AmeriCorps Basics

Melissa ZiebronCalifornia AmeriCorps Conference June 17-18, 2008 Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles

Session Objectives

Identify resources and materials that build AmeriCorps knowledge.

Provide template for transfer of knowledge plan.

Begin to explore gap in knowledge.Provide foundation for the workshops that

participants will attend.

Activity: Your Experience

1. Identify a reporter.

2. Share your experience as new staff.

3. Discuss with your group:– The most important thing you learned and why – The hardest thing about your transition into this

position

4. Report out to large group.

How Did You Get Here?

Request for application processCompetitive funding processProgram operates to address community

needs

Where are You Now?

What You Need to Know

1. Your Organization and Your Program2. CaliforniaVolunteers3. CaliforniaVolunteers AmeriCorps Program Standards 4. CaliforniaVolunteers Policies 5. CaliforniaVolunteers Monitoring Procedures 6. AmeriCorps Federal Regulations and Provisions7. The Corporation for National and Community Service

1. Your Organization

Organizational goals and missionProgram visionAmeriCorps component

2. CaliforniaVolunteers

CV is an entity within the Governor’s office, led by the Secretary of Service and Volunteering. The Director of AmeriCorps oversees the department that administers and monitors grants for AmeriCorps State programs.

Your Program Associate is your primary CV contact.

Refer to the CV AmeriCorps Resource Manual, available at www.californiavolunteers.org.

Secretary of ServiceAnd Volunteering

Karen Baker

Director,Disaster Volunteering

& Preparedness Sharron Leaon

Manager,Community

PreparednessElaine Viray

Assistant Director

Bernadette Dawson

Manager,Communications

Marta Bortner

PolicyAssociate

TBD

Specialist,Training

& Technical Assistance

TBD

AmeriCorps Specialist

(PT)Eddie Aguero

Specialist,Grants & Field Ops.

Kara Jenkins

Comm.Associate

Matt Schmidt

Grant Man.Associate

PTPam Freeman

AmeriCorpsAssociate

Rachel Hughes

ProgramAssociate

Gilbert Rangel

ProgramAssociate

Ia Moua

ProgramAssociate

Melissa Ziebron

Staff Organization Chart 2008Interim

Director, Finance &

AdministrationSarah Mangum

Director,External Affairs

Kaira Esgate

Director,AmeriCorps Programs

Circe Olander

CaliforniaVolunteers Commission

Chair: Jeff HoffmanVice Chair: TBD

Peopleof

California

Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerFirst Lady Maria Shriver, Honorary Chair

Bus. ServiceAssociateJennifer Rudolph

ReceptionistKatie Leatherby

EmergencyPlanningAssociate

Tiffani Harter

CVMNAssociate

Kamara Aguiar

ExecutiveFellow

Lupe CastilloProgramAssociate

Becky Mutua

Grant Man.AssociateJesse Delis

VISTALeader

Ardie Andrews

AssistantDirector

Mike Staley

Manager,CVMN

Nancy Olson

Manager,Citizen Corps

Pam Perdue

Special Assistant

Alice Rodriguez

Director,Volunteer Action

Nancy Olson(Acting)

Manager,Mentoring Partnership

TBD

SpecialProjects

AssociateCindy Thomas

VISTALeader

Jenna Mueller

Retired Annuitant

Jerry Colivas

3. CaliforniaVolunteers AmeriCorps Program Standards

Clarify and solidify expectations Identify areas of importanceSet a level of acceptable quality Illustrate degrees of performance

4. CaliforniaVolunteers Monitoring Procedures

Standards are the foundation of program operations

Everything leads back to Standards The program staff and PA must

maintain communicationPrograms need to be strong before

launch

5. CaliforniaVolunteers Policies

Outline state AmeriCorps parameters and guidelines

Guide grant making process and contract agreements

Are available on the CV website, under “Grantee Central, Resources, Program Management” (covered in Contract session)

6. AmeriCorps Federal Regulations and Provisions

Outline national AmeriCorps program parameters and requirements

Are available online:– CNCS website www.nationalservice.org,

under “For Organizations, Manage Current Grants and Projects

– CV website, under “Grantee Central, Resources, Program Management”

7. Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation, or CNCS, is the federal agency that provides funding for AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, and Senior Corps service programs.

For more information, refer to:– www.nationalservice.org – The Resource Center (covered in World Café session)

Activity: Your Current Knowledge

1. Complete the program standards self-assessment.

2. Note where you’re unsure or need clarification.3. Think about what resources you could use to

help find the answer.4. Share with your group which standards are

your strongest, which pose challenges or need clarification.

Small Group Discussion: Are You Ready to Launch?

1. Identify a reporter.2. Does your plan address these gaps in

knowledge?3. Which resources can help you build

necessary AmeriCorps knowledge?4. How can you incorporate this information

into your transition plan?5. Report out to large group.

Session Wrap Up

Use your new staff training and transition plan worksheet to answer the following questions:

1. Do you know what you need to do to be ready to launch?

2. Where are you stuck?3. What else do you need to know?

Complete Your To Do List

1. How can you incorporate what you’ve learned into your program’s training/transition plans?

2. What specific steps will you take to ensure you’re prepared to launch?

3. What timeline will you follow?

Did We Meet These Objectives?

Identify resources and materials that build AmeriCorps knowledge.

Provide template for transfer of knowledge plan.

Begin to explore gap in knowledge.Provide foundation for the workshops that

participants will attend.

What Questions Remain?

Continue discussion throughout conference.Follow up training and technical assistance

call: 1:00pm on Wednesday, July 16.

Thank you and enjoy the conference!