Service & Volunteerism
Tracking Form
Service and Volunteer Requirements
“We love because He first loved us.” ~1 John 4:19
“Be Christ to others, let others be Christ to you.” ~OA School Motto
In keeping with our Catholic mission, lived out in the Franciscan tradition, we are called to respond to God’s love by serving our neighbor. The Church has been meditating on Sacred Scripture since Jesus’ life, and has summarized the ways in which God’s Word, particularly Matthew 25, teaches us to love one another in body and soul – the Works of Mercy (CCC 2447):
The Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick/elderly
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the sinner
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Comfort the sorrowful
Bear wrongs patiently
Forgive all injuries
Pray for the living and the dead
As followers of Christ, we necessarily care for all of His beautiful creation especially the very pinnacle of the physical world: men and women. We see this in the life of Saint Francis, when he sent away a beggar empty-handed, then with remorse chased him down to give him alms. The dignity of our brothers and sisters challenges us to be with them, to see their dignity and assist them in their needs. Christian Service then, is a response to God’s love and the dignity of our neighbor.
In keeping with our mission statement of developing leaders committed to social responsibility, a total of 60 combined hours of service and volunteerism are expected of all students who graduate from Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, beginning immediately with the class of 2015.
Requirement of 60 total hours over the 4-year duration:
Service vs. Volunteerism
Service is considered any act of love that falls under the Works of Mercy, which are listed above.
Volunteerism is considered any activity assisting a worthy cause that does not fall under the list of the Works of Mercy. Work performed to assist Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception falls under volunteerism.
Examples of Service vs. Volunteerism
Service
Volunteerism
*No set of guidelines can comprehensively address every possible situation. Particular situations may be considered on an individual basis. Final determination of what is considered service or volunteerism is at the discretion of the Service Coordinator.
Fulfillment of service and volunteerism hours is noted on the graduating high school transcript.
Any student who reaches 100 combined hours will be recognized with a Centennial Service Award. Any student who reaches 500 combined hours will receive the Franciscan Service Award.
Campus Ministry will plan one service event each semester, which will be open to all OA students. Parent chaperones may be needed for these events. Also, service and volunteer events will be posted in Mr. Macke’s classroom. If you know of any service events through your church, youth group, or community, which need more volunteers, please give Mr. Macke information to post in his classroom, so other students can get involved.
Guidelines for Hours*: Service and volunteerism hours do NOT include any of the following types of activities.
Guidelines for Forms*: Service and volunteerism hour tracking forms, that you turn in, must satisfy the following requirements.
Service and Volunteer Requirements
“We love because He first loved us.” ~1 John 4:19
“Be Christ to others, let others be Christ to you.” ~OA School Motto
In keeping with our Catholic mission, lived out in the Franciscan tradition, we are called to respond to God’s love by serving our neighbor. The Church has been meditating on Sacred Scripture since Jesus’ life, and has summarized the ways in which God’s Word, particularly Matthew 25, teaches us to love one another in body and soul – the Works of Mercy (CCC 2447):
The Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Clothe the naked
Shelter the homeless
Visit the sick/elderly
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the sinner
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubtful
Comfort the sorrowful
Bear wrongs patiently
Forgive all injuries
Pray for the living and the dead
As followers of Christ, we necessarily care for all of His beautiful creation especially the very pinnacle of the physical world: men and women. We see this in the life of Saint Francis, when he sent away a beggar empty-handed, then with remorse chased him down to give him alms. The dignity of our brothers and sisters challenges us to be with them, to see their dignity and assist them in their needs. Christian Service then, is a response to God’s love and the dignity of our neighbor.
In keeping with our mission statement of developing leaders committed to social responsibility, a total of 60 combined hours of service and volunteerism are expected of all students who graduate from Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, beginning immediately with the class of 2015.
Requirement of 60 total hours over the 4-year duration:
- 20 service hours
- 20 volunteerism hours
- 20 “flex” hours (either service or volunteerism)
Service vs. Volunteerism
Service is considered any act of love that falls under the Works of Mercy, which are listed above.
Volunteerism is considered any activity assisting a worthy cause that does not fall under the list of the Works of Mercy. Work performed to assist Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception falls under volunteerism.
Examples of Service vs. Volunteerism
Service
- working at a soup kitchen
- assisting a food pantry
- executing a food/clothes drive
- helping at a homeless shelter
- nursing home visit
- visit to the imprisoned
- helping at a hospital
- yard work/housework for needy
- babysitting for Safe Passage
- participating in a mission trip
- assisting a crisis pregnancy center
- participating in March for Life
- participating in 40 Days for Life
- assisting with Vacation Bible School
- teaching CCD/faith formation
- assisting at Mass (server, lector, etc.)
- prayer event for particular intention
Volunteerism
- OA fundraising events (Reverse Raffle, Pro-Am Golf Outing, Walkathon, etc.)
- participating with OASIS activity
- participating in Musik Booster Club
- assisting with Alumni Homecoming
- helping a teacher after school hours
- aiding a sports team (bookkeeper, scoreboard, equipment, etc.)
- serving on the Freshman Retreat Core Team
- anything beyond the normal expectations of a student club/organization
- helping a fire department
- assisting with a church festival
- volunteering at your library
- helping a worthy non-profit organization
- assisting with a worthy 5K race fundraiser
- helping at an animal shelter
*No set of guidelines can comprehensively address every possible situation. Particular situations may be considered on an individual basis. Final determination of what is considered service or volunteerism is at the discretion of the Service Coordinator.
Fulfillment of service and volunteerism hours is noted on the graduating high school transcript.
Any student who reaches 100 combined hours will be recognized with a Centennial Service Award. Any student who reaches 500 combined hours will receive the Franciscan Service Award.
Campus Ministry will plan one service event each semester, which will be open to all OA students. Parent chaperones may be needed for these events. Also, service and volunteer events will be posted in Mr. Macke’s classroom. If you know of any service events through your church, youth group, or community, which need more volunteers, please give Mr. Macke information to post in his classroom, so other students can get involved.
Guidelines for Hours*: Service and volunteerism hours do NOT include any of the following types of activities.
- Any services for which one receives a benefit or reward (including, but not limited to, monetary rewards, tickets to events, or merit badges)
- Activities that aid and assist one’s family or household members (including immediate and extended family members)
- Activities that are required/expected of one as a member of an extracurricular activity (including clubs on and off campus)
- Activities that are required/expected of one as part of a course at OA
- Activities that involve the liturgical ministry at OA (including but not limited to serving at Holy Mass, proclaiming the Word of God, or distributing Holy Communion)
- Activities that are part of your OA class retreats (including service components)
- Service and volunteer activities must be in addition to regular club meeting times and in addition to class times. Volunteer hours should not take place during academic class time.
Guidelines for Forms*: Service and volunteerism hour tracking forms, that you turn in, must satisfy the following requirements.
- There is only one type of tracking form – you need to circle either “service” or “volunteerism.”
- The top two boxes on forms must be fully completed to be accepted. The “Supervisor” is the person you are reporting to when serving/volunteering. Do not complete the third box – it will be filled out by the Service Coordinator (Mr. Macke).
- Forms must be written in ink.
- Forms may not be signed by a student’s family members, unless he/she was the only adult supervisor.
- Forms that are “crossed-out” and rewritten may not be accepted.
- Forms must be legible.
- Forms should be turned in within two weeks of the activity itself.
- The only location to turn in forms is the appropriate shelf in Mr. Macke’s classroom.
- Forms from the summer (including past May) must be turned in by the first week in September.
- All forms for the school year must be turned in by the first week of May.
