Catholic Volunteer Network
AmeriCorps Education Awards Program
2012-2013 Site Supervisor
Orientation
July 23, 2012
Welcome
Thank you so much for your participation in the
Catholic Volunteer Network AmeriCorps Education
Awards Program!
This training was created to give you an overview of the
information that you will find in the 2012-2013 Site
Supervisor Handbook.
* Significant changes or updates from last year’s training
are highlighted in RED for your convenience.
So… what is AmeriCorps?
Click here >>
Getting Things Done
CVN has partnered with the Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS or “the Corporation”) to “get things
done for America” as part of the National Service Movement.
The National and Community Trust Act (1993) created CNCS to
bring together a range of domestic service programs including:
•
•
•
•
AmeriCorps (including VISTA and NCCC)
Senior Corps
Learn & Serve America
Social Innovation Fund
CVN’s AmeriCorps program engages hundreds of Members in service
throughout the country to address priority needs. Members who fill their
service commitments can earn Education Awards to pay education
costs at qualified institutions of higher education, to pay for educational
training and to repay qualified students loans.
More at: www.nationalservice.gov
AmeriCorps Goals
•
•
•
•
Getting Things Done- Above all, AmeriCorps helps communities meet
their education, public safety, human or environmental needs through
service. Every AmeriCorps program becomes a powerful model for
communities to apply in all of their problem-solving.
Strengthening Communities- While we rightly celebrate the ways we
differ, we also need to remember the values we share. AmeriCorps unites
individuals from all different backgrounds and institutions of all different
kinds in the common effort to improve our communities.
Encouraging Responsibility- AmeriCorps encourages Members to
explore and exercise their responsibilities to their communities, their
families, and themselves in their service experience and throughout their
lives.
Expanding Opportunity- AmeriCorps helps those who help America.
AmeriCorps Members receive awards to further their education or pay
back their student loans as well as invaluable job experience, specialized
training, and life skills.
Catholic Volunteer Network
Founded in 1963, Catholic Volunteer Network (CVN) is a
national membership organization of Christian volunteer
and mission programs that fosters and promotes full-time
national and international service opportunities for people
of all backgrounds, ages and skills. The Network supports
and enhances the work of its membership by providing
training and resources, networking opportunities, and
national advocacy. CVN currently supports nearly 200
member programs and more than 19,000 volunteers and
lay missioners per year. Our volunteers serve in all 50
states and 112 countries across the globe.
Visit us at www.catholicvolunteernetwork.org
*CVN AmeriCorps Priorities
•
•
CVN AmeriCorps Members fulfill unique roles that add
value to each individual site and community. In addition
to regular volunteer opportunities, participating
programs and sites offer AmeriCorps positions with
distinct qualifications, activities, requirements, and
benefits.
CVN AmeriCorps focuses on areas of:
•
•
•
Education
Healthy Futures and
Economic Opportunity
Take a minute! (3:48 actually)
Click the photo (<<) to meet
Wendy Spencer, CEO of the
Corporation for National and
Community Service
http://youtu.be/HjfVTcyGsUc
This should open in a new window.
AmeriCorps Programs
•
Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA)
•
•
•
•
•
National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)
•
•
•
•
Indirect Service
Age 17 and older
Capacity building within nonprofit and community organizations
Full time service for 12 months
Residential, team-based program for individuals aged 18 – 24.
Work to complete projects within a specific region, but can branch out in times of
national crisis.
Full time service for 10 months.
State and National (CVN AmeriCorps is part of this branch)
•
•
•
•
•
Largest AmeriCorps program.
Provides grants to local and national agencies, which allow programs to recruit, train
and place AmeriCorps Members.
Grantees include faith-based and community organizations, higher education
institutions and public agencies.
State and National AmeriCorps Members address critical needs in the areas of
education, public safety, health and the environment.
Direct Service.
AmeriCorps Terms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Members: individuals who participate in AmeriCorps are referred to as
“Members” rather than volunteers, staff, workers, participants or employees.
Volunteer Program: A Catholic Volunteer Network Member program that
participates in the AmeriCorps Education Awards Program.
Service, Serve: Members serve, or provide service, in their AmeriCorps
assignments; they do not “work”.
The Corporation (CNCS): The Corporation for National and Community
Service is a department of the federal government that was created to expand
service opportunities for Americans. AmeriCorps is one of three major
programs governed by the CNCS.
National Service: this term refers to any of the programs affiliated with CNCS;
in addition to AmeriCorps, national service programs include Learn and Serve
America, AmeriCorps VISTA, NCCC and Senior Corps.
Direct Service: refers to time spent working directly with individuals (clients,
beneficiaries, communities) to create change in the area of education, health,
housing or human needs.
Training and Enrichment: or indirect service refers to time spent in training or
reflection that supports your direct service. This includes AmeriCorps
orientation, seminars, workshops pertaining to issues that relate to your direct
service.
National Days of Service
National Days of Service are wonderful opportunities for CVN AmeriCorps Members to connect
and share experiences with other AmeriCorps Members and Programs. CVN AmeriCorps strongly
encourages our Members to get involved in these National Days of Service, sponsored by CNCS:
9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
National Volunteer Week
National Youth Service Day
Join Hands Day
United We Serve
Make A Difference Day
Family Volunteer Day
AmeriCorps Week
There are also other activities, such as State AmeriCorps Kickoffs and Member trainings
sponsored by the State Service Commissions that are open (and free) to all AmeriCorps Members
in each state. Ask your AmeriCorps Program Director for more information on these events.
Please refer to your handbook for specific dates. For more information on individual days and
events, visit our website: https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org/national-days-service
CVN AmeriCorps Roles
•
•
•
•
•
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) supports a
wide range of national service programs and initiatives that improve lives,
strengthen communities and foster civic engagement and volunteerism. CVN
AmeriCorps receives its grant from CNCS.
CVN AmeriCorps Staff represent the primary AmeriCorps grantee (CVN). They
provide monitoring, technical assistance, training and oversight to sustain the
quality and integrity of the program.
The AmeriCorps Program Director is the main liaison between CVN
AmeriCorps and the AmeriCorps Member Program. This individual is familiar with
the AmeriCorps program and provides direct oversight and support for the Site
Supervisor and AmeriCorps Member.
Site Supervisors oversee the day-to-day service of AmeriCorps Members. They
provide guidance, support and input into the quality of the Member’s service.
AmeriCorps Members are eligible volunteers serving with CVN AmeriCorps
Member Programs who have enrolled in AmeriCorps. Members are bound by
AmeriCorps policies and have rights and responsibilities that are outlined in
handbooks provided by CVN AmeriCorps.
Meet the Staff
• Karyn Cassella, Program Coordinator
•
•
Worked at American University and numerous DC area
social services agencies
Former CVN AmeriCorps Site Supervisor
• Barbara Wheeler, Assistant Coordinator
•
•
Graduated from the University of Virginia
AmeriCorps Alum of Vincentian Service Corps
• Caitlin Baummer, Program Assistant
•
•
Graduated from the University of New Hampshire
AmeriCorps Alum of Bethlehem Farm and Project
SERVE
Site Supervisors
• The Site Supervisor is the AmeriCorps Member’s
immediate supervisor, someone who is on-site
and can verify the record of hours served.
• Provides direct supervision and support to the
Member at the Service Site.
• The Site Supervisor is responsible for monitoring,
verifying and maintaining a record of Member’s
service hours.
Service Site Benefits
• By joining the AmeriCorps family and meeting the
obligations of AmeriCorps service, members serving
with your program are eligible to receive an
AmeriCorps Education Award to alleviate education
related costs.
• CVN AmeriCorps Placement Sites join a vast network
of AmeriCorps programs throughout the country.
• Training, technical assistance and service related
resources are provided by CVN AmeriCorps and the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
Service Site Responsibilities
•
•
•
•
•
•
Placement Sites are required to designate a Site Supervisor to
oversee the day-to-day activities of the CVN AmeriCorps Member.
Placement sites must provide a work area for the AmeriCorps
Member that includes necessary office equipment and supplies.
Placement Sites must provide Members with relevant site- specific
trainings.
Placement sites will provide meaningful service and Member
development opportunities.
Placement site will provide CVN AmeriCorps Member with
appropriate leadership opportunities that will enhance their
professional development and civic responsibility.
Service Sites must display an AmeriCorps poster in their offices or
facilities and foster a sense of AmeriCorps identity in your Member.
Service Site Requirements
As a program receiving federal financial benefits, all
programs, service sites, organizations and individuals
participating in AmeriCorps must abide by the following
policies:
• Non-Discrimination, Non-Harassment and NonDuplication Policy
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Drug-Free Workplace Policy
• Liability Insurance
Copies of these policies are included in the 2011-2012
CVN AmeriCorps Site Supervisor Handbook.
Policies and Procedures
CNCS Regulations and Provisions describe the
terms and conditions that govern the CVN
AmeriCorps grant and sub-grantees. These
regulations establish the minimum requirements
for all aspects of the program. Catholic Volunteer
Network, AmeriCorps programs are bound by the
requirements of the grant and must ensure full
compliance with the regulations, provisions and
CNCS policies.
About Audits and the OIG
•
The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 created the
Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG conducts independent
and objective audits and investigations of CNCS programs and
operations to prevent and deter waste, fraud and abuse.
•
The OIG operates a Fraud Hotline to provide an opportunity for
concerned citizens, program participants, employees of CNCS
grant recipients, Volunteers, and others to report instances of
fraud, waste, abuse of authority, and mismanagement.
•
OIG Hotline:
• Phone: 1-800-452-8210
• Email: hotline@cncsig.gov
•
CVN AmeriCorps was last audited by the OIG in 2008.
Member Eligibility
•
•
•
•
•
Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national or a lawful permanent
resident of the United States.
Individuals who are in the United States under a
student, work, or tourist visa are not eligible to become
AmeriCorps Members.
Be at least 17 years of age, or at least 16 years of age if
the Member is out of school (i.e., a dropout) and a
participant in a youth corps or a program for certain
disadvantaged individuals.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or agree to
obtain one before using the education award.
Be engaged in allowable AmeriCorps service activities
in the United States or U.S. territories only.
Eligibility for the Education Award
To be eligible for the Education Award, Members must successfully
complete the program. This means:
1.The Member has met the requirements of their Volunteer Program as
well as the requirements for CVN AmeriCorps.
2.The Member has turned in ALL Forms, hour logs and service
accomplishments complete and on time.
3.The Member has met the minimum hour requirement.
Term of Service: 3 types
•
CVN AmeriCorps offers three types of AmeriCorps service term:
• Full Time (1700 hours, for up to 12 months)
• Part Time (900 hours, for up to 12 months)
• Minimum Time (300 hours, for up to 12 months)
•
As an Education Award program, CVN AmeriCorps does not offer a
Corporation funded living stipend for AmeriCorps Members.
•
Volunteer Programs may offer additional benefits that are not
funded through the CVN AmeriCorps.
•
Please note that there are maximum living allowance amounts for
Members, as follows:
• $24,200 for Full Time
• $12,800 for Part Time
• $4,300 for Minimum Time
National Service Criminal History
Checks
•
•
•
•
All CVN AmeriCorps Members are required to complete a criminal history
check that includes a state registry check in the state from which the Member
applied to AmeriCorps, a state registry check in the state the Member will
serve in, a FBI fingerprint check and a NSOPR check.
While waiting for clearance results, Members with recurring contact
with vulnerable populations must be accompanied in their direct
service by someone who has satisfied the clearance requirements as
determined by the service site. Accompaniment may be provided by a
staff member, a parent, another volunteer, or even a Member who has
satisfied requirements. Accompaniment MUST be documented. CVN
AmeriCorps’ policy is that accompaniment should be noted using the
comment box in the BWBRS monthly hour logs.
Vulnerable populations include children under 18 years of age, persons aged
60 years and older and persons with disabilities, as defined by the
Rehabilitation Act.
The criminal history check is to be completed by the Volunteer Program.
Allowable Member Activities
Members may only count hours spent on allowable activities towards
the AmeriCorps education award. Allowable activities include:
•
Direct Service: refers to time spent working directly with
individuals (clients, beneficiaries, communities) to create
change in the area of education, health, housing or human
needs.
•
Training and Enrichment: or indirect service refers to time spent
in training or reflection that supports your direct service. This
includes AmeriCorps orientation, seminars, workshops
pertaining to issues that relate to your direct service.
•
Hours may not exceed 20% of total hours logged.
Members may also participate in capacity building activities that
increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their placement site.
•
However, CVN has a narrow interpretation of this and will generally not allow
fundraising and positions that involve more administrative work than direct service.
Prohibited Member Activities
While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training
hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or
the Corporation, staff and Members may not engage in the following activities:
1.Attempting to influence legislation;
2.Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;
3.Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organization;
4.Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
5.Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence
the outcome of an election to any public office;
6.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;
7.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 proselytization;
Prohibited Member Activities
8.
Providing a direct benefit toi.
A business organized for profit;
ii.
A labor union;
iii. A partisan political organization;
iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions
contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
except that nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent
participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their
own initiative; and
v. An organization engaged in the religious activities described in
paragraph (g) of this section, unless Corporation assistance is not
used to support those religious activities;
9. Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct
a voter registration drive;
10. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and
11. Such other activities as the corporation may prohibit.
Prohibited Member Activities
B. AmeriCorps Members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or
managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed above. Individuals may exercise
their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps
time, and using non-Corporation funds. Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.
C. The Member is expected to, at all times while acting in an official capacity as an AmeriCorps Member:
1. Demonstrate mutual respect towards others.
2. Follow directions.
3. Direct concerns, problems, and suggestions to your Site Supervisor, Program Director, or to CVN AmeriCorps.
D. The Member understands that the following acts also constitute a violation of the AmeriCorps rules of conduct:
1. Unauthorized tardiness.
2. Unauthorized absences.
3. Repeated or gross violation of professional norms and standards of conduct.
4. Repeated use of inappropriate language (i.e. profanity) at a service site.
5. Failure to wear appropriate clothing to service assignments.
6. Stealing or lying.
7. **Engaging in any activity that may physically or emotionally damage other Members of the program or
people in the community.
8. **Unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of any controlled substance or illegal
drugs during the term of service.
9. **Consuming alcoholic beverages during the performance of service activities.
10. **Being under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs during the performance of service activities.
11. **Failing to notify the Program/CVN AmeriCorps of any criminal arrest or conviction that occurs during the
term of service.
** May result in immediate dismissal.
Prohibited Member Activities
•
AmeriCorps Members may participate in religious activities,
fundraising, lobbying, political, or advocacy activities as
private citizens, as long as it is done on their own time, at
their own expense, and at their own initiative. Members may
not wear AmeriCorps service gear or represent themselves
as AmeriCorps Members in such instances.
Prohibited Activities
A video demonstration created by AmeriCorps WV.
(This is not an official AmeriCorps training video, and the
examples presented here do not represent the views of CVN.
http://youtu.be/6_zCDBD1xj4
This should open in a new window.
Non-discrimination, Nonharassment Policy
It is against the law for organizations that receive federal financial assistance from the
Corporation for National and Community Service to discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, disability, sex, age, political affiliation, or, in most cases, religion. It is also
unlawful to retaliate against any person who, or organization that, files a complaint about such
discrimination. In addition to filing a complaint with local and state agencies that are
responsible for resolving discrimination complaints, you may bring a complaint to the attention
of the Corporation for National and Community Service. If you believe that you or others have
been discriminated against, or if you want more information, contact:
CVN AmeriCorps Education Awards Program
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 820
Takoma Park, MD 20912
1-800-543-5046 (ask to speak to CVN AmeriCorps Staff)
Or
Office of Civil Right and Inclusiveness
Corporation for National and Community Service
1201 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20525
(202) 606-7503 (voice); (202) 606-2799 (TTY)
(202) 606-3465 (FAX); eo@cns.gov
Non-displacement, Non-duplication
Policy
Member Positions are required to abide by the Non-supplementation,
non-duplication and non-displacement policy.
•
This policy stipulates that AmeriCorps Member positions cannot
displace, replace, supplant, or duplicate current staff or volunteer
responsibilities.
•
•
•
Tasks must be unique to the Member’s role. “Assisting” other employees or
volunteers in completing their employee responsibilities would violate this policy.
Member cannot be assigned to roles that are held by other volunteers. If a Member
is to perform similar tasks, the Member’s description must feature additional/unique
tasks. (Ie, When there are other tutors, the Member has to do more than just tutor –
the Member can coordinate the tutors, compile assessment data, develop
curriculum, etc.)
If a AmeriCorps Member position is found to be in violation of this
policy at any point the Member will be removed from service until
an appropriate placement is found or the Member is exited due to
noncompliance.
Approved AmeriCorps Positions
•
Programs are required to review Position Descriptions before they
are submitted to CVN AmeriCorps. Positions MUST be submitted
using a complete “Service Description Form.”
•
Only AmeriCorps Eligible activities are included in the Member
Position Description on the Service Site Description Form.
Members are responsible for adhering to their Position Description
while logging hours toward their Education Award.
•
CVN AmeriCorps staff members have the authority to suspend
service or deny credit for hours if a position is deemed ineligible.
*Verifying Hours
•
•
•
•
•
•
All CVN AmeriCorps Programs are required to use BWBRS to
report Hour Logs and Service Accomplishments.
Time Logs must be submitted for each month a Member is actively
serving in AmeriCorps.
Logs must be approved within the stated guidelines as provided by
your Program Director.
It is the responsibility of the Site Supervisor to verify hours served
at the Placement Site and it is the responsibility of the Program
Director to review logs to ensure that they are properly
documented.
Hour logs must be signed and dated by both the Member and the
Site Supervisor before the Program Director can sign.
The Program Director is not allowed to sign on behalf of the
Site Supervisor.
*Change in Service Site or Position
•If a Member needs to change Service Site,
notify the AmeriCorps Program Director. A new
Service Site Description Form and Site
Supervisor contract may be necessary.
•If a Member needs to change positions,
notify the AmeriCorps Program Director. A new
Position Description must be submitted.
*Site Supervisor Change or
Absence
•
Site Supervisor Absence: If a Site Supervisor anticipates
one or more absences that are less than 30 days in legnth
that would prevent him/her from signing member Hours on
tome, sites may request to designate an additional or
alternate signer. This person must be on-site and able to
verify the record of hours served. If you would like to
designate an additional signer, contact your Americorps
Program Director.
•
Change in Site Supervisor: A Member may change Site
Supervisors during their term of service. If this happens, the
new site Supervisor must notify the AmeriCorps Program
Director to complete a new Site Supervisor contract must be
sent to CVN AmeriCorps within 30 days of the change.
Early Exits
•
A Member may exit due to Compelling Personal Circumstances if
the following requirements are met:
•
•
•
•
•
If a CPC exit is approved, the Member may qualify to receive a
partial education award, based on the number of hours served.
A Member may also be released for cause.
•
•
•
The Member has completed at least 15% of the minimum hour
requirement for their term.
The Member is exiting due to a situation that is beyond their control.
The Member has served satisfactorily.
Release for Cause is when a Member is exited early from their program
for any reason other than compelling personal circumstances.
Members will not receive any portion of the education award.
Please refer to the 2012-2013 CVN AmeriCorps Member Handbook
for more specific information regarding these policies.
Member Suspension
• Members may be suspended by the Volunteer
Program or CVN AmeriCorps for disciplinary
reasons, but also for temporary illness or injury
that prevents them from serving.
• While a Member is suspended, no hours may be
credited, but if a Member has been suspended for
compelling reasons, the time needed to complete
service will be extended after the Member is
reinstated.
• If suspension is necessary, the Program Director
must submit a Suspension Request Form to CVN
AmeriCorps.
Grievance Procedures
•
In case of grievance, CVN AmeriCorps encourages embers to first
make use of the Volunteer Program’s conflict resolution process.
•
A Member may, however, file a grievance with CVN AmeriCorps at
any time.
•
Specific information regarding CVN AmeriCorps’ grievance
procedure can be find in the 2012- 2013 CVN AmeriCorps Program
Director Handbook.
We know that conflicts can be difficult and stressful for all
involved. It is especially important that you use the grievance
procedures that CVN and your program have established.
Deviations weaken policies and procedures. Consider reviewing
these policies before your periodic site visits, mid-year
evaluations and scheduled retreats.
Info for Forms
•
•
•
•
•
All paperwork submitted must be a signed, dated, original document.
Photocopies and documents missing signatures and/or dates will not be
processed.
Do not use whiteout to make corrections. Simply initial any changes
made.
CVN AmeriCorps must receive enrollment forms within 15 calendar days of
Member AmeriCorps enrollment date, as stated in Member Service Contract.
Late enrollment packets will result in a delayed enrollment date.
CVN AmeriCorps must receive exit forms within 15 calendar days of
Members’ last date of service. Late exit packets may result in the loss of the
education award.
Time logs must be signed by the Member, Site Supervisor and Program
Director within the 30 days. If a signature is late, the individual must
leave a comment on BWBRS to clarify the reason for the late approval.
AmeriCorps Pledge
I will get things done for America to make our people safer,
smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together
to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy,
I will take action.
Faced with conflict,
I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity,
I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment
with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member,
and I will get things done.
Resources
• Catholic Volunteer Network Website
• Catholicvolunteernetwork.org
• AmeriCorps Website
• Americorps.gov
• CVN Webinars on Vimeo
• http://vimeo.com/user4756061/videos
• AmeriCorps Alums
• http://www.americorpsalums.org
• Social Media
Contact
Catholic Volunteer Network AmeriCorps
6930 Carroll Ave., Suite 820
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Toll Free: 1-800-543-5046
Website: https://www.catholicvolunteernetwork.org/americorps/
General Email: CVNAmeriCorps@catholicvolunteernetwork.org
Karyn Cassella, CVN AmeriCorps Coordinator, ext. 17
kcassella@catholicvolunteernetwork.org
Barbara Wheeler, CVN AmeriCorps Assistant Coordinator, ext. 20
bwheeler@catholicvolunteernetwork.org
Position Compliance, eGrants, BWBRS
Caitlin Baummer, CVN AmeriCorps Program Assistant, ext. 23
cbaummer@catholicvolunteernetwork.org
Member Training and Benefits, Paperwork, BWBRS