Community Service - Project Options

While under the influence of alcohol, you run a stop sign and have an auto “accident.” Luckily, no one was killed.

Type a letter of apology to “Nicole” — the driver of the car you T-boned — a 22-year-old college student paralyzed for life from the neck down as a result of this event.

1+ pages (≤ 1½ hrs.)

Returning home from the grocery store, one of your parents is hit and killed by a drunk driver, who was cruising around after a party. The 19-year-old driver is subsequently found guilty of vehicular manslaughter.

Type a letter, which will be read to the judge and jury at the sentencing phase of the trial. Explain the impact this event has had, and will have, on the rest of your life. Suggest to the jury an appropriate sentence which you would be satisfied seeing the driver receive.

1+ pages (≤ 1½ hrs.)

On break from a university in her homeland of Venezuela, Jacqueline Saburido traveled to America to study English. Ms. Saburido will be the first to admit, she never dreamed of becoming one of American television’s most striking faces. But being in the right place at the wrong time need not spell disaster.

Research her life then write a report tracing Ms. Saburido’s amazing, yet unexpected career path. Cite all sources used.

2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)

Prepare a report examining the consequences of a first-time DWI conviction for an adult, 22 years of age (Class B Misdemeanor). The report must examine the consequences of receiving a DWI conviction in the State of Texas. List the source for all quotes / information obtained.

 

To receive full credit for this project, it must contain details for each of these possible consequences:

1. Bail Bondsman’s Fee
2. Towing of Auto / Daily Impound Fee(s)
3. Attorney Fees – 2 quotes from 2 attorneys:
   a. quote for handling a plea agreement
   b. quote for handling a full trial
4. Court Costs
5. Monetary Fine (range of possible amount)
6. Community Service Hours (possible range)
7. Jail Sentence (possible range)
8. Driver License-Related Consequences
   a. length of mandatory suspension
   b. license reinstatement fee
9. DWI Surcharge
   a. fully explain this new three level penalty’s fee structure
   b. how is revenue collected from the surcharge used?
10. Probation-Related Consequences
    a. monthly reporting fee
    b. possible range of months sentenced
11. Drug & Alcohol Education Class (tuition)
12. MADD Victims Impact Panel (attendance fee)
13. Court-Ordered Drug / Alcohol Evaluation (assessment fee)
14. Auto Insurance
    Obtain rate quotes for a 12 month, full coverage auto insurance policy (liability and collision coverage with state
    minimums) for a 22 year-old driver in Dallas. Pick any make and model of car. From two different insurance
    companies (1 and 2), obtain:
    a1, a2. rate with clean driving record
    b1, b2. rate with first-time DWI conviction
    c1, c2. How long will this DWI conviction affect premiums?

Financial Consequences of a First-Time DWI
End your report by calculating the total financial consequences of a first-time DWI conviction.

(≤ 10 hrs.)

You probably have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous, or simply AA. There are two types of AA meetings — closed and open. Closed meetings are for alcoholics only. At an open meeting, anyone interested in AA is invited to attend. At open meetings, speakers share their personal stories of achieving sobriety from alcoholism and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcoholics Anonymous. Attendance at an open AA meeting is the best way to learn about the organization. At an open meeting you should not be asked to speak or participate.

 

Find and attend an open meeting of AA. The meeting you attend must be an open meeting. Compose a 3-page report which provides basic information about Alcoholics Anonymous and gives specific details about your experience. While at the meeting, obtain a piece of AA literature and attach it to your report. Cite all sources used.

Here are some ideas for your report:

• How did you find an AA meeting?
• Explain the importance of “Anonymous” in AA
• According to AA, how is an alcoholic cured?
• How does AA help the alcoholic?
• Is AA a religious organization?
• Explain the importance of the “Twelve Steps and Traditions”
  (note: do not include the complete text of the twelve steps or traditions)
• Who sponsors / runs AA?
• Explain the fees for membership, meeting dues, etc. How is AA funded?
• Did anything surprise you about the experience?

(≤ 6 hrs.)

Using the Internet, find 50 facts concerning alcohol abuse that do not appear within the Council’s website. The facts must be written in complete thoughts or sentences. After each fact, provide the source’s URL. This project must be legibly handwritten.

(≤ 2 hrs.)

From any newspaper or magazine, find and cut out stories that relate to alcohol abuse. Your stories must be from the original printed source. Do not use stories found on the Internet. You must follow the instructions below to receive full credit.

 

• Tape each story onto a separate sheet of 8½” x 11″ paper.
• Write the name of the publication where found and the publication date in the bottom right corner of the 8½” x 11″ paper.
• Consecutively number each story in the top right corner of the 8½” x 11″ paper.

Earn ≤ 1 hr. for every 4 articles; maximum of 60 articles (≤ 15 hrs.)

Prepare an original report examining alcohol’s effect on the human brain, citing all sources used. Does alcohol affect the brain of an adult in the same way that it affects that of an adolescent?

2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)

How does alcohol affect the human body? Research, then prepare an original report examining alcohol’s effect on the human body, citing all sources used.

To receive full credit, your report must address the following key points.

• definition of alcohol
• how, and at what rate the body metabolizes alcohol
• explain blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
• factors that influence a person’s BAC
• short & long term effects of alcohol consumption
• fastest method(s) to sober up a person

2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)
4+ pages (≤ 5 hrs.)

Can a person die from drinking too much alcohol? Research, then prepare an original report on alcohol poisoning, citing all sources used.

To receive full credit, your report must include the following key points:

• define alcohol poisoning
• signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning
• how can you help someone you think has alcohol poisoning?

2+ pages (≤ 3 hrs.)
3+ pages (≤ 4 hrs.)

* requires parent/guardian participation

The tobacco industry spends more than $11 billion each year marketing its products in the United States. Tobacco consumption remains the number one preventable cause of death in the US, claiming more than 440,000 lives each year. In fact, one-third to one-half of the estimated 45 million American smokers will die of a tobacco-related illness. No wonder why the tobacco industry targets youth in their marketing efforts in order to create a life long customer.

You may be surprised at all the different retail stores in your community that sell tobacco. The Store Alert Report Card is a tool for the community to assess the level of retail tobacco advertising in their neighborhood. Now, you can give your local tobacco retailers a grade!

1. Click here to print out the Store Alert Report Card.
2. Click here for a complete list of instructions and report card category terms.
3. Visit a local tobacco retailer in your community (example: supermarket, drugstore, gas station/convenience store like 7-11 or Exxon) with an adult.
4. Complete the categories and guidelines on the report card to give the tobacco retailer points on their exterior and interior image.
5. After you fill out the report card and give a grade, complete a paragraph summary of your experience and conclusions on your site visit.
6. Please bring report card and summary with you at the time of your community service review appointment.

Project completed worth 6 hours.