Community Service instructions
For School-required, Court-Ordered, or Lawyer-Recommended community service hours
Welcome to the Keep Durham Beautiful Community Service Page. This page will help you understand the requirements, process, and opportunities available for earning community service hours with KDB.
We believe that engaging with our local environment fosters a sense of responsibility and enhances the beauty of Durham for all residents.
Service opportunities are dependent on staff availability and may not always be available. Complete the form below as the first step.
Requirements
Keep Durham Beautiful may accommodate volunteers performing court-ordered or lawyer recommended community service under the following conditions:
The volunteer must be 16 years old or older. (This does not apply to school-required community service.)
For Court-ordered or Lawyer-recommended service:
We accept only non-violent offences such as traffic violations, driving while impaired, misdemeanor drug charges, misdemeanor larceny, and non-violent misdemeanors.
We will not accept volunteers who have been accused of violent crimes, crimes of a sexual nature, or identity theft crimes.
KDB reviews all charges and reserves the right to decline any volunteer or to limit which days or hours a volunteer can work.
KDB reserves the right to dismiss a volunteer at any time during their scheduled time.
The volunteer must agree to, by signature, all documents in the community service packet.
All volunteers performing community service for court-ordered and lawyer-recommended hours must acknowledge these rules and guidelines in order to volunteer and properly receive an official verification of volunteer hours.
Volunteers will be able to sign and receive appropriate documentation in person. If we do not have the signed paperwork, Keep Durham Beautiful will not provide documentation of hours.
Getting Started
To get started with your service at KDB, please fill out the interest form below.
FAQ:
How do I start?
To start your community service with Keep Durham Beautiful, fill out our interest form above. We will contact you to begin finding service opportunities. If you are in need of hours urgently, within the same week, please email or call us at 919-354-2729 and info@keepdurhambeautiful.org.
What type of projects can i do?
Contact KDB Staff at 919-354-2729 and info@keepdurhambeautiful.org
You may participate in any scheduled or advertised KDB event found on our Events Page. Be sure to register for the event in advance and notify KDB staff that you will participate. Please show up!
Make an appointment with KDB staff to meet at our office (2011 Fay Street) to perform community service - this is only available at certain times as determined by staff and varies from week to week. Please show up!
Permission required from KDB staff
With permission only, you may be permitted to earn service hours to pick up litter in Durham in your community, or in locations suggested by KDB.
KDB can provide trash bags, litter grabber, vest and gloves from our office – 2011 Fay Street - please return all unused items and reusable supplies to the office upon completion in order to receive your letter.
To find suggested locations, visit the map located at: http://bit.ly/litterhotspots
Who can do community Service with KDB?
Non-violent offenders over the age of 16 are accepted, such as traffic violations, driving while impaired, misdemeanor drug charges, misdemeanor larceny, and non-violent misdemeanors. We will not accept volunteers who have been accused of violent crimes, crimes of a sexual nature, or identity theft crimes.
How do i properly record my service hours?
Fill out an interest form with KDB before performing hours.
Communicate with KDB Staff via Email or phone to schedule your service.
If serving in a group event, notify event leader at organized events that service hours will be for community service so they can indicate on sign-in form. Be sure to sign in to the sign-in form.
If you have permission from KDB to pick up litter independently:
Document hours performed picking up litter by providing two photos, before and after, of trash collected at each location
Send email to info@keepdurhambeautiful.org or text to 919-672-6682.
The time stamp on your photos will mark the start and end time of your service that day. (If you take a break and go back to it, record another start and end time.)
On the sheet provided by KDB, record location, date, hours worked, and number of bags collected for each location (for verification, reported trash collected must be a reasonable amount for each location and time spent.)
REminder - What are the steps?
Complete the interest form.
Reach out to KDB to find a service project.
Make an appointment to visit the KDB office, 2011 Fay St, to sign paperwork and make a staff-approved plan for completing your hours.
Carefully record your service hours, remembering to take pictures and follow guidelines as discussed with KDB staff prior to start.
Return all equipment to receive staff signature on hours completed.
Safety Guidelines while Volunteering with KDB:
Wearing bright colored clothing, sturdy boots and a hat.
Stopping work for inclement weather.
Drink plenty of fluids and take breaks.
Be alert for traffic, sharp objects, fire ants, poison Ivy, and choose safe environments.
Be sure someone knows where you will be performing service.
Click here for our full safety guidelines.