MCC*VISTA Host Site Orientation

Rachel KlegonMCC*VISTA Program

Manager

(Corporation for National and Community

ServiceCNCS)

VISTA Principles

• Anti Poverty

• Community Empowerment

• Capacity Building

Capacity Building

• Tasks and activities to create, expand or strengthen systems or processes in order to increase an organization’s ability to function effectively and meet its mission.

• When is direct service ok?

Focus Areas

• Education

• Veterans and Military Families

• Healthy Futures

• Environmental Stewardship

• Economic Opportunity

• Disaster Services

Education• Support and Facilitate access to services and

resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged people, especially children– Improve school readiness for economically disadvantaged young

children– Improve educational and behavioural outcomes for students in low-

achieving elementary, middle and high schools– Improve the preparation for prospects of success in post-secondary

education institutions for economically disadvantaged students

Supervisor’s roles/responsibilities• Educate Community & Staff about VISTA

• Ensure Adequate Resources

• Develop VAD—Review, Revise, Utilize

• Provide regular supervision, guidance and feedback to the VISTA

• Provide regular feedback to the grant Program Manager – Quarterly Reports– Supervisor Meetings & Conference Calls

Supervisor’s roles/responsibilities• Maintain oversight for the overall sustainability

• Encourage & Provide Opportunities for the VISTA’s Personal and Professional Growth/ Find a Mentor

• Attend Supervisor meetings

• Support the integration of VISTAs into your organization and the community– Be your VISTAS Greatest Support

Involve Program Manager If. . .• Getting close to using sick vacation days up

(10 allowed for each)

• Leave taken without approval

• Behavioral problems after receiving written or verbal warnings

• Change in Workplan

• Change in address of VISTA or project site

• Change in supervisor

What if the placement isn’t working out?

• Supervisor issues

• VISTA Issues

VISTA Finances• CNCS/MCC Benefits

– Living Allowance– Relocation– Health Benefits– Child Care (for VISTAs that qualify)– Mileage Reimbursement (CNCS/MCC

required events)– Professional Development

VISTA Finances continued• Housing

• Transportation

• Travel/Mileage

• Student Loans

• Additional Training

Be aware and responsive

VISTA: am I an employee or a volunteer?

• Use Workplan to stay on track

• Follow same rules of conduct

• Quick learning curve

– need to leave their legacy.

• Need recognition and feedback– “not getting rewarded with grades or money-

need recognition”

Reporting• Quarterly reports

• Send timely accomplishments and storiesoMNA BlogoCNCS monthly reports to DCoMCC website/ Monthly Featureo Share best practicesoMulti Media

Monitoring

• Site visits (2 per year) Quarterly Reports, Calls with VISTA Leader, 6 month review and End of the Year Evaluations,

• Return phone calls in a timely manner

Training• Pre Service Orientation, CNCS• On site Orientation, Campus• August 10-12 training, MCC• November training, MCC• January training/Service Learning Institute, MCC. • March Training, MCC• Ongoing professional development• End or Year Celebration, MCC

MCC Communication• Weekly e-mails

• Check in calls with VISTA Leader

• Monthly poverty conference calls

Provide support, resources and look for any concerns

Preparing for your VISTA• Set aside first couple weeks for orientation

• Creating a welcoming workspace

• Touch base with VISTA prior to PSO– Confirm starting date/time, dress, parking,

lunch

• Ask VISTAs what they learned at PSO

TUTORIALS & TRAINING

• www.nationalservice.gov

• www.nationalservicesources.org

• http://micampuscompact.org/vista.asp

VISTA Member Forms

• http://my.americorps.gov

RESOURCES

• VISTA member handbook, http://www.nationalservice.gov/help/vistahandbook/chapter1.html

• VISTA Campus, http://vistacampus.org/login/index.php

• Rachel Klegon, Program Manager

• rklegon@micampuscompact.org

• VISTA Leader, mccvista@micampuscompact.org