NHS Community Service Instructions

The enclosed Approved Agency list contains suggested places to fulfill your community service hours.  While agencies do not have to be from this list, it is strongly suggested that candidates and members take advantage of this opportunity.  Many agencies rely on NHS members for much needed volunteer work every year.  You may begin your service hours when you have completed your contract with your agency.  If you are working with an agency not on the Approved Agency list, then you need to complete and Outside Agency form two weeks prior to the Agency Contract deadline.  If your sponsor approves the outside agency, then an Agency Contract needs to be filled out before beginning service work.  All hours must be completed with one agency.  Hours served prior to the completion of the Agency Contract will not count toward the twenty-five (25) hours unless you have prior approval.  Many agencies have specifically informed NHS that they have opportunities available during the summer as well as during the school year.  You may complete hours over the summer as long as they meet NHS guidelines.  Hours completed for an agency that has not been pre-approved or that do not fit NHS criteria will not be counted.  If you are in doubt, please contact your NHS adviser by voicemail.  We will be checking voice mail over the summer and return your call as quickly as possible.  If you are a member, your service hours may not be fulfilled with the same agency you used as a candidate.  The type of work completed must also be different.

• Step One:  Contact the agency of your choice.  Identify yourself as someone interested in completing service hours for National Honor Society.  Discuss opportunities that they have available for you completing your hours.  Your hours should be fulfilled with people rather than office work such as mailing, filing, cleaning, etc.  Concession work is not considered to be community service.  Work at churches and other religious organizations is acceptable, as long as the work is secular (for example, meals on wheels, food pantries, or mission trips).  Vacation bible school is not considered as a secular activity.  Remember that your community service is supposed to provide assistance for those who may need help and to also be outside your normal "comfort zone".  If you are interested in the agency, then allow them to read and complete your contract.  If this is an outside agency, make sure that you complete the Outside Agency Contract.  Many agencies should already be familiar with the terms and conditions.  Fill out the top portion of the contract prior to your meeting.

• Step Two: Complete the contract with your agency by discussing specific dates that may be available and requesting that the bottom portion of the contract be completed by the contact person.  DO NOT FORGET TO FILL IN THE TENATIVE LIST OF DATES THAT YOU WILL BE WORKING.

• Step Three: Contracts are due on Friday, September 19, 2008.  There are no exceptions.  Remember that you need to sign off on your log sheet for the contract to be valid.  Contracts can be turned in prior to this date if you wish to do summer work.  As there will not be a log sheet prepared at this time, it is strongly suggested that you make copies of any work turned in early. 

• Step Four: Complete the Hours Log each time that you volunteer.  This includes documentation of the time, date, and brief description of the service.  Your supervisor must sign each entry for that particular day.  Blanket entries of hours will not be accepted.  Hours must be documented and signed each time.  Questionable entries may be verified with the agency.

Friday, February 27, 2009… This is the date that all hours must be completed, documented, and on file with your respective NHS adviser.  There will be no late documentation accepted.  While this may sound far away, keep in mind how busy your schedule becomes once school is in session.  Plan ahead!  Entries completed before this date need to be logged and signed.

If you have questions about community service, contact Mr. Hentze (222-7500 ext. 4506).