Service Learning & Civic Engagement

Log into Helper Helper and:

• Put as much detail as possible in the comments and survey section as to what service you completed, what actions and tasks you actually performed, and how it has impacted the community
• Include photos, if possible, of the work
• DO NOT use acronyms- spell out the organization you worked for
• Include the contact information for the organization you worked with so our
  office can verify you for hours served

Non-paid, non-credit related hours spent at non-profit organizations, local schools, with specific community members, etc.

Examples of service include but are not limited to:

• Volunteering at a non-profit organization
• Serving as a mentor at a K-12 school
• Working at a food bank or food pantry
• Visiting an unrelated elderly member of a nursing home
• Renovating or building houses for families in need
• Participating in off-campus service events
  • SOUL or MLK Day of Service
  • Alternative Service Breaks
  • International Service-Learning Program

• Things you get credit for (classwork) or get paid for (paid internships, co-ops, jobs, etc.)
• Experiences that are for personal or professional development: tabling for RSOs, preparing materials for class or an RSO
• Student club/organization activities that benefit club members only
• Travel to and from service

What Counts for Service Hours

On-campus service is service that directly benefits UofL or is physically conducted on UofL’s campus including but not limited to:

• Hours spent working in a research lab that does not count for class credit
  Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of an organization cannot be counted as community service hours.
• Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:
  • Garden Commons
  • Cardinal Cupboard
  • UofL Free Store
  • Service RSOs

What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours

Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of an organization cannot be counted as community service hours.

Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:

• Attending/leading any meetings
• Preparing materials such as agendas or flyers
• Marketing for your organization (i.e. tabling)

Reasoning: These are leadership development opportunities and are a direct benefit to you or your RSO. These are not community service hours.

What Counts for Service Hours

• Non-partisan voter registration
• Serving as an advocate for a social issue

What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours

• Political lobbying/campaigning for a specific candidate

What Counts for Service Hours

• Blood Donation: Donating or attempting to donate blood counts as 1 community service hour. Limit to 2 hours per semester for blood donations.
• Item Donations: Donating items such as books, clothing, canned goods, or otherwise counts as 1 community service hour. Limit to 2 hours per semester for item donations.
• Assisting with the functioning, planning, or set-up/tear-down of a donation drive

What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours

• Any donation over 2 hours already granted per semester for blood donation
• Any donation over 2 hours already granted per semester for item donations
• Monetary donations

What Counts for Service Hours

• With prior approval, time spent planning/organizing a philanthropic event can be counted as community service (ex. RaiseRED committee, Angel Tree, fraternity/sorority philanthropies, etc.).
  • Students wishing to receive community service hours under this exception must include a detailed description of all activities completed, the amount of time spent on each activity, and how it has impacted the wider Louisville community.
• Time spent performing an essential function during a philanthropic event can be counted as community service (ex. handing out water during a race, crowd management, checking people in, etc.)

What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours

• Purchasing items for philanthropic events or donating money
  • Time must be given rather than funds in order to count as community service. Please see the “Donations and Drives” subsection for details regarding exceptions and maximums regarding this rule.
• Participating in or attending a philanthropy event without assisting with planning, performing an essential function, or organizing the event.

What Counts for Service Hours

Time spent serving with a religious organization on activities that benefit a wider population can be counted as service hours:

• Acting as host or greeter
• Taking care of the children
• Serving meals to the community through your religious organization
• Physical labor for a nonfamily/non-related member such as: painting, construction, cleaning, etc.
• Running errands or spending time with a non-related, house-bound member of the religious organization

What DOES NOT Count for Service Hours

Time spent on activities that only benefit the membership of a religious organization cannot be counted as community service hours. Examples of what does NOT count include but are not limited to:

• Proselytizing or providing religious instruction
• Creating religious materials
• Fundraising for a religious organization

The Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement reserve the right to change, alter, add, or delete any rule, regulation, or guideline as it pertains to allowable community service hours. By using Helper Helper, you agree to allow the final decision regarding service hour approval to reside with our team.