In the spirit of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor”, Governor Roy Cooper has authorized an expansion of Community Service Leave (CSL) Policy to allow state employees to use up to 40 hours of CSL for any Hurricane Florence-related volunteer activity.
This expansion includes both the 24 hours of CSL provided annually to promote volunteerism and community involvement among state employees and an additional 16 hours awarded effective Sept. 14, 2018, to specifically apply to Florence-related volunteer activities, which also extends the definition of qualifying organizations to include local government entities (counties and municipalities), as well as helping neighbors, friends, and family.
Because this volunteerism will include volunteering outside of the scope of established nonprofits – for example, literally helping a neighbor clear storm debris from their property – you will need to submit photos or other nontraditional proof of the volunteerism.
The 40 hours of CSL leave currently available to state employees will expire on Dec. 31, 2018, and then be refreshed on Jan. 1, 2019, with the usual 24 hours of annual CSL leave.
For volunteer opportunities, please visit VolunteerNC.gov, which is coordinating statewide activities and the donation of funds and/or goods.