Silver Cord Documentation Form

The Silver Cord program is a distinguished award available to high school students with the purpose of recognizing their out of school volunteer efforts. Program participation is voluntary for all Tipton High School students. ​

Students become eligible to participate in Silver Cord during the summer of their 8th-grade year prior to becoming a freshman at THS. All THS students are eligible to participate in this program. 

Students who complete the required number of volunteer service hours will be recognized at their graduation by wearing a silver cord with their cap and gown and with special mention in the Commencement program. 

All students must have completed 80 hours of approved and documented volunteer service by the seniors last day of school for their senior year. 

Participation Requirements:

Silver Cord participation will be monitored by the high school principal. Students must complete a Silver Cord Documentation form to begin documentation of each qualifying volunteer activity.  

Volunteer hours completed without a  documentation form are not accepted toward Silver Cord. Students may volunteer no more than 10 hours per category each year for those hours to count toward the Silver Cord.  There are some Silver Cord activities which can earn more than 10 hours.  Check with the principal with questions you may have. 

Volunteer Categories:

Silver Cord volunteer hours must be for providing a service or meeting a clear need for the following categories: agency, church, school, park, charity program, community event, non profit fundraiser, or for assisting with non-relative handicapped or elderly needs. 

The service must be “above and beyond” one’s usual scope of involvement and should not be part of a required service for any program or as a part of your commitment to an organization as a member of that organization. 

Examples of acceptable volunteer service include:

Friends of the Animals, Community Garden, after school tutor, nursing home or senior center, volunteer for church projects, assisting with the elderly in their homes, beautify community or school property, assist at community blood drives, help fine arts/athletic contests, volunteer for special events such as Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, work for political party, and other like activities, volunteering for City Rec programs. 

Examples of Volunteer Activities Not Acceptable:

Following are examples of volunteer activities which are not accepted as Silver Cord activities: to satisfy a class or requirement/obligation for any agency, program or organization of which you are a member, for a relative, for pay or compensation of any kind, doing chores at home, court-ordered community service, or like activities. 

The intent of the approved volunteer activities is to promote students going the extra mile beyond what would normally be expected in the area of volunteerism.