What is SERV?

Based on the provisions of Executive Order # 479, Establishing a Policy for State Employees to Provide Voluntary Services issued in January 2007, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has expanded its Mentoring, Foster Care, and School Volunteer Leave Programs to include “Community Service Volunteer” services that address additional community needs, including but not limited to, environmental, educational, health and public safety.

The State Employees Responding as Volunteers Program (SERV) gives state employees the opportunity to provide volunteer services to assist in the improvement of the community at accredited non-profit organizations and public entities (including schools).  The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure the successful administration of the SERV Program for state employees.

Eligible volunteer areas include:

• Education
• Youth Mentoring
• Public and Charter Schools
• Health and Human Services
• Public Safety
• …and many more!

All employees of the Executive Branch and Higher Education Institutions, who have been successfully employed by the state for at least six (6) months immediately prior to the volunteer request and have applied for, and received approval from their direct supervisors and agency heads or designees, may participate in the SERV Program. Upon returning to the Executive Branch, an employee with a break in service needs to complete six months of employment before being eligible for the SERV program.

Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the program on a pro-rated basis.  (The maximum number of volunteer hours allowed per month is pro-rated in accordance with the number of hours an employee works per month).

Seasonal, intermittent, and contract employees are not eligible.

Follow these simple steps to get involved and become a SERV volunteer. 

1. Refer to the list of approved non-profits on mass.gov/serv to ensure you are eligible to volunteer at the organization.
2. Complete a SERV Request Form at least 30 days in advance and submit to your supervisor for approval.
3. Have the organization sign the Verification Form once you volunteer. Give the completed form to your supervisor when you return to work.