What is Community Service?
Community Service is the blending of classroom learning skills and volunteerism in the community. As an example, you are trying to decide what type of career pathway you need to make in your Choices class. Let's say you enjoy working with children and have thought about becoming a teacher or a specialist that works with children with disabilities. You can take the opportunity and find a nonprofit organization that specializes in working with children such as, the America Reads Program or Special Olympics. You will accomplish two goals:
1. Receive hands-on experience in your possible
field of career interest.
2. The hours spent at the nonprofit location will
go towards your 45 hour community service graduation requirement.
What will I gain from the Community Service program?
This program will give you the opportunity to be an active participant in our community by becoming involved and supporting different activities and special events. Through volunteering, you will be making a contribution to help make your community a better place. You will also gain a respectful attitude towards others, have feelings of self worth, be open to new experiences and have a better understanding of life. Always keep in mind, the possibilities of future employment with an event. North Monterey County students are well regarded in our community.

How do I find a Community Service event?
Go visit the Community Service Center, which is located in room 8. This office is responsible for two graduation requirements, community service hours and independent Job Shadow. In the community service center you will find a bulletin board with the current community service events. You are encouraged to sign your name on the sign-up sheet for the community service event you would like to participate in. The sign up sheets show the date, time, contact person and job responsibilities required for the event. Permission slips must be complete, signed by a parent or guardian and turned in to the office prior to the event.

Job Responsibility
Job responsibility in the community/business world means such things as punctuality and dependability. It is very crucial if you do sign up for a community event that you arrive there and on time. If for some reason, such as a family emergency, you cannot show up at an event at the appointed time, please call the supervisor or contact person listed on your reminder notice ASAP. If you know in advance, please go to the Community Service Center in room 8 and tell us so we can replace you with another student. It is always a good idea to check with your family before signing up for an event. Your family may have made other plans for the weekend that causes you to be unable to volunteer.

What community service hours count towards graduation requirement?
All NONPROFIT organizations, Community special events, school districts, city and government agencies will qualify for credit hours.

What does nonprofit mean?
Nonprofit means money is raised to provide benefits or services within the community. As an example, the California International Air Show has raised well over five million dollars through the years and has given it all away to needy organizations such as the United Way, Women's Crisis Center or Salvation Army. The money stays in the community itself and is used to help others in difficult situations.

What does profit mean?
Profit means a gain, a benefit, or money made in a business venture. As an example, Jo Anne's Travel Agency is a profit location that assists clients in making airline reservations and hotel accommodations for business and recreation purposes. Although they provide a wonderful service for people, they sell their services to meet their own needs such as shelter, food and clothing. Always ask yourself, where are the profits going? These businesses are off limits and do not count as community service.
A few examples of non-acceptable hours are:
1. Cutting up a tree that fell in your or your neighbors yard
2. Baby sitting or cutting your neighbor's grass
3. Picking up trash on the hiway or beach alone (you must have adult supervision at the location and work together as a team in order to
complete the desired task.)

How do I account for my hours?
Each student is required to complete a contract. It must be signed and dated by their supervisor at the time of the event. It must also include the supervisors contact number as well as the number of hours earned. The student and a parent must also sign the form. If you fail to turn in your completed form to the Community Service Center, you will not be credited your hours. You MUST turn in your contract or risk having to make up the hours. The easiest thing to do is to turn in your hours as you go. If you have any questions, please come to the Community Service Center.

What happens if I misplace a contract?
You are left with two options, either find the lost contract or redo the contract and the hours. Remember, this is your responsibility.

What happens if I forget about the special event I signed up for?
If a student signs up for a specific event, a reminder notice and contract will be delivered to you in class. These notices will come one or two days prior to the event, reminding you about the event and explaining important information.

Are there awards, scholarships, certificates, and recommendations available if I go beyond the minimum 45 hour requirement?
Awards: At the end of the year Awards banquet, an Outstanding Community Service Learning Award is given to students who have given countless hours to their community by helping others.
A Spirit of Community Service Learning Award is given to students that have the pure desire to help others who are less fortunate. This award comes from within one's self.
Scholarships: During your Junior year, you will be filling out applications for colleges and will begin looking for scholarships, which equals free college money. There are scholarships available for community service learning hours. We are able to help you locate the information to begin your financial aid in the Career Center.

Certificates and Recommendations:
Upon your Graduation, you will receive a certificate with your high school diploma that states how many hours you have given to your community. This certificate is a wonderful addition to your resume for employment or when you are applying for admission to a College or University. This will show the employer or College/University that you are a well-rounded person that is capable of accepting new challenges as well as adequately handling job responsibilities.
When students are applying to colleges/universities, administrative (i.e. Principal, Coordinator, or Community Service Coordinator) recommendations become a high priority in the pre-acceptance package. Many recommendations have been written resulting directly from a student's community service record.

Keep in mind that what the five area colleges and universities look for in your high school transcripts are your grades, SAT scores, classes, school activities, awards and community service hours. The amount of hours that can be earned are endless and it depends on you to get what you want from this program.

For your information....
The 45 hour Community service requirement is one of two graduation requirements that we oversee. The second one is the Junior Job Shadow which students are required to do in their junior year. This part of the program allows you to follow a professional person of your choice in the work place. You will discover what it is like to be in the business sector and get a chance to explore different career opportunities. You (independently) will find a person in your career pathway and job shadow that person. You will receive a step-by-step orientation in your Junior English class.
The Community Service and Junior Job Shadow Programs have been designed to give you a comfortable feeling in the community, as well as in the business world. High school only lasts for four years and then you are in the real world either going to a trade school, college/university, military or work. These two programs will give you the confidence to succeed in the work force and prepare you for the future. Both requirements must be completed no later than May 1st of your senior year in order for you to graduate with your class, so don't put it off. Remember, we are here to help you succeed. If you feel too uncomfortable making a first phone call to a job site, we will be happy to help you through the process. Please do not hesitate to see me us the Community Service Center if you have any questions or concerns regarding these requirements.
The goal of the Community Service Program is to give you different opportunities to choose from in your community, learn from that situation and gain an understanding of your career field of interest. Use the confidence you gain in this program to succeed in your community. You will soon come to realize that you can make a difference.