Download - AmeriCorps 101
AmeriCorps 101AmeriCorps 101
Welcome
AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Members Members
of of 2013-20142013-2014
New Jersey New Jersey AmeriCorps LaunchAmeriCorps LaunchNovember 18, 2013 November 18, 2013
Celebrating 20 Years of Celebrating 20 Years of Service! Service!
Way, Way Back….Way, Way Back….
You are part of a long You are part of a long history of Americans history of Americans
in service in service
Back in the day….Back in the day….
1933-1942 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Serving the Needs of the
NationNation
1933-1942 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Serving the Needs of the
NationNationFranklin D. Roosevelt was one of the Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the
first elected leaders to use the first elected leaders to use the concepts of William James’ concepts of William James’ Moral Moral Living Living to create public policy. to create public policy.
Civilian Conservation Corps Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)(CCC)
1933-19421933-1942Provided opportunities for young men and Provided opportunities for young men and
boys related to the conservation and boys related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state and local lands owned by federal, state and local governments. governments.
1950-19611950-1961Engaging AmericansEngaging Americans
“ “Ask not what your Ask not what your
country can do for country can do for
you, but what you you, but what you
can do for your can do for your
country.”country.”
On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed the Executive Order that signed the Executive Order that officially started the Peace Corpsofficially started the Peace Corps
Seniors Serving their NationSeniors Serving their Nation
1960’s 1960’s Continuing a Legacy Continuing a Legacy
1964 1964 Domestic Volunteer ActDomestic Volunteer Act
Creation of VISTACreation of VISTA
1988-19901988-1990A Kinder, More Gentle A Kinder, More Gentle
NationNationPresident Bush comments President Bush comments about individuals serving their about individuals serving their neighbors being like a neighbors being like a “thousand points of light”“thousand points of light”
1991-19921991-1992A Call to ServiceA Call to Service
During the Presidential campaign, Governor Bill Clinton visits a number of college campuses and urban communities and is intriguedby the National Service movement.
September 1993 September 1993
President Bill Clinton signs the National and
Community Service Trust Act of 1993,
creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for
National Service to expand opportunities
for Americans to serve their
communities.
January 2002January 2002USA Freedom CorpsUSA Freedom Corps
In his state of the Union address, President In his state of the Union address, President Bush called on us to dedicate at least two Bush called on us to dedicate at least two years to the service of others, and created years to the service of others, and created the USA Freedom Corps to help all the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call.Americans answer his call.
2009 Edward M. Kennedy 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America ActServe America Act
President Obama signed the Edward M. President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizing Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizing and expanding national service programs. and expanding national service programs.
Which Brings Us to You!Which Brings Us to You!
As you start YOUR As you start YOUR term of service…term of service…
Begin with Begin with the End in the End in
MindMind
Begin with the End in MindBegin with the End in Mind
What will your What will your Life after AmeriCorps Life after AmeriCorps look like? look like? Are you prepared to make the most of training, Are you prepared to make the most of training,
service and leadership opportunities?service and leadership opportunities? Have you begun Detailed Journaling? Have you begun Detailed Journaling? Are you learning Organizational Culture? Are you learning Organizational Culture?
Have your student loans grown? Have your student loans grown? Did you file for Deferment?Did you file for Deferment?
Will interest compound? Will interest compound? Have you set a reminder for interest accrual?Have you set a reminder for interest accrual?
Be Prepared for Be Prepared for Life After Life After AmeriCorpsAmeriCorps service service
What is the culture of your organization? What is the culture of your organization? Have you become part of that?Have you become part of that?
Are you Pro-Active?Are you Pro-Active? What is your personal email address?What is your personal email address?What does your Facebook, Twitter What does your Facebook, Twitter
look like?look like?
You will be judged!You will be judged!Really, you will…Really, you will…
Understanding your Role…Understanding your Role…Does everyone understand that Does everyone understand that
you are AMERICORPS first!you are AMERICORPS first!
You are not an Employee!You are not an Employee!
You are not an Employee!You are not an Employee!
You are an You are an AmeriCorps AmeriCorps MEMBER MEMBER and you will get and you will get
things done for your things done for your community! community!
AmeriCorps Service and AmeriCorps Service and FundsFunds
Every program wrote an Every program wrote an application with clear targets and application with clear targets and goals for communities served. goals for communities served. The program is judged on these The program is judged on these performance measures.performance measures.
What are your programs What are your programs performance measures? Do you performance measures? Do you know? Insist that you know! know? Insist that you know!
Know Your AmeriCorps Know Your AmeriCorps Member Contract!Member Contract!
When is your start/enrollment date?When is your start/enrollment date?When is your last day?When is your last day?How many hours MUST YOU SERVE PER How many hours MUST YOU SERVE PER
WEEK?WEEK?How many hours must you serve for the How many hours must you serve for the
term?term?Know your rights & responsibilities!Know your rights & responsibilities!
Benefits only while serving, hours commitment, Benefits only while serving, hours commitment, timesheets, time off, grievance procedure ? !timesheets, time off, grievance procedure ? !
Know Your AmeriCorps Know Your AmeriCorps Member ContractMember Contract
What are the expectations on you?What are the expectations on you?What are your expectations?What are your expectations?Who is your direct supervisor?Who is your direct supervisor?Did you get a signed copy of your Did you get a signed copy of your
contract? Was your contract contract? Was your contract discussed with everyone? discussed with everyone?
What is the grievance procedure? Who What is the grievance procedure? Who do you contact? - not your manager. do you contact? - not your manager.
The Very Basics of The Very Basics of AmeriCorps...AmeriCorps...
Just the Facts…. Just the Facts….
AmeriCorps is..AmeriCorps is..People of All Backgrounds who have made People of All Backgrounds who have made
aa COMMITMENT to a specific TERM OF SERVICE not longer than one yearnot longer than one year..
AmeriCorps has…AmeriCorps has…Lots of benefits for members & the Lots of benefits for members & the
community community LOTS of regulations that MUST be LOTS of regulations that MUST be
followed by organizations, staff and followed by organizations, staff and members.members.
AmeriCorps is NOTAmeriCorps is NOT
A JOBA JOBA JOB’S PROGRAMA JOB’S PROGRAMAn INTERNSHIPAn INTERNSHIPFREE LABORFREE LABORA STAFF BUILDERA STAFF BUILDER
AmeriCorps is…AmeriCorps is…
* National Service Program * National Service Program
(Domestic Peace Corps)(Domestic Peace Corps)• Service to the CommunityService to the Community• Education Awards For ServiceEducation Awards For Service
AMERICORPSAMERICORPSinin
New JerseyNew Jersey
FUNDING PROCESSFUNDING PROCESS
AmeriCorps isAmeriCorps isfunded by funded by the Corporationthe Corporation for for
National and Community Service National and Community Service (CNCS) (CNCS)
administered by the NJ Commission administered by the NJ Commission on National and Community Serviceon National and Community Service
hosted by the Department of Statehosted by the Department of State
AmeriCorps Programs in NJAmeriCorps Programs in NJ
New Jersey CDCNew Jersey CDCSt. Paul’s CDCSt. Paul’s CDCMontclair UniversityMontclair UniversityThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyNJ DEP Watershed NJ DEP Watershed
AmbassadorsAmbassadorsThe College of New JerseyThe College of New Jersey
MORE AmeriCorps in NJMORE AmeriCorps in NJ
Jersey CaresJersey CaresBoys & Girls Club of NJBoys & Girls Club of NJGreat Oaks Charter SchoolGreat Oaks Charter SchoolUnited Way of Central JerseyUnited Way of Central JerseyEnable Inc.Enable Inc.Jewish Renaissance FoundationJewish Renaissance FoundationUnited Way of Monmouth CountyUnited Way of Monmouth CountyCenter for Family Services Center for Family Services
AmeriCorps in New JerseyAmeriCorps in New Jersey
You ARE NOT ALONE!You ARE NOT ALONE!
There will be hundreds of Corps There will be hundreds of Corps Members serving in all areas of Members serving in all areas of New Jersey this program year! New Jersey this program year!
AmeriCorps in New JerseyAmeriCorps in New Jersey
Focus Areas of National Service Focus Areas of National Service
Disaster ServicesDisaster ServicesVeterans and Military FamiliesVeterans and Military FamiliesEconomic Opportunity Economic Opportunity Education Education Environmental Stewardship Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures Healthy Futures
AmeriCorps Members must AmeriCorps Members must meet these REQUIREMENTS to meet these REQUIREMENTS to
Serve:Serve:
Must be 17 years of age or older.Must be 17 years of age or older.Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Must be a US Citizen or Permanent
Resident of the US.Resident of the US.Proof: Birth Certificate &/or Proof: Birth Certificate &/or
Specific LIMITED Acceptable Specific LIMITED Acceptable Documents Documents
PROGRAMS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS PROGRAMS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Age, Education)(Age, Education)
More REQUIREMENTS to More REQUIREMENTS to serveserve::
Must have a High School Diploma or Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalency, or must be working Equivalency, or must be working towards their GED.towards their GED.
Must complete your Term of Service. Must complete your Term of Service.
1700 hours (FT) 1700 hours (FT)
900 hours (HT)900 hours (HT)
450 hours (QT)450 hours (QT)
300 hours (MT)300 hours (MT)
AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Members support Members support
the nation and the nation and the community the community
through through
DIRECT SERVICEDIRECT SERVICE!!
DIRECT SERVICE includesDIRECT SERVICE includes
Tutor StudentsTutor StudentsEducate communities about their Educate communities about their
environmentenvironmentRenovate and Rebuild Abandoned Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned
HomesHomesProvide Mentoring During Provide Mentoring During (Non) (Non) School School
HoursHours
DIRECT SERVICE also IncludesDIRECT SERVICE also Includes
Recruit VolunteersRecruit Volunteers
Assist Homeless Individuals Assist Homeless Individuals
Provide Support to People with Provide Support to People with DisabilitiesDisabilities
Assist Families with Young ChildrenAssist Families with Young Children
(Let me explain)….(Let me explain)….
AmeriCorps Direct Service AmeriCorps Direct Service IS IS NOTNOT
Office workOffice workAnswering phones Answering phones Clerical work, Administrative duties Clerical work, Administrative duties
Janitorial dutiesJanitorial dutiesSupervising other membersSupervising other membersManaging paperwork or financial issuesManaging paperwork or financial issuesAnything that is connect to Prohibited Anything that is connect to Prohibited
Activities – directly or indirectly Activities – directly or indirectly
What Do AmeriCorps What Do AmeriCorps Members Receive?Members Receive?
All Members Receive Training & the All Members Receive Training & the Experience of a Life Time! PLUS…Experience of a Life Time! PLUS…
Full-Time MembersFull-Time Members
1,700 Hours of Service 1,700 Hours of Service Education AwardEducation Award Living Allowance $12,100Living Allowance $12,100 Health InsuranceHealth Insurance Child CareChild Care Loan Forbearance and Loan Forbearance and
Interest Accrual Interest Accrual
Half-Time MembersHalf-Time Members
900 Hours of Service900 Hours of Service Education AwardEducation Award Living Allowance Living Allowance
(varies)(varies) Loan Forbearance and Loan Forbearance and
Interest Accrual Interest Accrual
2013-2014 Terms of Service2013-2014 Terms of Service
TERMTERM HOURS HOURS ED ED AWARDAWARD
Full TimeFull Time 17001700 $5550$5550
Half TimeHalf Time 900900 $2775$2775 Quarter Time Quarter Time 450 $1468450 $1468 Minimum Time Minimum Time 300300 $1175 $1175
An individual may receive (a living An individual may receive (a living allowance, child care and health allowance, child care and health care) for care) for no more than no more than four terms four terms of service in an AmeriCorps State & of service in an AmeriCorps State & National program, regardless of National program, regardless of whether those terms were served on whether those terms were served on a full-, part-, or reduced part-time a full-, part-, or reduced part-time basis.basis.
Term LimitsTerm Limits
Educational AwardEducational AwardEducation Award can be used in the following ways:Education Award can be used in the following ways:
Repay qualified existing or future student Repay qualified existing or future student loansloans** FEDERAL STUDENTS LOANS ONLY**** FEDERAL STUDENTS LOANS ONLY**
Pay all or part of cost of attending an Pay all or part of cost of attending an institution of higher Education institution of higher Education
(including certain vocational (including certain vocational programs)programs)
Pay expenses incurred while Pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-participating in an approved school-to-work programwork program
Educational AwardEducational AwardMust be used at an institution or Must be used at an institution or
program that that has been program that that has been approved by the US Dept. of Ed, for approved by the US Dept. of Ed, for participation in Title IV programs.participation in Title IV programs.
Earn up to the equivalent of Earn up to the equivalent of 2 full 2 full time education awards time education awards
- - in no more than 4 termsin no more than 4 terms
Taxable **Taxable **upon use**upon use**
Education Award Education Award
You have up to You have up to seven yearsseven years to use to use you award you award
Education Award can Education Award can be used at more than one be used at more than one
institution institution help pay more then one loan.help pay more then one loan.
Education Award can be used Education Award can be used outside of the United Statesoutside of the United States
Deferment and Interest Deferment and Interest Accrual Accrual
Stop paying loan payments Stop paying loan payments during your service.during your service.
Interest continues to grow Interest continues to grow unless you defer AND file unless you defer AND file for Interest Accrualfor Interest Accrual
You could save so much!You could save so much!
Education Award Education Award
ONLY Transferable IFONLY Transferable IF…… You were at You were at least 55 when you enrolledleast 55 when you enrolled; ;
andand
You began service on or You began service on or after October 1, after October 1, 20092009; ; and and
You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or National program. National program.
Only awards earned in terms Only awards earned in terms beginning on or beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2009after Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible for transfer., are eligible for transfer.
Partial Education AwardPartial Education Award
Must complete at least 15% of your Must complete at least 15% of your service hours to be service hours to be eligible eligible for a for a pro-rated Education Award pro-rated Education Award due to due to compelling personal compelling personal circumstances. circumstances.
These are reasons These are reasons BEYOND BEYOND the the member’s control. (going to school member’s control. (going to school is NOT CPC)is NOT CPC)
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
While charging time to the AmeriCorps While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, staff and members may not (directly staff and members may not (directly or indirectly) engage in the following or indirectly) engage in the following activities activities
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
a. Attempting to influence legislation; a. Attempting to influence legislation;
b. Organizing or engaging in protests, b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; petitions, boycotts, or strikes;
c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; union organizing;
d. Impairing existing contracts for d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining services or collective bargaining agreements; agreements;
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
e. Engaging in partisan political activities, e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public the outcome of an election to any public office; office;
f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials; proposed legislation, or elected officials;
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
g. Engaging in religious instruction, g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, or worship, constructing or operating constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship,religious instruction or worship, or or engaging in any form of religious engaging in any form of religious proselytization; proselytization;
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
h. Providing a direct benefit to— h. Providing a direct benefit to—
i. A business organized for profit; i. A business organized for profit;
ii. A labor union; ii. A labor union;
iii. A partisan political organization; iii. A partisan political organization;
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
h. Providing a direct benefit to— h. Providing a direct benefit to— continued…continued…
iv. A nonprofit organization iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) related to engaging in 501(c)(3) related to engaging in political activities or substantial political activities or substantial amount of lobbying and amount of lobbying and
Prohibited Activities Prohibited Activities
i. Conducting a voter registration drive i. Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive; voter registration drive;
j. Providing abortion services or j. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; referrals for receipt of such services; and and
k. Such other activities as CNCS may k. Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit. prohibit.
Prohibited Activities Prohibited Activities
Keep in MindKeep in Mind
Individuals may exercise their rights as Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their in the activities listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. and using non-CNCS funds. Individuals should not wear the Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.AmeriCorps logo while doing so.
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
Guess What this means??Guess What this means??
Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities
You can do all this as a private You can do all this as a private citizen– not on AmeriCorps time, not citizen– not on AmeriCorps time, not with AmeriCorps supplies, equipment with AmeriCorps supplies, equipment and and Definitely Definitely not in your AmeriCorps not in your AmeriCorps gear! gear!
2 REASONS FOR LEAVING2 REASONS FOR LEAVING
RELEASE FOR RELEASE FOR
Compelling Personal Compelling Personal CircumstanceCircumstance
CauseCause
REASONS FOR LEAVINGREASONS FOR LEAVING
If a member has a If a member has a Compelling Compelling Personal Circumstance Personal Circumstance and has and has completed at completed at least 15% least 15% of your of your service, they service, they MAYMAY receive a portion of receive a portion of the educational award.the educational award.
This means that the situation is This means that the situation is absolutely absolutely beyond the member’s controlbeyond the member’s control (e.g. illness).(e.g. illness).
Documentation provided Documentation provided by memberby member is is MANDATORY.MANDATORY.
REASONS FOR LEAVINGREASONS FOR LEAVING
RELEASE FOR CAUSE-If a member RELEASE FOR CAUSE-If a member leaves for other reasons, they will leaves for other reasons, they will NOT NOT receive an educational award.receive an educational award.
These reasons include a new job, These reasons include a new job, going going back to schoolback to school,, dissatisfaction with the dissatisfaction with the program, etc. program, etc.
Supervision of AmeriCorps Supervision of AmeriCorps Members Members
Each program is required to have Each program is required to have a a qualified supervisorqualified supervisor to provide to provide
members with regular and members with regular and adequate oversight on a daily adequate oversight on a daily
basis.basis.
Members are prohibited from Members are prohibited from supervising another member.supervising another member.
Do you know who your supervisor Do you know who your supervisor is?is?
TrainingTraining
Training needs to include at Training needs to include at LEAST:LEAST:OrientationOrientation
Includes AmeriCorps 101Includes AmeriCorps 101
Citizenship TrainingCitizenship TrainingLife After AmeriCorpsLife After AmeriCorpsContent Skills TrainingContent Skills Training
New Jersey New Jersey THANKS YOU!THANKS YOU!
Have a Fantastic Journey Have a Fantastic Journey in National Service!in National Service!
Congratulations Congratulations on YOUR on YOUR
Commitment Commitment to…to…
Getting Things Getting Things Done for America!Done for America!
CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION
NJ Commission on National and NJ Commission on National and Community Services Community Services
NJ Department of StateNJ Department of State 225 West State Street, 4225 West State Street, 4rdrd
FloorFloor PO Box 456PO Box 456
Trenton, NJ 08625-0456Trenton, NJ 08625-0456
609-633-9627609-633-9627