As part of the diploma requirements, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement during their secondary school years.
Students can begin earning hours during the summer after grade 8.
Community involvement helps students:
- Make a difference for others and their community, and develop a sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others.
- Build new skills and experiences.
- Develop an understanding of civic responsibility and how they can support and strengthen their communities.
- Learn about community needs and how they can make a positive difference.
- Foster a greater sense of belonging.
Families can help by encouraging students to volunteer and develop lasting ties within their communities.
If you go above and beyond in your volunteer work during high school, you can earn a Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement when you graduate. This new certificate celebrates your dedication to helping others and for completing more than 50 volunteer hours during high school.
How to Complete Community Involvement Hours
Ready to start? Follow these steps:
Related Content
Step 1: Review Eligible Activities
Eligible activities are activities that provide services to improve the community or well-being of its members.
If an activity does not fall within the categories approved by the Board and is not on the list of ineligible activities, students must obtain written approval from the principal before beginning the activity.
- Elementary Schools- assist with school events, school councils, activities for children;
- Secondary Schools - organization and leadership of school activities or clubs that benefit the school and/or community;
- Animal Care - volunteering in a zoo, animal shelter, or on a farm;
- Community Spaces and Events - volunteering in galleries, libraries, arts & cultural events, community productions or opportunities (outside of credit courses) for time spent learning about traditional cultures such as language, cooking, knowledge, skills, and stories;
- Charitable Organizations - assisting with special events, programs, clerical tasks;
- Children/Youth Programs - assisting with children/youth programs, volunteering in a child care centre or camp;
- Community Organizations - assisting with special events, food banks, community support services, shelters, clerical tasks;
- Community Service for Individuals - assisting community members in need;
- Environment, Conservation and Sustainability Projects or Initiatives - planting flowers/trees, recycling projects, recycling depot;
- Health Agencies- volunteering in hospitals, hospices, Canadian Blood Services (volunteering to organize or assist with a blood donor clinic), donating blood (time required to donate);
- Public Service Agencies - volunteering for activities sponsored by the police or fire department;
- Political Organizations - municipal, provincial, and federal recognized political organizations that reflect the values and priorities of the YRDSB except for York Region District School Board trustees or trustee candidates;
- Religious Organizations - assisting with programs, special events;
- Senior Citizens - assisting in seniors’ residences, providing services for seniors in the community;
- Sports and Recreation - coaching, managing, organizing special events, assisting with projects/events Service Focused Community Club Activities - those activities that expand community service to others beyond the school day (holiday dinner participation, environmental action activities, etc.)
- Virtual Opportunities - organizations must be based in Ontario and run by an adult/adults for charitable purposes.
Ineligible Activities is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (i.e., cooperative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience);
- takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible;
- takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age;
- takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age;
- takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult;
- 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 tradespersons whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
- involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewelry, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
- consists of duties performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities;
- involves activities for a court-ordered program (i.e., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program);
- involves participation in extra curricular activities for which a student stands for school-wide election; and
- any work for a School Board Trustee or Candidate
Step 2: Select an Activity
When choosing an activity, consider your interests and possible career paths and the needs of your community.
There are many local organizations which will help find volunteer placements. If you have questions about your selection please contact your secondary Guidance Office.
Step 3: Complete the Notification Portion of the Form
Before beginning your volunteer activity:
- Complete the notification portion of the Notification and Completion of Community Involvement Activities Form.
- Submit it to your Guidance Office for approval.
Forms are available online as a fillable pdf, or your secondary school’s Guidance Office. This form can help you plan and track the completion of your activities.
Step 4: Complete Your Volunteer Activities
Community involvement hours must be completed outside regular instructional time, such as: your designated lunch hour, after school, on weekends, during school holidays or in the summer.
When participating in a community involvement activity, remember to demonstrate a positive work ethic and a sense of responsibility.
Step 5: Submit Your Completed Form
Once your activity is finished:
- Have the community sponsor verify your hours.
- Get your parent/guardian signature if you are under 18.
- Submit the completed form to your Guidance Office.
Remember, before volunteering, students are expected to notify the guidance office as part of the pre-approval process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents/guardians play an important role in helping students complete their community involvement hours.
You can help by:
- Discussing volunteer opportunities.
- Reviewing activity choices.
- Helping students find placements that match their interests.
- Ensuring the approval process is completed before activities begin.
Selection of activities should take into account the:
- eligible activities (see above)
- age, maturity and ability of the student
- interests and possible career paths of the student
- location and environment of the proposed activity
- need for any special training or equipment
Please note that community activities outside of the school board will not be supervised by York Region District School Board staff.
If your child is under 18 years old, you must sign the completed community involvement form.
The school board’s liability insurance carried with Ontario School Board’s Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) will provide coverage for the students and the community sponsors from any lawsuits that may arise from the students’ activities in the community involvement program during the 40 hours of volunteer work required for those activities that are eligible. The board’s insurance policy will only cover hours that have been pre-approved. This includes any hours beyond the mandatory graduation requirements.
As the Board does not provide Accident Insurance Coverage for students, it strongly recommends that parents/guardians purchase this or other coverage to insure students during school activities. Information is shared in the School Welcome Package each year.