Community Involvement

Volunteering: Counting your 40 Hours of Community Service

Did you know that every secondary student in Ontario must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service before graduation?  Did you also know that there are many fun and exciting ways to get involved right here in your community?

Surf this page and learn all about the community involvement requirement, including the process, benefits and tips on getting started.
To get a copy of the Student Volunteer Activity Sheet please click here.

To view Rainbow District School Board’s Community Involvement Policy, please click here.
The Volunteer Process
Before starting your community involvement activities, you may want to read the following steps.

Step 1 - Planning and Approval
Step 2 - Taking Action and Recording Your Activities
  • Complete your required volunteer activities.
  • Ensure that all volunteer activities are recorded, dated and signed by you, your parents and your volunteer supervisor.
  • Check to see that all hours and activities are properly recorded on your Student Volunteer Activity Sheet.

Step 3 - Submitting and Checking
  • Submit your Student Volunteer Activity Sheet to your guidance counsellor.
  • Check your next report card to see that your community involvement activities have been updated and checked as complete.


Please Note: We encourage you to complete 40 hours (or more) of community involvement as soon as possible – ideally by the end of Grade 10.
Benefits of Getting Involved
There are many great reasons to volunteer in your community.   By getting involved, you will:
  • Be making positive contributions to your community
  • Learn more about an organization and its functions
  • Explore different pathways and career options
  • Get ready for the workforce
  • Gain valuable work experience
  • Network and get potential job opportunities
  • Discover your strengths and develop your skills
  • Build self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Meet new people and make new friends
  • Stay active
  • Have fun

Please Note: The more hours you complete, the more attractive your r will be to prospective schools and employers.
A Few Useful Tips
Before you begin to volunteer, you might want to:

  • Take time to consider what you want to do and what you want to learn.
  • Search for volunteer opportunities in your community.
  • Visit your Guidance Office for more information and volunteer postings.
  • Find eligible volunteer activities that match your personality, interests and skills.
  • Make sure that your volunteer activities meet ministry and school guidelines.
  • Send your cover letter, résumé and police background check (sometimes required) to prospective community sponsors/volunteer supervisors.
  • Meet with your community sponsor/volunteer supervisor ahead of time to ask questions and tour the organization.
Volunteer Job Board
Looking for a volunteer position within your community?  Here are a few tips to get you started:

Arthritis Society
705-673-4641

Alzheimer's Society Sudbury - Manitoulin
705-560-0603

CKLU (Laurentian University's Radio Station)
705-673-6538

Canadian Blood Services
705-674-2636

Canadian Cancer Society, Sudbury and District
705-670-1234

Canadian Diabetes Association
705-670-1993

Canadian Hearing Society
705-522-1020

Canadian Mental Health Association
705-675-7252

Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Sudbury and Manitoulin Branches
705-675-2468

Canadian Red Cross, Sudbury Branch
705-674-0737

Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
705-566-3113

Cinéfest
705-688-1234

Easter Seals Society
705-566-8858

Espanola General Hospital
705-869-1420 _

Greater Sudbury Police Service
705-675-9171

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
705-673-2228

ICAN Independence Centre and Network
705-673-0655

Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
705-674-5249

MADD Canada, Manitoulin Island Branch
705-368-0840

Meals On Wheels, Sudbury
705-525-4554

Multiple Sclerosis Society
705-566-9299

Northern Lights Festival Boreal
705-674-5512

Rainbow District School Board
705-674-3171

St. John Ambulance
705-524-7223

Sudbury Regional Hospital
705-523-7100

Salvation Army
705-525-2433

Science North
705-523-4629

SPCA
705-566-9582

Sudbury Arts Council
705-670-2787

Sudbury (City of Greater) Public Libraries
705-671-2489

Sudbury Theatre Centre
705-674-8381

Town of Espanola
705-869-1540

United Way Centraide of Sudbury
705-560-3330

Victorian Order of Nurses
705-671-1575

Volunteer Sudbury
705-560-6661

YMCA
705-673-9136

YWCA (Geneva House)
705-674-2210

Opportunities on Manitoulin Island

Ballet
Maja Mielonen 
377-4471

Fish ‘n’ Game Club
Bill Strain
368-2554

Grace Bible Church   
Jon VanKesteren   
368-1563

Holy Trinity Anglican Church   
Ron Towns   
368-2769

Islanders Hockey Team
Nan Buie   
377-4402

Lion’s Club   
Bruce Burnett   
368-3163

* Little Current Curling Club
Lianne George
368-3255

* Little Current Minor Hockey
Roy Knobel   
368-1326

Little Current Figure Skating Club
Holly Bailey   
368-1399

Little Current United Church
Gail Gjos (Outreach)
368-2589

Helen Gordon (Auxiliary)   
368-2167

Little Current Yacht Club   
Margaret Van Camp   
368-1521

Manitoulin Family Resources   
Brenda Clarke   
377-5532

Panthers Hockey Club   
Rendall McDonald   
368-1611

Royal Canadian Legion   
Roy Eaton   
368-2148

Royal Canadian Legion Ladies   
Linda Bowerman   
368-2465

Sheguiandah Senior Citizens Group   
Dale Wood   
368-2855

St. Bernard’s Catholic Church   
Gisele Ferro   
368-3066

Terry Fox Run   
Suzanne Norris   
368-3057

Town of Northeastern Manitoulin & the Islands   
Pam Cress   
368-3500

* Club members will be given first preference.