Community Service Leave

Policy

In recognition of the State's diverse needs for volunteers to support schools, communities, citizens and non-profit organizations, and recognizing the commitment of State employees to engage in volunteer service, Community Service Leave, within the parameters outlined below, may be granted to:

  • parents for child involvement in the schools 
  • any employee for volunteer activity in the schools or in a Community Service Organization (as defined below), or
  • any employee for tutoring /mentoring or volunteering in a literacy program in the schools.

 

 

Definitions

Following are definitions of terms used in this policy:

School (public or private)

One that is authorized to operate under the laws of the State of North Carolina and is:

  • an elementary school,
  • middle school,
  • high school, or
  • a child care program

A son or daughter who is:

  • a biological child
  • an adopted child
  • a foster child
  • a step-child
  • a legal ward
  • a child of an employee standing in loco parentis

 

Community Service Organization

 A non-profit, non-partisan community organization which is designated as an IRS Code 501(c)(3) agency, or a human service organization licensed or accredited to serve citizens with special needs including children, youth, and the elderly.

 Advisory Note: Although religious organizations may be 501(c)(3) agencies, this leave does not apply to activities designed to promote religious beliefs.

 

Covered Employees and Leave Credits

Community service leave replaces the current child involvement leave. With approval of the supervisor, an employee is eligible for Community Service Leave as follows:

  • Full-time, permanent, probationary, trainee, or time-limited =
    • 24 hours/year for school involvement/community service organizations/public universities, community colleges and state agencies
    • 1 hour/week, not to exceed 36 hours per calendar year for mentoring/tutoring  
    • 5 hours/month, not to exceed 45 hours per calendar year for literacy program
  • Part-time (half time or more) permanent, probationary, trainee, or time limited = Prorated, equal to percentage of full-time amount
  • Temporary, intermittent, or part-time (less than half-time) = None

The twenty-four hours (24) of paid leave shall be credited to each employee on January 1 of each year, unless the employee chooses the mentoring/tutoring or literacy option. New employees shall be credited with leave immediately upon their employment, prorated at two hours per month for the remainder of the calendar year.

Type of Appointment Community Service &  Parental Involvement Mentoring & Tutoring Literacy Program
Full-time- permanent, probationary, trainee, or time-limited  24 hours per calendar year, credited on January 1 of each year One hour per week, not to exceed 36 hours per calendar year Up to 5 hours per month, not to exceed 45 hours per calendar year
Part-time (half time or more) – permanent, probationary, trainee, or time-limited Prorated – equal to percentage of full-time amount Prorated – equal to percentage of full-time amount Prorated – equal to percentage of full-time amount

School Involvement/Community Service Organizations/Public Universities, Community Colleges and State Agencies

Eligible employees receive 24 hours of paid leave per calendar year (prorated for part-time employees) that may be applied to absences involving:

  • meeting with a teacher or administrator concerning the employee's child,
  • attending any function sponsored by the school in which the employee's child is participating. This provision shall only be utilized in conjunction with non-athletic programs that are a part or supplement to the school?s academic or artistic program,
  • performing school-approved volunteer work approved by a teacher, school administrator, or program administrator, or
  • performing a service for a community service organization.

Advisory Note: Service does not include activities designed to promote religious beliefs such as teaching or leading religious assemblies or in raising funds to support religious activities. Service would include activities supported by religious organizations such as working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters or other community activities.

https://hr.appstate.edu/sites/default/files/csl_note.jpg

Mentoring/Tutoring

Eligible employees receive 36 hours of paid leave per calendar year (prorated for part-time employees) that may be applied to volunteering as a tutor or mentor in a formal, standardized tutoring/mentoring program in a public school or a non-public school for one hour each week that schools are in session. Leave under this option shall be used exclusively for tutoring or mentoring a student in accordance with established standards, rules and guidelines for such arrangements as determined and documented by joint agreement with the employee's department and the school.

The one hour of leave each week shall be used for tutoring/mentoring an at-risk student determined eligible for the tutoring/mentoring program. Time spent commuting to and from the school and time spent in orientation or volunteer training must be accounted for using other leave policies such as compensatory time or vacation leave.

Print Community Service Leave Tutoring/Mentoring or Literacy Option Form (DOC, 24KB)

Literacy Program

Eligible employees receive 45 hours of paid leave per calendar year (prorated for part-time employees) that may be applied to volunteering in a literacy program in a public school for up to five hours each month. Leave under this option shall be used exclusively for assisting students in reading and/or writing skills in accordance with established standards, rules and guidelines for such arrangements as determined and documented by joint agreement with the employee's department and the school.

The five hours of leave each month shall be used for assisting a student in reading and/or writing. Time spent commuting to and from the school and time spent in orientation or volunteer training must be accounted for using other leave policies such as compensatory time or vacation leave.

Print Community Service Leave Tutoring/Mentoring or Literacy Option Form (DOC, 24KB)


Approval of Leave

Employees must receive approval from their supervisor to use this leave. The supervisor or other University management may require that the leave be taken other than that requested, based on the needs of the University. The "Community Service Leave Form" has been discontinued and should NOT be used to request Community Service Leave (CSL).  If you are requesting leave for the mentoring/tutoring/literacy option, please use the form above.  Employees should follow the same process for requesting/reporting CSL as they would for requesting/reporting other forms of personal leave such as Sick or Vacation Leave. 

Changing Options

If an employee chooses to change options during the calendar year, the maximum hours that may be granted is the maximum allowed under the new option chosen minus the amount already used.

Records

Supervisors who approve such activities shall maintain a record for each employee under his/her supervision. Employee must record the time on the monthly time sheet using the appropriate leave code.

Inter-Agency Transfer

If an employee transfers to another State agency, any balance of community service leave not used shall be transferred to the new agency.

Noncumulative

Leave not taken in a calendar year is forfeited; it shall not be carried over into the next calendar year.

Separation

Employees shall not be paid for this leave upon separation.

Partisan Political Involvement

Partisan political activity during University time and the use of State equipment or supplies for such a purpose are not permitted. Special care must be taken to avoid any possible interpretation that the University is, in fact, permitting time off and in so doing supporting a political candidacy. Political activity must be in accordance with G.S. 126-13 of the State Personnel Act.