RSVP Re-Competition

Update, Information and Preparing

Agenda

• Welcome• Update• Panel Discussion• The Community Stakeholder Survey• Charting Your Course• Questions and Evaluation

Panel Presentation

• RSVP Re-Competition – what we know and what is not yet final

• Principles of the NOFA

• Grant Application Review Process (GARP)

• Regulations

GARP

• Managed by the Office for Office of Grants Policy and Operations

• Every application is evaluated fairly• Used for all competitive grant decisions• Review panels are composed of CNCS staff

and peer reviewers• Panel comes to consensus and makes

recommendations• Review by program staff• Final Review by CEO

Community Stakeholder Survey

Prior to Re-CompetitionThe Serve America Act requires that CNCS provide an evaluation that:“…conveys information of program strengthsand weaknesses and assists with program improvement; and [can] be used asthe basis for program improvement, and for the provision of training and technical assistance.” (Sec.2143.(5)(A)(B)

The Pre-Competition Evaluation

• Each grantee will receive a customized report from the Corporation - also known as “the evaluation”

• Evaluations are for grantee self-improvement and will not be used by CNCS for any purpose

• Evaluations will not be used to:

“Weed out” underperforming sponsors

Prevent participation in re-competition

• Evaluations will not affect the rating of future applications

Components of the Pre-Competition Evaluation

1. Report from Senior Corps

2. Community Stakeholder Survey

RSVPPre-Competition

Evaluation

COMPONENT 1:An individualized report from

CNCS’ Senior Corps HQ

COMPONENT 2:A standardized Community

Stakeholder Survey

Addresses:•  Application quality

• Progress and compliance• T/TA

Addresses:• Community involvement/ engagement

• Project leadership • Volunteer assignment quality

The Community Stakeholder Survey

• Was developed with the input from RSVP Project Directors around the country and with input from the public through the OMB public comment process

• Your comments arealways welcome!

• Contact us at RSVP@cns.gov

A very special THANK YOU to the following project directors for their valuable contributions !

Dorian Ely, NYJoanne Kozak, PABarb Byrne, ILDave Layton, ILNancy Olson, ND

Ceil Sperzel, INMegan McCarthy, CABrian Ropp, WAKelley Wessels, ORDebra Bressler, VACheryl Freeman, FL

Betty Ruth, ALRita Massey, LADelores Schwertner, TXAmy Websdale, AZ

Who Completes the Survey?

The RSVP sponsor is the lead to organize a group to ensure there is local community participation in the project.

“Community Participation Group” is the generic term we will use to describe this group.

The group may be:

• The project’s advisory council

• The sponsor’s board of directors

• Another group that is familiar with both the project and the community

WANTED: Group members who . . .• Are knowledgeable about the human and

social needs of the community

• Are competent in the field of community service and volunteerism

• Are capable of assisting the sponsor meet administrative and program responsibilities

• Have an interest in and knowledge ofolder adults

• Reflect the demographics of the project’s service area

Hmmmm . . . This Doesn’t Sound Like MY Community Participation Group . . .

But that was then, and this can be now:

The RSVP Sponsor’s Role

Elements of the Survey

Community Participation Group

Partnerships

Communication

Outreach

Project Impacts

Community Participation GroupSurvey questions address:

• The group’s composition

• The group’s role

• Individual members’ roles

Partnerships

Survey questions address:

• Established/potential partnerships

• Diversity of partnerships

• Partner contributions

Communication

Survey questions address:

• Communication betweenthe RSVP project and its Community Partnership Group

• Communication betweenthe RSVP project and those community partners that are not volunteer stations

Outreach

Survey questions address:

• Strategic outreach planning

• Past, present and future outreach opportunities

• Local media

Project Impacts

Survey questions address:

• Identifying community needs and their alignment with service activities

• Quality versus quantity

• Satisfaction with the project

Survey Action Items

1. Start the conversation

2. Create a timeline

3. Identify desired outcomes

4. Keep your eyes on the prize

5. Be open and honest

Chart Your Course

Many Thanks to the Working GroupCluster Project Director Name and State

Atlantic Dorian Ely, New YorkJoanne Kozak, Pennsylvania

North Central Barb Byrne, IllinoisDave Layton, IllinoisNancy Olson, North DakotaCeil Sperzel, Indiana

Pacific Megan McCarthy, CaliforniaBrian Ropp, WashingtonKelley Wessels, Oregon

Southern Debra Bressler, VirginiaCheryl Freeman, FloridaBetty Ruth, Alabama

Southwest Rita Massey, LouisianaDelores Schwertner, TexasAmy Websdale, Arizona

More Atlantic Cluster Mary Strasser, SPD, PA

Yvonne Thomas, FFMC, PA

North Central Cluster Paul Schrader, NC Area Manager, OH

Pacific Cluster Amy Jo Dailey, SPD, OR

Southern Cluster Jackie Bishop, SPD, ALBetsy Wells, SPD, KY

Southwest Cluster Kira Weis, SPS, NM

Headquarters Senior Corps staffTom Bryant, OGCNathan Dietz, RPDSusan Rice, OGM