Students who receive the Clemson Community Service Grant are required to complete 20 hours of community service per semester, or 40 for the year. Information sessions are offered each semester to help explain the CCSG requirements (see the Important Dates link for details.) Alternately, you can complete the CCSG Quiz to learn more about the program. As a bonus, students will receive CCSG credit for attending the information session or completing the Quiz. The following guidelines are designed to help you successfully fulfill this requirement.

What Counts, What Doesn’t Count

You are encouraged to select a community service activity that will provide you with the best experience possible. Community service activities that you may count toward the CCSG requirement will be:

1. Unpaid.
2. Community service in nature.
3. Served through a non-profit organization (registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3).

What does it mean for your activities to be “community service in nature?” Basically, you need to be doing work in the community that helps the underprivileged or the sick, helps alleviate social injustices, gives a voice for those who have no voice of their own, and generally helps make the world a better place.

Please note that there are a few types of service activities that are not eligible for CCSG credit. While we recognize that there can be great value to these types of activities, and you are not discouraged from participating in them, you may not use these types of service activities to earn CCSG credit. These types of service activities include, but are not limited to:

1. Paid work of any kind.
2. Volunteer work for a private, for-profit company.
3. Volunteer work for any private individual or family not directly associated with a non-profit agency.
4. Volunteer work that is not “community service in nature.”
5. Volunteer work for campus departments or programs that are not listed specifically in our database.

A note on timing… In order for community service activities to count for the CCSG, the service must be completed between the first day of classes in the fall and the deadline in April. Please see the Important Dates link for more deadline information.

Finding a Community Service Position

Clemson University has relationships with many local community partners. There are several ways to access information about available community service positions with these partners:

1. Our on-line Volunteer Opportunities database offers both a list of our local community partners and their on-going needs, and a list of one-time volunteer opportunities. Visit Volunteer Opportunities  to access the database.
2. The fall Volunteer Fair brings community partners to campus to display their volunteer opportunities and needs. Similar to a career fair, the Volunteer Fair gives you a chance to talk with agency representatives and learn more about the details of their volunteer positions. As an added bonus, CCSG recipients can receive one hour of credit toward the CCSG requirements by attending. See the Important Dates link for details.
3. The community service email list will provide you with information about current opportunities. You don’t need to sign up for this service- all CCSG recipients are automatically included in this email list.

You may also select an agency that is not a part of our community partner network. You are allowed to volunteer in your hometown, through an alternative break or mission trip, with a local agency that we don’t have listed in our database, etc. Simply follow the “What Counts, What Doesn’t Count” guidelines above, along with the following:

1. If you wish to volunteer with a national organization away from the Clemson area, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army, and our local branch of that organization is listed in the database, it is safe to assume that your volunteer hours will count.
2. If you wish to volunteer with an organization that is identical or very similar to organizations we have listed in our database, it is safe to assume that your volunteer hours will count. For instance, we have local schools listed in our database, and schools in other locations would count as well.
3. If you wish to volunteer with an organization that is different from what we have listed in our database, or if you have any questions about if it would count or not, please submit the Site Approval Form prior to volunteering. You will be notified via email if your Site Approval Form has been approved or denied.

In all cases, remember to make sure the activity you wish to count also meets the “What Counts, What Doesn’t Count” guidelines above.

So, I’ve got a place in mind… now what?

To set up your community service activity, use the following checklist:

1. Contact the agency. You are strongly encouraged to call them on the phone to speak with someone about their volunteer opportunities. Many agencies will have email addresses, but telephone remains the best way to contact a non-profit organization.
2. Don’t get discouraged if it takes some back and forth to connect with the agency. They are often understaffed-- that is why they need volunteer assistance!
3. Ask about any necessary training or background checks. Ask about costs, if any, associated with those.
4. Ask about schedule, volunteer duties, office atmosphere, appropriate attire, parking, safety, and level of commitment expected of volunteers.
5. Often an agency will have multiple volunteer opportunities. If you really like the agency or the cause but don’t think the volunteer job they describe is right for you, ask about other opportunities.
6. Be sure to describe your interests, talents, and needs to the agency representative.
7. If transportation is a concern, check to see if they are on the CAT bus route, or if they know of other Clemson student volunteers who may be available for carpool.

Counting Student Club or Organization Hours

There are a number of recognized student organizations at Clemson that engage their members in community service activities. Volunteering with club members is a fun and easy way to earn CCSG hours. Please note that service activities done through student clubs or organizations must still meet the “What Counts, What Doesn’t Count” guidelines above. The service may be done through the club, but must benefit the greater community and be of community service in nature, be done for and through a non-profit organization, and be unpaid. Service that benefits the club will not count. Additionally, some activities that are called “service” by the club or organization would not count as service for the CCSG. Please be sure to have your club or organization service activities pre-approved prior to completing them for CCSG credit.

Getting the Most from your Community Service Experience

Sure, you are doing this because the grant requires if of you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t receive a lot of personal benefits and satisfaction from this experience! Our hope is that you truly enjoy what you do and are able to use this time to clarify personal goals, develop skills, build your resume, cultivate great references, and enhance your college experience. Keep the following in mind to help make the most of your community service hours:

1. Clarify Expectations- Be honest with yourself and those you volunteer with about what you can accomplish and what you hope to gain.
2. Be Responsible - Know that someone is counting on you and be on time and consistent. If you know you will be late or absent, call in advance. If you decide you need to quit the volunteer experience, always discuss this with the agency contact ahead of time.
3. Be Flexible- Things will not always go as planned. Be prepared for these bumps in the road and try to go with the flow.
4. Be Sensitive- You may find yourself working with people who are very different from you. This is a great chance to learn about different backgrounds, cultures or personality traits. Be sure to treat people with respect and dignity.
5. Be Safe- If you ever feel you are in a situation that is unsafe for any reason, do not hesitate to change the situation or stop what you are doing. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Protect yourself and the people you work with.
6. Deal with Difficulties- If you experience problems, bring them up with someone at the agency or at the Community Service office. Things rarely get better on their own.

Reporting Hours

To turn in your hours, go to the Hours Verification Form (PDF) link and print out as many copies as you need (one per agency.) After you complete all of the information, have your service supervisor sign the bottom of the form verifying that the hours you listed are correct and then mail, fax, or hand deliver the form to the office as listed on the form.

To check your CCSG hours status, see the Student Hours Record link. This will allow you to view the hours that the Community Service office has received and the number of hours that you have remaining to do. If you ever see an error in your record, don't hesitate to contact the Community Service office!

For More Information

Email to your Clemson email account is the official method of communication about the CCSG- be sure to read those messages as you are responsible for the information sent to you.

Grant recipients will receive more information, in the fall semester. For more information about this grant or other service opportunities, contact Jennifer Shurley, Associate Director of Community Service, 864-656-0243, jshurle@clemson.edu.