Get Geared Up For Service! 2007 Best Practices Conference Jacksonville, FL

1. Get Geared Up For Service!2007 Best Practices Conference Jacksonville, FL Conducting Orientations for Operating Site Staff, Members & Placement Site Supervisors Local Initiatives Support Corporation Stacey Rapp (212) 455-9308

2. You Ought to Know . . . • Workshop is based on LISC experience as a National Direct AmeriCorps program and presented as a simulated “orientation” to national service and LISC. • The material is a template that we encourage you to adapt. Heck, we “creatively borrowed” stuff to make our material what it is. • We will be stepping in and out of our roles as facilitators.

3. First Step in Any Training: Assess the Situation • Structure • What is covered? • Timing • When will you have a critical mass in attendance? • Location • Is your program geographically challenged? • Length • How long is too long?

4. First Step in Any Training: Assess the Situation • Learning Styles • How do you keep all of the different learning styles tuned-in? • Different Cultures • How do you be mindful and respectful of what could be “triggers?” • Experience • How can you draw on the experience in the room?

5. Strategies for Successful Service An Orientation to LISC AmeriCorps Service San Diego LISC Kerry Sheldon (619) 239-6691 ext 8 Stacey Rapp (212) 455-9308

6. Agenda • Welcome & Introductions • Speak Now! • Session Outcomes • Understanding CNCS and AmeriCorps • Managing Member & Supervisor Expectations • Break • Tune into KWII-FM • Evaluation • Bonus Tracks!

7. Welcome to LISC AmeriCorps

8. Session Outcomes for Simulation • Provide a tool that can be adapted for your organizational needs that incorporates adult learning principles • Share best practices in putting on an orientation to national service and host agencies • Share common challenges and solutions to providing an orientation to AmeriCorps service

9. Session Outcomes for Orientation • Provide members and supervisors with a framework of national service and LISC AmeriCorps • Convey expectations associated with being a LISC AmeriCorps member • Provide information on LISC AmeriCorps Performance Measurement standards and skills members and supervisors will need to complete PM Worksheets and report on outcomes monthly

11. What is AmeriCorps? • Supported by taxpayer dollars • USA Freedom Corps is coordinating agency • Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) Administers AmeriCorps program Cool Websites www.nationalservice.org www.americorps.org www.usafreedomcorps.org

12. State Commissions Governor’s Office Non-Profit Organization Contact the State Commission Training Funds Collaboration on Projects Opportunities for finding volunteers and other potential funding National Directs AmeriCorps * VISTA Program Contacts AmeriCorps California Service Corps (Commission Contact) Karen Baker: karen.baker@csc.ca.gov LISC Contacts Kerry Sheldon: ksheldon@lisc.org Stacey Rapp: srapp@lisc.org AmeriCorps Programs

14. Partners in Prosperity LISC Goals Increase Availability of Affordable Housing Connect Neighbors Create Pipeline of Community Development Professionals AmeriCorps Goals Direct Service Strengthening Communities Encouraging Responsibility Expanding Opportunity Support CDC Initiatives

15. Why LISC AmeriCorps? Understands needs of community and has a vision for the future Provides a “live body” to undertake the project gaps identified by the CDC Assists CDC with execution of vision with cadre of resources like AmeriCorps

16. How Does LISC AmeriCorps Work? CDC recruits member and provides daily supervision as well as training opportunities to ensure project success National LISC provides grant oversight which provides funds for the member stipend, member training opportunities, Technical Assistance to the CDC, other HR Functions, marketing tools for recruitment Local LISC assists with funds for stipend and program administration, Technical Assistance to the CDC for program compliance and Member Training

17. Managing Expectations

18. Managing Expectations • Members expect that LISC/ CDC Supervisor will: • Provide training to assist us in being successful in our service positions • Provide an opportunity for us to meet monthly and discuss our achievements and challenges • Provide . . . • Provide . . .

19. Managing Expectations • LISC Expects that Members Will . . . • Attend a minimum of 10 monthly meetings and 6 trainings as required by LISC AmeriCorps • Attend the National Orientation in mid October • Submit monthly reports with the necessary and required outcome measurement tools - supporting survey documents, tools to measure impact, or results sheet – to the local LISC office in timely fashion • Complete and submit timesheets to National and Local LISC on the 15th and the last day of the month

20. Managing Expectations CNCS Expects that LISC & Placements Sites Will. . . • Provide Grantee Assurances • No jobs will be lost or employees displaced as a result of the AmeriCorps placement. • Placement site will not discriminate against a member on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, national origin, non-job related handicap or disability, nor political affiliation.

21. Managing Expectations • Not Allow Members to Engage in Prohibited Activities • Service activities should not include clerical functions that exceed 20% of member time at the site. Although projects will probably include some clerical functions. • Members can not be involved in voter registration or other overtly political activities (organizing labor unions, etc.). • Members can spend time up to 10% of their time on fundraising and capacity building activities. However they can not apply for federal funds or be involved in capital campaigns.

22. What if I am unsure if an activity is prohibited? Call the AmeriCorps Hotline at (212) 455-9308

25. How are we doing so far? • You are putting me through my paces! Slow down. • I’ve gotten some good pointers and things to think about. I’m on top of it! • I’m more interested to get a cup of Joe. Pick up the pace a bit. Break time?

26. Tune into KWII-FM

27. Program Information: Living Allowance & Benefits • Members earn an $18,000 living stipend • Members are entitled to “paid” time off • Members can choose to enroll in the health care and/or child care benefit

28. Program Information: Segal Education Award • If a member completes the full term of service and meets the required hours, s/he is eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Educational Award • Can be used to return to a higher education institution or to pay off existing student loans Existing student loans can be placed into forbearance for the term of service. CNCS will also pay the interest accrued during the year This is all accomplished on line by member: no more paperwork! www.americorps.org/for_individuals/online/index.sap

29. Member Benefits: Government Assistance • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award • Loan Forbearance • Interest Accural • Taxation • Consolidation • Other Public Assistance Benefits • Eligibility • Impact of stipend

30. Member Benefits: Housing Assistance • San Diego Housing Commission • http://sdhc.org • Housing & Rental Assistance • Family Self Sufficiency Program: Free career planning, job training, and family support services if living in public housing or receiving rental assistance • First time homebuyer assistance • Home Repair • Emergency Housing, Fair Housing, Mediation Resources

31. Member Benefits: Food Assistance • California Department of Social Services • www.cdss.ca.gov • Food Assistance • Citizens & Permanent Residents who are considered low income • Apply at local County Welfare Department • Food Stamps Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool is on line

32. Member Benefits: Other Assistance • California Department of Social Services • www.cdss.ca.gov • Employment • Transportation • Special Services • Cash Aid and Services • Health • Day Care

33. Progressive Discipline: • If a problem arises with performance, there are steps will be followed • Informal Verbal Warning • Written Warning • Suspension • Termination

34. Member Benefits: Training Opportunities • National Leadership Training • National Orientation • Provides members with leadership skills needed to be successful in service • Cultural Competence, Team Building, Community Service, etc. • Local Training • Topics as identified by the LISC office, members, site supervisors, and others • Provide a “local flavor” – ex: Issues in affordable housing in the San Diego • CDC Training Responsibilities • Specific skill development for projects/ member activities as deemed necessary. For example, the CDC may send the member to a “Basics of Financial Management” seminar as the member will be staffing an program to promote individual asset building • Forums, seminars, industry association meetings/ trainings directly related to the members’ service

35. What Else Do You Need To Know?

36. Evaluation

37. Strategies for Successful Service: Day 2 Supervisor Meeting

38. Meeting Agenda • LISC AmeriCorps • What are your expectations of LISC? Member? CNCS? • Member Basics • Benefits • Progressive Discipline • Retaining Members • Supervisors Speak • Evaluation

39. What is AmeriCorps? • Supported by taxpayer dollars • USA Freedom Corps is coordinating agency • Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) Administers AmeriCorps program Cool Websites www.nationalservice.org www.americorps.org www.usafreedomcorps.org

40. State Commissions Governor’s Office Non-Profit Organization Contact the State Commission Training Funds Collaboration on Projects Opportunities for finding volunteers and other potential funding National Directs AmeriCorps * VISTA Program Contacts AmeriCorps California Service Corps (Commission Contact) Karen Baker: karen.baker@csc.ca.gov LISC Contacts Kerry Sheldon: ksheldon@lisc.org Stacey Rapp: srapp@lisc.org AmeriCorps Programs

42. Partners in Prosperity LISC Goals Increase Availability of Affordable Housing Connect Neighbors Create Pipeline of Community Development Professionals AmeriCorps Goals Direct Service Strengthening Communities Encouraging Responsibility Expanding Opportunity Support CDC Initiatives

43. Why LISC AmeriCorps? Understands needs of community and has a vision for the future Provides a “live body” to undertake the project gaps identified by the CDC Assists CDC with execution of vision with cadre of resources like AmeriCorps

44. How Does LISC AmeriCorps Work? CDC recruits member and provides daily supervision as well as training opportunities to ensure project success National LISC provides grant oversight which provides funds for the member stipend, member training opportunities, Technical Assistance to the CDC, other HR Functions, marketing tools for recruitment Local LISC assists with funds for stipend and program administration, Technical Assistance to the CDC for program compliance and Member Training

45. Managing Expectations

46. Managing Expectations • Supervisors Expect that LISC Will . . . • Provide technical assistance and peer meetings for supervisors in the AmeriCorps program • . . .

47. Managing Expectations • Members Expect that Supervisors Will . . .

48. Managing Expectations • LISC Expects that Supervisors Will . . . • Provide member development and mentoring opportunities • Inform LISC in the event that a service issue arises • Are available for in-person site visits and supervisor meetings • Review and possibly assist members with reporting on service activities by ensuring that they use and complete required outcome measurement tools • Sign member timesheets prior to submission • Provide 6-month and year-end performance appraisal

49. Managing Expectations • LISC Expects that Members Will . . . • Attend a minimum of 10 monthly meetings and 6 trainings as required by LISC AmeriCorps • Attend the National Orientation in mid October • Submit monthly reports with the necessary and required outcome measurement tools - supporting survey documents, tools to measure impact, or results sheet – to the local LISC office in timely fashion • Complete and submit timesheets to National and Local LISC on the 15th and the last day of the month

50. Managing Expectations CNCS Expects that LISC & Placements Sites Will. . . • Provide Grantee Assurances • No jobs will be lost or employees displaced as a result of the AmeriCorps placement. • Placement site will not discriminate against a member on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, national origin, non-job related handicap or disability, nor political affiliation.