Students are expected to provide a minimum of 60 hours of service to a nonprofit organization (NPO) within North Carolina during the summer of their Junior or Senior year. It is the student’s decision on which summer to complete their summer service. NPOs provide programs and services for the public benefit, for example: hospitals, social services, and libraries. For information on local NPOs in your area that have hosted NCSSM students in the past, please go to the Agencies link in the navigation menu.

• Summer Service can begin on May 26, 2013 and must be completed by August 10, 2013.

• Service hours for this requirement may not be done during any Academic year, and cannot be split between two summers or different agencies.

• Because of the original philosophy behind Summer Service (giving back to North Carolina residents) all projects must have some content in North Carolina. The only exceptions are circumstances where the student resides with a second parent out-of-state during the time of the service opportunity; or if the student resides in a county bordering Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia and the service opportunity is more accessible in the neighboring state. The Service Learning Coordinator should be informed of these special circumstances ahead of time, so that they can be a factor in considering final project approval.

• Students are not allowed to receive any form of monetary compensation for their Summer Service hours. These hours are strictly voluntary and must be unpaid. Any student who receives monetary compensation for their Summer Service hours will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Summer Service Coordinator and Director of Student Services.

• Students cannot use hours dedicated to Eagle Scout or Gold Awards to fulfill their summer service. These hours must be separate from any type of award or recognition, except the Durham Mayor’s award.

• Students can use research opportunities to fulfill their summer service if the agency is a nonprofit, and located in North Carolina. If a student plans to volunteer at a nonprofit research laboratory, there are a few stipulations: their work cannot be published and/or credited with any findings that will lead to financial gain, awards or recognition and the student cannot use this type of service to fulfill assignments and/or requirements set by another organization (no double dipping).

• Students must submit several forms and reflection components on time relating to their Summer Service in order to receive credit for the requirement: the Agency Contract, Agency Fact Sheet, Supervisor Evaluation,  and Hour Log, and participation in the Summer Service Sharing Days in the fall. Students have the final responsibility of insuring that the Service Learning Coordinator receives these forms in a timely manner.