Involvement Hours

[Airbourne Infantry]

This year my Squadron has instituted a new policy: Every Enlisted Cadet must have a minimum of 15 volunteer/involvement hours and every Officer 20 hours minimum. These hours can be from attending community service projects, Corps activities, Open Houses, etc. I think it's a really good idea that will get everyone involved whether they want to be or not. Does anyone else do this?

[ang1sgt]

Of course it is a good idea. Most schools are making it a requirement that you do some Community Service outside of the school. These situations help round out the individual and also give YOUR Unit some exposure to the world outside of your School. I applaud ideas like this!

[Airbourne Infantry]

:D As do I. It's not like it's hard though, I mean we've only had three activities so far (with an airshow coming up on Oct. 4) and the lowest ranking enlisted Cadet in my flight has ten hours already!

[TruBlu]

That's a really good idea! I never thought of requiring it. To make it a requirement, you would have to go through your SASI and the Principal and make it official right? Would it be added to part of the curriculum for the course, or is it just something that everyone needs to do and is told about when they get in? I just want to figure out how someone else did it before I stroll on up to my SASI or principal and demand action lol ;).

[Infinite]

Our unit has a policy of five for enlisted and 10 for officers, but we average 28 hours per cadet. Why do we do it? Because its great community publicity.
By the way, you're going all the way to Vance AB from Texas for an airshow?

[C/ZOOMIE]

In my CAP Squadron I believe the rule is one must attend 75% of the meetings. I agree thought that we should have a community service requirement............

[amarine'slittlegrunt]

You know, I would have never thought of making community service a requirement. All I know is that you need community service to promote, which all you need is 2 per quarter. But we also have a policy that if you get a detention or something, 2 community services will cancel out 1 detention. (Note this is for JROTC). But, I will be sure to bring this up the chain of command and see what I can get done. Thanks for the Idea! :satisfied:



-AMLG :drill:

[Drill for life]

My unit cannot do this because a lot of our Cadets are Charter students and our SAI and AI have it hard enough as it is without adding something else. In your unit do after-school activities count as Community Service? The closet thing we do to that is Service Learning,Toys for Tots.

[Airbourne Infantry]

TruBlu: Our Group Commander went through the ASI/SASI who in turn went to the principal of the school to get the green light. Note: it's community service and involvement hours. So a Cadet can acquire hours by showing up to Corps activities or by actually volunteering for service through JROTC. Also, hours outside of JROTC are good but they don't count. Every Cadet must give to the community and participate while they are representing JROTC and not some other organization like Boy Scouts, National Honor Society, etc.

Drill For Life: We're pretty relaxed on the types of things that can get Cadets hours. Obviously, service projects count but by simply showing up to Corps picnics, flight challenges, open houses, airshows, or other activities in which the Cadet gets involved with the Corps or gives back to the community the Cadet can rack up the hours. But other activities like the awards ceremony, military ball, and drill meets don't count because they only apply to drill teams and are strictly activites for enjoyment.

[StormCrow]

Does everyone except me think that community service is just used to promote your unit? Promote it to who for what? Guys, JROTC is not a business that needs to be advertised. What are you selling? Nothing...You should participate in community service for the need to give beck to your community and that scary thought that Storm quivers at...you all might just...learn something.

Storm

[flyBoy2010]

One activity we have set up in my corps is a deal with the local Air and Space Museum. They rent the facility to different companies and people who wish to host a function there. We get 3 or 4 cadets and go out early to set up the tables, chairs, etc. When the event starts, we run the exhibits in the museum. Near the end they normally feed us and then we tear everything down. The museum pays $6/cadet hour to a special fund used for renting the facility for the Military Ball/ Awards Banquet. Organizations such as the NHS at our school allow members to use that as community service.

[StormCrow]

Flyboy,

Is that the only function that you have, because there is much more that you can do other than just that. I would love to give you some input on things that your unit can do that are community oriented and that can get you more money to fund more activities.

Storm

[flyBoy2010]

That was just one example of the things we do. We also do things with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and other groups. The museum stuff is our biggest activity though. The aerospace industry is a big part of the community and therefore the museum has a big place in the community. Being able to help out there is a big part of being known in the community. One of the events we hosted was the military ball for another JROTC.

[TruBlu]

TruBlu: Our Group Commander went through the ASI/SASI who in turn went to the principal of the school to get the green light. Note: it's community service and involvement hours. So a Cadet can acquire hours by showing up to Corps activities or by actually volunteering for service through JROTC. Also, hours outside of JROTC are good but they don't count. Every Cadet must give to the community and participate while they are representing JROTC and not some other organization like Boy Scouts, National Honor Society, etc.

Drill For Life: We're pretty relaxed on the types of things that can get Cadets hours. Obviously, service projects count but by simply showing up to Corps picnics, flight challenges, open houses, airshows, or other activities in which the Cadet gets involved with the Corps or gives back to the community the Cadet can rack up the hours. But other activities like the awards ceremony, military ball, and drill meets don't count because they only apply to drill teams and are strictly activites for enjoyment.

Thanks, I'm gonna see what I can cook up with my squadron commander and my SASI about this.

[StormCrow]

That was just one example of the things we do. We also do things with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and other groups. The museum stuff is our biggest activity though. The aerospace industry is a big part of the community and therefore the museum has a big place in the community. Being able to help out there is a big part of being known in the community. One of the events we hosted was the military ball for another JROTC.

Good, because I got a little worried...lol. Are you able to make a healthy profit from these events.

I have volunteered for Habitat for humanity. If you hook up with the right group of guys you can learn a great deal.

Storm

[flyBoy2010]

Good, because I got a little worried...lol. Are you able to make a healthy profit from these events.


We make enough to rent the facility, get a DJ, and catering. The facility itself is about $800 plus catering and DJ. After the costs we still are able to come out a little ahead. Recently, the museum has increased rental costs and minimum wage has increased to $6.55 per hour. Our SASI is planning on asking the events coordinator for a slight raise from $6.00 per hour.

[C.A.P. Flight Officer]

Flyboy,

Is that the only function that you have, because there is much more that you can do other than just that. I would love to give you some input on things that your unit can do that are community oriented and that can get you more money to fund more activities.

Storm

My unit would love some of those ideas. We are desperate for fundraiseres. Right now we can't even afford unit patches. My unit's staff has to pay for their own supplies like cords or bretes...

[StormCrow]

Ideas:

Lets see:

Coupon Books
Home Drill meet
Family Fun Day
Home PT Meet

gotta think about some others...That off the top of my head.

Storm

[flyBoy2010]

Go to Sonic and ask for their coupons. They give them to you for free and you sell them for $5 and keep all the profit.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

That's a really good idea! I never thought of requiring it. To make it a requirement, you would have to go through your SASI and the Principal and make it official right? Would it be added to part of the curriculum for the course, or is it just something that everyone needs to do and is told about when they get in? I just want to figure out how someone else did it before I stroll on up to my SASI or principal and demand action lol ;).

This is a great idea, I wont deny that, but as you know Blu, we kind of have problem keeping cadets interested and if there was something established like mandatory community service for the course that would probably stop a lot of people who would normally want to join but don't want to be required to do something to get in.

[Drill for life]

I have just filed my Community Service Hours log so I can Graduate wit Honors. I have done over 100 hours of Community service 75 of them where out my Corps.

[Lkg]

My unit would love some of those ideas. We are desperate for fundraiseres. Right now we can't even afford unit patches. My unit's staff has to pay for their own supplies like cords or bretes...

I've seen units sell a card (around 15 dollars each) with meal deal offers to local business chains(Ex. Buy two burgers get one large order of fries for free). It is very similar to the coupon book idea suggested by StormCrow. Instead of "X" number of coupons to use, the card lasted until the end of the year. Plus it is also very convenient to the user because it can fit in any wallet.

I've also seen units pair up with candy companies to raise money. Generally the companies will give up to 50 percent of the money back to the school organization. Candy is generally easy to market, especially in a school.

You will probably want to do more than one fundraiser during the year to maintain your funds.

[Drill for life]

What my school does is a School wide Fundraiser wear we sell candy, Magazine Subscriptions, food, and wrapping paper. It works, even though we only get half of the Proceeds.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

We do something like that at my school. we used to sell chocolate bars but now we're not allowed to sell them on campus.

[Drill for life]

Thats real dumb(I know peple have there reason's but come on). There are alot of teacher and students who hate JROTC.

[Lkg]

Thats real dumb(I know peple ahve there reason's but come on). There are alot of teacher and students who hate JROTC.

I doubt it is because of JROTC. A large majority of states and school districts are taking a tough stance towards obesity in students. The districts and states have made decisions to regulate the food offered at schools, such as candy or sodas, to prevent obesity in students.

I'm not familiar with your state's policy or school districts but you might try talking with your principal and district superintendent. They may be able to bend the rules a little bit, and allow your JROTC unit to sell the candy during certain times in the day (before or after school).

[TruBlu]

I doubt it is because of JROTC. A large majority of states and school districts are taking a tough stance towards obesity in students. The districts and states have made decisions to regulate the food offered at schools, such as candy or sodas, to prevent obesity in students.

I'm not familiar with your state's policy or school districts but you might try talking with your principal and district superintendent. They may be able to bend the rules a little bit, and allow your JROTC unit to sell the candy during certain times in the day (before or after school).

We (same unit) may sell the candy before or after school hours. And the reason at our school is this: sugar. It's not about obesity, it's about the sugar rush kids can get off of that massive piece of chocolate. That and selling it during school hours can be disruptive (make people late and stuff...).

[Lkg]

We (same unit) may sell the candy before or after school hours. And the reason at your school is this: sugar. It's not about obesity, it's about the sugar rush kids can get off of that massive piece of chocolate. That and selling it during school hours can be disruptive (make people late and stuff...).

Every school district and state is different.

I know of units that are allowed to sell candy at any point during the day. So it just depends on the school district and state policy.

I'm not familiar with your state's nutrition policy, but my state's policy is to reduce trans fatty acids. I will agree that sugar is a factor, but only because sugar turns into fat which can lead to obesity.

[TruBlu]

Every school district and state is different.

I know of units that are allowed to sell candy at any point during the day. So it just depends on the school district and state policy.

I'm not familiar with your state's nutrition policy, but my state's policy is to reduce trans fatty acids. I will agree that sugar is a factor, but only because sugar turns into fat which can lead to obesity.

Eh, it's a new policy (just this year), and I just read my post and had a typo. I typed out your school, my I meant our school. That wasn't direct at you, I just made a mistake, but I'll edit it right now. My school is doing it because of the "hyper-activity" factor, and you are certainly correct, each district and school can have reasons far different from each other.

[C/Msgt.wraith]

Eh, it's a new policy (just this year), and I just read my post and had a typo. I typed out your school, my I meant our school. That wasn't direct at you, I just made a mistake, but I'll edit it right now. My school is doing it because of the "hyper-activity" factor, and you are certainly correct, each district and school can have reasons far different from each other.

Can we still sell them on campus before school?

[Drill for life]

I do understand hacking them off in the middle of Class is wrong but just period after and before school is wrong. Kids get hungry and the Chocolate will tide them over (also make there hips bigger and I do understand that too).

[C/Msgt.wraith]

I do understand hacking them off in the middle of Class is wrong but just period after and before school is wrong. Kids get hungry and the Chocolate will tide them over (also make there hips bigger and I do understand that too).

Well, it's also the student's choice if they want to get off their lazy butts and work out so that eating things like chocolate wont make them fat. Why should we who like to keep a good physical form and like to induldge in something sweet every once in a while have to suffer?

[TruBlu]

Complain all you want, but sugar is a stimulant and that is the primary reason for not having it in school. Also, it can disrupt a student's schedule. In example: A student is in the hall selling chocolate between classes being mobbed by others who want to buy. Said student is late to class. Reason being: "I was selling chocolate in the hall." Not so much...

[TheLegalShark]

My high school never required community service in order to graduate and niether did my college. My law school does have a pro-bono requirement though. I never agreed with the idea of "enforced volunteerism". Everytime I have encountered it, it has caused more resentment than interest in serving the community. I think the way society treats community service does the community a disservice in general. When younger a lot of people see it as something that is enforced, either a requirement by their school or as a punishment ordered by the courts for criminal behavior. To them it either becomes an inconvinient box they need to check off or a punishment.

[SlightlyCatholic]

My high school never required community service in order to graduate and niether did my college. My law school does have a pro-bono requirement though. I never agreed with the idea of "enforced volunteerism". Everytime I have encountered it, it has caused more resentment than interest in serving the community. I think the way society treats community service does the community a disservice in general. When younger a lot of people see it as something that is enforced, either a requirement by their school or as a punishment ordered by the courts for criminal behavior. To them it either becomes an inconvinient box they need to check off or a punishment.

In high school I had 100 hours of forced community service over four years. When I used the very argument you cite above, the response was "Well, if we don't make kids do it, then it won't get done." We don't give our youth the benefit of the doubt anymore, and we seem to (as a society) hold a sort of skeptical cynicism about their willingness to help other people.

[TheLegalShark]

We don't give our youth the benefit of the doubt anymore, and we seem to (as a society) hold a sort of skeptical cynicism about their willingness to help other people.

Tim, in general we don't give anyone the benefit of doubt for pretty much anything and I can say in today's world they are justified in doing so. As far as community service, I think a lot of people, especially youth have a negative view of it and are somewhat justified in having it. As I said they are most often exposed to it as some form of requirement or saction. How can you really expect them to have a positive view of something they are being forced into doing. Especially when they have no say in what "service" they have to perform. For example would someone have a positive view of service if the school assigns that person and classmates to roadside trash pick up for their service hours, and he sees inmates from the county jail doing the same thing the next day. What if the school allows students to coordinate their own service projects like I did through JROTC? I will branch this off into a discussion about society and put it in the general discussion forum.

[SlightlyCatholic]

As far as community service, I think a lot of people, especially youth have a negative view of it and are somewhat justified in having it. As I said they are most often exposed to it as some form of requirement or saction.

I agree with you on this. I think the only places nowadays that do community service simply to do it are religious or charitable organizations (Salvation Army, Knights of Colombus, etc.). In any case, I look forward to this discussion in the General Discussion Forum.

[Drill for life]

The Step Team at my school started selling Choclate candy bars(Milk, Dark, Almond and Crisp by Worlds Finest Choclate) on Friday(What the heck last day of the Semester). I feel really bad becasue I bought two bars from these girls I know. If my recruiter knew I ate Chocolate wooah.......Punishment PT....

[C./Fields]

In high school I had 100 hours of forced community service over four years.

Wow...all they make us do is 4 community service events a semester (not that bad considering all 4 of mine last semester were football game details and got food provided by the concession stand and game entrance, all free). I'll probably do some B-ball details next semester. Hardly "enforced volunteerism" if you ask me.

[SlightlyCatholic]

I went to a Catholic high school. That's why there was so much service required...25 hrs a year.

[Drill for life]

I went to a Catholic high school. That's why there was so much service required...25 hrs a year.

Ow, you must have felt left out, being the only one in a Cadet Program in your whole school. I love doing Communtiy service, my job is just directing everyone(That is what they make me do because I am in AJROTC).

[SlightlyCatholic]

There were a few of us in cadet programs...we also had a Drill Team that I was on for two years.

[Drill for life]

In the Catholic High school?