Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements. This requirement, set by the Ontario Ministry of Education, helps you become an active and engaged citizen by contributing to the well-being of your community.
The purpose of engaging in community involvement is to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities.
Key requirements
- Serve a minimum of 40 hours: You can start accumulating hours in the summer after you have completed grade 8.
- Choose eligible activities: Make sure your activities are on the district approved activities list (see below).
- Finish by the end of grade 12: You must complete all 40 hours by the end of grade 12 to receive your OSSD.
Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement
Students who go above and beyond in their volunteer work during high school can earn a Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement when they graduate. This new certificate celebrates your dedication to helping others and for completing more than 50 volunteer hours during high school.
There are three certificate categories:
- Bronze: 50 to 99 volunteer hours
- Silver: 100 to 199 volunteer hours
- Gold: 200+ volunteer hours
This certificate recognizes your civic engagement, leadership and community spirit. It can also help you stand out when applying for jobs, college or university programs, apprenticeships and scholarships.
For more information, contact your guidance teacher.
District approved activities
The purpose of engaging in community involvement is to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities.
Community Involvement hours must fall into one of these categories:
- Not-for-profit: includes voluntary activities for any not-for-profit institution or foundation that would not displace a paid worker.
- For-profit: includes voluntary activities that are charitable-based for any business or organization that would not displace a paid worker. If volunteers are enhancing a product/service being sold/provided by a for-profit business designed to make it more attractive and/or a better experience for clients, then it is not in keeping with the spirit of community service and would not be an approved activity.
- Other: community support that you feel warrants consideration. In this case, please submit a brief written summary that explains how this experience meets the spirit and expectations of community involvement as identified above.
Students will plan and select their community involvement activities in consultation with their families and as part of the Individual Pathways Plan process.
If you are considering any activities that would fall into the second or third category above, approval by the Principal or a designate at your high school is required.
Submitting your hours
Please remember to seek your Principal's approval before starting any community involvement activity that you wish to use for the Community Involvement hours required for your OSSD. Students must submit their hours using the electronic form. Volunteer supervisors may be contacted to verify the hours.
- The activity should provide a learning opportunity for a student.
- It is crucial that the activity be fulfilled in a safe environment and that the activity be determined by the student in consultation with the parent(s) or caregiver(s).
- The activity must be in the nature of a service or benefit provided by the student to meet a need of the community.
- The needs of both the student and the community should be carefully considered in selecting appropriate community involvement activities.
- The activity can not be an exploitation of the community or vulnerable members of the community.
- Being a member of a committee, club or organization is not an eligible activity, however, services provided by that committee, club or activity may be eligible provided the activity falls into the list of District Approved Activities.
- Where an activity does not clearly fall within the guidelines, principals have the discretion to approve areas of involvement on a case by case basis. Please contact your principal before engaging in the activity.
- A principal is not obligated to approve an activity.
Students will plan and select their community involvement activities in consultation with their families and as part of the Individual Pathways Plan process.
Student
- Plans eligible activities with parents/caregivers
- Seeks pre-approval from the Principal or designate should the chosen activity not appear on the list of District Approved Activities
- Gets involved
- Obtains signatures upon completion
- Submits all documentation to the Principal
- Completes the required 40 hours of Community Involvement in order to graduate.
Parents and caregivers
- Provides assistance in placement selection
- Ensure that the community involvement is on the list of District Approved Activities or ensure that you have received written approval of the Principal or designate before the activity is completed
- Confirms that the site is safe and appropriate for their child
- Communicates with the school and placement about concerns
- Co-signs Community Involvement hours log/approval sheet
School
- Approves activities before placement
- Receives documentation from the student
- Records completed activity in Ontario Student Transcript
- Provides accommodation for special needs
Board
- Provides for student liability coverage
- Provides reporting forms through the school
Discover volunteer opportunities
Please consult your school’s website for your local community's needs. Here are some organizations that coordinate or are seeking volunteers in the Ottawa area.
Sharing your experiences
Share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #OCDSBVolunteers. It might give others ideas on how they can support their friends, neighbours and communities!
The OCDSB is proud to support students' generosity and commitment to help their communities through volunteering. For more information, contact your guidance teacher.
Resources
- OCDSB 958 Community Involvement Hours Form (Electronic - student login required)
- OCDSB 958 Community Involvement Hours Form (Paper form)
- Use high school volunteer hours to build your future (Ministry of Education)