UTSCA Community Service/Volunteerism FAQs 

Q: Where can we go to get community Service Projects?

Center of Community Engagement can help your organization find projects in the Austin Area.

Q: Why is community service/volunteering a requirement for club sponsorship with Recreational Sports? 

One of Recreational Sports’ goals is to develop effective leaders and encourage a sense of community that promotes teamwork, skill development and lifelong friendships. Organizations that perform together off the field are often more successful on the field. For this, we encourage sport clubs to become proactive members of not only the UT community, but also the surrounding Austin community. The emphasis of the program is on student leadership and involvement which we believe is reflected in community service and/or volunteerism. Community involvement incites personal growth, encourages civic engagement, and offers insight into the challenges our communities face. Developing a deeper understanding of the workings and infrastructure of our communities is the first step in making a difference. This is a difference each member of the UTSCA community can make. 

Q: How often is community service/volunteering required? Is there an hour requirement? 

Each Sport Club is required to complete two hours per academic year per active member on their UTSCA roster. EXAMPLE: If you have 30 people on your roster then you must complete at least 60 total hours of community service/volunteering as a Sport Club that year. 

Q: What are some events/projects that clubs have completed in the past for community service/volunteering? 

Located here is a list of community service/volunteer opportunities around the greater Austin area and surrounding communities for your convenience. You do not have to use one of these recommendations for your requirement, it is just to help you get started. The Center for Community Engagement may assist your organization with finding partners in the community. 

Q: Does RecSports provide service/volunteer opportunities for clubs? 

Each semester, RecSports hosts a variety of events for the campus community. These events are great opportunities for clubs to recruit and it helps RecSports display one of our program areas. If you assist with certain RecSports opportunities communicated with authorized reps via email, these hours can be used towards your Community Service/Volunteer requirement.

Q: How do we submit information about our service/volunteering after completion? 

The Community Service Form is located on the UTSCA HornsLink Page. Please fill out this form as soon as you finish your community service/volunteering, so you remember all details and get it submitted so we can record it in our records. 

Q: How do we prove we did community service? 

On the HornsLink form, the last thing we ask you to do is upload an image from the event. The purpose of this image is to prove you have completed service, and for Recreational Sports to promote future service projects to Sports Clubs. 

Q: How do you determine what counts as community service/volunteering? 

Community service or volunteering is time contributed to a nonprofit or public service organization. The community should be benefitting from the time and work you put in. Make sure you are volunteering with an actual organization (not an individual), you are not being paid, and you are supervised by someone who is not a family member. 

To have a project count towards your community service requirement, you must go into the community and serve. If you have a new idea or any questions, set a meeting with Sport Club Staff to review your project.