WACC VISTA Project 2012-2015 Sample Application Documents 1. [Sample] Healthy Futures focused VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) 2. [Sample] Healthy Futures focused Job Description 3. [Sample] Education focused VAD 4. [Sample] Education focused Job Description 5. [Sample] VISTA Appropriate Action Steps
Member Name: Paul Muinez Campus Placement: Center for Service- Learning VISTA ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION (VAD) 2012- Site Name: Supervisor Name: Mountainview Community College Cassandra Garrett Focus Area: Education Healthy Futures with participation in Veterans Initiative 8/17/ VISTA Member Activities and Steps Checklist Goal Statement: (from 3-year Project Plan): Develop and implement sustainable food projects that will improve access to fresh produce and enhance general health for disadvantaged children, youth, and adults. Activity 1 (Performance Milestone): Establish partnerships with Northwest Bounty food bank distribution center and 2 local food banks Step 1: Identify community resources, assets and needs around nutritional food security Step 2: Work at local food bank to observe operations Step 3: Assemble working group of key stakeholders Step 4: Create communication infrastructure for working group Step 5: Set up regular meetings and task groups Step 6: Prioritize work group Year 1 initiatives Step 7: Draft pilot plan Anticipated Results: 3-5 new community partnerships in a working group. Target: 3-5 Community Partnerships; 1 workgroup Service term: 8/18/2012- Planned Period of Work Sept. 2012 - Nov. How Measured: Project Documentation, Community Partner Survey and Quarterly Reports Activity 2 (Performance Milestone): Establish community garden Step 1: Research and visit existing community and victory gardens in area Step 2: Explore possible community garden sites Step 3: Secure donation of site Step 4: Collect in-kind and cash donations of seeds and equipment Step 5: Develop recruitment and volunteer management plan Step 6: Collaborate on sustainable logistics plan Step 7: Plant, maintain, harvest and deliver produce Step 8: Document standard policies, procedures and best practices Anticipated Results: Sustainable community garden project, mobilizing 50 and producing 1000lbs of food Oct. 2012 - July Target: 1 project, 50 students recruited, 1000lbs of food How Measured: Project Documentation, Volunteer Logs and Quarterly Reports Activity 3 (Performance Milestone): Organize days of service (MLK, Cesar Chavez, MADD) focused on nutrition education Step 1: Research current information around healthy eating and exercising Step 2: Work with student leaders to form planning committee Step 3: Draft project plan and define roles Oct. 2012- June
Step 4: Create outreach and marketing materials Step 5: Coordinate student and community recruitment Step 6: Host event Step 7: Develop recommended standard policies and procedures for days of service projects. Anticipated Results: 5 new service projects will be created, 250 student volunteers will mobilized Target: 5 projects; 250 students How Measured: Project documentation, Volunteer logs and Quarterly Reports Activity 4: Assess and evaluate year 1 program to close feedback loop. Step 1: Complete and submit quarterly reports Step 2: Administer Community Partner Survey and Student Volunteer Civic Engagement Survey Step 3: Create system for documentation of successful strategies Step 4: Develop dissemination plan Step 5: Apply assessment results to inform project growth and development Ongoing Anticipated Results: Data collected regularly and shared with stakeholders. Target: 4 quarterly reports, 80% community partners surveyed 65% student volunteer engagement surveys. How Measured: Project documentation and quarterly reports 3/21/2012
WACC AmeriCorps VISTA Position Description Host Site Name: Department: Reports to: Position Title: Mountainview Community College Center for Service Learning Cassandra Garrett Healthy Futures Coordinator, WACC AmeriCorps VISTA Position Summary: The WACC AmeriCorps VISTA member will work to address food security in the Greater Valley Community by building partnerships between Mountainview Community College, Northwest Bounty and local food banks. The VISTA member will work with community partners, students groups, faculty, and staff to develop systems and structures that support food security, while educating students and community members about healthy eating and the root causes of hunger. Major responsibilities and activities: Conduct needs assessment for local community based organizations working to increase food security. Help expand the capacity of local food resources by developing campus and community partnerships that improve access and availability to nutritional food. Develop project outreach and recruitment plan. Recruit, train, coordinate placement of student volunteers to meet food security needs and to increase awareness around healthy nutrition. Plan, design, and implement and sustainable community garden projects with appropriate stakeholders. Develop partnerships between interested faculty and community-based organizations to educate the population on issues of nutrition and food security. Coordinate service events with partners for national days of service which focus on nutrition and food security. Participate in all WACC networking & training events. HOURS OF SERVICE: Term of Service is 365 days. QUALIFICATIONS: Associates or Bachelor degree. At least 18 years of age. U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident Interest and experience in community service/service learning and knowledge of and/or interest in working with college students, faculty, staff, and community partners Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once Excellent verbal and computer communication skills Ability to make a full-year commitment with no outside employment. Ability pass criminal background check before employment begins AmeriCorps VISTA BENEFITS: Monthly living allowance, depending upon project location. Post service $5,550* Education Award or $1500* end-of-term cash award (*may change) Health coverage, student loan forbearance and child care assistance when applicable. Relocation allowance if moving more than 50 miles to serve. Reimbursement and paid travel to pre-service orientation Extensive training, professional development, and networking opportunities Access to extensive network of AmeriCorps Alums Non-competitive eligibility for federal government service (for one year after service) Site Specific Benefits Campus Bus Pass Access to Campus Libraries and Rec Center
Member Name: Jazmin Brantley Campus Placement: Center for Service- Learning VISTA ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION (VAD) 2012- Site Name: Supervisor Name: Fir Tree College Grace Lee Focus Area: Education Healthy Futures with participation in Veterans Initiative 8/17/ VISTA Member Activities and Steps Checklist Goal Statement: (from 3-year Project Plan): Establish and develop a partnership between Fir Tree College, Title I school(s), and community organization(s) to improve access, persistence and completion for disadvantaged children, youth, and adults. Activity 1 (Performance Milestone): Establish partnership with Riverview High School and Greater Valley Boys & Girls Club Step 1: Identify community resources, assets and needs around retention and college access. Step 2: Visit, observe, and meet Riverview High school and Greater Valley Boys & Girls Club communities Step 3: Assemble working group of key stakeholders Step 4: Create communication infrastructure for working group Step 5: Set up regular meetings and task groups Step 6: Prioritize work group Year 1 initiatives Anticipated Results: 2-4 new community partnerships in a working group. Target: 2-4 Community Partnerships; 1 workgroup Service term: 8/18/2012- Planned Period of Work Sept. 2012 - Nov. How Measured: Project Documentation, Community Partner Survey and Quarterly Reports Activity 2 (Performance Milestone): Create pilot after school mentoring program Step 1: Research and visit existing afterschool mentoring programs in the area Step 2: Explore mentoring best practices Step 3: Draft pilot plan Step 4: Develop recruitment and volunteer management plan Step 5: Implement pilot plan and assess initial outcomes Step 6: Document standard policies, procedures and best practices Anticipated Results: Sustainable after school mentoring program, fifty college student volunteers serving fifty students Oct. 2012 - July Target: 1 project, 50 volunteers, 50 students How Measured: Project Documentation, Volunteer and Participant Logs and Quarterly Reports Activity 3 (Performance Milestone): Organize days of service (MLK, Cesar Chavez, MADD) focused on nutrition education Step 1: Research current information around veteran support services Step 2: Work with student leaders and veteran organizations to form planning committee Oct. 2012- June
Step 3: Draft project plan and define roles Step 4: Create outreach and marketing materials Step 5: Coordinate student and community recruitment Step 6: Host event Step 7: Develop recommended standard policies and procedures for days of service projects. Anticipated Results: 5 new service projects will be created involving 50 veterans. There will be a total of 250 student volunteers mobilized to serve 100 participants Target: 5 projects; 250 students, 100 participants; 50 veterans How Measured: Project documentation, Volunteer logs and Quarterly Reports Activity 4: Establish learning community and support systems for first generation, low-income college students. Step 1: Research effective learning community models Step 2: Collaborate with campus support services Step 3: Create plan for intentional interventions Step 4: Administer and manage Graduation Project Step 5: Foster supportive learning community Sept. 2012 June Anticipated Results: Cohort of twenty students will be engaged in a learning community Target: 20 students How Measured: Project documentation and quarterly reports Activity 5: Assess and evaluate year 1 program to close feedback loop. Step 1: Complete and submit quarterly reports Step 2: Administer Community Partner Survey and Student Volunteer Civic Engagement Survey Step 3: Create system for documentation of successful strategies Step 4: Develop dissemination plan Step 5: Apply assessment results to inform project growth and development Ongoing Anticipated Results: Data collected regularly and shared with stakeholders. Target: 4 quarterly reports, 80% community partners surveyed 65% student volunteer engagement surveys. How Measured: Project documentation and quarterly reports 3/21/2012
WACC AmeriCorps VISTA Position Description Host Site Name: Fir Tree College Department: Center for Service Learning Reports to: Grace Lee Position Title: Education Outreach Coordinator, WACC AmeriCorps VISTA. Position Summary: The WACC AmeriCorps VISTA member will work to establish and develop a strong partnership between Fir Tree College, Ridgeview High School and the Greater Valley Boys and Girls club to improve access, persistence, and completion rates for high school and college students through increased student academic support and after school programming.. Major responsibilities and activities: Work with school staff to understand school structure and conduct needs assessment. Establish a committee to develop program design to address needs. Develop campus partnerships that work with college access programs. Work with faculty/administrators to recruit, train and place college/university student volunteers in programs at Ridgeview and Community Partner program/projects. Work with Greater Valley Boys and Girls club to provide after-school programing. Coordinate service events with partners for national days of service which focus on addressing poverty issues through education and healthy futures. Develop and manage college student learning community. Help develop assessment plan for service learning projects, both on campus and in the community. Participate in all WACC networking & training events. HOURS OF SERVICE: Term of Service is 365 days. QUALIFICATIONS: Associates or Bachelor degree At least 18 years of age U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident Interest and experience in community service/service learning and knowledge of and/or interest in working with college students, faculty, staff, and community partners Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and multi-task Excellent verbal and written communication skills Computer proficiency, especially with MS Office experience with databases preferred. Ability to make a full-year commitment with no outside employment. Ability pass criminal background check before employment begins AmeriCorps VISTA BENEFITS: Monthly living allowance, depending upon project location Post service $5,550* Education Award or $1500* end-of-term cash award (*may change) Health coverage, student loan forbearance and child care assistance when applicable Relocation allowance if moving more than 50 miles to serve Reimbursement and paid travel to pre-service orientation Extensive training, professional development, and networking opportunities Access to extensive network of AmeriCorps Alums Non-competitive eligibility for federal government service (for one year after service) Site Specific Benefits Campus Bus Pass Access to Campus Libraries and Rec Center Optional Meal Plan
Volunteer Assignment Description (VAD) Sample Action Steps Year 1-3 In recognition of WACC s vital role in strengthening communities through education and civic engagement, the WACC VISTA 2012-15 Program will highlight two Focus Areas (FA); Education and Healthy Futures. Each campus will select one or both focus areas. In addition, the program will place special emphasis on Veterans and Military Families within each of the focus areas. The following are examples of appropriate VISTA action steps: YEAR 1 Project Creation & Management Participate in on site orientation and training conducted by site supervisor Become familiar with community resources, assets and needs around focus area (FA) Plan community outreach events to potential community-based organizations (CBOs/Title 1 schools) working in FA Work with new CBOs to identify organizational needs Recruit faculty interested in working with CBO in FA Facilitate collaboration between faculty members and CBO in developing service project Recruit, train, and/or place student volunteers at CBOs working in FA Develop and manage activities for on-campus programs serving low-income students and veterans Develop website and web-related tools to promote FA program Assist in the planning and implementation of local community service projects in FA and including veterans and military families Collaborate with student organizations on service activities and opportunities Write articles and/or press releases to publicize service efforts Plan and coordinate MLK Day and/or other days of service Conduct follow up with students attending one day events Make class presentations on FA and aligned service opportunities Connect faculty members with community partners for community-based research Plan issue-based educational forums and events Present to campus groups about the needs of those in poverty and potential strategies of FA Develop outreach materials for campus and community about FA Present to stakeholders on the status of partnerships and statistics related to needs and progress in the community Recognize publicly through press releases, newsletters, etc. community partner progress Recognize students, faculty, staff, and community partners during a formal ceremony Document effective practices to share with other VISTAs Present effective practices at local and/or state-wide conferences Create and distribute an annual report highlighting campus-community partnerships Begin a handbook for Y2 and Y3 VISTA members Participate in WACC assessment and reporting YEAR 2 Improvement & Process Participate in on site orientation and training conducted by site supervisor Become familiar with Year 2 community resources, assets and needs around focus area (FA). Use Year 1 program assessment to strengthen programs and partnerships Sustain and enhance campus/community partnerships established in first year
Conduct outreach to potential new community partners Design brochures or website materials to promote FA Recruit, train, and/or place student volunteers in designated CBOs or Title I schools Document and present the results of FA service programs to local businesses, community and educational leaders, and those on campus to garner further support Promote effective models and practices for recruitment, training, and placement among FA partners Recruit FA ambassadors for community partnerships Determine procedures and systems for FA volunteer initiatives (i.e. procedures for responding to community requests for student volunteers, procedures for fundraising, communication systems) Develop a system for feedback from all constituents (student volunteers, community partners, faculty and staff Develop and host an email listserv for those involved in partnerships Organize FA service orientations, workshops, learning circles, and/or fellowships for faculty Develop, diversify, and expand a library and/or website of FA resources, available to faculty, staff, students, and community partners Meet with various student programs on campus to strengthen and/or leverage community service FA goals Foster cross-campus FA programming Develop a strategic plan and leadership structure for a community task force, advisory board, and/or coalition Develop an advisory board to determine structure for campus/community partnerships Develop a communication plan or strategy within a campus-community partnership Use data from service program evaluations and/or an audit of campus-community programs to develop new strategies for collaboration Create a structure for student leadership within FA service Provide leadership development training for FA student leaders Participate in WACC assessment and reporting YEAR 3 Project Institutionalization Participate in on site orientation and training conducted by site supervisor Write a handbook or guide for one-day service events in FA Formalize a curriculum to train/advise others in FA, develop a FA training handbook Create a FA student leaders handbook or manual Cultivate appropriate campus advisory relationships for student organizations in service Find creative ways to integrate FA community service and/or service-learning into existing programs Institutionalize faculty fellows program Standardize volunteer policies and procedures for FA CBO Find permanent sponsorship or funding for campus/community garden project Work with student organization to take on ownership of campus garden Document a process or policy for conflict management within a campus-community partnership Seek financial resources to support partnerships through grant-writing or other fundraising strategies Train and recognize ambassadors for community partnerships and community issues Complete a white paper with recommendations to the campus host site on the future of service programs and community partnerships, as well as an outline of VISTA accomplishments for the year Create two-year program calendar of events, days of service, recognition and advisory board meetings Attend and present project work at national conference (Continuums of Service) Participate in WACC assessment and reporting