The following information is taken from the Christian Service Information Manual (blue booklet found in the Guidance Office, a picture will be uploaded soon).
NEED THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE ACTIVITY RECORD SHEET (the paper where you write the hours you did)? Click on this link, http://pathtosuccess.ca/course/pdfs/csars.pdf, and print one off!
Community service, as the expression itself suggests, consists in the type of voluntary service one gives to the community in its different levels of existence. It is service spent on community projects which could be of a cultural, humanitarian, athletic, or fund-raising nature. The community or organization for which the work is done must be a non-profitable one, and the public in general must remain the beneficiary of the voluntary service offered.
Community Service hours must:
· Be completed outside scheduled class time (This means you can't volunteer during school days, save for your spare and lunch periods.)
· Remain totally gratuitous (gratuitous means: without cause; costing nothing. This means you can't be paid for the volunteer work that you do.)
· Not be part of a credit course (Your volunteer work should not be a requirement of a course you're taking.)
· Consist of a minimum of forty hours of service and be completed by the end of grade twelve (This means you need to have at least 40 hours by the end of grade 12)
An ineligible activity is one that:
- Is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g. co-operative portion of the course, job shadowing, work experience);
- Takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, activities during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods are permissible;
- Would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace;
- Involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
- Involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons;
- Involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
- Requires the knowledge of a trades person whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
- Consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e. daily chores)
- Is a personal recreational activity;
- Involves a court-ordered program (e.g. community service program for young offender, probationary program)
- Any activity that provides direct financial benefit or other gain (political, social, etc.)
- Any profit-making business
- Any association with an organization or an organizational activity that conflicts with the ethical standards and teachings of the Catholic Church
- Activities, such as childcare or yard work, are not allowed unless special circumstances are involved
- Working for a political party or candidate during an election
Be sure that your involvement consists of one of the following:
- An event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community;
- An event or activity to support a charitable agency, institution, or foundation, that conforms to Catholic standards;
- Any structured non-profit program that promotes free tutoring, mentoring, visiting or coaching, or whose purpose is to assist other who require the benefit of that assistance;
- Participation in global humanitarian initiatives/projects that do not conflict with Catholic values;
- Participation in an event or activity that promotes positive environmental awareness and action;
- Participation in activities that promote the human rights and well-being of all groups in society, as long as the values of these are in harmony with Catholic teaching.
For further information, you can contact...
- Ms. Dwyer-Young, Christian Service Animator (Available every Thursday in the Guidance Office)
- If all else fails, you can also contact us at chsvoa@hotmail.com
WANT TO SEE MORE? CLICK ON THIS LINK http://pathtosuccess.ca/pdfs/christianservice.pdf TO FIND OUT MORE! :)