Introductions

Jenny McArdle Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Manager Mel Strapec Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) Assistant Director Chelsea Leser AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader

Webinar Overview
What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? What is the Michigan Nonprofit Association? What do VISTAs do and how can they help your

organization?

AmeriCorps

State and National VISTA NCCC

(Corporation for National and Community Service) CNCS

Senior Corps
RSVP Senior Companion Foster Grandparents

Corporation for National & Community Service

National Office (D.C.)

CNCS State office

Detroit Office, Program Director: Cathy Sharp Program Officer: Evan Albert

Project Michigan Nonprofit Association, Lansing Program Manager Host Sites with Community Partner Organizations VISTA Supervisors

VISTAs

Civic Engagement Team

Michigan Campus Compact Volunteer Centers of Michigan The LEAGUE Michigan

CNCS 2011-2015 Strategic Plan

Education Veterans and Military Families Healthy Futures Environmental Stewardship Economic Opportunity

Disaster Services

Provide, support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged people, especially children.

1) Engage in activities intended to improve learning and success in low-achieving schools 2) Engage in high quality service and service-learning projects in low-achieving schools 3) Engage in counseling, academic, enrollment, and retention support activities for economically disadvantaged students

Provide, support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people.
4) Engage in activities that provide, support and/or facilitate access to resources and services that improve financial literacy, stability and security 5) Engage in activities that provide, support and/or facilitate access to workforce development resources and services intended to improve employability and, ultimately, lead to employment.

 VISTA members are dedicated to fighting poverty.

VISTA members make a year-long, full-time commitment to

serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.

VISTAs:
Are limited in activities by VISTA Terms & Conditions Have a specific project and work plan -- VISTAS Assignment

Description (VAD) Are not administrative stop-gaps Are not hired or fired Work for multiple stakeholders: community, CNS, host site, community partner site Do not receive traditional compensation Appreciate more focus on professional & leadership development

Recruit and train volunteers or mentors Leverage monetary grants, donations and/or funds for VAD-related projects Outreach and create new partnerships with community agencies Maintain a network of partnerships, opportunities, and collaboratives Plan for National Days of Service events Create and/or facilitate trainings (financial literacy, employability, community engagement, etc.) Create or expand tools or resources for service or service-learning projects Engage in activities intended to highlight the impact of existing programs or projects Organize and/or attend relevant meetings to strengthen partnerships Facilitate community mapping or needs identification activities Engage in activities intended to build the sustainability of existing programs or projects Collaborate with other AmeriCorps service members in the area Increase social media presence

 Employment Restrictions Religious Activities

Political Restrictions

 How will YOU engage your MNA

AmeriCorps*VISTA member in promoting and strengthening community-building initiatives focused on education and economic opportunity? Community Partner Packet Contact and Communication with the VISTA Host Site

 AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Manager

Jenny McArdle jmcardle@mnaonline.org

2013-2014 MNA*VISTA Leader

Chelsea Leser cleser@mnaonline.org

MNA AmeriCorps*VISTA Webpage

http://www.mnaonline.org/mnacivicengagementvist aprogram.aspx