A diverse team makes for a richer experience for both the team members and the community that's being served. But, how do you build diversity into your recruitment and placement? Use the following resources and strategies from successful programs to attract a diverse team.

Building a Diverse Team—Reflect on the many dimensions of diversity and assess how you could diversify your team with this 10 minute tutorial.

• Members from ethnic and cultural minority groups—These related tools will help you consider the make up of your community and how to recruit members who reflect those demographics.
• Low-income and service recipients—Find tips on recruiting members whose personal experience can enrich your corps and provide deep insights into the people you serve.
• People with disabilities—Learn how successful programs identify potential members in this group; what interview and placement tactics they use; and some special considerations to make the service experience successful for members of all different abilities.
• Members from a wide age range—This section offers resources and personal stories from programs that have members from 18 to 80-plus! A tutorial on "Recruiting and Retaining Retirees" helps you identify where to find older members in your community and discusses why national service is such a good fit.
• Members locally in rural settings—Hear how one program in Alaska partners with remote communities to recruit Native members.

Whatever your diversity goals are, here are a few points to keep in mind from the University of Wisconsin Extension VISTA* AmeriCorps program (West Allis, WI):

• Start with your mission statement. Set a goal to become at least as diverse as your state.
• Throw out fancy brochures and ads. Use fliers with culturally sensitive images and language.
• Immerse yourself in the community. Become a part of the community. Actively network with community leaders and organizations serving the people you want to reach.
• Build trust. Get to know the people, their culture, and their food. For example:
  • Ask a young male Hmong to take you into the Hmong community to talk to a potential candidate.
  • Serve ethnically appropriate foods at community gatherings.
• Identify individuals with the qualities you want. They may not have a college degree, but they have drive and dedication. Focus on skills or characteristics they do have, not on qualifications or experience they may not (yet) have. Take the initiative to call; don't wait for them to call you.
• Develop an educational plan. Skills can be taught after you identify the right people for your program. For example, they may need computer skills or writing skills.
  • Tell them "This is what you need to succeed"
  • Provide the necessary training
  • Schedule the training before Pre Service Orientation

At the University of Wisconsin Extension VISTA*AmeriCorps, 40% of the members are people of color, while the statewide minority rate is only 20%. The program connects resources to low-income communities in rural, urban, and tribal settings to address youth dropout, agricultural sustainability, and community safety issues.

Click on the play button to hear what Project Director Mary Thiry has to say about diversity and VISTA.

Go on to Choosing Outreach Channels