Designing an effective and efficient recruitment timeline is a cornerstone of success for recruiting members. A timeline can help establish outreach windows, application deadlines, interview times, and clear targets for staff members. It can be challenging to find time for each phase of recruitment and selection and stick to your deadlines. For a sample 6-month recruitment timeline, click here. To see an example of a recruitment process, click here.

When creating a recruitment timeline, consider the following:

1. Write AmeriCorps position description or VISTA assignment description
   Detail what each position involves and qualifications required by an applicant.
2. Create an outreach plan
   Consider informing other similar programs about your program's position, posting the position on free listservs and job boards, and advertising the position in other media. Use the CNCS recruitment web site–click here for tips, information and a direct link to AC*RPS.
3. Establish an application acceptance process
   Gather the materials that will be required to complete an application and set up processing procedures and deadlines.
4. Outline the steps in the placement process
   Schedule times for screening applications, conducting interviews, and checking references. Create forms to document these activities to keep in applicants' files.
5. Develop a selection strategy
   Decide on the criteria for accepting a candidate, who will make the final decisions, and if there are any other people (staff or project partners) who need to have input on the final decision. Make sure you build in time to check references.

Basic requirements

Go on to Outreach

Setting guidelines for successful placements

Northwest Service Academy (NWSA) uses this set of recommendations to help guide staff members in making placements. It includes a checklist of minimum member requirements set by AmeriCorps, as well as standards established by the program.

NWSA addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies, with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

Plan out your recruitment/placement process

Use this tool to:

• Outline all the steps in the recruitment/placement process
• Detail the responsibilities of each staff member
• Clarify procedures and documentation needed for new member applications, placements, interviews, and offers
• Specify the responsibilities of the umbrella organization, individual programs, and sponsors

This is an example of one program's internal process for recruiting new members. It was created by the Northwest Service Academy/Lower Columbia Center (NWSA LCC), which addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies, with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

A six-month calendar tracking recruitment activities

NWSA uses the timeline to organize its recruitment activities, working backward from a member orientation that begins in October.

This timeline was created by Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an environmental service and leadership development organization that partners with more than 125 community agencies and has members serving in individual placements or on field teams.