**Deadline for submitting STUDENT VOLUNTEER HOURS for the 2007-2008 school year is Friday, May 29^th, 2008.

Graduation Requirements: Standard 24-credit graduation requirement 40 hours
(total from 9th-12th grade)

All hours MUST be from an approved NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION!
Remember that privately owned/operated Karate schools, dance academies, tennis academies, basketball academies, and baseball academies are for profit.

Bright Future Scholarship: 75+ hours (total from 9th-12th grade)

Silver Cord worn at graduation: 250+ hours (total from 9th-12th grade)

• It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a copy of all submitted service hours.
• Submitted hours do not guarantee approval.
• Volunteer sheets need to be turned in to the appropriate guidance counselor

Important Volunteer Forms

• Student Volunteer Approval Form
• Student Volunteer Form (Tier I) for up to 40 Hours
• Student Volunteer Form (Tier II/III) for hours over 40

As a volunteer, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Volunteering is a rewarding experience when both the agency and the volunteer have mutual respect and a desire to cooperate.
1. To report on time at the appointed place. Call the supervisor if you are going to be late.
2. To carry out any given assignment to the best of your ability.
3. To be willing to use all your talents and experiences to do a good job.
4. To take advantage and learn from the training provided.
5. To learn about the organization that you volunteer to assist.
6. To accept guidance and direction.
7. To take any problems or concerns to the supervisor.

Volunteer Rights

1. To be treated as a co-worker.
2. To be given a suitable job for your talents and experiences.
3. To be given training for your volunteer position, if needed.
4. To have sound guidance and direction.
5. To be listened to, especially if you have any problems or concerns with the assignment

Non-profit hours over 40 required an Application Approval Form. Turn this form in to the Guidance Department, 10 days before the activity will begin. All hours OVER 40 require an Application Approval Form before hours can be approved!

School Board of Broward County, Florida
Service Learning, Student Volunteer Service Program

The purpose of the Service Learning Graduation Requirement and the Student Volunteer Service Program is to acquaint high school students with the need to become participating agents of change by providing service to both their school and community. Service Learning and Volunteer Service Program is divided in three tiers.

Tier I Service Learning Hours required for graduation: 40 hours
Tier II Service Learning and Volunteer Service Hours required to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars Program (one of the Bright Futures Scholarships): 75 hours
Tier III Volunteer Service Hours required to earn a silver cord at graduation: 250 hours

1. All services must comply with the policies of the School Board of Broward County, Florida.
2. Student volunteer service hours may be earned both in the school and the community.
3. Services for which a student receives financial or other substantial compensation will not be counted.
4. Participation in and travel to theatrical/musical performances, festivals or community events will count as service earning hours if “a” and “b” below are both met:

a. The performance meets an identified community service need.
b. The student does not receive any form of compensation for the performance, including academic credit, letters, or financial compensation.

5. Rehearsal and practice time will count for volunteer service projects created specifically to meet community service needs.
6. Service learning hours documented for community service learning as part of non-credit granting workshops, programs or conferences will count as service.
7. Fundraising activities for non-profit charities will count for volunteer service hours provided the activity complies with Broward County School Board Policies 6206 and 6208 and as long as the student is not volunteering for an organization that directly benefits the student (i.e., booster club fund raiser).
8. Activities organized by profit making or non-profit making organizations to address a community service need will count as service learning hours.
9. Services performed for day care centers or retirement homes count for service learning.
10. Services performed on staff at non-profit athletic or summer music camp for no financial compensation will count as service learning hours.
11. Time out of class may not be used for hours
12. Volunteer work done to promote a particular religious or political point of view or person will not count.
13. In general, service rendered directly to a for profit institution or organization as a precondition of employment, will not count.
14. Service for a student’s family or family business will not count.
15. Service performed as a result of disciplinary action taken by the school or courts will not count.
16. Participation in campus or competitive activities, such as athletics, plays, debate meets, etc., will not count.
17. Service performed, as an academic requirement, other than performed as part of the approved volunteer service learning courses, will not count.
18. Baby-sitting, or similar services, performed for an individual family will not count. Baby-sitting services for school related activities will count.
19. Volunteer hours may not be certified by a family member or fellow student.

**Remember: All hours MUST be an approved NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION!**