Guidelines

Reviewing the following guidelines will help students understand the requirements of earning their Silver Cord.

• The official Silver Cord calendar year runs from June 1 to May 31, with the exception of senior year, which ends on April 1. Incoming Freshmen may not begin volunteering for Silver Cord credit until June1 entering their 9th grade year.

• Each student should plan to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours per year. This will help to ensure they stay on track to complete the required 200 hours by April 1st of their Senior Year.

• Students  are encouraged to volunteer for at least three different non-profit organizations per year. Examples include but are not limited to: schools, local or state government, church, non-profit organizations and community events benefiting non-profits entities.

• Volunteering at home—for family, extended family, or neighbors, with the permission of a parent—qualifies as one of the three encouraged organizations. Students may volunteer at home for no more than 10 hours each year.

• Hours are credited by 15 minute intervals, with a limit of eight hours per day. Submitted hours may not include time for travel, breaks, meals, recreation, or sleeping.

• Submitting hours: 

  • Students have 30 days from the last date of service to submit hours.

  • Hours for ongoing service opportunities should be submitted monthly, within 30 days of the last date of service that month. Please report these hours in the “Description” field on the online submission form, on the x2VOL submission platform.  

  • Hours submitted after 30 days are awarded at half credit.

  • No credit will be given for hours that are submitted six months or more after the last day of service.

• It is each student’s responsibility to check their online account to view the status of their submitted hours, and also messages from the Silver Cord coordinator. Students must document all service hours via the x2VOL online platform.

• Seniors must submit all requests for credit no later than April 1. Failure to do so will result in not receiving the Silver Cord award at Senior Honors Night.

• All of the service opportunities posted on the Silver Cord webpage have already been pre-approved.

• ***For volunteer service opportunities that are NOT posted on the Pre-Approved Activities page on the District Silver Cord website, students should email Mrs. Bonus, Silver Cord Coordinator ( bonusc@wdmcs.org) to verify if the hours will be acceptable for Silver Cord credit. ***

 

Acceptable and Unacceptable Hours

Acceptable Hours

• Acceptable hours must provide a service or meet a clear need for the following non-profit organizations: association, church, school, park, senior living community, charity programs, or community event.
• Up to 10 hours each year may be earned volunteering for family at home.
• Accepted religious activities include, but are not limited to: participating with Sunday/Wednesday school, Vacation Bible School, confirmation class, baby-sitting or childcare during religious services, working on a sound crew, taking video of a service, or mission trips.

• Unacceptable Hours

  • Unacceptable hours include:
    • Valley High School and Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
      sport team managing
    • Service work for a group as part of your membership obligation
    • Hours earned to satisfy a class requirement
    • Any hours being earned towards the Honors Diploma or the Scholars of Distinction Programs
    • Rehearsing or performing
    • Working from home for an organization (unless pre-approved). 
    • Walking/running/dancing/sleeping in a marathon or fundraiser (Valley High School Dance Marathon is exempt from this rule and may be counted)
    • Hours used for confirmation or other church membership requirements
    • Boy Scout Advancement
    • Participating in a march, rally, or walkout
  • Silver Cord hours may not be directly involved with rituals, services, or ceremonies of any specific religion. Examples of invalid activities include, but are not limited to: playing an instrument for services, singing in the choir, candle lighting, reading from religious texts, altar service, ushering, or passing out programs.
  • Silver Cord hours cannot be earned while working for a for-profit business, country club, or while working for pay or compensation of any kind.
  • Outside of at-home service hours, Silver Cord supervisors should not be immediate family members.