University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor Robert L. Caret announced that the USM community will participate in Maryland Unites: Day of Service, an initiative for state employees to offer their time and talents through community service. The campaign, established by Md. Governor Larry Hogan in June 2015, offers state employees the opportunity to become involved with helping communities throughout Baltimore and Maryland.

Though USM has its own personnel system, Chancellor Caret has committed the system to taking an active role in this initiative. UMBC will grant eight hours of paid leave (coded as Community Service Leave) to all full-time, leave-eligible employees interested in participating in the program. Employees may choose to volunteer at a non-profit, non-partisan accredited 501(c)(3) organization on any scheduled workday between now and the end fiscal year, June 30, 2016, including the upcoming Maryland Unites program designated days (July 15, July 29, August 12 and August 26). Please visit the Human Resources website for specific guidelines to the UMBC Community Service Leave Program.

We encourage you to use Maryland Volunteer Centers and the Maryland Charities Database for an extensive list of non-profit organizations and charities. You may also contact the Shriver Center and The Choice Program at UMBC for additional volunteer opportunities in Baltimore and Maryland.

Questions regarding Community Service Leave should be directed to Sherrell McNamara, mcnamara@umbc.edu or 410-455-3646.