he or she will certify and endorse your application and then submit it for national-level judging for you. Principals can nominate a maximum of two applications for national-level judging.
   
   

1. My school did not get information on the programme. I have questions on how to implement the programme at my school. Who should I talk to?
   Complete implementation instructions are mailed to all secondary level school principals. Or, if you'd like a printed packet, you may email: spirit@pramerica.ie to have a packet mailed to you.
   
   
2. What do I do to implement the programme in my school?
   First, make your students or members aware of this opportunity for volunteer recognition, and distribute application forms to those who are interested and eligible. Collect completed applications by the 26th of October 2011.
   
   
3. Can teachers certify applications?
   No. Teachers can provide a reference endorsing the application but applications must be certified by a school Principal or Deputy Principal.
   
   
4. Where do I send the application?
   Students must submit their applications directly to a school principal by the 26th of October 2011. Participating schools (or organisations) must send their selected applications postmarked no later than the 11th of November 2011 to:
   
   The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards
   Letterkenny Office Park
   Letterkenny
   Co. Donegal
   
   
5. How can I make sure you've received my application?
   Schools that have submitted an application for national-level judging may enclose a self-addressed, stamped POSTCARD with the application. This postcard will be returned upon receipt of the applications. Confirmations cannot be provided by telephone.
   
   

1. What is the application deadline date?
   The 26th October 2011.
   
   
2. What is the deadline for schools to submit their selected applications?
   The Principal will review, certify and endorse the applications, prior to forwarding them to the National Judging Panel, postmarked no later than the 11th of November 2011.
   
   
3. When are the National Honorees announced? How many are there?
   The announcement will be made in February 2012, there will be 20 finalists selected.
   
   
4. When are the national recognition events in Ireland?
   The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Gala Dinner will be held on the 28th of March 2012 in Derry.
   
   

1. What is the judging criteria?
   Applications are judged on motivation (How much personal initiative was involved in the activity?), service (How much time and effort did the activity require?), impact (How much of a difference did the service activity make?) sustainability (What is the lasting impact of the volunteering activity?), commitment (What personal sacrifices did the applicant have to make?) and challenge (Did the student have to overcome significant obstacles, were support structures in place?).
   
   
2. What types of projects have been selected to receive state recognition in the past?
   To read about last year's National Honorees and their projects, click here
   
   

1. When are the national recognition events in Ireland?
   On the 28th March 2012, The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Dinner will be held in Derry.
   
   
2. Who will attend the national event?
   The 20 finalists will attend the Gala Awards Dinner on the 28th March 2012, where two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year will be chosen and presented with their awards.