Read this first!
What is the Community Involvement program?
- 40 hours of volunteer activities
- a requirement to graduate from high school in Ontario
What is considered a "volunteer activity"?
- an activity that is not for pay or credit
- a constructive contribution to the community
Why should I be excited to take part in it?
- you'll make new friends
- gain self-confidence
- network and explore career options
- discover your strengths and talents
- it'll help strengthen the whole community
Sounds pretty sweet, eh? Before you jump into an organization and start donating your time, first take a minute to scan through the Ontario Ministry of Education guidelines listed below to make sure the volunteer position you choose is eligible. If you complete your 40 hours doing an invalid activity, you will have to restart. Lucky for you, all positions posted on 40Hours.ca are screened to ensure they meet all the criteria.
List of ineligible activities:
The following activities may not be chosen as community involvement activities. An ineligible activity is an activity that:
- is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience)
- takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student’s lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible
- takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age
- takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age
- takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult
- would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace (students are not to replace paid workers or be paid themselves)
- involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding
- involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons
- involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government
- involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables
- consists of duties normally performed in the student’s home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities
- involves a court-ordered program (e.g., community service program for young offenders, probationary program)
If the volunteer position you are interested in clears all these criteria, then you are free to start volunteering! Be sure to download your Community Involvement Passport if you are a student of the Toronto District School Board. If you are not a TDSB student, check with your school guidance counselor to obtain an equivalent form for recording your volunteer hours.
TIP: Fill out this form as soon as you finish your term with an organization. This ensures all information is as accurate as possible and saves you the hassle of tracking down your supervisor down the road.
For more information on the Community Involvement program, download the manual here.
Before you start volunteering, download your Volunteer Passport!
Your school board's website will have a copy of the form, you'll find it here: http://sbinfo.edu.gov.on.ca/brdall.asp.
If you are a Toronto Disctrict School Board student, download the form here: http://40hours.ca/files/TDSB_Community_Involvement_Passport.pdf.