The webinar will begin soon. While you wait, please share in the chat box: What motivated you to apply to your VISTA position? Countdown to VISTA Service Dial: 866-609-4997 Connecting to Audio Dial: 866-609-4997 • Audio resource tools • Call in via phone (number listed on each slide) • View Closed Captions in the Live Captioning panel • Download handouts from Handouts panel Tips for Participating Dial: 866-609-4997 COMPUTER • Share comments and ideas in the Chat Panel (send to “Everyone”) • Ask questions in the Q&A Panel • Some Adobe Connect features are not available on mobile devices iPhone Chat Icon Android Chat Icon • Links and recording will be Click this button available after the session if you don’t see the Chat panel. 1
Countdown to VISTA Service Dial: 866-609-4997 Today’s Speakers Dial: 866-609-4997 Chris Hawkes Andy King AmeriCorps VISTA AmeriCorps VISTA Training Specialist Training Specialist Objectives Dial: 866-609-4997 We’ll address: • Support available to you as a VISTA • Steps to complete before starting • What to do on your first day of service • Benefits for VISTA members • Conditions of VISTA service • Q&A 2
Online Support Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov my.americorps.gov VISTA Campus Dial: 866-609-4997 • Working with Volunteers • Fundraising • Poverty in America • Communication & Marketing • Workplace & Service Site • VISTA Program Area Resources • Building Partnerships • Community Development • Other • Project Management Webinars for VISTAs Dial: 866-609-4997 • vistacampus.gov • Learning Opportunities for Service and Beyond • Webinars on: • Life as a VISTA • The Work 3
Online Courses Dial: 866-609-4997 Where to Get Support Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov VISTA Member Support Unit and (VMSU@cns.gov) my.americorps.gov ( State Abbreviation )@cns.gov Supervisor Before You Arrive Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov/startingvista 4
Before You Arrive Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov/startingvista Forms (my.americorps.gov) • Direct Deposit • Federal Tax Withholding • Unpaid Compensation Information • End of Service Benefit Selection Before You Arrive Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov/startingvista Forms (my.americorps.gov) • Direct Deposit • Federal Tax Withholding • Unpaid Compensation Information • End of Service Benefit Selection Courses and Tutorials (vistacampus.gov) • VISTA Terms and Conditions of Service • VISTA Civil Rights and Responsibilities • Benefits of Service • Mission and Legacy of VISTA • VISTA Campus Overview • Test your knowledge! First Day of Service Dial: 866-609-4997 • Must be in the office on your first day of service – Monday, 03/18/2019 • If you cannot be present, you may not be able to start service • Contact your supervisor to confirm your plans What time to arrive first day • Dress code • Parking situation • Any other special considerations • 5
First Day of Service Dial: 866-609-4997 • Webinar (Launching Your VISTA Service) • Resources for support • Benefits & Terms of Service • Induction: The Oath of Office • Get fingerprint kit from supervisor Your Service Dial: 866-609-4997 • Commitment of 1 year, full-time service • Indirect service – building capacity • VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) • Available on your my.americorps.gov account • Issues with your VAD – Follow up with your Supervisor • If not in your my.americorps.gov account • If not what you agreed to do in your interview Dial: 866-609-4997 What questions do you have? 6
Benefits of Service Dial: 866-609-4997 vistacampus.gov/benefits Living Allowance Dial: 866-609-4997 Living Allowance Dial: 866-609-4997 7
Living Allowance Dial: 866-609-4997 04/05/2019 • First living allowance payment on _______________ • Paid every two weeks, on Fridays • Federal taxes are withheld from your pay, state taxes are not • Living Allowance statements can be accessed from your My AmeriCorps account • Does not qualify you for unemployment Direct Deposit Dial: 866-609-4997 Incorrect bank info will result in a • 2-week delay in getting paid Get routing and account numbers • from your checks or online account Call your bank to confirm • NOT your account or routing number. Public Assistance Protection Dial: 866-609-4997 • For public assistance in place prior to VISTA enrollment • benefits remain the same • For new benefits, VISTA living allowance • is not factored in for most public assistance • is factored in for SNAP eligibility • In about 2 weeks, your VISTA service letters will be accessible in your my.americorps.gov account 8
End-of-Service Benefit Dial: 866-609-4997 Upon completing your service term: Education Award ($6,095) OR Cash stipend ($1,800) If you select Ed Award now, you can change to Cash Stipend up until the end of your 10 th month of service. Loan Forbearance & Deferment Dial: 866-609-4997 If you select the Education Award: • Loan Forbearance • Temporary postponement of principal federally backed loan payments • Interest accrues, but you can request Trust to pay at completion of service • Request forbearance in my.americorps.gov account If you select the End-of-Service Stipend: • Loan Deferment • Postponement of monthly loan payments • Set up & request directly with lender For either one, you must initiate the process. Education Award Dial: 866-609-4997 More info: nationalservice.gov/resources/edaward Forbearance requests: my.americorps.gov 9
VISTA Healthcare Benefit Dial: 866-609-4997 Healthcare Allowance up to $7,900 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for members who have health insurance OR Health Benefit Plan for members who do not have health coverage healthcare.gov vistacampus.gov/healthcare americorpsvista.imglobal.com Other Benefits Dial: 866-609-4997 • Relocation vmsu@cns.gov • Childcare For more information and to apply: americorpschildcare.com Leave Benefits Dial: 866-609-4997 • 10 days personal leave • 10 days sick leave • Observe the national holidays of site • Leave is tracked and approved by supervisor 10
Let’s Review Dial: 866-609-4997 Terms and Conditions Dial: 866-609-4997 Click here first. Terms and Conditions Dial: 866-609-4997 I can voice my political opinion using social media where my profile identifies me as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. YES NO 11
Online Political Activity Dial: 866-609-4997 Yes, you can have VISTA listed on your social media profile but cannot represent yourself as a spokesperson for AmeriCorps, VISTA, CNCS, or your sponsor. Cannot do so while serving at your site or using any equipment at your site. Terms and Conditions Dial: 866-609-4997 I can demonstrate in a political rally. NO YES Political Demonstrations Dial: 866-609-4997 Yes, as long as you are not identified as a VISTA or perceived to be a VISTA. 12
Terms and Conditions Dial: 866-609-4997 I can ask people to donate money to a partisan political candidate, as long as it’s on my own time and I’m not identified as a VISTA. YES NO Partisan Fundraising Dial: 866-609-4997 No, you cannot raise money on behalf of a partisan candidate at any time during your VISTA year. Terms and Conditions Dial: 866-609-4997 I can have outside employment and/or earn additional income while serving as a VISTA member. YES NO 13
Outside Employment Dial: 866-609-4997 Yes, as long as: • It does not conflict with your VISTA service • You are not employed by your sponsor • Your supervisor approves • It is part-time • You complete & submit the outside employment request form vistacampus.gov/resources/outside-employment-policy Action Items Dial: 866-609-4997 Forms (my.americorps.gov) Direct Deposit • Federal Tax Withholding • Unpaid Compensation Information • End of Service Benefit Selection • Action Items Dial: 866-609-4997 Forms (my.americorps.gov) Direct Deposit • Federal Tax Withholding • Unpaid Compensation Information • End of Service Benefit Selection • Courses and Tutorials (vistacampus.gov) VISTA Terms and Conditions of Service • VISTA Civil Rights and Responsibilities • Benefits of Service • Mission and Legacy of VISTA • VISTA Campus Overview • Test Your Knowledge! • 14
Evaluation Dial: 866-609-4997 • How can we improve this session? • Please take a few moments to complete a brief webinar evaluation form. • Find the survey link by the Chat panel on your screen. • Thank you for your feedback! 1) Highlight or select 2) Then click ‘Browse To’ Dial: 866-609-4997 What questions do you have? Thank you for your service! 15
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