Eligible Activities are volunteer activities that may be counted towards 40 community involvement
hours that must be accumulated by students as a graduation requirement. Eligible activities are
those activities that provide services to improve the community or well-being of its members and
may be performed for not-for-profit organizations. 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.
Eligible Activities include:
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; or
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.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.