Clara Barton AmeriCorps*VISTA Corps (CBVC)

What is VISTA?
What are VISTA's Program Priorities?
Who are AmeriCorps*VISTA members?
How do CBVC members serve?
CBVC Member Benefits
Sponsor Eligibility Requirements
General Guidelines
Apply to be a sponsor

General Guidelines
Members must be placed in a capacity building role for the entire service term. Proposals must demonstrate that the position provides a direct benefit valued by the community. Activities cannot duplicate routine functions of or displace paid employees.

Projects must address a significant community need for which there is limited funding.

All projects must address at least one Program Priority (see VISTA Program Priorities): Ex-Offender Reentry, Supporting Tribal Communities, Financial Asset Development, Strengthening America’s Children and Families, Older American in Poverty, or Supporting Rural Communities.

The project may not include direct service or administrative duties that support general organizational goals such as clerical or janitorial responsibilities, lunch or recess duty or data entry.

The impact of service provided must be measurable.

Placement sites must have a Drug Free Work Place Policy and a Non-Discrimination Policy.

Placement sites must be able to effectively recruit, train, support and supervise the member(s).

Placement sites must demonstrate the ability to meet cash match requirement of $5,050 for nonprofits and school districts and $5,700 for governmental agencies.

The project must not include any of the following prohibited activities for members:

Prohibited Activities
Federal law and the Corporation for National and Community Service policy prohibit AmeriCorps programs and their members from engaging in certain activities. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

AmeriCorps*VISTA service requires a full immersion in the project and community, both full and part-time employment are prohibited. Members must remain available for service without regard to regular working hours at all times. For the same reason, full-time enrollment in an educational institution is prohibited. Part-time enrollment in an educational institution is generally prohibited. One course may be authorized if: (a) the course is directly related to project assignment; or (b) the course is part of the member's career development plan developed in coordination with his or her supervisor. More than one course may be authorized if enrollment in the course(s) (6 hours or less) is required for Pell Grant eligibility. Note: Additional educational credit(s) may be received for AmeriCorps*VISTA service and training if allowed by the institution, but this cannot include enrollment in additional school courses or class time. Enrollment in an educational institution requires approval from the project director and State Director.

Any efforts to influence legislation, including lobbying for AmeriCorps.

Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts or strikes.

Assisting, promoting or deterring union organizing.

Impairing existing contracts or collective bargaining agreements.

Engaging in partisan political activities or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office.

Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials.

Engaging in religious instruction; conducting worship services; providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship; constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship; maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship; or engaging in any form of religious proselytizing.

Providing a direct benefit to:

• A for-profit entity;
• A labor union;
• A partisan political organization; or
• An organization engaged in the religious activities described in the preceding sub-clause, unless Grant funds are not used to support the religious activities.
• A nonprofit entity that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c) of Title 26, except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent Members from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative.

Performing services or duties that have been performed by or were assigned to any:

• Presently employed worker;
• Employee who recently resigned or was discharged;
• Employee who is subject to a reduction in force or who has recall rights pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or applicable personnel procedures;
• Employee who is on leave (terminal, temporary, vacation, emergency or sick); or
• Employee who is on strike or is being locked out.

At no time should a member be hired to perform any work for the sponsoring organization even if it is unrelated to the member's service. Should a sponsor site offer a full time job to a member during his or her service year, the sponsor will be responsible for the full cash match per the contract. CBVC will not be responsible for a replacement AmeriCorps member at that site.

Other activities as the Corporation determine will be prohibited, upon notice.

CBVC Sponsor Responsibilities
Sponsoring an AmeriCorps*VISTA member through the CBVC is a unique opportunity for organizations to build capacity while providing a meaningful service and development experience for the member. CBVC feels that the following requirements enable both members and sponsors to maximize the benefits of a one-year placement.

Supervision and Mentoring

Provide the member with an immediate and available supervisor for the full term of service that is available to meet with the member for a minimum of one hour each week to review past activities and set future goals in addition to providing on site orientation and training for the member upon arrival at the site.

Assist the member in identifying opportunities to meet professional development goals through the service project and support the member's participation in CBVC meetings and training.
If your organization is accepted to the CBVC, Supervisors are required to attend one AmeriCorps VISTA Supervisor Training.

Project Support

• Provide the member with a well-defined project work plan that has clear goals and outcomes.
• Provide adequate training, office space, office equipment, tools and materials for the member to perform service. The member should have reasonable access to a desk, telephone and computer.
• Provide transportation for CBVC members during the established service hours in accordance with the policies of the sponsor's organization.
  

Outreach
Conduct outreach within the sponsoring organization and the community to increase awareness of the service CBVC AmeriCorps members provide the community.

Risk Management
Establish safety guidelines and rules that ensure the well-being of the AmeriCorps members and participants in the sponsoring organization's program.

Reporting
Complete quarterly project report, documenting progress on meeting anticipated outcomes.
Conduct an evaluation meeting with the member twice during the service year using the forms provided.
Evaluate members at the conclusion of the project with the form provided.
Participate in site visits with CBVC staff.

Cash Match
CBVC requires a cash match of $5,700 from each sponsoring organization for each full-time member.

Maighie Fitzgerald, Project Supervisor
AmeriCorps*VISTA-Clara Barton Program
American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter
P.O. Box 3200
Portland, OR 97208
Phone: (503) 528-5705
Fax: (503) 284-2835
E-mail: fitzgeraldm@redcross-pdx.org