Abstract:
A community service tracking and verification system that allows users to use computers and the Internet to track and verify the completion of community service hours served. Internet connectivity is established between a plurality of volunteer computers and a plurality of service opportunity provider computers. As a volunteer completes his service hours, the total number of hours completed is logged into the system. This information is verified for accuracy by the service opportunity provider computer. In a preferred embodiment an official transcript showing the completion of verified service hours can be printed out as needed.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to tracking and verification systems, and in particular, to tracking and verification systems using utilizing the Internet to track and verify work completed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In modern society individuals are frequently in competition to gain acceptance at either a new job or at an education institution. For the potential employer or college admissions board, it is sometimes difficult to compare individuals when deciding on admissions. For example, when evaluating a pool of applicants a college admissions board will compare high school grades and SAT scores. However, in many cases this information alone is not enough to make the best decision. College admission boards are also very much interested in the individual and his personality. The board wants to know how the person has contributed to his community. Community service hours are important. A high number of hours demonstrates that a person cares about his community and wants to work to make it better. This translates to a well rounded person and increases the odds of success in college. 
         [0003]    Potential students are very aware of the importance of having completed significant volunteer hours. Unfortunately, students sometimes may be tempted to bend the truth or falsify community service hours completed to increase their odds of admission to a college. This is a big problem with today&#39;s system. It is very difficult to accurately verify community service hours served and admissions boards are sometimes forced to take the applicant at his word for his claims of hours served. 
         [0004]    What is needed is a better system for tracking and verifying community hours served. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a community service tracking and verification system that allows users to use computers and the Internet to track and verify the completion of community service hours served. Internet connectivity is established between a plurality of volunteer computers and a plurality of service opportunity provider computers. As a volunteer completes his service hours, the total number of hours completed is logged into the system. This information is verified for accuracy by the service opportunity provider computer. In a preferred embodiment an official transcript showing the completion of verified service hours can be printed out as needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIGS. 1-20  show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 21-23  show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 24  shows a preferred Internet connectivity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a website allows community service volunteers searching for potential opportunities to: 1) find available opportunities, 2) complete the community service hours, 3) document the completed hours, and 4) validate the completed hours. Organizations looking to find volunteers can also access the website and upload the opportunity to the website. The website also allows for the creation of an official transcript that shows validated hours completed. This official transcript can then be presented as part of an admissions packet to show verified hours completed to the admissions offices at colleges and universities. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a website is accessed via a computer network by utilization of personal computing devices. In a preferred embodiment the computer network is the Internet. A variety of computing devices may be used, including: a cell phone, a desktop computer, and a laptop computer. The website is preferably programmed onto a server computer. Data is stored on the server computer  150  ( FIG. 24 ) and may be downloaded onto the personal computing devices  151 - 153 . The server computer and computing devices  151 - 153  include software and computer programming adapted to permit the functions discussed below in reference to  FIGS. 1-24 . 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a home page  10  of a preferred website programmed onto server computer  151 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the website is referred to as CivicMe™. Explanation section  1  provides a list of reasons why an individual or company may want to join CivicMe™. Motivation section  2  provides a listing of individuals who have recorded a very high number of volunteer hours. A purpose of section  2  is to motivate others to join website after seeing the success of high performers. At home page  10  the website user can login by clicking on buttons  4 ,  5  or  6 . Or a new website user can join by clicking on buttons  7  or  8 . Service opportunities can be researched by clicking on button  9  and testimonials can be reviewed by clicking on button  10 . 
         [0012]    If the website user clicks on buttons  7  or  8  to sign up or join, he will be directed to web page  20  shown in  FIG. 2 . If the user is already registered, he can click on button  21  to login. Otherwise the user can click on button  22  to join using his Facebook® account or click on button  23  to join using his email address. 
         [0013]    If the user clicks on button  22  he will be directed to website page  30  shown in  FIG. 3 . If the user agrees to the Facebook® registration terms, then he should click on button  31 . If he disagrees, he should click on button  32 . 
         [0014]    If the user clicks on button  23  ( FIG. 2 ) he will be directed to website page  40  shown in  FIG. 4 . To register the user enters the appropriate personal identification data into the boxes shown. If his entries are correct the user clicks on acknowledgement box  41 . The user then clicks button  42  to join. 
         [0015]    After clicking button  31  ( FIG. 3 ) or button  42  ( FIG. 4 ) the user will be directed to page  50  ( FIG. 5 ). Here the user can enter more detailed personal identification data and then checks if he is a “Volunteer” and/or a “Non-profit Adminstrator”. The user can then upload his picture by clicking on button  51 . The user can add completed community service hours by clicking on button  52 . After the user is done with his entries, he can leave page  50  by clicking on button  53 . 
         [0016]    After clicking button  53  ( FIG. 5 )) the user will be directed to page  60  ( FIG. 6 .). Here some of the features of the free website service are listed. Also the user is shown the features of a premium pay service. The user clicks on button  62  to learn more about the pay service or clicks on button  61  to return to the home page. 
         [0017]    After clicking button  52  ( FIG. 5 ) the user will be directed to page  70  ( FIG. 7 ). The user will then enter the number of hours completed for each organization as appropriate. He will also enter identifying information for each organization. To validate each entry the user will click on button  72 . An email will then be sent to the email address  73  provided for the organization. A contact person at the organization will receive the email. The email will contain a link that the contact person will click on. The link will direct the contact person to hours validation page  80  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0018]      FIG. 8  shows hours validation page  80 . The contact person enters indentifying information including his name, the organization name and his email address. The email address must match email address  73  ( FIG. 7 ). If already a member of CivicMe® website, then the contact person can sign in by clicking button  81 . If not yet a member the contact person can join by clicking buttons  82  or  83 . To proceed with the validation process the contact person clicks on button  84 . 
         [0019]    After clicking button  84  ( FIG. 8 ) the contact person will be directed to page  90  ( FIG. 9 ). Here the contact person will enter his identifying information in the spaces provided. The contact person will also enter the number of hours completed in space  91 . The contact person may also enter additional information in description space  92  and comments space  93 . To finish the validation process the contact person will click on button  94 . After clicking on button  94  the user&#39;s hours have been validated. This information can be then provided as official certificate  123  ( FIG. 12 ) and given as proof that hours were completed and validated. Validated hours  125  are indicated as shown and can be provided as proof that volunteer hours were completed and then validated by the organization. Also see further discussion below in reference to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0020]    After clicking button  11  ( FIG. 1 ) the user will be directed to page  100  ( FIG. 10 ). A user visiting home page  10  may view testimonials of current website members. A user can read testimonials by clicking on images  101  or spot lighted images  102 . The user can view additional testimonials by clicking on button  103 . A registered member can enter his own testimonial by clicking on button  104 . 
         [0021]    After clicking buttons  101  or  102  ( FIG. 8 ) the user will be directed to page  110  ( FIG. 11 ) corresponding to the individual chosen on page  100  of  FIG. 10 . Here the profile of an individual member can be viewed. The volunteer&#39;s (i.e., the person who has completed community service work hours) picture  116  is displayed as well as his name  115 . The user can learn more about the volunteer by clicking on buttons  111 - 114 . To view a chart showing the volunteers validated hours the user clicks on button  117 . 
         [0022]    After clicking button  117  ( FIG. 11 ) the user will be directed to page  120  ( FIG. 12 ). The user can view chart  121  which is an official transcript of validated hours completed by the volunteer. Validated hours  125  are indicated as shown and can be provided as proof that volunteer hours were completed and then validated by the organization. 
         [0023]    After clicking button  111  ( FIG. 11 ) the user will be directed to page  130  ( FIG. 13 ). Here the user can view identifying information about the volunteer. 
         [0024]    After clicking button  112  ( FIG. 11 ) the user will be directed to page  140  ( FIG. 14 ). Here the user can view shortened summary chart  141  that succinctly displays hours of community service completed for specific organizations. Verification information is also displayed. 
         [0025]    After clicking button  113  ( FIG. 11 ) the user will be directed to page  150  ( FIG. 15 ). Here the user can view photos of the volunteer in action while completing volunteer hours for community service. 
         [0026]    After clicking button  114  ( FIG. 11 ) the user will be directed to page  160  ( FIG. 16 ). Here the user can view connections and potential connections that the volunteer may have. These connections are preferably also registered members at CivicMe®. At page  160  it is also possible to search for additional user connections. The search criteria can be by volunteer name, organization name, or volunteer city. 
         [0027]    After clicking button  9  ( FIG. 1 ) the user will be directed to page  170  ( FIG. 17 ). Here an opportunity provider has the ability to post a community service opportunity that can be viewed by potential volunteers. To post the opportunity the opportunity provider can click on button  171 . Also a volunteer can search for potential opportunities by entering search terms in spaces  172  and  173  and then clicking on button  174 . The results of the search are displayed at results section  175 . Further information about the opportunity is displayed at section  176 . To donate money to the organization a volunteer can click on button  177 . This will transfer the volunteer to the organization website. 
         [0028]    After clicking button  181  ( FIG. 18 ) the user will be directed to page  40  ( FIG. 4 ). An individual can register and join by clicking on button  181 . See above discussion for details of page  40 . 
         [0029]    After clicking button  182  ( FIG. 18 ) the user will be directed to page  190  ( FIG. 19 ). Here the organization can enter indentifying information into the appropriate spaces at section  191 . The organization can also upload an image of their logo and upload an organization picture by clicking on buttons  193  and  194 . After the identifying information has been entered the user can click on button  192  to proceed with posting an opportunity. 
         [0030]    After clicking buttons  183  ( FIG. 18 ) or  192  ( FIG. 19 ) the user will be directed to page  200  ( FIG. 20 ). Here the organization can enter opportunity descriptive information into the appropriate spaces at section  201 . The organization can also upload an image of their opportunity by clicking on button  202 . After the descriptive information has been entered the user can click on button  203  to post the opportunity listing. 
       Other Preferred Embodiment 
     Mobile Application 
       [0031]      FIG. 21  shows cell phone  210  programmed to display software app  211 . Software app  211  includes features similar to those described above. In one preferred embodiment the user uses the internet browser on his cell phone to access the webpages described above. In another preferred embodiment, the user downloads a separate software app that includes features similar to those described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-20 . Preferably, webpage  10  ( FIG. 1 ) includes autopopulate mobile feature  96  which allows mobile input to automatically load into multiple computing devices displaying the profile utilized on webpages  10 - 200 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 22  shows cell phone  210  with app  211  loaded. The user presses image  221  to bring up motivation section  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user presses button  222  to bring up page  2  ( FIG. 20 ). The user presses button  223  to enter his identifying information and sign in. The user presses button  224  to bring up page  170  ( FIG. 17 ). The user presses button  225  to bring up page  100  ( FIG. 10 ). The user presses button  226  to bring up explanation section  1  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0033]      FIG. 23  shows cell phone  210  with another page of app  211  loaded. The user inputs the organization name into space  231 . In a preferred embodiment this input and further inputs automatically autopopulate the data regarding the community service performed. When the user is onsite and beginning his community service hours, the user preferably presses on button  232 . This will automatically keep time of the hours completed. Also, in a preferred embodiment, when the user presses on button  232  his GPS coordinates are recorded in addition to starting his time clock running. When the user is finished with his community service, he should press on button  232  again. This will stop the time tracked and it will also again record his GPS coordinates. The total time completed and the volunteer&#39;s GPS location at the start of his hours and at the end of his hours is automatically updated to the volunteer&#39;s profile. Therefore, there is a computer data record that documents and records that the volunteer was completing his hours for a specific length of time at a specific location. The volunteer can then immediately send a request to validate his hours and location by pressing on button  233 . An email will then be sent to the email address  73  ( FIG. 7 ) provided for the organization. A contact person at the organization will receive the email. The email will contain a link that the contact person will click on. The link will direct the contact person to hours validation page  80  ( FIG. 8 ). The contact person will validate the hours completed in a fashion similar to that described above. 
       Connectivity 
       [0034]      FIG. 24  shows preferred connectivity for utilization of the present invention. The website depicted in  FIGS. 1-23  can be accessed by a variety of computing devices with Internet connectivity. In a preferred embodiment, the above described website is housed on server computer  150 . Server computer  150  can be accessed via cell phone  151 , desktop computer  152  or laptop computer  153 . Data is preferably stored on server computer  150  as well as on computers  151 - 153 . Volunteers (using volunteer computers  241 ) are in communication via the Internet with service opportunity providers (using service opportunity provider computers  242 ). 
       Volunteer Supervisors 
       [0035]    In a preferred embodiment it is possible to organize multiple volunteers into one or more groups. Preferably, a supervisor is in charge of the group. The supervisor preferably has access to some or all of the web pages discussed above so that the supervisor can adequately ensure that the volunteers are achieving a minimum number of hours. For example, in one preferred embodiment a supervisor operating volunteer supervisor computer  243  ( FIG. 24 ) is in Internet connectivity with multiple volunteers operating volunteer computers  241 . The supervisor has access to view the Official Transcript of Hours ( FIG. 12 ) for each volunteer. Therefore, the supervisor is able to ensure that the minimum number of hours has been achieved for each volunteer in his group. 
         [0036]    Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.