SELECTING PROJECTS

• Students are expected to work directly with people in need or for agencies whose mission is to improve social, economic, environmental, or educational challenges within the community. 
• Students must work under the supervision of a pre-approved established non-profit organization.
• Students may not receive any monetary compensation for volunteer work.

Hesed projects may be performed in a single setting or in a variety of settings, but they must fall into one of the following 8 categories of service:

1. Ba’al Tashchit  (supporting environmental causes) 
2. Bikur Cholim  (helping the sick or disabled)
3. Kavod Habriyot  (combating hunger and homelessness)
4. Lifnei Seyvah Takum  (elder care)
5. Klal Yisrael  (Israel and the Community)
6. Tzorchei Hatzibur (public advocacy)
7. V’shinantam L’vanecha (education or work with children)
8. MCHS School Service (for 9th and 10th graders ONLY)
   
   Up to 20 hours of service may be completed by assisting school programs (not individual teachers) that solely benefit the Milken community.  Students may assist the following departments or programs; arts, college counseling, facility management, main office, library, sports, technology, and WISE.  All work must be pre-approved by the Director of Service Learning.

REQUIRED HOURS

Students are encouraged to begin their community service during the summer preceding each grade level.  Community service hours cannot be carried over from one year to the next.

Grades 9, 10, and 11

All students are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of service during each academic year.  By the end of grade 11, all students must have volunteered in at least three different categories of service (see above guidelines), for a minimum of 5 hours each.  Grade 11 hours must be completed by April 30, 2010.  Grades 9 and 10 community service hours must be completed and submitted by May 14, 2010.  All hours must be completed by the required deadline or students will be placed on academic probation. 

Grade 12 Projects

Each senior is required to select one agency in which he/she completes no less than 30 hours of service.  All projects must be submitted and pre-approved in writing by the Director of Community Service by June 15, 2009, even if the site has been acceptable in the past.  All senior community service hours must be completed and submitted by March 15, 2010. Seniors who wish to participate in the WISE program must submit completed hours by January 14, 2010.
Seniors who do not complete their community service requirement prior to March 15, 2010 will not be permitted to participate in The March of the Living trip, graduation activities, and will not receive a diploma until all hours are completed.

TO RECEIVE CREDIT

• All projects included on Milken’s Community Service List are automatically pre-approved, as long as the work follows official guidelines.  The Director of Service Learning must approve all other projects in advance.
• In order to receive credit for any work, a completed time sheet must be submitted in a timely manner.  HOURS ARE RENDERED INVALID 2 MONTHS AFTER THE DAY OF SERVICE.  (i.e. If volunteer work was completed on January 2, time sheets must be submitted no later than March 2).

COMMUNITY SERVICE IS NOT:

• Babysitting
• Volunteering your services for an individual person, neighbor, or relative
• Assisting a business, even without pay
• Working in a doctor’s or veterinarian’s office – students must be part of a registered volunteer program at a hospital or university
• Clerical or lab work – students will not get credit for research, computer programming, filing, answering phones, taking messages, assembling packages, stuffing envelopes, or responding to email
• Telephone solicitation (except for Super Sunday)
• Moving boxes, books, or furniture
• Ball boy /girl at a tournament

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a registered non-profit organization?
A non-profit organization is an organization formed under state and federal law for purposes other than generating a profit.  A non-profit agency can be a synagogue, religious association, school, charity, medical provider, legal aid society, volunteer services organization, professional association, research institute, museum, or in some cases a sports association.  Non-profit organizations must provide legal documentation as proof of tax-exempt status.

Can a relative sign my time sheet?
No, a relative or legal guardian may not sign your time sheet.  A volunteer or professional at the organization you are volunteering for is the only person who can approve your hours and sign your time sheet.

What is the difference between babysitting and working with children?
Babysitting is watching children during a short absence of the parent(s), whereas childcare is always performed as part of an educational program under the supervision of a recognized non-profit organization.

Can I volunteer my time working for a thrift shop?
Yes, you may help collect and sort donations as long as the shop is legally associated with a non-profit organization (i.e. AIDS Project LA or the National Council of Jewish Women).

What kind of documentation must I provide in order to receive credit for a Walk-a-thon (i.e. Race for the Cure)?
A Walk/Run event will only be considered for credit if the money being raised falls under the category of bikur holim (helping the sick or disabled). If the event fulfills this requirement, then you may receive up to 5 hours of credit if you agree to raise at least $50.00 and show proof of participation in the event.

Will I receive credit for participating in a fundraiser?
Yes, you may receive community service credit for assisting in any event that raises money for a non-profit organization, up to 10 hours. You may usher, staff a registration table or booth, perform (although rehearsal time does not count), set-up or clean-up.

Can I work at my synagogue and get community service credit?
Yes, you may receive credit for the following activities; ushering on Shabbat and holidays, participating in Mitzvah Day, working at a holiday carnival, tutoring, organizing or helping to organize educational or cultural programming for children.  You may not receive credit for leading or participating in services or the choir.

I have heard something about YAMS.  What is it and can I receive credit for participating in their events?
Youth Against MS is a student-run organization that is working to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system.  Since YAMS is a registered non-profit organization, any student may request credit as long as the general guidelines of community service are followed. 

What if I want to volunteer my time at a place that is not on the pre-approved list?
If you would like to propose an agency that is not currently listed on the pre-approved list then you are required to bring in a copy of their official literature and 501(c)(3) documentation to the Community Service Office  to determine if the organization meets the Milken criteria.  Those agencies deemed appropriate will be added to the Milken list of pre-approved organizations.

ALL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE INSIDE BOTH THE SERVICE LEARNING AND SCHOOL OFFICES. WENDY ORDOWER, DIRECTOR OF SERVICE LEARNING, CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL ATWORDOWER@MILKENSCHOOL.ORG
OR BY PHONE AT 310.440.3500 ext. 3608, FAX 310.440.3589

DIGITAL COPIES ARE AVAILABLEhttp://www.MilkenSchool.org/usstudent_action.aspx