COMMUNITY SERVICE

GOAL

To encourage participants to realize that, as members of a community, they have a responsibility to others and that their help is needed.

OBJECTIVE

Service is commitment to the needs of others without pay.It is hoped that participants will find pleasure and satisfaction in helping others, leading to a lifelong commitment to volunteer community service.This will take the form of practical service to individuals or to the community, such as assisting in homes or in institutions, conserving the environment or helping community groups. Appropriate supervision, briefing and/or training must be given at all stages.

REQUIREMENTS

1. A young person must provide some form of practical Service as follows:
   1. for Bronze - a minimum of fifteen hours of Service spread over six months
   2. for Silver - a minimum of forty-five hours of Service spread over twelve months; or a minimum of thirty hours of Service spread over six months for those who have completed the Bronze Award
   3. for Gold - a minimum of ninety hours of Service spread over eighteen months; or a minimum of sixty hours of Service spread over twelve months for those who have completed the Silver Award
2. Each participant should keep a record of the Service on the appropriate pages of the Record Book , showing the times and details of the Service given to enable an oral, written, or visual presentation to be compiled for assessment. Participants should indicate an understanding of the need for providing such a Service.
3. At least three counselling sessions with the assessor should occur during the period of Service, in order to monitor progress, re assess the situation, or discuss any item of mutual concern or interest.
4. If the chosen type of Service requires training or specific qualifications, a young person may use the time required up to a total of one-third of the required hours of practical Service.
5. If the type of Service chosen requires that a large amount of time be spent in a very short period, a young person may use the time spent to a total of one-third of the required hours of practical Service. Examples of such an activity may be helping on staff at a camp or serving at a first aid station at a local carnival or fair.

INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT

Instruction and assessment is to be carried out by appropriately qualified persons approved by the Group Leader (where appropriate). Wherever possible, for the Gold Award, instruction and assessment should not be carried out by the same person. The training undergone is to be certified by the instructor in the Record Book and, only when this and any further qualification required by the conditions have been fulfilled is the assessor to sign the Record Book. In all cases, participants are encouraged to continue their Service beyond the time required for the Award.

EXAMPLES OF SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Opportunities vary widely from community to community, and the list below is intended to provide you with some samples of possible Service which you may be able to do in you community.Conservation projects; help the elderly, sick, disabled, or disadvantaged (in an organized setting or on an individual basis); help at your local library; volunteer work for non-profit organizations; be a leader, teacher, or coach to a junior youth group.

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