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Youth Volunteer Application

Students Serving Their Community With Excellence

The Student Service Community Award 2005-2006

A commendation program of Hillsdale County United Way and local High Schools.

What is the student service community award program?

The Student Service Community Medallion Program is a way of recognizing high school graduates who volunteer a significant number of hours to benefit their community through service and volunteerism during the course of their high school careers.

Similar to other awards bestowed on graduating seniors of talent, commitment and perseverance in academics and athletics, the Medallion honors those special students who participate in activities outside of school that make their community a better place to live. The Medallion rewards their commitment to helping other people and organizations in a significant way.

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Who sponsors the award program?

This program is sponsored by Hillsdale County United Way & Volunteers In Action in partnership with select local High Schools. United Way is the coordinator and contact point for all program activities, and will register students, assist them in finding volunteer opportunities, and maintain an official permanent record of their hours.

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How does the award program work?

Over the course of their four years in high school, students complete and document a significant number of hours of non-paid community service. These activities must meet a recognized community need, and be undertaken through nonprofit organizations, government programs, community groups or schools.

• Direct Service, such as river clean up, tutoring, spending time with a nursing home resident.
• Indirect Service, such as computer data entry, fundraising, food collection, board or committee work for a nonprofit.
• Civic engagement, advocacy or community organizing, such as beautification, and community surveys.

Students obtain signatures on a volunteer activity slip from the agency staff who supervised each of the activities in which they have been involved. At least once a semester, they submit this documentation to United Way, which will maintain a permanent record of service hours.

Students will complete an evaluation form and reflective summary of their experiences periodically, including their last semester of high school.

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You can be the difference in your community!

You will be ushering in a stronger spirit of community awareness and service among high school students. Last year, only eight Volunteer Centers in Michigan participated with their community high schools in this statewide program. This year, at least 15 counties in Michigan will be involved. This program is the first statewide community high school recognition program in the nation, and you can be a part of it!

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Requirements

All students starting as freshmen need 400 hours by graduation. Students beyond their freshman year, contact Hillsdale County United Way for the required number of hours needed by graduation.

Please call Hillsdale County United Way for further information about the program.
You may already have hours that can count toward your Medallion!

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Recognition of your commitment

Recognition will take place at the annual honors award program before graduation, when the student will receive:

• A Medallion of Distinction to wear with the graduation cap and gown.
• A Certificate of Distinction for Commitment to Service from Hillsdale County United Way & Volunteers In Action.
• Volunteers In Action will give the honored student community-wide recognition during National Volunteer Week in April.

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