{"id":10546,"date":"2020-11-11T13:20:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T13:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/staffsenate\/?p=10546"},"modified":"2025-08-03T10:41:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T14:41:44","slug":"upcoming-community-service-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/staffsenate\/2020\/11\/11\/upcoming-community-service-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Upcoming Community Service Opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

With holidays quickly approaching, now is as great a time as ever to give back to our community. The temperature is dropping and what a way to create a warm glow around you, by giving to others. It is said that giving activates a region of the brain that creates happiness, trust, and joy. Careful, giving is also contagious!<\/p>\n

Did you know that Western Carolina University provides 24 hours of paid community service leave to eligible employees every year? It is easy to claim. You can find all of the details in Policy 76<\/a>. Most recently, there has been an EXPANSION OF ALLOWABLE HOURS from the UNC System Office.<\/p>\n

The UNC System has received approval to provide a temporary expansion of community service leave. Specifically, the expansion applies to employees who may be volunteering with service organizations in support of COVID-19 activities. With supervisory approval, employees have the opportunity to receive up to 80 hours (in addition to the standard 24 hours of annual CSL) of paid leave for volunteering at a nonprofit that serves individuals impacted by the pandemic. Examples of volunteer activities through a qualifying organization include delivering meals, sorting food donations, supporting non-profit organizations working with vulnerable populations, and conducting wellness checks by calling or texting from your home.<\/p>\n

Staff Senate has been a leader in service for many years. Our dedication and desire to do more for our campus community and the surrounding communities through service is a major initiative of ours every year and this year is no different. Our goal for the staff senate is to contribute 450 hours of service this AY.<\/p>\n

Please check out the following opportunities available in the area and join us. It\u2019s time to lace up those boots, zip up that winter jacket, pull on the mask, and adorn yourself and others with that \u201cgiver\u2019s glow\u201d for the holiday season.<\/p>\n

Here are a few opportunities to serve in the area, but these are most definitely not all-inclusive. Many activities we do regularly are considered community service. If you are unsure if your service \u201ccounts\u201d for paid community service leave, please check with Anne Banks at 227-2794 or ambanks@email.wcu.edu<\/a>. For senators, please reach out to Suzanne Melton at scmelton@wcu.edu<\/a> for more information and to report your time. There are so many ways to serve!<\/p>\n

Base Camp Cullowhee cleanup<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, August 17, 8am \u2013 Friday, November 20, 2020, 5pm<\/p>\n

Holiday Mail for Heroes<\/strong><\/p>\n