Community Service Form

Request for Approval of Organization

Community Service is an important part of the Hospitality High School experience as we prepare students to be responsible citizens of a global community.  Community service activities should be those that students perform to impact their community, an educational institution, a governmental agency or a group of people for which they receive no compensation (monetary or academic credit).  Any service that benefits a for-profit business, even if the student was not compensated, will not fulfill the community service requirements.  

Community service generally must take place outside of the school (for example, SGA, LMP Team, etc. do not count).  A few exceptions do exist:  if the activity goes outside of school hours (must be approved in advance) such as tutoring students through a school approved program, a school based recycling program, etc.  Community service must be done outside of the family (no babysitting younger siblings, cutting grandmother’s grass, etc.) it should be done through organizations not for individual people.

Service sites must be approved in advance.  Students should check with Student Services before completing community service activities to ensure that the site/program is approved.  Students may be asked to complete a Community Service Approval Form before beginning their service.  This will ensure that the place is an approved community service site.  Beginning in June 2012, SERVICE HOURS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.  See Ms. Carter if you have questions.

Service through the judicial system. Community service which is court-assigned is NOT applied toward the graduation requirement.

Organization-based service. In general, service performed for profit-making organizations is NOT applicable, with the exception of hospitals, daycare centers, and nursing homes. Service performed for individuals should be performed under the umbrella of an organization (e.g., tutoring a student through a school, helping the elderly through the Council on Aging). Activities such as babysitting, tutoring, or yard and housework to help a friend, family member, or neighbor typically do NOT count toward the requirement.

Service through religious organizations. In order to be applicable, an activity may not be associated with the rituals, services, or ceremonies of any specific religion, proselytizing, or fund raising to support a specific religion or religious institution.  Thus, participation in religious services (e.g., choir membership, altar service, reading from the Torah), while a worthy endeavor, is NOT counted. However, educational activities and non-religious activities which benefit the religious community (in non-financial ways) or the community at large ARE applicable.

Examples of applicable religious-sponsored service activities include (but are not necessarily limited to):

• Baby-sitting during religious services
• Painting church or synagogue buildings and classrooms
• Clothing drives
• Work in shelters
• Feeding the homeless
• Participation in a church work mission trip to build a home or clean up a community

Participation (as members or officers) in religious youth groups is NOT generally applicable unless the groups are organizing and/or performing specific community service activities.

Traditional school-sponsored activities. Activities performed which are traditional after-school activities are NOT applicable. Thus, participation (as officers or as members) in student government, LMP Team, National Honor Society, and clubs and teams are NOT applicable unless the groups are organizing and/or performing specific community service activities. Fundraising for your own team/club is NOT applicable.

Examples of applicable traditional school-sponsored activities include (but are not necessarily limited to):

• National Honor Society service activities
• Student Government food or toy drives (donating alone will not suffice).

Charity Walks. Each charity walk is assigned a specific number of service hours for completing the walk.  Proof of participation will be required (i.e. either a school staff member must verify that you participated or an official that sponsors the walk must sign verifying that you participated.)  It must be approved in advance.

Activities Not Eligible for Service Credit (Recap)

• Service for which academic credit is earned
• Court-ordered service
• Service for individuals (e.g. friends, neighbors, family) without an umbrella organization
• Service at for-profit businesses (e.g., law firms, landscape companies, beauty/barber shops)
• Participation in religious rites, services or ceremonies (e.g., altar service, choir, Torah reading)
• Proselytizing (trying to convert someone to your religion or faith belief system)
• Fund-raising to support religious institutions (e.g., most rummage sales)
• Traditional after-school activities, unless service activities are performed

Documenting your hours. In order to receive community service credit, a community service form(signed by supervisor and parent) MUST be turned in to your advisor, preferably within 2 months of completion of the service. (This applies to EVERY service activity, even if organized by the school!) SIMPLY PERFORMING SERVICE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDE CREDIT!!  Please document each time service is performed – DO NOT combine hours and report them in one large block.

Forms are available from your advisor and here on our school website.

Exceptions to guidelines. Any exceptions to the definitions and guidelines can only be made with the knowledge and approval of Student Services.