Community Involvement Hours

Every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as one of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.  GRCI students, we will collect your community involvement information using the Community Involvement google form found in your Guidance Google classroom.  See your guidance counsellor if you are unsure how to access this.

It is strongly recommended that students complete Community Involvement hours early in their secondary school career.

Students can track their community involvement hours by keeping track of completed hours, location, supervisor name and contact information using this sheet.

For students looking for volunteer opportunities please check out the following resources:
1. Volunteer Waterloo Region,  Youth                                 2. Guidance Google Classroom- See your guidance counsellor for the google classroom code.

What does NOT count towards 40 hours of community involvement as of September 1st, 2023?
An ineligible activity is an activity that:

  • is a requirement of a class, course, or program in which the student is enrolled (e.g., cooperative education course, experiential learning activities)
  • 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
  • contravenes the minimum age requirements to work in or visit a workplace stated in regulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • contravenes any other applicable legislation, regulation or policy
  • contravenes the policies and procedures of the organization that is supervising the student’s community involvement activities
  • would normally be performed for wages by a person in the workplace
  • 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, the handling of securities, or the handling of valuable items such as jewellery, works of art, or antiques
  • consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e., daily chores) or personal recreational activities
  • involves activities for a court-ordered program (e.g., community-service program for young offenders, probationary program)
  • involves activities that promote discrimination, harassment, or puts the safety of the student or others at risk.

Additional Volunteer Recognition:

  1. Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement

    The Ontario Ministry of Education has released new information about recognition for students who go above and beyond the 40 hour minimum requirement for graduation.  Starting in 2026, students can earn a Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement when they graduate. This new certificate celebrates their dedication to helping others and for completing more than 50 volunteer hours during high school.  There are now three levels of recognition for this new Certificate:

    • Bronze Level: 50-99 volunteer hours

    • Silver Level: 100-199 volunteer hours

    • Gold Level: 200+ volunteer hours

    For more information about the new Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Hours, please visit this Ministry of Education website.

    At GRCI, grade 12 students that are interested in earning this new certificate will complete the Ministers Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement google form that is located in their Guidance Google Classroom for the Class of 2026.  Grade 12 students must complete the google form by April 10, 2026.

    Students in grade 9-11 are asked to keep track of their additional community involvement hours and be ready to submit them in their grade 12 year.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your Guidance Counsellor.

2. The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers – presented to young volunteers between the ages of 15 and 24 for their actions and dedication to improve the quality of life in their communities and beyond.

3, The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards – in recognition of continuous years of service to a single community organization.

Visit ontario.ca/honoursandawards for more details and to submit a nomination, or call 1-877-832-8622.