Activities that qualify for Community Service Ribbon

[ascorbate]

CAP Knowledgebase contains a note regarding "Activities that qualify for community service credit" at:
http://capnhq.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/capnhq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1431&p_sid=Zs-R9jSj&p_lva=2027

Was wondering if 60 blood donations to the American Red Cross might qualify towards the 60 hours credit required for the Community Service Ribbon since each blood donation typically takes at least one hour to complete?

[Hawk200]

I wouldn't think so. However opinions vary, you'll see more shortly.

[lordmonar]

I would say yes.

[Al Sayre]

If you can get a letter from the Red Cross Volunteer Coordinator stating you put in 60 hours of community service, it doesn't matter much what you were doing, giving blood or sitting in a chair reading a magazine waiting for someone to walk in the door, it would qualify.  The key is the letter.

[Eclipse]

Was wondering if 60 blood donations to the American Red Cross might qualify towards the 60 hours credit required for the Community Service Ribbon since each blood donation typically takes at least one hour to complete?

No.

That's not a community service project, that's donating blood.  Good on'ye and enjoy the coffee mugs.

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

[Pylon]

No.

That's not a community service project, that's donating blood.  Good on'ye and enjoy the coffee mugs.

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

While many might be inclined to agree with you, those are pretty much your opinions.  Much like the MOVSM is open to a very wide range of interpretation by approving military commanders, the CAP community service ribbon is also equally vague.  We give commanders discretion for a reason, and so it will be up to the discretion of the member's commander whether or not his service qualifies.  The best the CAPTalk peanut gallery can offer on this matter are opinions and past experiences.

[Eclipse]

^ Yep.

[lordmonar]

Was wondering if 60 blood donations to the American Red Cross might qualify towards the 60 hours credit required for the Community Service Ribbon since each blood donation typically takes at least one hour to complete?

No.

That's not a community service project, that's donating blood.  Good on'ye and enjoy the coffee mugs.

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

WTF OVER!

No where does it say it has to be something "you're not going to do anyway"  or "not something you receive accolade for from another organization". 

That is just asinine!

[DBlair]

Was wondering if 60 blood donations to the American Red Cross might qualify towards the 60 hours credit required for the Community Service Ribbon since each blood donation typically takes at least one hour to complete?

No.

That's not a community service project, that's donating blood.  Good on'ye and enjoy the coffee mugs.

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

For the sake of discussion/debate...

According to your post, that would mean that the CSR is not intended to reward people for the Service they already do/have done, but to encourage them to take on new service projects specifically for the CSR, projects that wouldn't be recognized by any other organization.

With this logic, I would venture to say that most CSRs would never have been awarded. There is always the chance that another organization/entity will recognize someone for their community service. Cadets often use the service hours for school requirements, scholarships, other organizations, etc. So what if another organization recognizes it or applauds it in some way, they are a separate entity and not part of CAP. Its not like they are using the same hours for two CAP CSRs.

As for the idea that it should be something you wouldn't do anyway, what about the many people who regularly volunteer in their community, does that mean that since they are committed to serving their community and do it regularly, that they shouldn't be recognized for the CSR? Its not like the CSR regs stipulate that there is a starting date, so why not count hours that have already been accrued- especially since they were earned without even the enticement of another ribbon, which in my opinion, is even more honorable.

Also, it doesn't say it has to be a "community service project", but rather community service hours, that may or may not be a community service project. CAP Knowledgebase shows this with the examples given of community service that counts for the CSR.

I think of it this way, service is service. If they do it specifically for the ribbon, fine. If they already do community service, even better. The point is to encourage members to be active in serving their community, not to say only certain community service is applicable.


PS- We have to remember, its not like the CSR is a Commander's Commendation, DSM, MSA, ESA, SMOV, BMOV, but rather its just a ribbon to recognize members who do community service.

[Eclipse]

Was wondering if 60 blood donations to the American Red Cross might qualify towards the 60 hours credit required for the Community Service Ribbon since each blood donation typically takes at least one hour to complete?

No.

That's not a community service project, that's donating blood.  Good on'ye and enjoy the coffee mugs.

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

For the sake of discussion/debate...

According to your post, that would mean that the CSR is not intended to reward people for the Service they already do/have done, but to encourage them to take on new service projects specifically for the CSR, projects that wouldn't be recognized by any other organization.

With this logic, I would venture to say that most CSRs would never have been awarded.

Yep.

Me personally, I want to see something more than people comparing their resumes to 39-3 and seeing what floats out, but if you're a commander, you can sign it, them's the rules.

[Spike]

Um, donating blood is community service.  Most of us can donate blood, but only a small amount do.  Doing something that helps others in need, is in itself the basis of community service. 

Now, washing firetrucks and telling me it was community service when I know that washing fire trucks is a juvenile sentence in my local community will not fly, and then I will ask "what did you do that you were ordered to wash the fire trucks".  Two Cadets came to me with letters signed by the volunteer Fire Chief, wanting credit toward a ribbon.  I had to deny it once they admitted it was punishment for fighting at school. 

[ascorbate]

Just a little background... I first started donating blood occasionally when I attended college. Then about 14 years ago, my mother was in a very serious automobile accident (two broken legs, etc) and she needed blood. At the time, I was most grateful for the volunteer network of blood donors who helped to insure a steady supply of whole blood for people in dire need. Had this network not existed, my mother would have perished from her injuries. Needless to say, I got to spend another 10 years with my mother before she was ravaged by colon cancer. After I saw how my mother benefited directly from the existing donor blood supply, I wanted to give back to a system from which my mother had benefited... and I have given religiously almost every 56 days ever since because I can... when so many other people who can... won't!

I intend to continue my bi-monthly donations until I no longer can...  Be a Blood Donor!

[Al Sayre]

Um, donating blood is community service.  Most of us can donate blood, but only a small amount do.  Doing something that helps others in need, is in itself the basis of community service. 

Now, washing firetrucks and telling me it was community service when I know that washing fire trucks is a juvenile sentence in my local community will not fly, and then I will ask "what did you do that you were ordered to wash the fire trucks".  Two Cadets came to me with letters signed by the volunteer Fire Chief, wanting credit toward a ribbon.  I had to deny it once they admitted it was punishment for fighting at school.

Agree, that's about the only type of letter I wouldn't approve for it:  "Joey Bagadonuts, Case # 1234xyz, has completed 5000 hours of community service and is hereby released..." 

Unfortunately I was stationed in Italy during the 80's, so I'm not permitted to give blood anymore...

[Gunner C]

Same here.  I had malaria 1978 from my little trip to Iran.  I liked donating blood.  It got you out of PT and the female medics were outstanding. 

I would say that if you're not getting paid or if you're not paying back a debt, then it's creditable community service.

[AirDX]

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

So if the judge sentences me to 240 hours of community service in lieu of a week in the slam, I can put in for another ribbon?  Cool! 

[Eclipse]

Approval of the CSR is subjective to the local CC, however it should be something you're not going to do anyway, and not something you receive accolades for from another organization.

So if the judge sentences me to 240 hours of community service in lieu of a week in the slam, I can put in for another ribbon?  Cool! 

That's exactly what we're not saying, and what was stated explicitly above...

[SoCalMarine]

OK, here's a question. I would gather that unless specifically stated that it cannot, that the CSR can be awarded retroactively?

If that's the case, how far back? Clearly, the time frame would only include the time you've been a member in CAP but for some that's a year and other's its 10 or more. How far back?

As for me, I've got documented community service the entire time since I rejoined CAP in 10/2009. Could I count all the service that's documented during that time?

Now, I don't want opinions on whether the service is valid an all the rest. Just simply asking if the award is retroactive and how far back you'd go. We have plenty of people in the squadron who have never put in their time. As the personnel officer I'd like to work on getting them awarded. I've just not been able to find any guidance on the retroactive issue.

[JC004]

They are by definition awarded retroactively because the hours are performed in the past.

The requirements do not specify anything about CAP membership requirements, so there is now "how far back."

The requirement is 60 hours outside CAP that isn't performed as part of a CAP community service project.  It's simple.  Keep it simple.

[SoCalMarine]

They are by definition awarded retroactively because the hours are performed in the past.

The requirements do not specify anything about CAP membership requirements, so there is now "how far back."

The requirement is 60 hours outside CAP that isn't performed as part of a CAP community service project.  It's simple.  Keep it simple.

Well right, but every award is retroactive in that sense. No one gets awarded for something they've not yet done.

What I mean is in the typical military sense of the word... retroactive meaning previous years, or not retroactive meaning only current year.

Well, I think membership requirements aren't mentioned because its generally a given that you can't earn an award in an organization for something you did when you weren't part of that organization. I mean, I saved a guy's life back in 1990 by giving CPR when he collapsed with a heart attack along with the help of a doctor on the tennis courts. I couldn't apply for a lifesaving award now for what I did than...

but you know what... come to think of it... I was still in CAP when that happened. I have the records showing I was a member then, and I have all the newspaper articles (whole newspaper even) about what I did. I wonder... haha... that would be an interesting look on the face of the person getting that F-120!

[Майор Хаткевич]

I'm a shmuck. Probably broke 60 hours during high school easy (hard not to!), but never kept track of it.