OVERVIEW OF THE PACC*VISTA PROGRAM

Supervising PACC*VISTA Members

Pennsylvania Campus Compact enhances the capacity of campuses and communities to educate students for civic engagement to advance a healthy, just and democratic society. We accomplish this by leveraging resources, providing educational and professional development opportunities, individual coaching, and leading in emerging civic engagement trends.

Mission of Pennsylvania Campus Compact

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) builds capacity in non-profit organizations and communities to help bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

Mission of VISTA

Dual Goals of PACC*VISTA Program

Poverty elimination Building capacity of

community partners

Addressing community-identified needs

Program sustainability

Experience with both campus and community

Building skills Exposure to multiple

career fields Life-long active citizens

Strengthening Communities Developing Leaders

Emphasis for 2012-2013

If you wish to make an impact for one year, plant corn; if you wish to make an impact for a generation, plant a tree; if you wish to make an impact for an eternity, educate a child.

Author Unknown

More national scrutiny on AmeriCorps programmatic & fiscal effectiveness, resulting in more focus on: Community beneficiary outcome Telling the story in certain terms Using training funds more efficiently

Role of a PACC*VISTA Member

"Let the world change you and you can change the world."

Che Guevera

Implements pre-approved VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

Serves as a coordinator and trainer, but not a direct service provider

Does not perform administrative or clerical support for any person or project other than that outlined in the VAD

Does not take on duties that would more appropriately be done by a paid staff member and does not relate to VAD

AmeriCorps*VISTA Member vs. Employee

Collaboration with staff & community members

Included in staff meetings and other events

Receives regular feedback on performance

Workday as defined by the host campus

Limited in activities by VISTA Terms & Conditions

Implements VAD outlined in grant application

“Works for” multiple stakeholders: community, VISTA, host campus, & PACC

Does not receive traditional compensation

More focus on professional & leadership development

Similarities Differences

Role of the PACC*VISTA Supervisor

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."

John Quincy Adams

VISTA Supervisor acts as coach to: Ensure the successful implementation of

the VAD Anticipate & address VISTA member

needs through the experience “cycle” Help VISTA & Supervisor function

together as an effective team Develop member’s awareness and

insights to span a life of service and advocacy

Responsibilities of Supervisor

“I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.”

Sen. Everett Dirksen

Develop and implement orientation and trainings for PACC*VISTA

Meet weekly one-on-one with VISTA Member to review VAD progress & troubleshoot issues

Provide regular, constructive feedback regarding performance

Review and sign Bi-Annual Progress Reports

Communicate additional needs to the AmeriCorps Program Director

Key VISTA Terms & Conditions

10 personal days & 10 sick leave days Cannot have part-time jobs or be employed while

serving as a VISTA member Cannot supervise full- or part-time staff or other

AmeriCorps members (i.e. SISPA or CF) Cannot perform duties that would replace or

supplant those of a full-time college or university staff member

Key Terms & Conditions (Con’t.)

Cannot give religious instruction, or be required to participate in religious activities during work hours

Cannot participate in political campaigns, voter registration drives, or partisan politics on VISTA time, or perceived VISTA time

Cannot receive monetary compensation in connection with work

CAN receive benefits through host site to support basic living expenses

CAN receive gifts, as any other staff member would, but not in direct connection to work

Recruiting your VISTA Member

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

Jimi Hendrix

Marketing materials provided by PACC: Overview of PACC*VISTA (.doc) PACC*VISTA Openings (.doc) Host Campus Abstracts (.doc)

Developing a position description Advertising your position Interviewing prospective PACC*VISTA

members

Enrolling Your PACC*VISTA

eGrants/MyAmeriCorps eGrants uses common username & password Post opportunity listing Outreach to potential candidates Accept & enroll PACC*VISTA Member Manage all service-related paperwork

Support from PACC: eGrants Manual eGrants Web Tutorials for PACC*VISTA

Preparing for your PACC*VISTA

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Review & update your VADPlan on-site orientation and

trainingKeep in touch with member

Orienting your PACC*VISTA

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition.”

President Barack Obama

Orientation from PACC & CNS: Pre-PSO Meeting, specifically for

PACC*VISTAs Pre-Service Orientation (PSO)

Orientation from host campus On-Site Orientation Review of Logic Model, VAD &

Performance Measures*

Supporting Your PACC*VISTA

Training & Technical Assistance from PACC: Conference Call Series Mid-year Retreats End of Service Training Coaching from PACC for Members & Supervisors

Support from Host Campus: Weekly one-on-one with Supervisor & VISTA Campus-based professional development classes Conferences and other professional development

opportunities

Monitoring Project Progress

“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.”

Erma Bombeck

Monitoring by PACC: Fall or Spring Site Visit Bi-Annual Progress Reports* Bi-Annual Written Reflections

Monitoring by host campus: Weekly one-on-ones with Supervisor &

VISTA Mid-year Performance Evaluation

Resources for Supervisors

Web: www.paccompact.org/vista www.vista.gov www.vistacampus.org

Paper: PACC*VISTA Host Site Agreement VISTA Member Terms & Conditions Supervisor Handbook

People Resources for Supervisors

Meghan Oakley-Henning, AmeriCorps Program Director acprice@paccompact.org, 717-460-6333

Debra Lytle, PA State Program Officer dlytle@cns.gov

VISTA Member Support Unit vistamembersupportunit@cns.gov