Since 2001, Education Northwest has provided trainings to members on strategies for the use of their education awards. More than 70 sessions have been given to audiences ranging from five to 200 members.

Here are a few pieces of advice, from the trenches, for those preparing an education award strategy training for members.

• Know your audience. In planning the session, or at the beginning of the presentation, ask members these questions:
  1. How many of you are second year members?
  2. How many are planning to do a second year?
  3. How many are planning to go to school? Undergraduate or graduate school?
  4. How many have filled out a FAFSA this year?
  5. How many of you have no idea what you're going to do with your award?
  6. How many of you are planning to repay loans with your award?
• The answers should help guide the presentation.

Check out the Education Award online resource and find sections to share with your audience members based on their interests and needs.

• Add your own touches to create a personalized "script" that speaks to the needs of your members. Enliven the presentation with your own visuals, including PowerPoint.
• Another option: Create a peer training by recruiting four people, dividing the information among them, and asking them to present their segments to the group.
• Ask a financial aid officer and/or representatives of a local college or nontraditional school to attend the training to answer questions or make a presentation.
• Begin the session by asking members to raise their hands if they're interested in specific areas (like taxes, forbearance, repaying student loans, getting the best financial aid deal). Distribute handouts and ask everyone to find one interesting fact about the area they've expressed interest in and share it with the group as an "instant expert."
• Welcome clarifying questions: You want to stop periodically and make sure the audience is with you. However, if members have questions that are specific to their own situations, ask them to wait until the session is over.
• If questions come up that stump you, jot them down on poster paper in a "parking lot." After the session, research the answers (or find appropriate resources you can refer members to) and make sure you distribute the information to everyone.
• Everyone has a different situation, so one presentation can't meet all members' needs. However, here is some advice beneficial to most members:
  1. Don't miss filling out the FAFSA's Additional Financial Information section. You have nothing to lose—and everything to gain—by filling it out when doing your FAFSA.
  2. Become an active participant in the financial aid process. Treat your appointment with the financial officer like a job interview. Be sure to tell the officer that you have an ed award, but you don't want to use it if it means foregoing other types of aid that the college is able to provide.
  3. If you are using the ed award to repay qualified student loans, pick the repayment plan that best suits your financial and lifestyle needs. Consider if you'd rather use the award in a lump sum to reduce your principal or if you prefer monthly payments on both the principal and interest.
  4. When figuring out your federal income taxes, use the 1040 form rather than the "EZ" form. Though it's more work, you'll be able to take advantage of tax breaks that the 1040 allows.
• After the presentation, consider doing a survey. (There are some examples in the Looking at the Individual section.) It will help you hone your presentation for the next time. And remember, the more trainings you do, the easier it gets!

Go on to Planning a Career

Member recognition

By publicly recognizing your members' contributions, you can help them feel that their work is worthwhile. At the same time, you can also promote your program and its mission in the community. While recognition is often tied to the end of the service term (or the end of the school year), it can be an ongoing way of motivating and encouraging members and volunteers.

Recognition can take many forms. The Youth Volunteer Corps of America (YVCA), a National Direct Grantee headquartered in Kansas, suggests a number of personal and public ways to recognize and reward members' efforts. Print their great ideas and adapt them for your own program.

Document achievements

Members achieved a lot this year. Be sure they have documents from your program that track the important skills they developed. Aside from letters of recommendation and lists of trainings you provided, give members a more official certificate of training to place in their personal portfolios. With this certificate template, you can present members with their acquired training hours after each training.

End-of-year celebration

While recognizing achievement is important through the service term, it's an especially important part of your end-of-service celebration. For a variety of creative ways to mark the conclusion of the term, print these suggestions from the Washington Service Corps.

Print these tips for inviting prominent community members and civic leaders to your end-of-service ceremonies.

For more information about the importance of recognition and celebrating the end of service, check out these links:

Electronic Gazette for Volunteerism
www.volunteertoday.com

Volunteer recognition ideas/manuals
www.energizeinc.com/ideas.html

Go on to Passing Along Wisdom

Facing a big transition–like the end of service–can be stressful. So, how can you help members avoid or relieve those feelings?

The National Service Stress Survival Guide, developed by Education Northwest, covers seven steps for stress management:

• Adjust your attitude
• Make your job work for you
• Thrive on challenge
• Eat for performance
• Exercise
• Manage time and finances
• Get your feelings out

The guide can be formatted into a training session and comes complete with informational handouts, self-tests, and a resource list for participants. You can adjust the length of the session by selecting any number of the 11 suggested exercises.

Coping also becomes an issue as members leave service and transition into post-service life. This is addressed in What's Next, a tutorial designed to aid members in making decisions for after the end of their service term.

Go on to Recognizing Contributions and the End of Service

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), based in New York City, has programs around the country that help promote community development. A typical one-day career development session for LISC members begins with an overview of nonprofit career opportunities, gives practical advice on the steps involved in getting a job, and ends with a career panel.

Check out the sample agenda for a LISC training. Many of the handouts used in this training are available in the Everything To Know About Getting a Job toolkit.

One group exercise LISC has found useful–either as a stand-alone or as part of a full-day session–is "Applying for a Volunteer Coordinator Position."

Steps for the activity:

1. Print the Job Opening announcement.

2. Ask members to individually identify:

• What skills and experiences do you have for the position?
• What questions do you think the interviewer will ask?
• What questions would you want to ask about the position and the organization?

3. Discuss your answers as a group.

4. Now, ask members to pair off and do practice interviews using the Volunteer Coordinator questions or creating their own.

5. Come back together as a whole group and share the experience.

For another example of how to approach career development, see Plan a Life After AmeriCorps Training.

Go on to Not Your 9 to 5 Gig

Problem

How do you give members the best roadmap for their next steps without maxing out your organization? How can small programs in isolated rural locations find the resources for such trainings?

Solution

Each year, several large and small organizations in metropolitan Portland (Oregon) band together to present a day-long conference that helps transitioning members answer the question, "What next?" Programs from across Oregon and Washington are able to take advantage of the training.

Execution

Seven people serve on the planning committee; they meet about four or five times a year. Once they decide on the topics for conference sessions–based on pre-surveys of members and evaluations from the last conference–they divide up the work and take responsibility for recruiting speakers. Typically, speakers are people they know in the community, with whom they have a working relationship. They try to recruit some former AmeriCorps members as presenters; all speakers volunteer their time and are not paid.

More than 200 people attended the June 2006 conference in Portland, where they chose from among 15 different presentations. Download and print a detailed overview of the event. The five most popular sessions, in order of attendance, were International Work and Service, Making Plans for Your Ed Award, Networking and Informational Interviewing, Traveling and Living Abroad on a Budget, and Applying to Graduate School.

Many of these topics are covered in other sections of this site.

Outcome

Of those participants who turned in evaluations (about half the people attending), 80 percent rated the whole day as very good or excellent. The "most valuable aspect" overwhelmingly was the information on the Ed Award and the résumé reviews.

Click here for a copy of the evaluation.

Download and print a detailed agenda of the event.

For additional resources on designing effective trainings based on principles of adult learning, click here.

Go on to Conducting Exit Interviews

Members who are new to the job market may need some basic help in considering career options and researching and applying for positions. A handy toolkit provides handouts for career development member trainings.

Research shows that AmeriCorps and VISTA members tend to pursue careers in the nonprofit and public sectors after their service. Taking this 10–20 minute tutorial will help you learn ways to prepare members for taking on community service opportunities.

Find resources on how to organize those trainings. And, provide support for members who want to volunteer for another term or pursue parenthood, the military, or life abroad.

Remember, there are also great resources in the career section of the What's Next online tutorial.

For additional resources, check out these websites:

• Washington Employment Security Department
  Washington is one of many states with comprehensive labor market information, such as wages, careers, and education, as well as available state programs and workshops. Check out your state's site.
• Jobweb
  This site provides excellent career development and job search advice for new college graduates including links to university/college career centers.
• America's Career Resource Network
  This site features a six-step decision cycle that counselors and educators can use to help students (or in this case, members) look at careers and educational needs.
• National Career Development Association
  Part of the American Counseling Association, NCDA's site offers links to online career planning tools, occupational information, career trends, and salary data.
• University of Waterloo
  This site contains a career development manual with information on how to conduct a complete self-assessment and why that's important.
• Worklife
  This site allows the user to construct an individualized (free) account and portfolio with industry-specific career information.

Other useful sites: www.monster.com (online career center); www.idealist.org (starting a career in the nonprofit sector); www.cns.gov/jobs (field opportunities in human rights); www.ajb.dni.us (a U.S. Department of Labor site with job vacancies from state employment offices); and www.doleta.gov (a U.S. Department of Labor site with sections on planning and starting a new career).

Go on to Everything To Know About Getting a Job

"Passing the torch" from one group of members to the next serves a number of purposes. It helps the departing group bring closure to their experience and reflect on lessons they've learned that will be valuable to someone else. It gives new members some real-life experience to draw on and hopefully helps them avoid potential mistakes. It also is a way to provide continuity from one year to the next.

There are lots of ways to create opportunities for passing along wisdom:

• One Washington Service Corps group made a series of posters with words of encouragement to hang in their program office.
• Another created a videotape with parting messages of "graduating" members; it was shown to new recruits during orientation.
• Each of the Washington Service Corps programs has a "sustainability binder." In the notebook are personal letters from former members to current members, telling them how the year went and offering advice. See a table of contents for an exit binder in the Orient section of EnCorps.
• Some programs ask members to write the letters on their own time while others incorporate it into an end-of-service reflection exercise. Listen to an example of one such letter in the Orient section of EnCorps.
• America Reads-Mississippi (Jackson, MS) gathered advice from supervisors, team leaders, and members into a booklet "so others don't have to learn lessons the hard way." It covers topics such as "One Thing I Wish Someone Had Told Me Early On…" and "It Took Me Awhile to Figure Out…"

Go on to Helping Members Stay Connected

Transitioning to full-time parenthood

It's important to support members who choose full-time parenthood. Jenni Ethington, a former AmeriCorps and VISTA leader in Spokane, Washington, left service to become a stay-at-home mom. She said having a support network was critical: "I talked to other members who were also parents, and that really helped me," she says. "Getting together with other members for playdates was something we did a lot. I also looked for kid-friendly volunteer opportunities in my community as a way to stay connected."

Volunteering for another term of service

First term members may want to consider enrolling in a second term. Because policies about re-enrolling vary among programs, members should check with their State Commissions or CNCS State Office. Remember, program directors have no obligation to re-enroll any AmeriCorps member, although second terms are possible.

To be eligible for a second term, members must satisfactorily complete their first term (which means meeting expectations). If members wish to sign up for a different program, they'll need to do the legwork to find out about the various opportunities. The best place to start is www.americorps.gov, which is helpful in outlining the differences among AmeriCorps, VISTA, and AmeriCorps*NCCC. The site also explains how to apply to each program.

Choosing the military

Joining the armed forces may be the right choice for members who are looking for a challenge, job training, and help in paying for their education. More information on the different branches of service can be found at local recruiting offices or online at www.navy.com, www.army.com,www.marines.com, www.airforce.com and www.uscg.mil

Working or doing service abroad

Many members may be attracted to the idea of working or serving abroad. The Peace Corps is one option. It can be a natural extension for service-oriented members who wish to seek a new challenge.

Other possibilities might include teaching English or other courses overseas. See ESL Café, FrenchCulture.org, or the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) for a few ideas on teaching overseas.

Go on to Moving On

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.

Go on to Planning a Life After AmeriCorps Training

It's never too soon to think about the future. Helping members make a successful transition to life after service begins when the individual enters service. By providing tools and information at different stages of service, you can help members weigh their options and make choices that pave the way toward future goals.

This section contains surveys and resources for member reflection and needs assessment; information on the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award; career planning tools; and soft skills for making the transition between service and the "real world." There's also a timeline that will help you determine when to introduce these topics.

Here are all the topics covered in this section:

• Looking at the Individual
  What are your members' strengths and weaknesses? You'll find tools here for reflection, sample surveys, resources, a timeline, and more.
• Getting the Most from the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
  Everything a member needs to know about using the ed award.
• Planning a Career
  Tools to help members in their job search.
• Moving On
  Everything from celebrating the end of service to conducting exit interviews and providing coping strategies.

Go on to Looking at the Individual

The AmeriCorps and VISTA experience can lay the foundation for a lifetime of service. Obviously, members enrich their own lives and communities by staying involved. Maintaining ties between your program and your former members also helps ease the transition from service to "life after."

There are other positive outcomes from having strong connections with your past members. They can help recruit new members, share their knowledge at orientation and other member development functions, offer networking opportunities as the next group of members "graduates," and provide historical perspective and context for your program.

There are plenty of ways you can suggest that departing members remain involved in service:

• Volunteer in the community–A few of the most comprehensive sites for finding targeted volunteer opportunities are www.volunteermatch.org, www.pointsoflight.org, and www.idealist.org. They'll help members match their interests with organizations where they live.
• Serve overseas–For members who want to volunteer abroad, http://www.idealist.org/en/ivrc/index.html can help find a spot; also check out www.peacecorps.gov.
• Get involved in the political process–Members can make a difference at many levels: from volunteering for local neighborhood associations or a national political party to lobbying for programs and causes they believe in. At the very least, remind your members to register and vote!
• Join RSVP–If members are 55 or older, they should consider signing on with RSVP, a "one-stop shopping" site for volunteers who want to do meaningful work in their community. More information on RSVP and other Senior Corps programs is available at www.seniorcorps.org.
• Join AmeriCorps Alums–This group is for both AmeriCorps members as well as VISTAs. More information is available at www.americorpsalums.org.
• Outward Bound is a nonprofit educational organization with core programs that change lives, build teams, and transform schools. The organization delivers adventure in the wilderness, urban centers, and classrooms to help others achieve their possibilities and to inspire them to serve others and the world around them. If your members are interested in taking Outward Bound courses, they can use their education awards.
• Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunity.

Go on to Beyond the Service Year Home

As members consider life after service, they face a weighty decision: Where do I want to live? Do I want to go back to school? Should I seek other kinds of training? Do I want to enter the job market? And, that age-old dilemma: what do I want to be when I grow up?

Helping members figure out what types of careers best suit their personality, interests, and skills can assist them in making both short- and long-term plans. The following self-assessment tools, adapted from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in New York City, can serve as a starting point.

Use these tools separately or in combination for training sessions.

• Completing a career development self-assessment
• Creating a five-year career plan
• Translating AmeriCorps or VISTA service
• Crafting a résumé
• Writing a cover letter
• Conducting an informational interview
• Interviewing for a job

Completing a career development self-assessment

This tool asks members to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments, likes and dislikes, and goals. It can serve as the starting point for a workshop on career development and help members identify next steps-whether they lead back to school or to the workplace.

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Creating a five-year career plan

Using this form, members create a personal plan, mapping out things to accomplish and action steps on a year-by-year basis.

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Translating AmeriCorps or VISTA service

This form helps the members reflect on their leadership and volunteer accomplishments. The information can be edited for use in a cover letter or a résumé, and can help members organize their thoughts for potential job interviews.

Pam Rechel, a former human resources manager and currently head of Brave Heart Consulting in Portland, Oregon, (www.braveheartconsulting.com) adapted another translation tool from Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman and from Behavioral Technology. It asks members to identify and reframe their life and work skill competencies.

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Crafting a résumé

Here are some basic pointers you should pass along to résumé writers.

Résumés MUST include:

• Complete, current contact information
• Work experience
• Volunteer and leadership experience
• Education

Résumés may include a personal objective (for example, "to work with youth in the nonprofit sector"), but be sure the objective matches the job you're applying for! Other optional elements include:

• "Other" experience
• Research/publications
• Interests/hobbies
• Computer skills
• Language skills

Do NOT include references in your résumé. Remember, a résumé should serve to:

• Highlight your skills
• Show off your accomplishments
• Show how you are qualified for the job
• Show where you want your career to go

Try to tailor the résumé to the job or type of job you're seeking: You may find yourself creating a new, slightly different résumé for every position you apply for–depending on what the employer requires. The résumé should be one page in length, unless you have a substantial amount of work experience. Above all, remember HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. Always tell the truth about your experience and education.

Résumés can be formatted chronologically or functionally:

• The chronological résumé shows what jobs you held, starting with the most recent. This is the preferred method of presenting your information since it's the most straightforward for the employer.
• A functional résumé highlights your skills and accomplishments, rather than presenting a linear description of where you've been and what you've done over the years. You should consider using a functional résumé if you lack real work experience or are attempting to change fields.

You can also create a résumé that mixes both functional and chronological elements.

Be mindful of these important stylistic considerations:

• Use succinct language
• Use a consistent tense (past tense is usually best)
• Always double-check your spelling and have another set of eyes proofread your work
• Make it clean, well-organized, and legible with ample white space
• Use action verbs that quantify your accomplishments

For an example, AmeriCorps objectives or "skill clusters" describe jobs in active ways.

Download a template that members can use to create a résumé. See some examples of résumés here.

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Go on to Everything To Know About Getting a Job, Part 2

• Writing a cover letter
• Conducting an informational interview
• Interviewing for a job

Writing a cover letter

Remind members that a cover letter should accompany a résumé to provide more information and showcase skills. The cover letter also demonstrates writing ability, knowledge of the organization, and what they might bring to the job.

Here are some general guidelines for cover letters:

• Tailor the letter specifically to each job/organization
• Address the letter to a specific person in the organization; BE SURE TO SPELL THE NAME CORRECTLY
• Limit the letter to one page
• Do not repeat the résumé but highlight certain areas and provide more detail
• Do not list salary requirements
• Proofread the letter carefully–another set of eyes is always helpful

The letter should contain the following paragraphs:

• Why I'm interested in this job
• How it fits into my career plans
• My relevant skills and experience
• Some ideas I have for the job
• Why I support the organization's mission and values
• How I can contribute to the organization
• Close with a request for an interview, how to contact you, and the fact that you will follow up within a specific time period (for example, "I will call you next week to see when we can meet to discuss this opportunity")

Send your cover letter and résumé as soon as you learn of a job opportunity (fax or snail mail; e-mail if they specify). Follow up to make sure the materials were received. If you have a contact in the organization, let him/her know you've applied and mention that person in the cover letter. Follow up one more time to find out the timelines for the hiring process.

Check out a sample cover letter.

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Conducting an informational interview

Going on an informational interview has many benefits:

• Meet people in the field
• Learn about different organizations, the work they do, and the types of jobs available
• Get advice about career options and paths
• Find out about any potential openings at this organization and others
• Make a good impression to be considered for a job later
• Get referrals of other people to interview

Here are steps in setting up and completing an informational interview:

• E-mail, phone, or write to the organization
• "Name-dropping" helps (for example, "_____referred me to you because you're such a good source in this field")
• Ask for a 20–30 minute meeting: be flexible
• Send a résumé in advance to the person you're meeting
• Prepare questions
• Bring paper and pen
• Dress professionally
• Be on time for your appointment
• Pay if you're meeting at a coffee shop
• Ask if they know of any job openings
• Ask for referrals for other informational interviews
• Send a thank you note immediately after the interview
• Stay in touch

Check out these informational interview handouts.

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Interviewing for a job

The next stage in the process is the job interview. Here's how to prepare:

• Research the organization: talk to anyone you know who already works there (or has in the past); look at their website and any printed material; do an Internet search for any news articles pertaining to the organization and/or the field they're in
• Think in advance about what you want the interviewer to know about you: come up with some key "talking points" about yourself
• Anticipate questions they're likely to ask
• Develop questions you want to ask them
• Bring another copy of your résumé and anything else they asked for; if pertinent, bring some samples of your past work
• Bring paper and pen
• Dress professionally
• Arrive early

For a list of typical interview questions, see sample questions. Also, see questions divided by job fields here.

For a list of illegal job questions–and how to handle them–see questions you shouldn't have to answer.

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Go on to Providing Career Development Training

Exit interviews serve several purposes. They're a chance to bring closure to the member'sservice while providing valuable feedback to both your program and the individual.

Lara Jones, Individual Placement Member Support Coordinator at the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), offers some advice on handling exit interviews:

Step 1

Schedule the interviews about two days prior to the commencement ceremony. "This way, if there's missing paperwork or if they're short on hours, they still have a chance to fix that," she says.

Step 2

Ask members to come prepared. "They need to bring their last time sheet and time logs, their final site report, and their written evaluation of our program. The evaluation asks them to rate the program, staff, and support. It also asks them for contact information and about their plans for life after AmeriCorps."

Jones also gives members some questions to think about in advance that will form the basis of their interview. Although design for exiting leaders, the questions can be adapted for all members.

Step 3

Allow for an open conversation. Jones and the program leader spend about 10–15 minutes talking to each member individually about their experience. "We usually try to talk about things they've done well during their service and some things they may want to focus on. We also ask them to speak freely about the program and how it might be improved."

Step 4

Consider having an outside evaluator do a pre- and post-service survey. NWSA has an independent company, Merit Research, give members a survey as they start and end their service. The end survey takes about 20 minutes to fill out and is done just before the individual interviews are conducted. Merit Research analyzes the results and reports back to NWSA.

Step 5

Use the exit interview session as part of your end-of-service celebration preparation.

"I like to call in all the members of the team at the same time, which is about 15 people," says Jones. "As they're waiting for their individual interviews, they work on their group reflection piece for our commencement ceremony. It can be a skit, a song, or a video. They also fill out a 'yearbook' page, which will have their photo on it. We take these and make them into a book that's a nice take-away. All members get a copy and sign it at commencement, just like a high school yearbook."

Go on to Providing Coping Strategies for Handling Life Changes

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is an incentive for recruiting and retaining members, but getting the most value out of it can be complicated, and with the passage of the Serve America Act and new student loan relief programs, the information is evolving.

A comprehensive and updated learning resource is available to assist members with forming a strategy for their awards. The site uses animated stories and learning pathways to illuminate key points around the award.

For information on how individual awards are processed, see the official CNCS web site. To learn more about (or sign up for) the AmeriCorps Online Payment System, click here.

In addition, you can find a set of tips and process notes for creating an education award training for members on your own.

Refer your AmeriCorps and VISTA members to two online tutorials designed specifically for them:

• Education Award is a step-by-step tutorial to help members maximize their education award.
• What's Next provides tools and resources to help members serve and transition to the next stage of life.

Go on to Tips for Preparing an Education Award Training

Helping your members through stressful times

Whether it's mid-year or the beginning of a new term, members and staff alike may seem tense or sluggish. Reduced creativity, a sense of apprehension, and an increase in illness may result from something experienced every day—stress. With a facilitator guide and participant handouts, this training tool is designed to enhance the ability of national service staff to assist members in alleviating stressful situations.

Originally created by Education Northwest, programs have used this resource successfully for years.

Encourage reflection, teamwork, and a sense of belonging

The Council Process promotes a democratic process in which group members sit in a circle and engage in discussion and reflection. It's a powerful tool for promoting a team dynamic.

This resource was contributed by Youth Volunteer Corps of Benton County (Corvallis, OR). Based in Kansas City, Youth Volunteer Corps is a National Direct program dedicated to creating and increasing volunteer opportunities that enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Collecting feedback from your exiting members

Adapt this resource to gather information that can help assess and improve your program.

This survey was developed and used by the Cispus Learning Center in Washington state. Washington Service Corps members perform service that has direct and demonstrable impact in the areas of education, the environment, human services, homeland security, and public safety.

Asking exiting members to evaluate selves

Use this document to gather valuable feedback that can help refine and improve your program and better serve your members' training needs.

This exit survey was contributed by the Northwest Service Academy — Lower Columbia Center (NWSA, Portland, OR), an AmeriCorps*National Direct program that addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

Asking for feedback from exiting team leaders

Use the wisdom gained by your team leaders to assess and improve your program.

This feedback form was created by the Northwest Service Academy — Lower Columbia Center (NWSA, Portland, OR). NWSA addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

Capture members' thoughts and plans as they end their service

Exit forms are useful tools for capturing feedback to better understand what's working and what needs improving in your program. Use this sample exit form to develop your own tool for use with your members.

This sample form was created by the Northwest Service Academy - Lower Columbia Center (NWSA, Portland, OR). NWSA addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

How programs came together to stage a regional end-of-service training

This case study details the planning of a comprehensive, all day Life After AmeriCorps event in Portland, Oregon. Included are tips for programs who would like to mount a similar or smaller-scale event.

Get participants' feedback from your end-of-service training

To provide the best training for exiting members, capture their feedback during end-of-service events. This form was used by Northwest Service Academy-Lower Columbia Center (NWSA) during an all-day "Life After" conference. Use it as a model for your own evaluation.

NWSA (Portland, OR) is an AmeriCorps*National direct that addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

See how collaborating programs organized a Life After AmeriCorps conference

A seven member planning committee developed this agenda for a one-day regional conference. The conference included 15 different presentations and was attended by more than 200 members. The agenda includes descriptions of the sessions and speaker biographies. Use this document for ideas on how to develop a similar training event.

Use this document for ideas on how to put a training program together.

Identify member needs and interest in advance

This survey would typically be sent to members well in advance of planning a Life After AmeriCorps conference or series of workshops.

Adapt this survey to:

• Identify and prioritize potential topics and speakers
• Gather information that will help speakers know their audience
• Give members a chance to influence the content, increasing their buy-in

This pre-survey was developed by a bi-state planning committee that organized a one-day LIfe After AmeriCorps event for members across Oregon and Washington state.

Preparing to become a volunteer coordinator

For members who are seeking future employment as volunteer coordinators, this list of sample interviews questions might come in handy.

These sample questions were contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

See what agencies hiring volunteer coordinators might look for

Use this position description to illustrate to members what a position description looks like and what skills and experience an employer might be seeking.

This position description was contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Plan a career training day for your members

Are you doing an in-house career training for members? This outline can show you a model for how to set it up. It also includes a number of related participant handouts.

This curriculum outline was contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Spotting possible discrimination

It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin or handicap in making personnel decisions. This resource helps members identify potentially discriminating or illegal interview questions.

This document was contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time home buyers.

A resource for job seekers in the education, environment, and social service fields

Use this resource to help exiting members who are job seeking.

Helping members know what to expect

Job interviews are competitive by nature, and the better prepared members are, the better chance they have of converting a job interview into an offer of employment. These sample questions can help members know what kind of questions they might hear during an interview and help them prepare their answers ahead of time.

This document was contributed by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Open doors for job seekers

How do you find the best sources for informational interviews? How do you set up interviews and, once you're in the door, what do you ask? This resource provides some answers. Use it to assist members who are forming a job-hunting strategy.

This document was contributed by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Fine-tuning members' introduction to potential employers

How can members get noticed when competing for a job? Help them create cover letters for job applications that pack a punch. This sample letter uses action language to clearly highlight the member's enthusiasm and accomplishments.

This handout was contributed by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

See examples of incorporating service experience into a résumé

These sample résumés were contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), a AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Use them as examples as members set about the task of creating their résumés

Creating a résumé from a blank sheet of paper is not easy to do. These sample résumés can make the process easier by providing an example that members can draw from in creating résumés of their own.

A form that gathers the information members need to create their résumés

This form was contributed by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), a AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Use it to guide members through a résumé-creating process.

By using this document, members can write out specifics of their résumé by hand. When they are finished, they are ready to type and format their résumé and send it out.

Word groups that help translate real experiences into résumé language

This handout is used in résumé writing exercises by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Use it for members as they prepare to write a résumé.

Action verbs are often an element of successful résumés and cover letters. Grouped by job type, these action verbs can assist members in matching their past experiences with their desired job type. Tools like this can make résumé writing a less daunting task.

Tips and an activity to get the notice of employers

Members can use this quick resource to put together a list of competencies they have developed while serving and translate them into the type of language that enhances résumés and cover letters. Use this to prepare members for post-service job hunting.

This resource was created by Brave Heart Consulting and contributed by the Northwest Service Academy.

Members benefit when recording accomplishments

This one-page self-explanatory form asks members to describe their leadership qualities, experiences and greatest volunteer accomplishments. It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including reflection, self-assessment, program evaluation, and résumé building.

This document was contributed by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), a AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Organize thoughts and experiences around job seeking

A thorough self-assessment, this document asks members to reflect upon their values and past work experiences to create a vision of what they would like to do next. In addition to assisting members before they embark on a job search, it is both a reflective and visioning activity.

Use it to assist members early on when they begin to think about finding a job after their AmeriCorps service.

This resource was contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Members create an action plan for where they want to be in five years

This self-explanatory form asks members to create a personal mission statement and career goals, as well as the action steps they would need to take over the next five year to get where they would like to go. It can be used as a reflection and visioning tool.

This resource was contributed Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY), an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Alternatives for use of the education award in non-university settings

Revised in summer 2009, this document was created by the Corps Network, which administers multi-state national direct AmeriCorps programs as well as a national Education Award program.

Not everyone will choose to enroll in a university degree program. This handout covers ways to use the education award at trade schools, in the applied arts and sciences, and in other alternative educational environments.

Getting feedback on trainings and events

Adapt this survey to collect member feedback on the effectiveness of your trainings.

This resource was created by LISC,an AmeriCorps National direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities.

Resources and activities on these vital topics

In a comprehensive format, this chapter lays out the philosophies and definitions that YVCA uses when engaging its audience in reflection, leadership, and recognition activities. It's an excellent resource for programs looking to advance in these areas.

This document was contributed by Youth Volunteer Corps (YVCA). Based in Kansas City, YVCA is a National Direct program dedicated to creating and increasing volunteer opportunities that enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Activities and ideas that promote reflection

This short document lists a number of activities that help your national service participants reflect upon their service while they are serving. Topic areas include speaking, writing, and multimedia, and others.

This resource was contributed by Youth Volunteer Corps (YVCA). Based in Kansas City, YVCA is a National Direct program dedicated to creating and increasing volunteer opportunities that enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Reflection is vital to success and here is why

This single-page document defines reflection, stresses its importance, provides a short process for leading a reflection activity, and lists several benefits of encouraging reflection among your members.

This resource was contributed by LISC, an AmeriCorps National Direct program that focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families through housing development and counseling first time homebuyers.

Measuring your impact

Your program can benefit from knowing how you've impacted members' personal and professional development. Adapt this existing survey from Solid Ground's JustServe AmeriCorps program.

Solid Ground, based in Washington state, engages national service volunteers in critical violence prevention efforts throughout Seattle/King County area.

Stock questions to assist you in determine members' training needs

You can copy and paste the questions in this document to create customized surveys of your members' needs. Topics include:

• Professional and personal skills
• Member development
• Program evaluation
• Training evaluation
• Planning a Life After AmeriCorps training

Collecting feedback from your exiting members

Adapt this resource to gather information that can help assess and improve your program.

This survey was developed and used by the Cispus Learning Center in Washington state. Washington Service Corps members perform service that has direct and demonstrable impact in the areas of education, the environment, human services, homeland security, and public safety.

Stock questions for determining members' training needs

You can copy and paste the questions out of this document to create customized surveys of your members' needs. Topics include:

• Professional and personal skills
• Member development
• Program evaluation
• Training evaluation
• Planning a Life After AmeriCorps training

These questions were generated by AmeriCorps programs—small and large, rural and urban—in Oregon, Washington, and New York.

Helping young people create their volunteer résumés

Specifically designed for younger national service participants and volunteers, these are tips for working with a group to generate individual volunteer résumés. As the participants piece their résumé together, they reflect upon and articulate their past volunteer experiences.

This resource was contributed by Youth Volunteer Corps of Corvallis (YVCA, Corvallis, OR). Based in Kansas City, YVCA is a National Direct program dedicated to creating and increasing volunteer opportunities that enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

Promote team dynamics and reflection

This document provides a process for staging a group reading. Participants take turns reading short passages aloud. The participants can then provide one another feedback and/or reflect upon the passages. It can also be used to perform for community members.

This document was contributed by Youth Volunteer Corps (YVCA). Based in Kansas City, YVCA is a National Direct program dedicated to creating and increasing volunteer opportunities that enrich America's youth, address community needs and develop a lifetime commitment to service.

A month-by-month collection of tips

Planning for your members' transition from their term of service into life after AmeriCorps works well when addressed at stages throughout their service. This document gives you suggestions in a month-by-month format to assist you in transition planning.

Click here to explore the "What's Next" online tutorial for members. Share this tutorial with your members to help them make sound decisions regarding options for school, career, or continuing to serve after their term of service.

"What's Next" is an online, updated version of the Next Steps: Life After AmeriCorps resource book. Ronjanett Taylor of America Reads-Mississippi (Jackson, MS) assigns a topic or chapter in the book to teams of members at the beginning of the service term. The teams also get a date for presenting their material. "Some share two or three paragraphs that they read to the group, but others create display boards, have handouts, invite guest speakers, include a homework assignment, or prepare a skit or rap," says Taylor. Consider using this practice to help members build public speaking skills, share and receive information from their peers, and develop ownership of their service experience.

Preparing members for life after service

The planning tips presented here come from two program veterans, Stacey Rapp from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in New York and Beth Meyer from Community Youth Services in Olympia, WA. Use the tips from these interviews to develop your own transition timeline.