Approved Community Service

Students applying for the USM CItizen Scholars designation should ensure they complete 100 hours SEPARATELY from their community-engaged learning experience. 

Community Service	Not Community Service
Volunteering with a community organization (e.g. coaching, tutoring, mentoring, food pantries, nursing homes, etc.)	Volunteering, job shadowing, or internship that benefits a for-profit business
Service hours undertaken with a faith-based organization that benefits the community without faith requirement	Service only benefiting a specific church, congregation, creed, or evangelism
Volunteering as part of an event (e.g. washing cars at a car wash) to raise money for charity	Selling items for a fundraiser, asking people for money, or making donations
Volunteering at a charity event organized by a campus department	Volunteering for a campus department activity that only benefits the University
Activities that benefit the health or well-being of the entire campus community	Student organizational tabling or activities with no benefit to community well-being
Citizenship activities (i.e. voter registration)	Campaigning for a specific candidate or political party

 

Not all experiences count as community service. Typically, traditional internships, practicums, or student teaching experiences do not count because the benefit is almost entirely for the student. There are exceptions, however. 

Characteristics	Service-Learning	Community Service	Traditional Internship/Practicums/Student Teaching
Primary Intended Beneficiary	Student and recipient(s)	Recipient(s)	Student
Primary Focus	Providing meaningful service & enhancing  classroom learning	Providing meaningful service	Learning by doing
Intended Educational Purpose/Benefits	Academic learning, enhanced intellectual and civic engagement	Moral, personal and social growth and development	Career development and professional preparation
Curricular Integration	Full integration within the curriculum	None	Co-curricular and supplemental
Reflection	Includes structured reflections	Generally not included	May include reflection
Nature of Service Activity	Based on course topic or discipline	Based on student interest or motivation	Based on industry or career
Duration of Activity	Semester	Agency decision	A semester or longer
Time Commitment	Prescribed by class instructor	Variable	Prescribed by program