Bridal Rodriguez, chair of the Executive Activities Task Force, opened the Nov. 20 meeting and the group heard a staff report that the town has issued a directive changing how student community-service hours are credited.

Ernie, a task force member who reported the guidance to the group, said the town told the committee that “moving forward in 2026 ... we are no longer allowed to give out the excess of an excessive amount of hours” and that the decision “is not up for discussion.” Members reacted that the change will reduce previously-awarded double- or triple-digit totals that students sometimes received for festival work.

The task force discussed possible responses to preserve student opportunities for fulfilling service requirements, including offering more frequent volunteer meetings, small fundraising or sales projects, and targeted events with set shifts. Members suggested moving the Youth Advocacy Award timeline earlier so students can plan volunteer time and exploring outreach to neighboring cities for joint events that provide hours.

No formal policy change by the task force was recorded in the meeting; the item was presented as a town-level directive and not a task-force vote. Members agreed to follow up with town staff to confirm the directive, clarify which activities and timekeeping methods are affected, and report back at the next meeting.

The task force’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., when members said they will revisit volunteer-hour logistics and recruitment strategies.