A student completes 40 hours each school year in documented volunteerism. The school year is defined as the summer before you enter school and the corresponding school year. EX: July 2005 to June 2006 is a year. SUMMER HOURS COUNT!!!

After all hours have been submitted and approved the student will receive a silver cord to wear during graduation ceremonies Senior year. You may also add this to your transcript. SENIORS you must have your 40 hours of senior year complete by April 15th before graduation. This must be done so you can receive your cord during the awards ceremony.

A student who completes 100 hours in a school year, with documentation, will be eligible for the Century Club. This award can be earned in any or all of your high school years. Awards are presented at a Century Club Banquet and your name is placed on the Hall of Fame. ALL STUDENTS: You must have all your hours completed by April 15th to be eligible !!! Any time sheets received after that time will NOT COUNT for that year's Century Club, but will be credited to the next year.

The definitions below will help you understand the program and what is considered volunteering.

• Definition of Volunteer Hours:
  Volunteer Hours are those that you provide for the betterment of a community, and the school, after school hours (after 1:47 pm or during your lunch).
• You must not receive any payment ( money, stipend, products). Remember you volunteer to give your time and skills to help others.
• You cannot perform service for a profit-making organization.

Some examples of Community Service: Tutoring, Library Aide, Museum Guide, Beach Clean Up, Charity Collection Drives, Charitable Walk-A-Thons or Road Races, Hospital Aide, Nursing Home or Council on Aging Aide, Religious Education Teacher, Town Recreation Dept. Coach or Referee, Habitat for Humanity, Counselor-In-Training for a town recreation department or non profit camp, recycling projects. These are just a sampling of what can be done.

The following are NOT considered volunteer hours:

• Travel to and from volunteer activities
• Service through the judicial system; court assigned community service hours cannot be counted
• Any time during the school day when school is in session; for example, if you are on "vacation" when school is not
• Participation in Clubs, Sports or religious ceremonies, Classes outside of school, where the primary beneficiary is yourself. The only exception is if the outcome benefits the greater community. EX: Interact activities, performance arts where admission price goes toward a cause, volunteering that you perform within a club or sport or religious affiliation.
• Service for an elderly neighbor
• Regular duties of a class officer
• Acting in Community Theatre
  

• Find an opportunity that matches your skills, interests and schedule.
• Honor your volunteer commitments.
• Be on time and courteous.

Click here for a time sheet. One needs to be completed for each site. This is how hours are documented and verified. Must be turned in within one month of service.