40 Hours of Community Involvement This presentation is part of Peel's Making My Way - success for all students program and is designed for grade 8 students and their parents. The focus is on 40 hours of community involvement.

What are the requirements for graduation? Successful completion of the OSSLT 30 Credits 40 Hours of Community Involvement All high school students in Ontario must complete these 3 components to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students can begin accumulating their 40 hours of community involvement in the summer after grade 8 and are encouraged to complete their hours by the end of grade 10.

Why volunteer? Learn more about yourself and possible career opportunities. Gain self-confidence and work experience. Help make a difference in the community and towards a cause that you are passionate about. Meet new people and establish connections in the industry. It’s FUN and rewarding! All students must complete 40 hours of community involvement to graduate with a diploma. You can start accumulating hours in the summer after grade 8.

Get started in 5 easy steps Use myBlueprint to create a resume. Find volunteer opportunities of your choice. Meet the eligibility requirements. Connect with the organization and apply away! Keep track of your hours. Modify for your school/timelines

Step one: Use myBlueprint to create a resume From www.peelschools.org click on “BYOD Login”. From the BYOD page, select the “Resources” tab. Select the “myBlueprint” chicklet. Use the Resume builder to generate a resume. Creating a resume is the first step in capturing a potential supervisor's attention while showcasing your skills. myBlueprint provides an easy-to-use tool which helps you ensure that you have all of the important components of a resume and using a template that is professional What are some of your interests? Can you think of several very different kinds of occupations linked to each of these interests?

From the main menu, under the “Work” tab Click “Resumes” Once students log in have them click under work. You could also demonstrate this live from your account.

Use the “Samples” section to guide you through the template. What are some skills you have? If students get stuck they can review the samples provided.

Once you’ve completed your resume, you can download it, save it and share it.

Step two: Find volunteer opportunities of your choice Parents/guardians can help their children find opportunities to begin community involvement hours in the summer after grade 8. You are responsible for finding and completing 40 hours of community involvement. Find an activity that matches your interests, the opportunities are endless. Your school will provide some support, but it's up to you to find the activity that best suits you. Ask your family for help. What are some of your interests? Can you think of several very different kinds of occupations linked to each of these interests?

Types of volunteer opportunities Animals Help with animal shelters, petting farm, local humane society Arts & Culture Assist at a gallery, performing music, be involved in a library program Community Support for community groups and events (youth programs and camps), food drives, parades Environment Help plant trees, volunteer for a provincial park Fashion Used clothing drive, volunteer at charity fashion events Food Cook for elderly, organize food drive, food shelter Fundraising Walk-a-thons, celebrity games, gift wrapping, galas Health & Wellness Coaching, track meets, intramurals Individual Assistance Help seniors by shopping, reading letters, shoveling snow, visiting chronic care hospitals or helping young people through tutoring, transcribing, reading buddies, respite care Religious Organizations Programming for children, helping with special events, clerical tasks Modify for your school. When you begin high school, you have opportunities to choose courses and become involved in activities that can and will influence your career path. These are all the ways to get involved in high school life outside the classroom. Clubs, teams, committees and Student Council are opportunities to meet new people, explore interests, learn new skills, make a contribution to your school and community and just have fun. For most students, this is where the lasting high school memories are made. So get involved early. September of grade 9 would be a great time to get started.

Ask yourself, “Would this normally be a paid position?” Step three: Meet the eligibility requirements What counts in the 40 hours of community involvement? The Ministry of Education has established guidelines for activities that are eligible. The organization and position you are volunteering with must meet the criteria. Ask yourself, “Would this normally be a paid position?” All postings on the volunteer job board have been approved to ensure that they meet Ministry requirements for collecting your 40 hours of community involvement. If you find a volunteer opportunity on your own, please ensure that it meets the eligibility requirements listed on www.peelschools.org/students/40hours What are some of your interests? Can you think of several very different kinds of occupations linked to each of these interests?

Step three: Meet the eligibility requirements All postings on the volunteer job board have been approved to ensure that they meet Ministry requirements for collecting your 40 hours of community involvement. If you find a volunteer opportunity on your own, please ensure that it meets the Ministry’s eligibility requirements. www.peelschools.org/students/40hours All postings on the volunteer job board have been approved to ensure that they meet Ministry requirements for collecting your 40 hours of community involvement. If you find a volunteer opportunity on your own, please ensure that it meets the eligibility requirements listed on www.peelschools.org/students/40hours What are some of your interests? Can you think of several very different kinds of occupations linked to each of these interests?

Step three: Meet the eligibility requirements Modify for your school. When you begin high school, you have opportunities to choose courses and become involved in activities that can and will influence your career path. These are all the ways to get involved in high school life outside the classroom. Clubs, teams, committees and Student Council are opportunities to meet new people, explore interests, learn new skills, make a contribution to your school and community and just have fun. For most students, this is where the lasting high school memories are made. So get involved early. September of grade 9 would be a great time to get started.

Need some ideas for volunteer opportunities? Check out the Volunteer Job Board at www.makingmyway.ca

Step four: connect with the organization and apply away! Once you've found an opportunity that meets the eligibility requirements, it's time to connect and send in your resume. Find out the preferred method of connecting with the organization. Don't forget to provide your contact information. Once you've found an opportunity that meets the eligibility requirements, it's time to connect and send in your resume. Find out the preferred method of connecting with the organization. Don't forget to provide your contact information.

Step five: keep track of your hours Once you’ve started your hours, use the Community Involvement Activity Record form to keep track. Find the form on www.makingmyway.ca All students must complete 40 hours of community involvement to graduate with a diploma. You can start accumulating hours in the summer after grade 8.

Finished your 40 hours? Congratulations, you did it! Have your parent/guardian sign the Community Involvement Record Form to your guidance counsellor. Feel free to send a thank you note to your supervisor(s). Congratulations, you did it! Have your parent/guardian sign the form and submit your completed Community Involvement Activity Record form to your guidance counsellor. Feel free to send a thank you note to your supervisor(s).

Do these volunteer opportunities meet the eligibility requirements? True or False Volunteering for a paid tutoring company. Your tasks include working one on one with younger students and helping them with their homework. There is no teacher to supervise you. Families pay a fee for this tutoring service. 2) Volunteering in your local community. Your tasks include lawn maintenance and snow removal for elderly neighbours. INSERT ANSWERS HERE: False True

Do these volunteer opportunities meet the eligibility requirements? True or False 3) Volunteering at a family member’s grocery store. Your tasks include stocking shelves and general cleaning of the store. There are other paid employees of the store. 4) Volunteering for a local community group’s summer BBQ. Your tasks include face painting and setting up children’s activities. The community group only asks participants to make a donation to the local food bank. INSERT ANSWERS HERE: 3) False 4) True

For more information, please visit www. makingmyway. ca or www For more information, please visit www.makingmyway.ca or www.peelschools.org/students/40hours For more information please visit makingmyway.ca myBlueprint.ca/peel or contact the school’s guidance department.