ManuelR1 (Georgia)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
Hi everyone, I wanted to know if any HOA's are providing this kind of opportunity for the high school students, basically we would like for the to help out in the community. hope to hear back.
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High School Students Community Service Hours..
Started by ManuelR1 • 29 replies • 2249 views
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DeanaD1 (Tennessee)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
We haven't yet but are planning on it. We are new to the Board and going to check with both the County High school and Private school to see IF their National Honor Society students would like to do this.
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
Like mow the lawns?
ManuelR1 (Georgia)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
more like painting the community playground, pressure wash the club house exterior, repaint the pool fence activities more to the common public areas.
DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046
Posts: 2,046
Posted:
I know in my state students must perform a complete a certain number of community service hours to be eligible for certain state scholarships. I don't know specifically what counts towards that but I assume there are some kind of rules or guidelines. I know that doing work at the local county park counts, but not sure about doing work just to save money for an HOA.
Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ManuelR1 on 04/25/2016 9:17 AM
pressure wash the club house exterior, repaint the pool fence
pressure wash the club house exterior, repaint the pool fence
I don't think that is in the spirit of community service, more in the spirit of cheap labor. Is the pool and clubhouse available for free use by anybody with no regard to where they live like city parks are, or are they only for residents and their guests?
ManuelR1 (Georgia)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
Residents only and their guest, not trying to hire cheap labor, it will be the same as asking for homeowners volunteers to do such work, but if we can have the teens involved and they earn hours then is a win win situation.
DeanaD1 (Tennessee)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
More like adopt a highway or road. Rural HOA. Lots of groups do it. IF one has over 100 NHS students, trying to get 8 hours each per month service hours, in a small community, you only need so much help at the volunteer public library or the annual Special Olympics, and only so many can help volunteer to the Chemistry teacher or Calculus teacher to help tutor other students. Projects are not easy to find to fit in with their athletic schedule, academic schedule, part time job or other activities. Or IF some of the NHS students are also part of the 4H club or FFA club they could help with beautification efforts planting flowers in the common areas or helping with the equestrian areas (we're a horse friendly community with equestrian area/arena).
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ManuelR1 on 04/25/2016 9:31 AM
Residents only and their guest, not trying to hire cheap labor, it will be the same as asking for homeowners volunteers to do such work, but if we can have the teens involved and they earn hours then is a win win situation.
Residents only and their guest, not trying to hire cheap labor, it will be the same as asking for homeowners volunteers to do such work, but if we can have the teens involved and they earn hours then is a win win situation.
Sounds like you are trying to get cheap labor.
Why not have community service polishing wine glasses for the Rockefellers? This is work best paid for by the HOA, or done by residents. Trying to cut costs by using the schools is not right.
ManuelR1 (Georgia)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
MarkM31, so I assume that your HOA does not have any volunteers for committees, do they get paid? or your HOA board members also get paid? this means none of your homeowners volunteers their time to help out in anything? why are you trying to defer the conversation of a simple question to your sarcastic comments, I joined this forum to find out positive comments and suggestions not to read your sarcasm jokes, thank you any way for replying, I see where are you going. Have a great day and enjoy the rest of the week.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Manuel and Donna,
I agree with Mark. What you are seeking is free labor that will benefit only the members of your HOA and not the community at large. I cannot imagine any credible program that would equate performing work for homeowners who are fully capable of doing, or paying for, the job themselves with programs that benefit the entire community or those that benefit people who are physically and financially unable to help themselves.
HOA's are private organizations serving only their members and are not charities.
I agree with Mark. What you are seeking is free labor that will benefit only the members of your HOA and not the community at large. I cannot imagine any credible program that would equate performing work for homeowners who are fully capable of doing, or paying for, the job themselves with programs that benefit the entire community or those that benefit people who are physically and financially unable to help themselves.
HOA's are private organizations serving only their members and are not charities.
DeanaD1 (Tennessee)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
So I guess when we allow the Kiwani's to have their 5K that benefits students with generous scholarships on our roads and trails, that is not serving the community. Or when we allow the local riding club to have their horse trail ride complete with an auction of various items that benefits them on our properties, that we're just a selfish rich ole HOA trying to get cheap labor.
Has no one ever noticed the "adopt a mile" or "adopt a road" sign along the highways and bi-ways around the country?
Has no one ever noticed the "adopt a mile" or "adopt a road" sign along the highways and bi-ways around the country?
ManuelR1 (Georgia)
Posts: 5
Posts: 5
Posted:
LarryB13, now this kind of feedback is greatly appreciated! that is exactly my point as to where is considered seeking free labor vs volunteering to improve the neighborhood common areas and have teens helping out. So far I reached out to one of the local high schools and to my surprise they said it was ok; there could be two ways to do it, one is the student needs to submitt their time sheets as long as they can be verified, so they suggest to provide a letterhead stating the works performed, dates and times and the contact person (signature cannot be parents or siblings), the other way was to contact all of the high school clubs and let them know about the activities available, the clubs will post and make them available for students to sign up, at the day of the activity a sign up sheet with hours and signature is required. To my surprise they even stated that some communities offer the baby sitting as part of their community service.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posts: 403
Posted:
I have never heard of this and have worked in a small public community school for several years. I also live in a rural area in an HOA development. I can't imagine my HOA board requesting this type of volunteer service. I think it's a bit unethical. With that being said, do you have elderly and disabled folks in your HOA? I would lean more towards facilitating help for those folks. They often need assistance with chores both inside and outside their homes.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posts: 403
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BanksS on 04/25/2016 10:27 AM
I have never heard of this and have worked in a small public community school for several years. I also live in a rural area in an HOA development. I can't imagine my HOA board requesting this type of volunteer service. I think it's a bit unethical. With that being said, do you have elderly and disabled folks in your HOA? I would lean more towards facilitating help for those folks. They often need assistance with chores both inside and outside their homes.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
I have never heard of this and have worked in a small public community school for several years. I also live in a rural area in an HOA development. I can't imagine my HOA board requesting this type of volunteer service. I think it's a bit unethical. With that being said, do you have elderly and disabled folks in your HOA? I would lean more towards facilitating help for those folks. They often need assistance with chores both inside and outside their homes.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
Left out a word in my last sentence. Meant to say This just does not fill the spirit of volunteering...
DeanaD1 (Tennessee)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BanksS on 04/25/2016 10:27 AM
I have never heard of this and have worked in a small public community school for several years. I also live in a rural area in an HOA development. I can't imagine my HOA board requesting this type of volunteer service. I think it's a bit unethical. With that being said, do you have elderly and disabled folks in your HOA? I would lean more towards facilitating help for those folks. They often need assistance with chores both inside and outside their homes.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
I have never heard of this and have worked in a small public community school for several years. I also live in a rural area in an HOA development. I can't imagine my HOA board requesting this type of volunteer service. I think it's a bit unethical. With that being said, do you have elderly and disabled folks in your HOA? I would lean more towards facilitating help for those folks. They often need assistance with chores both inside and outside their homes.
This just not fill the spirit of volunteering in my opinion. Just my opinion of course. Others may feel differently.
Around here the churches do that. And guess what, they are 98% comprised of the same NHS kids from the high school. Our HOA is a mix of ages. We don't discriminate. Against the law.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By LarryB13 on 04/25/2016 9:54 AM
Manuel and Donna,
I agree with Mark. What you are seeking is free labor that will benefit only the members of your HOA and not the community at large. I cannot imagine any credible program that would equate performing work for homeowners who are fully capable of doing, or paying for, the job themselves with programs that benefit the entire community or those that benefit people who are physically and financially unable to help themselves.
HOA's are private organizations serving only their members and are not charities.
Manuel and Donna,
I agree with Mark. What you are seeking is free labor that will benefit only the members of your HOA and not the community at large. I cannot imagine any credible program that would equate performing work for homeowners who are fully capable of doing, or paying for, the job themselves with programs that benefit the entire community or those that benefit people who are physically and financially unable to help themselves.
HOA's are private organizations serving only their members and are not charities.
I agree.
KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
I'm entirely with John & Larry. But perhaps Deanna's and Manuel's larger communities/municipalities are extremely wealthy with no needy, elderly or handicapped people who could use assistance with their daily routines. Maybe there are no single parents who could use a hand with childcare while they work to try to support their families. Why? Because all jobs in this town pay a whole lot.
Maybe everyone is food-secure so there's no food panty that needs to be organized and tended, or community gardens for the hungry. Maybe there are no special needs kids who could use tutors that their parents can't afford. Maybe there are no dwellings with dementia patients in them whose caregivers could use a break a couple of hours a day. Maybe there are no poor folks who could use a coat of paint on their house or fence or get their old car fixed by the auto shop kids.
All parks, public playgrounds, sidewalks, library grounds, city a f hall bounds are pristine because everyone can afford high taxes.
Maybe everyone is food-secure so there's no food panty that needs to be organized and tended, or community gardens for the hungry. Maybe there are no special needs kids who could use tutors that their parents can't afford. Maybe there are no dwellings with dementia patients in them whose caregivers could use a break a couple of hours a day. Maybe there are no poor folks who could use a coat of paint on their house or fence or get their old car fixed by the auto shop kids.
All parks, public playgrounds, sidewalks, library grounds, city a f hall bounds are pristine because everyone can afford high taxes.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061
Posts: 21,061
Posted:
Manuel,
Our Board discussed this a few years ago and chose against it.
Many on the Board, myself included, have participated in school fund raisers. Our experiences were that only a few would actually do the work and the work was never up to expectation.
Even though we had the PE Coach, who we knew would over see the group, pitching the idea we decided against it.
We were also concerned of the liability issues if anyone got hurt (which is more likely with teens being teens then with contractors).
Our Board discussed this a few years ago and chose against it.
Many on the Board, myself included, have participated in school fund raisers. Our experiences were that only a few would actually do the work and the work was never up to expectation.
Even though we had the PE Coach, who we knew would over see the group, pitching the idea we decided against it.
We were also concerned of the liability issues if anyone got hurt (which is more likely with teens being teens then with contractors).
BanksS
Posts: 403
Posts: 403
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By KerryL1 on 04/25/2016 3:16 PM
I'm entirely with John & Larry. But perhaps Deanna's and Manuel's larger communities/municipalities are extremely wealthy with no needy, elderly or handicapped people who could use assistance with their daily routines. Maybe there are no single parents who could use a hand with childcare while they work to try to support their families. Why? Because all jobs in this town pay a whole lot.
Maybe everyone is food-secure so there's no food panty that needs to be organized and tended, or community gardens for the hungry. Maybe there are no special needs kids who could use tutors that their parents can't afford. Maybe there are no dwellings with dementia patients in them whose caregivers could use a break a couple of hours a day. Maybe there are no poor folks who could use a coat of paint on their house or fence or get their old car fixed by the auto shop kids.
All parks, public playgrounds, sidewalks, library grounds, city a f hall bounds are pristine because everyone can afford high taxes.
I'm entirely with John & Larry. But perhaps Deanna's and Manuel's larger communities/municipalities are extremely wealthy with no needy, elderly or handicapped people who could use assistance with their daily routines. Maybe there are no single parents who could use a hand with childcare while they work to try to support their families. Why? Because all jobs in this town pay a whole lot.
Maybe everyone is food-secure so there's no food panty that needs to be organized and tended, or community gardens for the hungry. Maybe there are no special needs kids who could use tutors that their parents can't afford. Maybe there are no dwellings with dementia patients in them whose caregivers could use a break a couple of hours a day. Maybe there are no poor folks who could use a coat of paint on their house or fence or get their old car fixed by the auto shop kids.
All parks, public playgrounds, sidewalks, library grounds, city a f hall bounds are pristine because everyone can afford high taxes.
Good points Kerry. There are so many opportunities for these students to get in their community service hours. The list is endless and it doesn't take much effort to find some way to help others besides cleaning up a private park and power washing a private clubhouse.
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ManuelR1 on 04/25/2016 9:42 AM
MarkM31, so I assume that your HOA does not have any volunteers for committees, do they get paid? or your HOA board members also get paid? this means none of your homeowners volunteers their time to help out in anything?
MarkM31, so I assume that your HOA does not have any volunteers for committees, do they get paid? or your HOA board members also get paid? this means none of your homeowners volunteers their time to help out in anything?
The HOA board and members are owners of the HOA property and equipment, so there is no way you can equate owners maintaining their own property to dragooning high school students into pressure washing a private clubhouse so the students can fulfill the community service requirements they need to graduate.
I still maintain you are after free labor, and any youth entity which would agree to this is out of their minds and possibly jeopardizing any 510c(3) standing they have.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
A HOA most likely does not fit into the community services requirements. Which would disqualify the kids hours for community services. Plus like others have said. It puts the HOA's status into question as a corporation be it an non-profit or for profit type.
I would talk to the actual community services to find out if your HOA would qualify before proceeding. A HOA isn't a community service or a charity. Just because it's run by volunteers doesn't mean it's a volunteer organization.
I would talk to the actual community services to find out if your HOA would qualify before proceeding. A HOA isn't a community service or a charity. Just because it's run by volunteers doesn't mean it's a volunteer organization.
Former HOA President
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
But you don't have to pay the kids to clean the pool and polish the wine glasses
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061
Posts: 21,061
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MarkM31 on 04/25/2016 9:33 PM
But you don't have to pay the kids to clean the pool and polish the wine glasses
But you don't have to pay the kids to clean the pool and polish the wine glasses
Paid or not, you still have liability issues if someone gets hurt.
Paid or not, you still have to live with the quality of the work (or the need to pay someone to redo it).
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 351
Posts: 351
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 04/25/2016 9:55 PM
Posted By MarkM31 on 04/25/2016 9:33 PM
But you don't have to pay the kids to clean the pool and polish the wine glasses
But you don't have to pay the kids to clean the pool and polish the wine glasses
Paid or not, you still have liability issues if someone gets hurt.
Paid or not, you still have to live with the quality of the work (or the need to pay someone to redo it).
I was being sarcastic and facetious
KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239
Posts: 2,239
Posted:
Manuel,
Simply check with the HOA insurance company and see if there are any pitfalls to allowing community service by high school students. If it qualifies, why not offer the opportunity so the students can get their hours in?
Simply check with the HOA insurance company and see if there are any pitfalls to allowing community service by high school students. If it qualifies, why not offer the opportunity so the students can get their hours in?
CjC
Posts: 210
Posts: 210
Posted:
We use high school kids to run some social activities for kids and get hours. Egg hunt in the spring, activities at the holiday party in the winter. Might even use them to coordinate games at the summer pool party. Everyone wins really, kids get hours and have fun, adults get a "breather"...
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Old thread re-activated for spam.
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