If you’re part of WSU Greek Life and need a reliable way to earn verified service hours, Cougs 4 Kids makes it simple. Operated in partnership with Believe in Me (a Washington‑based 501(c)(3), EIN 20‑4830357), our program pairs WSU students with local youth for structured mentoring, leadership workshops, and youth‑led projects—so your time turns into visible impact and cleanly documented hours. (Believe in Me)
Cougs 4 Kids helps WSU students mentor local youth through organized, supervised activities that fit busy college schedules and align with chapter service expectations.
Before we dive into details, here’s the headline: you can sign up in minutes, complete required training (EP‑14), finalize screening (via VerifiedFirst) when needed, pick a time‑friendly path, and log hours for your house—without guessing what to do next. (WSU CRMO)
WSU Greek Life Fast Track: 7 Steps from “Interested” to “Impact”
A clear process helps you move fast and stay compliant. Think of this as your chapter‑friendly blueprint.
1) Confirm your fit (quick check).
Whether you’re in IFC, Panhellenic, MGC, or NPHC, you can choose one‑time events, short series, or ongoing sessions—whichever matches your chapter’s requirements and your weekly workload. Service is a core Greek value at WSU, yet each organization sets its own standards, so always confirm specifics with your exec board. (Fraternity & Sorority Life)
2) Register your interest (2 minutes).
Click Here to get the process started. noting your chapter (e.g., “IFC—Sigma Chi group” or “Panhellenic—Chapter cohort”). We’ll reply with orientation dates and onboarding next steps.
3) Attend orientation & complete EP‑14 training.
Orientation covers mentoring do’s and don’ts, inclusive communication, session flow, and escalation paths. You’ll also complete WSU Executive Policy 14 (EP‑14) training, which is mandatory for adults participating in programs involving minors. WSU users typically complete it in Percipio; volunteers without a WSU login complete it via WSU Extension Campus. We’ll send the right link during onboarding. (WSU CRMO)
4) Complete safeguarding & background screening.
To protect youth and volunteers, Believe in Me uses VerifiedFirst for background checks when a placement requires screening. VerifiedFirst specializes in nonprofit and volunteer screening and provides responsive support if you have questions. Separately, UPPM/BPPM 60.81 explains when Washington State Patrol checks apply (e.g., certain work with minors under 16 without another adult present). We’ll guide you step by step so nothing stalls. (Verified First)
5) Get matched & set your schedule.
Tell us your class blocks, recruitment calendars, and philanthropy weeks. We’ll place you into a path that works with your semester—no overcommitments required.
6) Track hours & verify for your chapter.
WSU’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) uses GivePulse to facilitate opportunities and log service. We’ll show you how to record hours and export a report—handy for philanthropy/service chairs who need clear documentation. (GivePulse)
7) Keep growing as a leader.
Once you’re comfortable, step into co‑facilitating a workshop or supporting a youth‑led project. These roles build resume‑ready skills in communication, planning, and reflection—and they strengthen your chapter’s service narrative at awards time and during recruitment. (WSU News)
Why This Is the Easiest Way to Earn WSU Greek Service Hours
Your schedule has spikes—recruitment, philanthropy weeks, midterms—so flexibility matters. With Cougs 4 Kids, you can start small and scale when your chapter needs to boost the house’s totals. And because hour tracking is built into campus systems, you’ll have clean records when your VP Philanthropy or Service Chair pulls reports. (GivePulse)
Just as important, Cougs 4 Kids aligns with WSU’s service culture. The Greek community at WSU consistently demonstrates leadership, philanthropy, and community‑building—Cougs 4 Kids offers a structured, compliant way to put those values into action for local youth. (WSU News)
Pick the Path That Fits Your Week
Use this quick compare guide to decide how you’ll serve this term. You can combine paths or switch as your load changes.
|
Path |
Time Guide |
Great For |
What You’ll Do |
|
One‑Time Service Event |
2–4 hrs |
New members; busy weeks; house‑wide push |
Join supervised activities or project days; experience the program without a weekly commitment. |
|
Short‑Series Mentoring |
3–5 sessions/term |
Chapters testing the waters |
Co‑lead small‑group activities and reflection around leadership and teamwork. |
|
Ongoing Mentoring |
1–2 hrs/week |
Members with steady schedules |
Build relationships over time; help youth plan and deliver community projects. |
Pro tip for chairs: Want a chapter‑exclusive slot or a cohort session for your pledge class? Note it when you register and we’ll coordinate logistics. CCE can also tailor group projects and support hour tracking on GivePulse if your house wants a custom approach. (GivePulse)
What Sessions Look Like—and Why They Work
Sessions blend active learning (team challenges, problem‑solving tasks) with guided reflection, so participants build communication, collaboration, and confidence. Over time, youth take on new roles and apply skills in youth‑led community projects. For you, that means practical leadership experience—planning activities, running debriefs, and supporting goals—which looks great on chapter reports and resumes. (WSU News)
Requirements, Safety, and Support (What Chapters Need to Know)
Policy alignment & training. We align with WSU EP‑14: Protection and Safety of Minors, which requires mandatory training for staff, students, and volunteers in programs involving minors. WSU users complete training in Percipio; non‑WSU logins use WSU Extension Campus. We’ll supply the correct link during onboarding so your members know exactly where to go. (WSU CRMO)
Background checks & screening. When a placement involves direct contact with minors, we facilitate checks through VerifiedFirst. Their nonprofit volunteer screening helps reduce risk and streamline onboarding, and they offer a public support channel if any questions come up. Independent of that, UPPM/BPPM 60.81 outlines when WSP checks are required. You’ll get clear instructions, timelines, and confirmation when you’re good to go. (Verified First)
Hour tracking & verification. We’ll show you how to log service in GivePulse (used by WSU’s CCE) and export a record for your exec board. If your house tracks points internally, simply attach the report. (GivePulse)
Chapter alignment. Because CFSL indicates that organizations are privately operated and set their own standards, always confirm with your VP Philanthropy/Service how Cougs 4 Kids hours fit your bylaws (e.g., minimums, category definitions, sign‑off process). We’ll help you align documentation with what your chapter needs. (Fraternity & Sorority Life)
For Philanthropy & Service Chairs: A Mini Playbook
Running point for service in a busy house is a juggling act. Here’s a short sequence you can copy into Slack/GroupMe to move everyone forward, fast.
Step 1 — Share the link.
Share this Link in your chapter chat and ask members to add “Greek group + chapter” in the notes so we can plan capacity.
Step 2 — Batch EP‑14 training.
Include the EP‑14 overview and training link in the same post, plus a house deadline. Members with WSU logins use Percipio; others use Extension Campus. (We’ll reiterate this in our onboarding email.) (WSU CRMO)
Step 3 — Request a group slot.
If you want a chapter‑exclusive time (or a pledge‑class session), tell us your headcount and target date in the registration notes. We’ll confirm availability and logistics.
Step 4 — Standardize hour logging.
Ask members to log hours in GivePulse after each session. Then pull a CSV for your records and fairness in points. Build this into the weekly chapter agenda to avoid end‑of‑term scrambles. (GivePulse)
Step 5 — Close the loop.
Share a quick “House Impact” recap at chapter: total hours, number of mentors trained, and one highlight from a recent session. This reinforces culture and helps during awards season. (WSU News)
Why Mentoring Matters (Beyond the Hours)
Mentoring isn’t just fulfilling a requirement; it’s an evidence‑informed practice. Research syntheses and meta‑analyses report statistically significant positive effects for youth when programs use quality practices like screening, training, and supervisory support—exactly the guardrails you’ll see here through EP‑14 compliance and structured sessions. That translates to stronger outcomes for youth and richer leadership growth for you. (WSU CRMO)
Take the Next Step
You came here to earn service hours and make a difference—and the path is ready for you. Cougs 4 Kids was built to help WSU fraternity and sorority members mentor youth, grow as leaders, and meet chapter requirements without guesswork. Click Here to upload your resume and get the process started., complete EP‑14 training, and—if your placement requires it—finish your VerifiedFirst screening with our guidance. Then pick a time‑friendly path, log your hours in GivePulse, and help a young person feel seen and supported—while your chapter hits its goals. (WSU CRMO)
Donation
Your tax-deductible contribution directly supports our programs, from funding mentorship and leadership training to providing resources for youth-led community-service projects.
Volunteer with Us
We’re always looking for passionate volunteers who want to make a difference. Whether it’s mentoring, event support, or community outreach, your time can change lives.
About Believe in Me
Cougs 4 Kids is just one of Believe in Me’s programs, each designed to create safe spaces, foster supportive networks, and provide educational opportunities for marginalized youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click Here to upload your resume and get the process started.
Most chapters recognize structured community service, but standards vary. Confirm via CFSL resources: CFSL Policies & Resources. (Fraternity & Sorority Life)
WSU users complete it via Percipio; others use Extension Campus:
Training access (Percipio) |
Extension course. (WSU CRMO)
It’s WSU’s policy for the Protection and Safety of Minors; training is mandatory. Read the overview: EP‑14 policy. (WSU CRMO)
Believe in Me uses VerifiedFirst for volunteer screening. Learn more:
Volunteer screening overview |
Support. (Verified First)
See WSU’s policy (UPPM/BPPM 60.81) for conditions involving minors and supervision:
Volunteer policy. (WSU Policies)
Use WSU’s GivePulse via CCE to record and export service:
CCE on GivePulse. (GivePulse)
Yes—note it on your registration. For extra coordination, see CCE’s group options:
CCE group projects. (GivePulse)
Review Believe in Me (EIN 20‑4830357):
Believe in Me |
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. (Believe in Me)
It aligns with WSU’s Greek commitment to leadership and community impact:
WSU News. (WSU News)