Site Supervisor Training

May 22, 2014

Overview AmeriCorps VISTA

VISTA Map Benefits Rules and regulations

Iowa Campus Compact VISTA Program IACC VISTA Program Information Site Supervisor Expectations OSOT & VAD overview August 29 – IACC VISTA Orientation in Des Moines VISTA Leader role Reports

Preparing for a successful VISTA project

AmeriCorps VISTA Corporation for National and Community

Service (CNCS) Iowa State Office – Jancy LaFollette

Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) Anti-Poverty Focus Community Empowerment Sustainable Solutions Capacity Building

FY Program Guidance

Corporation for National and

Community Service

SeniorCorps

RSVP Foster Grandparents

Senior Companions

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps State & National

AmeriCorps VISTA

Iowa Corporation State Office

Iowa Campus Compact

VISTA Sites

AmeriCorps NCCC

VISTA Benefits Living Allowance: ~$11,000

~$400 bi-weekly (before taxes)

Education Award or End-of-Service Stipend Education Award $5,500 Cash Stipend $1,500

Health benefits (does NOT qualify as insurance)

Childcare benefits Maximum benefit is $400 per child per month Children under age 13

Food & housing assistance (per site) Note: cannot give cash directly to VISTA (i.e. money for groceries or rent), you

can give VISTA members gift cards or can pay directly to their landlord

Rules & Regulations Prohibited Activities

Religious instruction Political activities

Lobbying Electoral activities Demonstrations

Displacement of employed workers Receiving outside compensation Act as a supervisor Serve out of state

i.e. Alternative Breaks or other programs Conferences and training opportunities are okay with

approval from IACC

Sick & Vacation Days 10 sick, 10 vacation Limits near end-of-service

Emergency leave up to 5 days must be approved by state office

VISTA Members “24/7”

Work ~40 hours a week

VISTA Assignment Description

Appropriate VISTA Activities VISTA members can do:

Volunteer recruitment, management, engagement Resource development, sustainability Indirect service, capacity building VAD goals and activities

VISTAs cannot do: General staffing

Not an internship No clerical or administrative duties

No staffing on-going initiatives Should be doing new, innovative things and building capacity

Direct service (unless for training, filling in) Supervise other staff or students

Questions Thus Far?

Next: IACC VISTA Program

2014-2017 IACC VISTA Program Impact Areas

Education: K-12 Success and Post-Secondary Access and Success

Economic Opportunity: Financial Literacy & Employment Program focus

Partnerships Building capacity for both HE and CP

History Past grant cycles – over 75 full-time VISTAs! Transition from VISTA to part- or full-time staff members,

student workers, volunteer programs, etc. i.e. Coe, Northwestern, Central, Simpson, Wartburg, Catholic

Charities, Dubuque Arts Center, Gear Up!, St. Mark’s Community Center

Program Focus: Economic Opportunity Economically disadvantaged individuals receiving

financial literacy services (550) City of Dubuque Circles Initiative Mercy College of Health Sciences Operation: New View Community Action Agency Project Concern

Economically disadvantaged individuals receiving job training and other skill developments (197) AIB College of Business City of Dubuque Human Rights Department Cornell College Drake University Adult Literacy Center

Program Focus: Education Number of disadvantaged youth/mentor

matches sustained (250) Buena Vista University Central College

Number of students that start and/or complete participation in a K-12 education program (400) Clarke University Drake University & ICSAC Iowa Western Community College & ICSAC Iowa Wesleyan College

VISTA Site Cycles RFP process (new sites)

January-February 2015

Current sites do not have to reapply, only submit updated VADs

Expectations of Supervisors Participate in monthly calls

4th Wednesday, 10 am August 27, 2014

Dedicate time to supervision Daily/weekly check-ins Frequent feedback Ongoing training

Reporting assistance

Evaluation at end of term – due two weeks before end date

Orienting Your VISTA Introduce office culture/expectations

Review work style (yours & theirs)

Make plans for regular meetings and feedback

Provide “big picture” of VISTA year and project

Orienting Your VISTA Common questions after PSO:

Organization mission and vision Goals Direct service Work of past VISTA(s)

VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) Timeline of service

Should focus on VAD goals Check in on progress frequently Align with monthly reports

Make adjustments if needed Requires approval from CNCS state office

IACC VISTA Program Orientation August 29, 2014, 9AM-5PM (tentative)

Pappajohn Education Center 1200 Grand Ave, Des Moines

REQUIRED for all VISTAs Site should cover travel costs IACC provides lunch and some snacks

Overview, networking, education award information, etc.

VISTA Leader Role Mentor for VISTA members Main contact about VISTA members or projects On-going communication

Weekly emails (CC supervisors) Monthly 1:1 phone calls Some “site visits”

IACC Orientation Professional Development – webinars, think tanks, etc. VISTA cohort Google Site

Reporting Resources Announcements/calendar Google Group

Role of VISTA Leader

VISTA Reports Monthly

VAD specific Demographics, numbers Red flag indicators

Quarterly Narrative Due in October, January, April, June/July

Evaluations Member (supervisormember) Site (IACCsite)

Preparing for Successful VISTA Year Common issues/concerns

Unclear expectations First professional work experience Lack of communication Different work styles Frustration with lack of “results” Struggles with living allowance/budgeting

Preparing for Successful VISTA Year Addressing issues/concerns

Discuss work style and communications Integrate with office, make role clear to all Provide clear direction and daily check-ins (at least

initially) Communicate ALL expectations Encourage feedback Help with ideas on free activities, etc.

Bring issues to IACC early Encourage communication with VISTA Leader

Resources IACC web site

FAQs, forms, links

IACC VISTA website Reports, resources, site supervisor Google Group,

etc. In progress…

VISTA Campus Supervisor manual & resources

Questions?

Any other questions/thoughts/input?

Contact InformationEmily Shields Justin Elliseshields@iwcc.edu jellis@iwcc.edu (515) 235-4684 (515)235-4618

VISTA Leader (TBD)iacampuscompact@gmail.com(515) 235-4686