What types of activities are eligible?

• Elementary Schools (assist with school events, assist School Councils, activities for children)

• Secondary Schools (organization and leadership of school activities that benefit the community)

• Animal Care (volunteering in a zoo, animal shelter, or on a farm)

• Arts and Culture (volunteering in galleries, libraries, community productions)

• Charitable Organizations (assisting with special events, programs, clerical tasks)

• Child/Youth Programs (assisting with child/youth programs, volunteering in a not-for-profit 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)

• Environmental Projects (flower/tree planting, beautification projects, 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))

• Law Enforcement Agencies (volunteering for activities sponsored by the police)

• Political Organizations (activities related to legitimate and recognized political organizations, municipal, provincial and federal political activities except for York Region District School Board Trustees)

• Religious Organizations (assisting with programs, special events)

• Senior Citizens (assisting in seniors’ residences, providing services for seniors in the community)

• Sports and Recreation (coaching, organizing special events, assisting with projects/events)

• Service Focused Club Activities (those activities that expand community service to others beyond the school day (holiday dinner participation, environmental action activities, etc.))

If an eligible activity also falls within the definition of ineligible activities, the activity will be deemed ineligible.

Where a blood donor clinic takes place during the school day, hours will only be provided to students volunteering during their lunch, spare periods or before and after school.

Activities at for-profit organizations, such as private camps, child care centres, or farms will not be eligible.

Ineligible activities may not be included in community involvement hours by students as outlined by both the Ministry of Education and the York Region District School Board.

An ineligible activity is an activity that:

• involves any work for a for-profit organization

• is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled

• takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day with the exception of an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods, which is permissible

• takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under 16 years of age

• takes place in a factory, if the student is under 15 years of age

• takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under 14 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 tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government

• involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables

• consists of duties normally performed in the home or personal

• involves a court-ordered program

• involves any volunteer work for a York Region District School Board trustee

• involves participation in extra-curricular activities at secondary school, or any position for which a student stands for school-wide election