GSI's
Working Definition of CIVIC SERVICE
Service can be defined
as an organized period of substantial
engagement and contribution to the local,
national, or world community, recognized and valued
by society, with minimal monetary compensation to
the participant.
"Organized
period" means a defined role for serving, much like a job position
is defined by the labor market. Service also is specified for a period of
time, say six months or one year; it is not indefinite. Service in this
sense is not entirely an individual act. Service is carried out through
a program or organization that has created the service position which an
individual "fills." The characteristics of the service role, including
nature, conditions, length, and intensity of service, are agreed upon in
advance by the organization and the individual who serves.
"substantial
engagement" refers to a greater than trivial level of intensity
(e.g. more than a few hours per month). The definition of substantial engagement
does not have to be written in stone. The important point is that occasional
volunteering is not the same as service, nor is a commitment that is only
an hour per week or one week in total duration. This is not to say that
occasional volunteering and engagements of limited intensity and duration
are not valuable; they are indeed valuable, but they are not service as
defined here.
"contribution" indicates that service enables participants' energies, talents, and resources
to be connected and applied for improvement to the environment, physical
infrastructure, organizations, communities, and/or individuals.
"local,
national, or world community" indicates service to others beyond
self, whether nearby, in another state or province, or on the other side
of the planet. No higher value is placed on local service, nor is higher
value placed on national service. Cross-national or global service is of
equal value.
"recognized
and valued by society" means that a particular service role
is made known through information and communications and generally presented
as a worthwhile endeavor. Formally, service roles may be recognized by logos,
insignias, tee shirts, hats, or possibly uniforms, and may be valued by
such benefits as stipends, awards for service, and/or educational benefits.
"minimal
monetary compensation to the participant" indicates that little
or no money is paid to the server. Service can be distinguished from employment
in that the value of service is not well compensated by monetary reward.
Of course, there may be other important forms of compensation for service,
such as personal satisfaction, experience, skills, and social connections.
