Ensuring that you cover all the bases
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Manage Current Grants and Projects
AmeriCorps offers a number of resources to help you manage your grant effectively. For information and assistance in serving communities, building capacity, enhancing quality, working with members and more, please see the following resources located here
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Click on the linked bullet points below to see applicable CNCS rules; you can tailor Word documents to your own program.
CNCS requires programs to conduct an orientation, which must:
You'll also want to provide background on the history of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and AmeriCorps and/or VISTA. See related links below for information and inspiration.
History of national service
To examine and download Orientation Agendas, go here.
For Checklists, go here.
For samples of Member Handbooks, click here.
Go on to Orientation Topics
Continue reading "AmeriCorps Orientation Requirements" »
Put together your own handbook by following and taking sections from these examples
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The member handbook specifically for VISTA members
Key words:
The member handbook specifically for VISTA members
The VISTA Member Handbook was created by CNCS. The handbook introduces members to AmeriCorps*VISTA, its mission, history, guidelines and policies, and to their roles and responsibilities as AmeriCorps*VISTA members.
Use this resource to:
- provide VISTA members with the information they need to know to be successful.
A general member handbook from an AmeriCorps*State program
A general member handbook from an AmeriCorps*State program
This Member Handbook was developed by the Oregon State Service Corps (OSSC) as a reference manual for members describing CNCS, American Red Cross-Oregon Trails Chapter (parent organization), and OSSC policy and procedures. OSSC is a statewide AmeriCorps program that places AmeriCorps members in nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, government agencies and schools to address significant issues in the areas of education, homeland security, public safety and human needs through direct service and volunteer mobilization.
Adapt this resource to:
- Develop your own handbook for members.
A general member handbook from a national direct program
A general member handbook from a national direct program
The NWSA Member Handbook was developed by the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) as a reference manual for members describing CNCS, ESD112 (parent organization), and NWSA policy and procedures. NWSA addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.
Adapt this resource to:
- Develop your own handbook for members.
A guidebook for members serving on an environmental restoration field team
A guidebook for members serving on an environmental restoration field team
The NWSA Field Team Guidebook was developed by the Northwest Service Academy — Lower Columbia Center (NWSA) for members serving on environmental restoration field teams. The handbook describes the key components, expectations, and requirements of members serving on field teams addresses critical environmental needs.
Adapt this resource to:
- Develop your own guidebook for members serving on field teams.
One program's member development handbook
One program's member development handbook
The NWSA Member Development Handbook was created by the Northwest Service Academy — Lower Columbia Center (NWSA). The handbook is intended for members and describes the key components, expectations, and requirements of their member development program. NWSA addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.
Adapt this resource to:
- develop your own members' guide to member development.
- design your member development program.
A comprehensive member handbook from a national direct program
A comprehensive member handbook from a national direct program
The LISC Member Handbook was developed by the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY) as a comprehensive handbook for members. LISC is 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.
Adapt this resource to:
- develop your own member handbook
WRC's handbook for AmeriCorps* and AmeriCorps*VISTA members
WRC's handbook for AmeriCorps* and AmeriCorps*VISTA members
This member handbook was developed by the Washington Reading Corps (WRC, Olympia, WA) whose mission is to improve reading abilities of K-6 students through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations.
Adapt this resource to:
- Develop your own member handbook.
An activity to train members on reporting and performance measurement
An activity to train members on reporting and performance measurement
This training activity was developed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC, New York, NY). The exercise helps members understand not only the logistics of reporting but shows, through a hands-on process, how monthly reporting tools help measure impact and show progress toward objectives. Samples used are specific to LISC but are useful as a template to adapt to suit your program's reporting needs.
Adapt this resource to:
- engage your members in understanding the importance of accurate reporting.
- develop your own reporting forms.
Describes the policy requiring programs to establish a grievance procedure
Describes the policy requiring programs to establish a grievance procedure
The grievance procedure information was excerpted from the AmeriCorps Regulations (page 151-152), section § 2540.230 "What grievance procedures must recipients of Corporation assistance establish?" The actual procedures start on page 155.
Use this resource to:
- Develop your program's grievance procedure.
An example of one AmeriCorps program's drug free policy
An example of one AmeriCorps program's drug free policy
This drug free policy was created 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 this resource to:
- Develop your own drug free policy statement and accountability form.
Describes the nondiscrimination policy expectations for AmeriCorps programs
Describes the nondiscrimination policy expectations for AmeriCorps programs
This nondiscrimination policy was excerpted from pages 26-34 of the AmeriCorps Provisions.
Use this resource to:
- Develop your program's nondiscrimination policy and procedure.
Describes the prohibited activities for an AmeriCorps member
Describes the prohibited activities for an AmeriCorps member
This list of prohibited activities was excerpted from the CNCS publication, Getting Started: A Guide for AmeriCorps Members.
Use this resource to:
- Begin a dialogue with members about prohibited activities.
- Develop your program's guide for members.
- Assure project/site sponsors do not inadvertently engage members in prohibited activities.
A handout describing when a member may be released from service
A brief explanation of member's rights and responsibilities
A brief explanation of member's rights and responsibilities
Member Rights and Responsibilities handout was excerpted from the CNCS publication, Getting Started: A Guide for AmeriCorps Members.
Use this resource to:
- begin a dialogue with members about their rights and responsibilities
- develop your program's guide for members
