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• Just a bit about the Commission… – Volunteer Maine, the state service commission builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer sector by • funding service programs, • developing volunteer managers, • Fostering adoption of high quality volunteer management practices, • raising awareness of volunteer sector issues, and • encouraging an ethic of service.

• For more information, visit – www.MaineServiceCommission.gov And -- www.VolunteerMaine.org

WELCOME TO THE INTRODUCTION OF Maine Rural State AmeriCorps Grants February 2018

What This Session Covers  What is AmeriCorps  AmeriCorps State’s purpose  Program design  Key budget concepts  Terminology  AmeriCorps HR  Unique traits of Maine Rural State AmeriCorps

Questions Use chat box to submit questions as they occur to you. During presentation breaks, they will be answered.

What is AmeriCorps?  It is a National Service program › Created by Congress in 1993 National and Community Service Trust Act › Funded through the Corporation for National and Community service (a federal agency) › Each year over 75,000 Americans serve › Be the domestic Peace Corps  Strengthen communities  Meet critical needs  Permanently change conditions

What is AmeriCorps?  3 related branches  Each has a distinct mission › AmeriCorps NCCC – disaster response, relief and in “peace time” community projects › AmeriCorps VISTA – alleviate poverty by developing organizations (indirect service) › AmeriCorps State/National – direct service & capacity building by engaging community volunteers, improving volunteer management

AmeriCorps State  Member service benefits people, communities – external facing Examples › Teach classes › Organize community gardens › Train home child care staff › Winterize or repair homes, community buildings › Conduct financial literacy programs › Do health assessments

AmeriCorps State  AND builds capacity. Examples › Implement volunteer management › Conduct volunteer training › Recruit local residents to volunteer › Serve alongside volunteers, teaching them the AmeriCorps members’ job › Connect with partners who share the vision/mission of grantee agency

AmeriCorps State  AmeriCorps Members › Serve in teams  You can’t have “just one”  Normally must have at least 8 members  Rural State AmeriCorps – min 2 @ 1700 hrs or 3400 hrs service, - max 5 @ 1700 hrs or 8,500 hrs service › They have a common work plan  Activities are from a model solution proven to change situation  Every Member works on the same goal  Service activities the same regardless of the setting

AmeriCorps State  Take the Poll on your screen! › What is your organization’s AmeriCorps experience?

AmeriCorps State  Has your organization hosted AmeriCorps VISTA or AmeriCorps State/National members in the past??  No. We haven’t had either.  Yes, we hosted VISTA  Yes, we hosted AmeriCorps State/National  Yes, we hosted both  No Vote

AmeriCorps State › Requires implementation of all volunteer management practices  Members have  role descriptions,  applications,  background checks,  orientation,  terms of service  training,  supervision,  time and effort reporting, etc.

AmeriCorps State › Requires implementation of all volunteer management practices  Service is documented –  how much accomplished,  for who,  when  Service results are reported –  how much  impact or results  $$ value, both cost and ROI  to organization’s leadership, staff & board  to internal audiences including volunteers  to funders and public constituents

AmeriCorps State › Requires implementation of all volunteer management practices  Resources used recorded –  cash  in-kind  supplies  people (employees, consultants, trainers)  occupancy or tools  Agency has or develops policies on volunteer engagement › Commission technical assistance and training helps grantees develop volunteer management capacity

AmeriCorps State › Activity  Download the file, VolunteerManagementPractices.docx and take a minute to complete it with your team. This is also page 3 of Attachment I in the RFP. › Use the chat box to respond.  What observations do you have about the current status of volunteer management?  What are the implications for an AmeriCorps program?

Section 3. Essential Practices of Volunteer Management For some organizations, AmeriCorps is the first introduction to implementation of all the essential practices of volunteer management. Please use this section to show the stage of development in your organization with regard to volunteer management. Check the box that best fits your organization. Elements of Volunteer Fully Partially Not being Resources Management implemented implemented done Written statement of philosophy related to volunteer involvement Orientation for new paid staff about why and how volunteers are involved in the organization's work Designated manager/leader for overseeing management of volunteers’ agency-wide Periodic needs assessment to determine how volunteers should be involved to address the mission Written position descriptions for volunteer roles Written policies and procedures for volunteer involvement Organizational budget reflects expenses related to volunteer involvement Periodic risk management assessment related to volunteer roles Liability insurance coverage for volunteers Specific strategies for ongoing volunteer recruitment Standardized screening and matching procedures for determining appropriate placement of volunteers Consistent general orientation for new volunteers Consistent training for new volunteers regarding specific duties and responsibilities Designated supervisors for all volunteer roles Periodic assessments of volunteer performance Periodic assessments of staff support for volunteers Consistent activities for recognizing volunteer contributions Consistent activities for recognizing staff support for volunteers Regular collection of information (numerical and anecdotal) regarding volunteer involvement Information related to volunteer involvement is shared with board members and other stakeholders at least twice annually Volunteer resources manager and fund development manager work closely together Volunteer resources manager is included in top-level planning Volunteer involvement is linked to organizational or program outcomes

AmeriCorps State › Services focus in specific areas  What federal law allows:  Economic Opportunity  Healthy futures  Education  Public Safety (including Disaster Services)  Environmental Stewardship (includes housing)  Veterans Services › Each grant competition highlights a subset

AmeriCorps State › Economic Opportunity means  Grants support and/or facilitate  access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people;  help economically disadvantaged people to have improved access to services that enhance financial literacy;  transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing; and/or  have improved employability leading to increased success in becoming employed.

AmeriCorps State › Disaster Services means  Grants support/facilitate service that  increases preparedness of individuals for disasters,  improves individual readiness to respond to disasters,  helps individuals recover from disasters, and/or  helps individuals mitigate disasters.

AmeriCorps State › Environmental stewardship means  Grants supports service that  decreases energy & water consumption;  improve at-risk ecosystems;  increase green training opportunities that lead to employment in related fields; and/or  increases individual behavioral change leading to increased energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and ecosystem improvements for economically disadvantaged households and communities.

AmeriCorps State › Healthy Futures means  Grants supports service that  improves access to primary and preventive health care for communities;  increases seniors’ ability to remain in their own homes with the same or improved quality of life for as long as possible; and/or  increases physical activity and improve nutrition in youth with the purpose of reducing childhood obesity.