VISTA Program Overview [insert name of your VISTA Project here]

2

Welcome VISTA Sites

[List the sites/organizations represented here]

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Plan for Today

Explore the structure and goals of your VISTA project

Find out more about VISTAs Learn what is expected of you as a sub-site

supervisor Know how to access people and resources for

support

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[insert name of your VISTA Project here]

Structure & Goals

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[insert name of your organization] Overview

• [insert mission of your organization]

• [insert other key info about your organization]

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Mission of VISTA

VISTA builds capacity in nonprofit organizations and communities to help bring

individuals and communities out of poverty.

Core Principles• Ending poverty• Empowering communities

• Building capacity• Creating sustainable solutions

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AmeriCorps VISTA

8

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Who are VISTAs?

• Are at least 18 years old; no upper age limit• Are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents• Pass a criminal history review• Meet knowledge, skill, and ability requirements

set by the sponsoring organization• Serve full-time• Make a one year commitment

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Who are VISTAs cont.

Nationally• 81% female• 82% born in 1982 or later• 93% are experienced

volunteers• 68% have more than two

years of volunteer experience

• 62% are local recruits• 38% are national recruits

From: CNCS AmeriCorps VISTA agency data 2011-13

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Who are VISTA Leaders?

VISTA Leaders have already

served as a VISTA for one year or

more.

• Projects with 6 or more VISTAs may have a Leader assigned to help support the members

• Leaders guide data collection & interpret data (but not perform the reporting)

• They coordinate, facilitate, and support the efforts of VISTAs (but do not supervise)

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VISTA Member Benefits

• Living allowance • Education award or end

of service stipend• Professional

development • Health benefits

• Childcare benefits• Housing assistance

(optional)• Mileage reimbursement

for service-related travel

http://www.vistacampus.gov/in-service/benefits-service

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VISTAs’ Responsibilities

• Engage in capacity-building activities • Create sustainable projects• Perform activities outlined in VAD• Meet with a supervisor weekly• Support efforts to gather data and information

Capacity Building

Tasks & activities to expand the scale, reach,

efficiency, or effectiveness of

programs or organizations.

Direct Service

The act of providing services to the identified recipients or clients of a

program.

vs.

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[insert name of your VISTA Project] Project Overview

Community Need• [Insert summary of

community need here]

Goal Statement• [Insert project goal

statement here]

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[insert name of your VISTA Project] Performance Measures

• [Insert performance measure here]• [Insert performance measure here]• [Insert performance measure here]• [Insert performance measure here]• [Insert performance measure here]

To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA performance measures visit: https://www.nationalserviceresources.gov/npm/vista

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The VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

• Position description for each VISTA

• Describes the VISTA’s role including overarching goal

• Outlines specific objectives and activities for member’s service year

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Communication & Support

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[insert name of your VISTA Project] Communication Resources

• Internal Project Site: [add URL for internal project website if you have one]

• State Page: [add url for CNCS State Office page on VISTA Campus is your state has one]

• Social Media sites: [add urls or profile information for social media sites]

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[insert your state name]CNCS State Office

[insert contact information for your CNCS State Office representative here]

• Develops, manages and monitors VISTA programs

• Supports supervision of the VISTAs and intervenes in emergencies or difficult situations

• Connects you to the resources and offers technical assistance

• Monitors compliance for the project

Communication Chain

1) VISTA member goes to immediate supervisor first

– Intermediary if applicable

2) CNCS State Office if program related

3) VISTA Headquarters if not resolved

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[insert name of your VISTA Project] Required Meetings & Trainings

Full team • Project kick-off• Annual fundraiser• Quarterly team meeting

[insert standing meeting day and time here]

Site Supervisors• Site supervisors team

meeting [insert standing meeting day and time here]

• Site visits

VISTA Members• Orientation and training

[insert dates and times]• Weekly meeting with

direct supervisor• Quarterly meetings with

project director [insert standing meeting day and time here]

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Project & Member Management

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Site Supervisor Expectations: Overview

• Orient VISTAs• Participate in supervisor

meetings and site visits conducted by the Intermediary, CNCS State Office, or CNCS Headquarters

• Dedicate time to meet with your VISTAs each week

• Serve as supervisor, coach, and mentor to VISTAs

• Ensure timely submission of member attendance documents & reports

• Complete end of term evaluation

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Site Supervisor Expectations: Member Management

• Onboarding, orientation and training• Administrative support (space, supplies, equipment)• Supervision (guidance, support, coaching)• Attendance and leave monitoring• Service-related transportation (not commuting)• Sponsor Verification Form• Emergency Funds Advance, if required• Acknowledge members as VISTAs and AmeriCorps as

a funder/supporter

Addressing Member Issues

Prohibited activities• Replace the duties of an

existing staff member• Perform political or religious

advocacy• Manage or apply for CNCS

grants or sub-grants

Other • Nepotism• Early terminations• Removal from project

The VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU)

National Service Hotline

Toll Free: 800-942-2677

Fax: 703-206-7276

questions.nationalservice.govhttp://www.vistacampus.gov/lessons/vista-terms-and-conditions

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Helping Your VISTA

What can you do as a VISTA sponsor to support your VISTA member?• Housing• Food/gifts• Clothing/Promotional items (agency logo apparel)• Health insurance• Ongoing training

Be fair and equitable in support to all VISTAsserving with you

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VISTAs and Housing

• Know your VISTAs’ status (already secured housing or arriving directly from PSO)

• Advise VISTAs on safe areas to live• Ask Board, staff, community for housing leads• Offer temporary housing if possible during the

search• Allow VISTAs time for the search and settling

in

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Contacts & Resources

VISTACampus.gov• Supervisor section• VISTA Terms and

Conditions • Benefits of Service • Member Handbook

• CNCS State Office• The VISTA Member

Support Unit

Thank You!