Volunteering, service & philanthropy Offering yourself for a service without compensation. Working without payment to help your community. Giving money and time to a specific cause to help make life better for others. Understanding the Distinctions Volunteering is done as an individual and is not necessarily for the good of the community. Community Service is not always voluntary (could be a sanction), but is done for the benefit of the community, and may be done as part of a community group (club, church, business organization). Philanthropy does not count as Community Service – Giving money, goods, or time to a philanthropic cause does not equal doing Community Service. Organizations should NOT be giving “Service Hours” to members who are doing Philanthropic projects. Philanthropy Hours should be tracked separately from Service Hours – and they should not count as both. Here are some examples to clarify: Participating in a walk, run or similar event is considered an act of donating money to a cause and is counted as philanthropy. Work performed for an organization that is holding a run/walk or similar event is considered service (e.g. helping set up for the walk, serving as greeters for the event)

Service hours Why Perform Service? Be a Bearcat! Bearcats, by and large are concerned, active contributors to their communities. It’s our culture. Students can now report and quantify their service and involvement on their Bearcat Link Co-Curricular Transcript! Donors considering investment in Northwest are interested in buying into a University who fosters a culture of service and giving. National Organizations typically reward and value student chapters who are high service performers. Potential employers of around the world are looking to hire a workforce that is involved, engaged and interested in service to others. Finding Service Projects Opportunities are also listed on the Service & Engagement website located at:  http://www.nwmissouri.edu/getinvolved/service/fastAction.htm Reach out to Service & Engagement for project ideas and coordinate numbers and dates with: servega@nwmissouri.edu. Tracking Service Hours and Philanthropy for your Organization Members on your roster can track their service hours on your org’s Bearcat Link page under Service Hours. Philanthropy Hours can be submitted on Service & Engagement’s Bearcat Link page under Forms. (Spreadsheet to submit under Documents) VOLUNTEERING, SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY