1. BonnerAmeriCorps101

2. What is AmeriCorps?National Service Program that is funded by theCorporation for National and Community Service(CNCS).Federally funded; Locally implemented.Benefits the localities in which Members serve bymeeting critical community needs.Benefits Members by educating them about theircommunity and responsible citizenship.Access to an Education Award for successfulcompletion of a term of service. 3. What is AmeriCorps?A program of service not longerthan one or two years with manyregulations that must be followed byorganizations and Members.Members make a commitment tocomplete a Term of Service.A Term of Service is comprised of service hours plustraining & enrichment hours.A Member receive an Education Award if the Membercompletes all hours required in their MemberContract. 4. The National Service NetworkCreated in 1993, AmeriCorps is part of theCorporation for National and Community Service(CNCS), which also oversees Senior Corps. 5. National Service History1930: President Roosevelt created the CivilianConservation Corps (CCC) during the depression.1961: President Kennedy created the Peace Corps.Since then, more than 150,000 Americans have servedin the Peace Corps.1964: President Johnson created VISTA (Volunteers inService to America) giving Americans opportunities toserve low-income communities domestically.1960s: The Foster Grandparent Program and RSVPwere created to enable older Americans to serve theircommunities. 6. National Service History1990: President Bush signed the National and CommunityService Act of 1990.1993: President Clinton signed the National andCommunity Service Trust Act of 1993, creatingAmeriCorps and CNCS.AmeriCorps serves over 2 million Americans each yearthrough two main streams of service: AmeriCorps and Senior Corps 7. AmeriCorps Aims toMeet 3 Different GoalsGetting Things DoneDeveloping ParticipantsStrengtheningCommunities 8. Bonner AmeriCorpsFunded by the Corporation forNational and Community Service(CNCS)Administered by the BonnerFoundation in partnership with TheCollege of New JerseyOffered at more than 40 campus inthe Bonner network 9. Eligibility RequirementsMust be 17 years of age or older.Must have a High School Diploma orEquivalency or must be working towardscompletion of a GED.Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent LegalResident of the U.S. Government DocumentationRequired: State or County-IssuedBirth Certificate plus DriversLicense or unexpired U.S. Passportor Legal Permanent Resident Card 10. What do AmeriCorpsMembers Do?As part of the National Service Movement, Members take action and findsolutions to address community needs while learning new skills and sharingtalents to make a difference across the country. Build Capacity by recruiting and training local volunteers Provide Academic Support and Mentoring during non-school hours Bridge the Digital Divide Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned Homes Assist the Homeless Educate local communities about Environmental Issues Provide Support to People with Disabilities Support Immigrants through a variety of Human Services 11. AmeriCorps is NOT: A job A job program An internship Free labor A staff builder for community partners 12. AmeriCorps MembersDO NOT: Focus on clerical work for communitypartners Primarily answer phones or perform purelyadministrative functions Perform janitorial duties Supervise other Members at service sites Manage paperwork or financial issues forcommunity partners 13. AmeriCorps LingoIndividuals who serve inNational Service programs arealways referred to asMembers - they are notVolunteers or Employees!AmeriCorps Members serveat their sites - they do notwork. 14. What do AmeriCorpsMembers Receive?Half-TimeMembersQuarter-TimeMembersMinimum-TimeMembers900 Hours ofService450 Hours ofService300 Hours ofServiceEducation Award$2,775.00Education Award$1,468Education Award$1,175Two-year term(minus one day)One-year term(minus one day)One-year term(minus one day) 15. Rules of Conduct At no time may a Bonner AmeriCorps Member: Devote more than 20% of the hours during theirterm of service to Training and Enrichmentactivities. Spend more than 10% of their term of serviceengaging in approved fundraising activities. Devote any of their service hours to fundraisingfor any purpose other than directly supportingtheir service activities. 16. Acceptable ServiceFundraising Provisions1. AmeriCorps members can spend nomore than 10% of their hours onfundraising activities.2. Members can raise resources tosupport projects only related to theirissue area or community partner'sdirect service activities.3. Members cannot raise resources for anlocal or national organizations generaloperating expenses or endowment. 17. Acceptable ServiceFundraising Provisions4.Members cannot fundraisefor their own livingexpenses.!5.Members cannot write agrant application to anyFederal agency including theCorporation for Nationaland Community Service. 18. Acceptable ServiceFundraising Provisions!6. Members cannot engage inany fundraising where thebeneficiaries are international.If the goods or fundscollected will be sent to ancommunity, overseas, thefundraising time cannot beapproved for AmeriCorps. 19. Prohibited Activities1. Participating in efforts to influence legislation,including lobbying for your program;2. Organizing a letter-writing campaign to Congress;3. Engaging in partisan political activities, or otheractivities designed to influence the outcome of anelection to any public office;4. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities thatare likely to include advocacy for or againstpolitical parties, political platforms, politicalcandidates, proposed legislation, or electedofficials;5. Printing politically charged articles in aCorporation-funded newsletter or discussion list; 20. Prohibited Activities(continued)6. Taking part in political demonstrations or rallies;7. Engaging in any efforts to influence legislation,including state or local ballot initiatives;8. Any activities related to Voter registration drives;9. Organizing or participating in protests, petitions,boycotts, or strikes;10. Assisting or deterring union organizing;11. Impairing existing contracts or collectivebargaining agreements; 21. Prohibited Activities(continued)12. Religious activities, including engaging in religious instruction;conducting worship services; providing instruction as part of aprogram that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship;constructing, operating, or maintaining facilities primarily or inherentlydevoted to religious instruction or worship; or engaging in any form ofreligious proselytization;13. Activities that pose a significant safety risk to participants orAmeriCorps Members;14. Assignments that displace employees;15. Placement of Members into internships with for-profit businesses aspart of the education and training component of the program;16. Providing assistance to a business organized for profit; 22. Prohibited Activities(continued)17. Raising funds for an AmeriCorps stipend;18. Raising funds for an organizations operating expensesor endowment;19. Writing grant applications for AmeriCorps funding orfor any other funding provided by the Corporation forNational and Community Service;20. Writing grant applications for funding provided by anyfederal agencies;21. Administrative work unless it benefits the Membersapproved service activities; and22. Activities providing abortion services or referrals forreceipt of such services. 23. Prohibited Activities(continued)23. Internships with a for-profit business as a part of theeducation and training component of the program; and24. Medical research;25. Service that is paid through an hourly wage other thanFederal Work-Study;26. Activities (service or trainings) performedinternationally or for the benefit of individuals residingoverseas;27. Activities performed that serve or educate aboutindividuals residing outside the US and US territories 24. Release from Service TermIf a Member has a compelling personal circumstance and hascompleted at least 15% of his or her service commitment, the Membermay apply to receive a portion of the Education Award. This means that the situation is absolutely beyond the Memberscontrol (e.g. illness of the Member or immediate family member) Documentation provided by Member is MANDATORY Compelling Personal Circumstances do not include: (1)Enrolling in school, (2) Obtaining employment (other than movingfrom welfare to work), or (3) Dissatisfaction with the program. Member leaving for any other reason other than compelling personalcircumstance, will not qualify for an Educational Award. 25. SuspensionThe Program may suspend the Members term of service forthe following reasons:1. Compelling personal circumstances (e.g. illness)2. A violation of the Rules of Conduct3. If during the term of service the Member has been chargedwith a violent felony or the possession, sale or distributionof a controlled substance.4. During the Suspension from Service, the Member will notreceive credit for service hours or benefits. The Membermay resume his or her term of service once thecircumstances supporting the suspension have beenresolved and Member has applied for Reinstatement as anactive Member. 26. Grievance ProceduresIn the event that informal efforts to resolve disputesare unsuccessful, AmeriCorps Members, laborunions, and other interested individuals may seekresolution through the grievance proceduresdetailed in the Member Contract.These procedures are intended to apply to service-relatedissues, such as assignments, evaluations,suspensions, or release for cause, as well as issuesrelated to non-selection of Members, anddisplacement of employees, or duplication ofactivities by AmeriCorps Members. 27. Nondiscrimination PolicyParticipation in AmeriCorps is based on merit and equalopportunity for all, without regard to factors such as race,color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age,disability, political affiliation, marital or parental status,military service, or religious, community or socialaffiliations.It is also unlawful to retaliate against any person who, ororganization that, files a complaint about suchdiscrimination. Each campus and/or service site thatreceives the services of an AmeriCorps Member agrees toabide by Federal laws and CNCS policies on EqualOpportunity. 28. Reasonable AccommodationPrograms and activities must be accessible topersons with disabilities, and the BonnerAmeriCorps Program at your campus must providereasonable accommodation to the known mental orphysical disabilities of otherwise qualified members,service recipients, applicants, and staff.All selections and project assignments must be madewithout regard to the need to provide reasonableaccommodation. 29. Drug-Free WorkplaceConsistent with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, TheCorella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation and The College ofNew Jersey are committed to providing a workplace that isfree from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation,possession, or use of controlled substances. The Member must notify the Bonner Program in writing,within five (5) calendar days, if he or she is convicted of acriminal drug violation in the workplace. Violations of the Drug-Free Workplace policy will result inpersonnel action against the Member, up to and includingdismissal pursuant to The College of New Jerseyprocedures relating to Member discipline. 30. Informed ConsentThe staff of the Bonner Foundation, The College of New Jersey,your Campus, your Site and the Corporation for National andCommunity Service with your consent may: release your name, interests and any training you havereceived.write a recommendation or give a verbalrecommendation for employment, etc. at the end of yourterm of service. photograph you at your service site for recruitment/promotional purposes (you may opt out by checking theappropriate box in the Enrollment Workbook). 31. EnrollmentAs you complete the Enrollment Workbook, pleaseremember to: Sign in ink and date on all requiredsignature lines (signature date must be on orbefore your requested start date). Simply initial any cross-outs or overwrites Do not use pencil or correction fluid. 32. Enrollment DocumentsAlong with your completed EnrollmentWorkbook, you must: Provide documentation of any legal namechange that may have occurred since youoriginally submitted your eligibilitydocuments with your AmeriCorpsApplication Packet (for example a MarriageCertificate or Court Order to resume aMaiden Name). 33. BWBRSOnce you are enrolled in Bonner AmeriCorps, youare required to report regularly using the BonnerWeb-Based Reporting System (BWBRS) and must: Create a Community Learning Agreement(CLA) each semester Log your hours each week Sign your hour logs monthly along with yoursite supervisor and campus administrator Log your Service Accomplishments at theend of each semester. 34. Community Learning AgreementsCreate a new CLA each semester for your main serviceplacement.Always discuss your service goals with your communitypartner and campus administratorRemember: COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY!Use resume language on your CLAEven if you serve at the same site for multiple semesters,you need to create a new CLA each semester with newgoals! 35. Hour Logs Entries Log Hour Entries into BWBRS everyweek. Log hours according to the correctcategory: CLA service, non-CLAservice (i.e. One-Time serviceopportunities),Training & Enrichmentor Fundraising Hours. Sign your hours after at the end ofyour service time, not during yourservice shift. Pre-signed hours cannotbe counted toward your Award. 36. Hour Logs Entries If the time was spent infundraising, you mustcheck the box This timewas spent fundraising foreach such entry. Entries may not exceed a 12hour maximum per day (or16 with prior approval fromBonner Foundation Staff) 37. Hour LogseSignaturesAfter the end of each month: eSign your Hour Log from BWBRS by month(On Report Tab page, choose the correctmonth from the show hours in and clickupdate; then type your name at the bottom ofthe hour log report and click Save.)The Member, Site Supervisor & CampusAdministrator must all eSign logs on or after thelast day of service logged that monthThe eSignatures must be signed in this order:1. Member first;2. then Site Supervisor;3. Campus Administrator last. 38. !What to do if Supervisor is noteSigningIf a Members site supervisor is not signingelectronically, then each month the Member must firsteSign their log and then:Member prints out the Log from BWBRS by month (onReport page choose the correct month from the showhours in and click update; the print command is underavailable actions) and takes hard copy to supervisor.The Site Supervisor must sign logs on or after the lastday of service logged that month. CampusAdministrator eSigns after receipt of signed hard copyfrom Site Supervisor and retains hard copy on campus!Supervisors signatures must be original and in ink. Anywritten changes must be initialed by the Member, SiteSupervisor and Campus Administrator. 39. Member EvaluationAt the end of each semester,Members complete ServiceAccomplishments in BWBRSfor their CLA.An end-of-term evaluation ofyour personal development andthe quality of your service willbe conducted as part of yourBonner AmeriCorps ExitProcess. 40. Exiting If (1) you have logged enough hours to complete yourterm, or (2) you are withdrawing from your term: You must submit an AmeriCorps Exit Form to theFoundation within 20 days of your last day of service.Be sure all hour logs are up to date and fully signed. Exit Forms must be signed and dated on or afteryour last day of service. Exit Forms are processed by the Foundation andBWBRS will notify you once you have been officiallyexited. 41. Education Award Once you have been officially exited from yourAmeriCorps term, you can begin the process of accessingyour Education Award. Register with www.my.americorps.gov to access yourEducation Award online. The online system allowsAmeriCorps alumni to request Education Awardpayments to a qualified institution of higher education ora student loan holder. Members are also able to update their contactinformation, view their account information and thestatus of their Education Award payments. 42. Education AwardAn Education Award can be usedto: Pay back qualified studentloans. Pay current educationalexpenses at a Title IVinstitution of highereducation. 43. Education Award An Education Award can only be used by the Memberwho received it, unless the Member is over the age of55 at the time of enrollment. Members 55 and over cantransfer the Education Award to a child, foster child orgrandchild. A Member has up to 7 years to use his/her EducationAward. An individual is eligible to receive the aggregate value ofup to two full-time Education Awards in a lifetime. 44. ResourcesNeed more information?Read all provisions in your Bonner AmeriCorpsEnrollment WorkbookVisit the AmeriCorps website: my.americorps.govRead the AmeriCorps pages on the Bonner NetworkWiki: http://bonnernetwork.pbworks.comExplore BWBRS: www.bwbrs.org (see your CampusAdministrator for login information)