According to Florida Statute 1009.534, “Volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office.”

Service hours are required for the Bright Futures Awards: Florida Academic Award requires 100 hours; Florida Medallion Award requires 75 hours; Gold Seal Vocational requires 30 hours; Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Award requires 30 hours.  If a student chooses work hours in lieu of community service hours, they must complete 100 hours regardless of award level.  Must be completed at a non-profit or for-profit organization addressing a social or civic issue that interests the student.

• Must be supervised by the organization’s employee who is not related to the student.

• Must be completed after the student’s promotion to grade 9 and before high school graduation.

• Students must identify a social or civic issue, develop a plan for their personal involvement.

• Students must complete a reflection upon completion of hours, signed off on by the student’s parent or guardian.

• High school credit is not earned for community service

• Only the hours of direct service to the organization are to be documented on the log sheet.

• Students who wish to volunteer for service in Sarasota County Public Schools also must register for approval in Raptor the school district’s online volunteer management system. The student will receive an email upon approval. Students must check in and out at the front desk as a volunteer or log their hours via the Volunteer Portal upon each visit.  This A volunteer registration automatically prompts a student records check. Prior behavioral problems may disqualify you as a student from volunteering in the district schools. Disqualification from school volunteering does not disqualify you, the student, from community service at other approved agencies/organizations.

• Bright Futures Scholarships information is available.

• Must be supervised by the organization’s employee who is not related to the student.

• Must be completed after the student’s promotion to grade 9 and before high school graduation.

• Students may work 100 hours in lieu of community service or in combination with community service hours

• High school credit is not earned for work hours

• Only the hours of work completed and paid for (on a paycheck) are to be documented on the log sheet.

• Please note that Florida Child Labor Laws prohibit students from performing more than eight (8) hours of community service/work within a 24-hour period.

• If you have questions as to if your hours meet Bright Future’s requirements, please discuss with your school-based Career Advisor, prior to completing the hours.

A community service plan is a form that must be filled out for EACH site the student performs community service.

• This form is available through this site Click Here

• Students are responsible for keeping a copy of their “Record of Volunteer/Work Experience” form, until they have received confirmation of their receipt of the Bright Futures Scholarship, upon high school graduation.

Log Sheets:
The log sheets must be taken to the school-based Career Advisor for verification and given to the registrar for entry on the transcript. Volunteer and work hours must be submitted prior to graduation. Speak with your school-based Career Advisor with additional questions.

The log sheet in conjunction with pay stubs are required for work hours.   The forms should be taken to the school-based Career Advisor for verification and entry on the transcript. Volunteer and work hours must be submitted prior to graduation. Speak with your school-based Career Advisor with additional questions.

• Click here to Access a Log Sheet

• Click here for Community Service Hours Questions and Answers