Education is a lifelong process, with a focus far beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. The scope and impact of education is global, and its greatest value is service. Volunteerism is a means of helping yourself by helping others. Recently colleges, universities, technical schools and many businesses have started to take notice of students’ community service work. Participation in a volunteer program can aid a student in being selected for a job or acceptance into an institute of higher learning. By participating in a volunteer program, students help themselves in the following ways:
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students learn to communicate with others they work with both in written and spoken form. Students are also required to write a description of their experiences and how it has helped others.
RESPONSIBILITY: Students learn to take responsibility for what they do in completing a job they started and in doing work outside of school where supervision is limited at times.
JOB SKILLS: Volunteers gain many skills they can later use elsewhere. Skills include time management, leadership, problem solving, and creative thinking.
TEAMWORK: Students learn to work as part of a team. Students learn to do their part and help others in the group in order to complete a task.
RESPECT: Students learn to respect the property of others, other individuals, and themselves. Students learn that respect is earned and given.
The following list provides some ideas of possible activities that would qualify as acceptable volunteering activities:
Volunteer at:
Local businesses
Local charities
Churches
Public libraries
Schools
School athletic events
School activity events
Nursing homes, and/or agencies.
If you have a question in regard to what is an acceptable volunteering activity see your counselor before you begin volunteering.
This sheet is only used for tracking purposes. Students who are trying to meet the additional graduation requirement with community service must complete a Community Service Volunteer Contract that is approved prior to starting community service by their grade level counselor