A thorough program manual lays out all the key information a member or site supervisor needs to know. It answers questions, serves as a handy reference, and can protect you from situations where people say, "I didn't know I was (or wasn't) supposed to do that."

Here are the things you'll want to consider when preparing your manual:

• It's easier to access information when it's organized under headings in alphabetical order.
• Make sure you put the manual online, as well as providing hard copies.
• In the footer, list the month and year when the manual was last revised.
• Revise the table of contents when the document changes.
• Identify the project name on each page.

Tip: Many programs include a tear-off signature page that makes the manual a contract as well. Also, putting the pages in a tabbed binder makes it easier to update and to find specific sections.

Check out these samples—there may be sections you can cut and paste to create your own document:

• Sample Manual 1—AmeriCorps*State Red Cross program
• Sample Manual 2—AmeriCorps*State public health program
• Sample Manual 3—AmeriCorps*State youth corps program

You can also find sample member handbooks in the Orientation strand of the EnCorps collection.

Go on to Demystifying Project Plans and VADs