HDSB Examples of Eligible and Ineligible Activities for Community Involvement Graduation Requirement

​​​​​​​​​​​​Community involvement activities may take place in a variety of settings, including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, public sector institutions (including hospitals), and informal settings. The focus of these hours is on Community Involvement, rather than the setting.

The following activities are examples of pre-approved, eligible activities and do not require the secondary principal / designate signature in the Notification of Planned Activities on the Record of Community Involvement​. Additional activities may be eligible, this is not a comprehensive list. If you are unsure of any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your proposed activity, please contact your secondary school guidance department . 

• Provincial and national non-profit organizations such as Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way, Girl Guides and Scouting of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Cancer Society, Rotary and Service Clubs, Humane Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Arthritis Society, Habitat for Humanity, LDHalton, YMCA  
• Fundraising or awareness run/walk events: CIBC Run for the Cure, Mississauga Marathon, Brian Smith Ride 
• Coaching / Coaches Helper / Leader in Training programs with non-profit organizations (e.g. Timbits hockey with BLOMHA, City of Burlington summer camp LIT, Canadian Tire JumpStart Foundation), Ontario Track 3 Ski Association, Oakville Gymnastics Club, local dance studios) 
• Region or city organized community events (e.g. Canada Day celebrations, town street festival), Mikey Young at Heart, The Homework Club, Youth Aiding Youth (ROCK), Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival 
• Supporting work of a global nature, promoting environmental awareness (e.g. Earth Day Clean Up, tree planting) 
• Food Bank Organizations: Halton Food for Thought, Georgetown Bread Basket 
• Elementary school fun fair and other events 
• RBC Canadian Open West
  

 The Ministry's List of Ineligible Activities

The ministry has developed a list of activities that may not be chosen as community involvement activities and that are therefore ineligible activities. An ineligible activity is an activity that:

• is a requirement of a class or course in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education portion of a course, job shadowing, work experience);
• takes place during the time allotted for the instructional program on a school day. However, an activity that takes place during the student's lunch breaks or “spare” periods is permissible;
• would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace;
• consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities;
• involves a court-ordered program (e.g., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program).
• involves the operation of a vehicle, power tools, or scaffolding;
• involves the administration of any type or form of medication or medical procedure to other persons;
• involves handling of substances classed as “designated substances” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
• requires the knowledge of a tradesperson whose trade is regulated by the provincial government;
• involves banking or the handling of securities, or the handling of jewellery, works of art, antiques, or other valuables;
• takes place in a logging or mining environment, if the student is under sixteen years of age;
• takes place in a factory, if the student is under fifteen years of age;
• takes place in a workplace other than a factory, if the student is under fourteen years of age and is not accompanied by an adult.