The "eight hours of your time for the organization" for CIT-C enables the scout to get a more in-depth view of the organization in the community he is volunteering for. Eight hours of his time give him plenty of experience to see more than one facet of the organization's mission. He has enough time with the folks working in the organization and a feel for the many aspects of the mission. Because he will have this time, he will also see some of the administrative side not readily seen by the casual visitor. This may excite, bore, inspire, disgust, whatever. That is what makes these particular service hours different from that required by the ranks.
For the Star or Life rank, you take part in "service projects" totaling "six hours of work". To me, that type of time sounds different than the type in the merit badge. It sounds like the kinds of projects for participation in troop eagle projects, troop good turns, etc. and the projects must be approved by the Scoutmaster for the hours of work to count for rank.
