• Documentation: Students MUST document all service activities on the Silver Cord/Century Club Award Form provided by the Grundy Center Dollars for Scholars Committee – one form for each site or project, signed by a supervisor at the site. (A note confirming the students’ service signed by the supervisor at the project is also acceptable. It must be attached to the Silver Cord form.) Forms can be submitted to the Silver Cord Awards coordinator at any time during the year. There is no specific deadline for underclassmen to submit forms, although it is best to turn them in as soon as they are completed. Seniors should submit all Silver Cord forms by May 1 of senior year. Documentation for the Century Club award must be submitted to the Coordinator by May 1 of the year receiving the award.

• Summer Service: Service hours earned during the summer after the academic year may be applied toward EITHER the prior or following school year – student’s choice. (For example, the summer after sophomore year can apply toward either the freshman/sophomore hours or the junior/seniors hours or be divided between the two as needed). Summer BEFORE Freshman year cannot be used. It is recommended that all summer projects be pre-approved in writing by the Silver Cord Award Coordinator. Pre Approval Forms are available in the Silver Cord Awards Coordinator’s office and should be submitted 2 weeks before final exams. Summer service that complies with Silver Cord criteria will be accepted even if students were not able to submit pre-approval forms. Students should pick up blank Silver Cord Award forms before the end of school to use for documenting summer service. Completed forms should be kept by the student until they return to school in the fall. The Silver Cord Awards Coordinator will be responsible for keeping students’ Silver Cord files.

• Acceptable service activities: Silver Cord/Century Club hours must be for providing a SERVICE or meeting a clear NEED for a non profit agency, church, school, park, charity program, fundraiser or community event. The service should be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvements and should not be part of required service for a program such as Scouts or religious education. If there is any question about whether a specific volunteer experience meets the criteria of “providing a service” or “meeting a need” students should get prior approval from the Silver Cord Awards Coordinator by submitting a Pre Approval Form. The Silver Cord Review Committee makes final determinations regarding service. Examples of activities that would not be acceptable: GCHS sports team managing; most GCHS music program events (unless not a member of the organization); concession stand or fundraising events in which proceeds benefit a GCHS program the student is involved in; performing in musical, dance or theater groups unless related to a social cause or charity benefit; Participation on committees in which focus is on one’s own leadership development and does not include outreach to larger community.

~ To satisfy a class or requirement by any agency, program or organization ~ court-mandated community service ~ For a relative ~ For pay or compensation of any kind ~Travel to and from volunteer activities ~ Any time the school is in session (this includes the time that you may opt to take, but school is in session)