FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 30, 2024

CUBE Chair Gill Garrett was recognized for serving more than 34,500 volunteer hours on Pontiac, Mich. school board

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - On Tuesday, October 29, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith attended the National School Board Association’s Council on Urban Boards of Education Annual Conference as the keynote speaker and presented a President’s Volunteer Service award to Gill Garrett, chair on the CUBE steering committee and former school resource officer for his contribution of more than 34,500 volunteer service hours throughout his more than eight years as a school board member. Garrett’s career of service began as an AmeriCorps member in 1997 teaching students through an afterschool program in the Pontiac school district.

Garrett is a community policing officer with Michigan’s Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and serves as chair of Michigan’s Pontiac School District Board of Education. Outside of his service through the schoolboard, he volunteers through his church and fraternity and serves as board president for Centro Multicultural La Familia, a nonprofit providing a range of health and support services to Latino and Hispanic communities in Michigan’s Oakland Region.

“Gill’s leadership, the work of the CUBE steering committee, and the commitment of everyone in this room, remind me of the power we all have to make meaningful differences in the lives of others through the work we do in our communities,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for receiving such a prestigious award. My service as an AmeriCorps member rooted me to the Pontiac community,” said Gill Garrett. “I’m now serving my second term as an elected member of the Pontiac school board with over 26 years of total service in the district including nearly 25 years as a police officer. My family and I are very grateful for this honor and recognition. “

“Gill is one of the most creative and effective leaders I have ever worked with,” said Donald R. Hubler, NSBA President. “His passion and dedication to the students of his community has had a significant positive impact on district and community. At the end of the day, I wish I was more like him.”

In his remarks, Smith recognized Garrett for his outstanding commitment to volunteerism and noted the importance of national service in improving educational opportunities for students across the country. This month, the National Partnership for Student Success exceeded the Biden-Harris administration’s goal by recruiting 323,000 adults into student support roles a year ahead of schedule. Earlier this year, AmeriCorps launched the Youth Mental Health Corps in partnership with the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest, recruiting AmeriCorps members to provide mental health support to middle and high school students in their communities. Garretts service is part of a larger tapestry of national service supporting students across the country.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award allows organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers based on service of more than 12 months or a lifetime. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, the President’s Volunteer Service Award program began in 2003 and honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires others to act. Award tiers include bronze (100-174 hours), silver (175–249 hours), gold (250+ hours) and lifetime achievement awards (4,000+ hours).

Founded in 1940, the NSBA’s purpose is to ensure each student everywhere has access to excellent and equitable public education governed by high-performing school board leaders and supported by the community. The CUBE Conference has convened school board members from across the nation for the past 56 years to network and share the continually evolving strategies they are using to address the unique educational challenges that exist in the nation's urban centers. CUBE creates educational opportunities for urban school board leaders to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as effective local education policymakers and as advocates for equity in public education.

Gill Garrett and Michael D. Smith
Gill Garrett and Michael D. Smith
Gill Garrett (Left) circa 1997, during his AmeriCorps service.
Gill Garrett (left) circa 1997 during his AmeriCorps service.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.