Community Service Project Honors Cultural Studies Mr.

Bayer
Overview:
Over the past several days in our government mini-unit we have learned about a number of non-democratic aspects of
our own national government system. Sometimes these problems seem overwhelming and it is easy to see them as too
big for any individual to do anything about. That attitude is called cynicism. And when combined with apathy, it can and
will kill and disempower a people at a time when they need instead to be active and engaged the most.
An active and engaged community of citizens requires individuals to seek to serve the public interest. Given some of
the seemingly insurmountable problems we face as a society, it is all the more important for us to realize that we as
individuals can make a difference. We can each have an amazing positive impact on our community when we make our
minds up to positively engage people in public life and to live our lives in service to our community.
This project will provide students with opportunities to make a difference in our local community. In the past, students
have developed an appreciation for community outreach and have sparked an ethic for service by taking this project to
heart. Additionally, students can get a start on building hours toward their National Honors Society service hour
requirements (applications are junior year).
Project Requirements:
Minimum volunteer time of 10 hours.
Students can work independently or in small groups.
Volunteer work must be unpaid.
You must be able to justify your volunteer work as serving the public interest.
Volunteer work cannot be done for your family.

Community Service Project is due:

Monday, May 11th

Items to Submit:
(1) Time Log (documented 10 hours) signed by a service project coordinator or parent/guardian - (15 Points)
(2) Photo Journal (eight photos with captions w/ class presentation) - (25 Points)
(3) Written Reflections (question responses) - (25 Points)
Top Ten Helpful Hints:
1. Make sure your parents are comfortable with what you plan to do and who you plan to assist. Your safety is
important.
2. Have a positive attitude. You might be surprised how much this experience can change YOUR life!
3. Take some time now to determine what you would like to do.
4. Review the list below for ideas and discuss options with your parents and friends. There are a lot of wonderful
opportunities out there.
5. Be sure to contact the organization to identify a service project coordinator who can help you jump into an
ongoing project and help you define and schedule your volunteer time.
6. Remember, some organizations have requirements for volunteering and specific times for service.
7. If you plan to assist a specific family or individual in need, you and your parents will need to approach them to
see if they want or need your assistance. Dont assume anything!
8. Consider your interests and talents and see how you can utilize them? For example, you can tutor a child in
math (math interest), coach at a park district sports camp (athletic interest), help out at an animal shelter (you
want to be a veterinarian).
9. See if your friends would like to volunteer with you. This will make the volunteer effort less intimidating and
more fun.
10. Determine when you can volunteer your time. Consider weekends, after school and even during school
breaks. Everyone is busy, but you can find time to make a difference.

Documentation of Your Service Project

Output:
Students will need to complete the following (3) three items. All items must be typed.
(1) Time Log on Volunteer Hours
15 Points
-Provide a completed Time Log verifying your work for the volunteer efforts.
-Document the date, number of hours, and description of your work.
*Remember to have your parents/guardian or supervisor sign the Time Log to verify the truthfulness and accuracy of
your volunteer work.
(2) Photo Journal_____________________________________________25 Points
-Provide eight photographs (you must be in at least six).
-Provide typed captions with a three sentence minimum that explain your actions.
-This can be printed out or in a PowerPoint presentation.
(3) Written Reflections
_______25 Points
- Type responses demonstrating thought to the following two reflection questions.
- Both Reflection response should be roughly 2/3 of a page single spaced.
1. What impact did you have on others (the community) through your volunteer work? Be specific.
2. What impact did this project have on you, personally? Be specific.

Service Ideas:

Organize a toy drive for disadvantaged children

Volunteer at Homeless shelter
Donate your time to a nonprofit organization or a church
Help an elderly person or disabled person with a home project
(rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, paint)
Babysit the children of a single parent or a family in need
Tutor a struggling elementary student (contact your former school)
Grocery shop for a homebound neighbor
Pick-up trash in a public area: park, river, roadside
Help decorate an older persons home
Visit a hospital or retirement Home
Work at an animal shelter or veterinary office
Organize a group event at service organization like the Northern Illinois Food Bank or Feed My Starving
Children or
Bake desserts for the VFW
Prepare care packages for the military
Volunteer at a hospital
Collect food for the Batavia Food Pantry
Help out at your elementary schools Fun Fair
Help out or organize an after school sports camp with elementary school aged children

Community Service - Time Log

Volunteer Event/
Organization

Date
Time
Volunteered Volunteered

What did you do?

Verifying Signature

Total Hours: _______________

I, _______________________, herby verify that __________________________ has completed the volunteer work &
service hours listed above for the l Community Service Project.

______________________________________
(Parent or Service Project Coordinator Signature)

_____________
(Date)