As a program director, you can help members make a smooth transition as they leave your program. These sections will help you ease the way:
- Planning a Life After AmeriCorps Training
- Conducting Exit Interviews
- Providing Coping Strategies for Handling Life Changes
- Recognizing Contributions and the End of Service
- Passing Along Wisdom
- Helping Members Stay Connected
You can also direct members to the What's Next online tutorial for goal-setting and other transition exercises.
Steps for supporting transition
Some AmeriCorps members will feel a sense of loss as they say good-bye to co-workers, community partners, and the structure that comes from having a job and/or a clearly defined mission in life.
You can gain a better understanding of what members are going through by considering William Bridges's three stages of transition (from Next Steps: Life After AmeriCorps by the Corporation for National and Community Service):
- Stage 1–An identity is lost and a new one hasn't taken its place yet. The individual may feel disenchanted, unable to move on until he or she comes to grips with the "ending" of this current stage in life. For members who may be sad or angry about leaving service, it helps to plan ample time to say good-bye. Knowing that their project is left in good hands also helps provide a sense of closure. Organizing a closing ceremony gives members a chance to formally mark the end of this chapter in their lives.
- Stage 2–The process of "letting go" can lead to feelings of emptiness and confusion. Members can minimize the amount of time they're in this phase by taking a series of small steps toward the future. Urge them to focus on the little things they can do right away rather than worrying about a plan for the rest of their lives.
- Stage 3–In the final stage of transition, people find a new beginning. It's important to take action and concentrate on goals during this stage. According to Bridges, the transition process doesn't end when all the decisions have been made, but when action and goal setting are underway.
Another theorist, Nancy Schlossberg, recommends that people examine how they feel about the impending transition; identify supports; explore how their personality will affect the transition; and look at what they'll need to do to cope with the transition from service to the next step.
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