AmeriCorps 101AmeriCorps 101

Welcome

AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Members Members

of of 2013-20142013-2014

New Jersey New Jersey AmeriCorps LaunchAmeriCorps LaunchNovember 18, 2013 November 18, 2013

Celebrating 20 Years of Celebrating 20 Years of Service! Service!

Way, Way Back….Way, Way Back….

You are part of a long You are part of a long history of Americans history of Americans

in service in service

Back in the day….Back in the day….

1933-1942 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Serving the Needs of the

NationNation

1933-1942 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Serving the Needs of the

NationNationFranklin D. Roosevelt was one of the Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the

first elected leaders to use the first elected leaders to use the concepts of William James’ concepts of William James’ Moral Moral Living Living to create public policy. to create public policy.

Civilian Conservation Corps Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)(CCC)

1933-19421933-1942Provided opportunities for young men and Provided opportunities for young men and

boys related to the conservation and boys related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state and local lands owned by federal, state and local governments. governments.

1950-19611950-1961Engaging AmericansEngaging Americans

“ “Ask not what your Ask not what your

country can do for country can do for

you, but what you you, but what you

can do for your can do for your

country.”country.”

On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed the Executive Order that signed the Executive Order that officially started the Peace Corpsofficially started the Peace Corps

Seniors Serving their NationSeniors Serving their Nation

1960’s 1960’s Continuing a Legacy Continuing a Legacy

1964 1964 Domestic Volunteer ActDomestic Volunteer Act

Creation of VISTACreation of VISTA

1988-19901988-1990A Kinder, More Gentle A Kinder, More Gentle

NationNationPresident Bush comments President Bush comments about individuals serving their about individuals serving their neighbors being like a neighbors being like a “thousand points of light”“thousand points of light”

1991-19921991-1992A Call to ServiceA Call to Service

During the Presidential campaign, Governor Bill Clinton visits a number of college campuses and urban communities and is intriguedby the National Service movement.

September 1993 September 1993

President Bill Clinton signs the National and

Community Service Trust Act of 1993,

creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for

National Service to expand opportunities

for Americans to serve their

communities.

January 2002January 2002USA Freedom CorpsUSA Freedom Corps

In his state of the Union address, President In his state of the Union address, President Bush called on us to dedicate at least two Bush called on us to dedicate at least two years to the service of others, and created years to the service of others, and created the USA Freedom Corps to help all the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call.Americans answer his call.

2009 Edward M. Kennedy 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America ActServe America Act

President Obama signed the Edward M. President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizing Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizing and expanding national service programs. and expanding national service programs.

Which Brings Us to You!Which Brings Us to You!

As you start YOUR As you start YOUR term of service…term of service…

Begin with Begin with the End in the End in

MindMind

Begin with the End in MindBegin with the End in Mind

What will your What will your Life after AmeriCorps Life after AmeriCorps look like? look like? Are you prepared to make the most of training, Are you prepared to make the most of training,

service and leadership opportunities?service and leadership opportunities? Have you begun Detailed Journaling? Have you begun Detailed Journaling? Are you learning Organizational Culture? Are you learning Organizational Culture?

Have your student loans grown? Have your student loans grown? Did you file for Deferment?Did you file for Deferment?

Will interest compound? Will interest compound? Have you set a reminder for interest accrual?Have you set a reminder for interest accrual?

Be Prepared for Be Prepared for Life After Life After AmeriCorpsAmeriCorps service service

What is the culture of your organization? What is the culture of your organization? Have you become part of that?Have you become part of that?

Are you Pro-Active?Are you Pro-Active? What is your personal email address?What is your personal email address?What does your Facebook, Twitter What does your Facebook, Twitter

look like?look like?

You will be judged!You will be judged!Really, you will…Really, you will…

Understanding your Role…Understanding your Role…Does everyone understand that Does everyone understand that

you are AMERICORPS first!you are AMERICORPS first!

You are not an Employee!You are not an Employee!

You are not an Employee!You are not an Employee!

You are an You are an AmeriCorps AmeriCorps MEMBER MEMBER and you will get and you will get

things done for your things done for your community! community!

AmeriCorps Service and AmeriCorps Service and FundsFunds

Every program wrote an Every program wrote an application with clear targets and application with clear targets and goals for communities served. goals for communities served. The program is judged on these The program is judged on these performance measures.performance measures.

What are your programs What are your programs performance measures? Do you performance measures? Do you know? Insist that you know! know? Insist that you know!

Know Your AmeriCorps Know Your AmeriCorps Member Contract!Member Contract!

When is your start/enrollment date?When is your start/enrollment date?When is your last day?When is your last day?How many hours MUST YOU SERVE PER How many hours MUST YOU SERVE PER

WEEK?WEEK?How many hours must you serve for the How many hours must you serve for the

term?term?Know your rights & responsibilities!Know your rights & responsibilities!

Benefits only while serving, hours commitment, Benefits only while serving, hours commitment, timesheets, time off, grievance procedure ? !timesheets, time off, grievance procedure ? !

Know Your AmeriCorps Know Your AmeriCorps Member ContractMember Contract

What are the expectations on you?What are the expectations on you?What are your expectations?What are your expectations?Who is your direct supervisor?Who is your direct supervisor?Did you get a signed copy of your Did you get a signed copy of your

contract? Was your contract contract? Was your contract discussed with everyone? discussed with everyone?

What is the grievance procedure? Who What is the grievance procedure? Who do you contact? - not your manager. do you contact? - not your manager.

The Very Basics of The Very Basics of AmeriCorps...AmeriCorps...

Just the Facts…. Just the Facts….

AmeriCorps is..AmeriCorps is..People of All Backgrounds who have made People of All Backgrounds who have made

aa COMMITMENT to a specific TERM OF SERVICE not longer than one yearnot longer than one year..

AmeriCorps has…AmeriCorps has…Lots of benefits for members & the Lots of benefits for members & the

community community LOTS of regulations that MUST be LOTS of regulations that MUST be

followed by organizations, staff and followed by organizations, staff and members.members.

AmeriCorps is NOTAmeriCorps is NOT

A JOBA JOBA JOB’S PROGRAMA JOB’S PROGRAMAn INTERNSHIPAn INTERNSHIPFREE LABORFREE LABORA STAFF BUILDERA STAFF BUILDER

AmeriCorps is…AmeriCorps is…

* National Service Program * National Service Program

(Domestic Peace Corps)(Domestic Peace Corps)• Service to the CommunityService to the Community• Education Awards For ServiceEducation Awards For Service

AMERICORPSAMERICORPSinin

New JerseyNew Jersey

FUNDING PROCESSFUNDING PROCESS

AmeriCorps isAmeriCorps isfunded by funded by the Corporationthe Corporation for for

National and Community Service National and Community Service (CNCS) (CNCS)

administered by the NJ Commission administered by the NJ Commission on National and Community Serviceon National and Community Service

hosted by the Department of Statehosted by the Department of State

AmeriCorps Programs in NJAmeriCorps Programs in NJ

New Jersey CDCNew Jersey CDCSt. Paul’s CDCSt. Paul’s CDCMontclair UniversityMontclair UniversityThe Salvation ArmyThe Salvation ArmyNJ DEP Watershed NJ DEP Watershed

AmbassadorsAmbassadorsThe College of New JerseyThe College of New Jersey

MORE AmeriCorps in NJMORE AmeriCorps in NJ

Jersey CaresJersey CaresBoys & Girls Club of NJBoys & Girls Club of NJGreat Oaks Charter SchoolGreat Oaks Charter SchoolUnited Way of Central JerseyUnited Way of Central JerseyEnable Inc.Enable Inc.Jewish Renaissance FoundationJewish Renaissance FoundationUnited Way of Monmouth CountyUnited Way of Monmouth CountyCenter for Family Services Center for Family Services

AmeriCorps in New JerseyAmeriCorps in New Jersey

You ARE NOT ALONE!You ARE NOT ALONE!

There will be hundreds of Corps There will be hundreds of Corps Members serving in all areas of Members serving in all areas of New Jersey this program year! New Jersey this program year!

AmeriCorps in New JerseyAmeriCorps in New Jersey

Focus Areas of National Service Focus Areas of National Service

Disaster ServicesDisaster ServicesVeterans and Military FamiliesVeterans and Military FamiliesEconomic Opportunity Economic Opportunity Education Education Environmental Stewardship Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures Healthy Futures

AmeriCorps Members must AmeriCorps Members must meet these REQUIREMENTS to meet these REQUIREMENTS to

Serve:Serve:

Must be 17 years of age or older.Must be 17 years of age or older.Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Must be a US Citizen or Permanent

Resident of the US.Resident of the US.Proof: Birth Certificate &/or Proof: Birth Certificate &/or

Specific LIMITED Acceptable Specific LIMITED Acceptable Documents Documents

PROGRAMS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS PROGRAMS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Age, Education)(Age, Education)

More REQUIREMENTS to More REQUIREMENTS to serveserve::

Must have a High School Diploma or Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalency, or must be working Equivalency, or must be working towards their GED.towards their GED.

Must complete your Term of Service. Must complete your Term of Service.

1700 hours (FT) 1700 hours (FT)

900 hours (HT)900 hours (HT)

450 hours (QT)450 hours (QT)

300 hours (MT)300 hours (MT)

AmeriCorps AmeriCorps Members support Members support

the nation and the nation and the community the community

through through

DIRECT SERVICEDIRECT SERVICE!!

DIRECT SERVICE includesDIRECT SERVICE includes

Tutor StudentsTutor StudentsEducate communities about their Educate communities about their

environmentenvironmentRenovate and Rebuild Abandoned Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned

HomesHomesProvide Mentoring During Provide Mentoring During (Non) (Non) School School

HoursHours

DIRECT SERVICE also IncludesDIRECT SERVICE also Includes

Recruit VolunteersRecruit Volunteers

Assist Homeless Individuals Assist Homeless Individuals

Provide Support to People with Provide Support to People with DisabilitiesDisabilities

Assist Families with Young ChildrenAssist Families with Young Children

(Let me explain)….(Let me explain)….

AmeriCorps Direct Service AmeriCorps Direct Service IS IS NOTNOT

Office workOffice workAnswering phones Answering phones Clerical work, Administrative duties Clerical work, Administrative duties

Janitorial dutiesJanitorial dutiesSupervising other membersSupervising other membersManaging paperwork or financial issuesManaging paperwork or financial issuesAnything that is connect to Prohibited Anything that is connect to Prohibited

Activities – directly or indirectly Activities – directly or indirectly

What Do AmeriCorps What Do AmeriCorps Members Receive?Members Receive?

All Members Receive Training & the All Members Receive Training & the Experience of a Life Time! PLUS…Experience of a Life Time! PLUS…

Full-Time MembersFull-Time Members

1,700 Hours of Service 1,700 Hours of Service Education AwardEducation Award Living Allowance $12,100Living Allowance $12,100 Health InsuranceHealth Insurance Child CareChild Care Loan Forbearance and Loan Forbearance and

Interest Accrual Interest Accrual

Half-Time MembersHalf-Time Members

900 Hours of Service900 Hours of Service Education AwardEducation Award Living Allowance Living Allowance

(varies)(varies) Loan Forbearance and Loan Forbearance and

Interest Accrual Interest Accrual

2013-2014 Terms of Service2013-2014 Terms of Service

TERMTERM HOURS HOURS ED ED AWARDAWARD

Full TimeFull Time 17001700 $5550$5550

Half TimeHalf Time 900900 $2775$2775 Quarter Time Quarter Time 450 $1468450 $1468 Minimum Time Minimum Time 300300 $1175 $1175

An individual may receive (a living An individual may receive (a living allowance, child care and health allowance, child care and health care) for care) for no more than no more than four terms four terms of service in an AmeriCorps State & of service in an AmeriCorps State & National program, regardless of National program, regardless of whether those terms were served on whether those terms were served on a full-, part-, or reduced part-time a full-, part-, or reduced part-time basis.basis.

Term LimitsTerm Limits

Educational AwardEducational AwardEducation Award can be used in the following ways:Education Award can be used in the following ways:

Repay qualified existing or future student Repay qualified existing or future student loansloans** FEDERAL STUDENTS LOANS ONLY**** FEDERAL STUDENTS LOANS ONLY**

Pay all or part of cost of attending an Pay all or part of cost of attending an institution of higher Education institution of higher Education

(including certain vocational (including certain vocational programs)programs)

Pay expenses incurred while Pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-participating in an approved school-to-work programwork program

Educational AwardEducational AwardMust be used at an institution or Must be used at an institution or

program that that has been program that that has been approved by the US Dept. of Ed, for approved by the US Dept. of Ed, for participation in Title IV programs.participation in Title IV programs.

Earn up to the equivalent of Earn up to the equivalent of 2 full 2 full time education awards time education awards

- - in no more than 4 termsin no more than 4 terms

Taxable **Taxable **upon use**upon use**

Education Award Education Award

You have up to You have up to seven yearsseven years to use to use you award you award

Education Award can Education Award can be used at more than one be used at more than one

institution institution help pay more then one loan.help pay more then one loan.

Education Award can be used Education Award can be used outside of the United Statesoutside of the United States

Deferment and Interest Deferment and Interest Accrual Accrual

Stop paying loan payments Stop paying loan payments during your service.during your service.

Interest continues to grow Interest continues to grow unless you defer AND file unless you defer AND file for Interest Accrualfor Interest Accrual

You could save so much!You could save so much!

Education Award Education Award

ONLY Transferable IFONLY Transferable IF…… You were at You were at least 55 when you enrolledleast 55 when you enrolled; ;

andand

You began service on or You began service on or after October 1, after October 1, 20092009; ; and and

You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or National program. National program.

Only awards earned in terms Only awards earned in terms beginning on or beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2009after Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible for transfer., are eligible for transfer.

Partial Education AwardPartial Education Award

Must complete at least 15% of your Must complete at least 15% of your service hours to be service hours to be eligible eligible for a for a pro-rated Education Award pro-rated Education Award due to due to compelling personal compelling personal circumstances. circumstances.

These are reasons These are reasons BEYOND BEYOND the the member’s control. (going to school member’s control. (going to school is NOT CPC)is NOT CPC)

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

While charging time to the AmeriCorps While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, staff and members may not (directly staff and members may not (directly or indirectly) engage in the following or indirectly) engage in the following activities activities

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

a. Attempting to influence legislation; a. Attempting to influence legislation;

b. Organizing or engaging in protests, b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; petitions, boycotts, or strikes;

c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; union organizing;

d. Impairing existing contracts for d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining services or collective bargaining agreements; agreements;

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

e. Engaging in partisan political activities, e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public the outcome of an election to any public office; office;

f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials; proposed legislation, or elected officials;

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

g. Engaging in religious instruction, g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, or worship, constructing or operating constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship,religious instruction or worship, or or engaging in any form of religious engaging in any form of religious proselytization; proselytization;

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

h. Providing a direct benefit to— h. Providing a direct benefit to—

i. A business organized for profit; i. A business organized for profit;

ii. A labor union; ii. A labor union;

iii. A partisan political organization; iii. A partisan political organization;

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

h. Providing a direct benefit to— h. Providing a direct benefit to— continued…continued…

iv. A nonprofit organization iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) related to engaging in 501(c)(3) related to engaging in political activities or substantial political activities or substantial amount of lobbying and amount of lobbying and

Prohibited Activities Prohibited Activities

i. Conducting a voter registration drive i. Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive; voter registration drive;

j. Providing abortion services or j. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; referrals for receipt of such services; and and

k. Such other activities as CNCS may k. Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit. prohibit.

Prohibited Activities Prohibited Activities

Keep in MindKeep in Mind

Individuals may exercise their rights as Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their in the activities listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. and using non-CNCS funds. Individuals should not wear the Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

Guess What this means??Guess What this means??

Prohibited ActivitiesProhibited Activities

You can do all this as a private You can do all this as a private citizen– not on AmeriCorps time, not citizen– not on AmeriCorps time, not with AmeriCorps supplies, equipment with AmeriCorps supplies, equipment and and Definitely Definitely not in your AmeriCorps not in your AmeriCorps gear! gear!

2 REASONS FOR LEAVING2 REASONS FOR LEAVING

RELEASE FOR RELEASE FOR

Compelling Personal Compelling Personal CircumstanceCircumstance

CauseCause

REASONS FOR LEAVINGREASONS FOR LEAVING

If a member has a If a member has a Compelling Compelling Personal Circumstance Personal Circumstance and has and has completed at completed at least 15% least 15% of your of your service, they service, they MAYMAY receive a portion of receive a portion of the educational award.the educational award.

This means that the situation is This means that the situation is absolutely absolutely beyond the member’s controlbeyond the member’s control (e.g. illness).(e.g. illness).

Documentation provided Documentation provided by memberby member is is MANDATORY.MANDATORY.

REASONS FOR LEAVINGREASONS FOR LEAVING

RELEASE FOR CAUSE-If a member RELEASE FOR CAUSE-If a member leaves for other reasons, they will leaves for other reasons, they will NOT NOT receive an educational award.receive an educational award.

These reasons include a new job, These reasons include a new job, going going back to schoolback to school,, dissatisfaction with the dissatisfaction with the program, etc. program, etc.

Supervision of AmeriCorps Supervision of AmeriCorps Members Members

Each program is required to have Each program is required to have a a qualified supervisorqualified supervisor to provide to provide

members with regular and members with regular and adequate oversight on a daily adequate oversight on a daily

basis.basis.

Members are prohibited from Members are prohibited from supervising another member.supervising another member.

Do you know who your supervisor Do you know who your supervisor is?is?

TrainingTraining

Training needs to include at Training needs to include at LEAST:LEAST:OrientationOrientation

Includes AmeriCorps 101Includes AmeriCorps 101

Citizenship TrainingCitizenship TrainingLife After AmeriCorpsLife After AmeriCorpsContent Skills TrainingContent Skills Training

New Jersey New Jersey THANKS YOU!THANKS YOU!

Have a Fantastic Journey Have a Fantastic Journey in National Service!in National Service!

Congratulations Congratulations on YOUR on YOUR

Commitment Commitment to…to…

Getting Things Getting Things Done for America!Done for America!

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION

NJ Commission on National and NJ Commission on National and Community Services Community Services

NJ Department of StateNJ Department of State 225 West State Street, 4225 West State Street, 4rdrd

FloorFloor PO Box 456PO Box 456

Trenton, NJ 08625-0456Trenton, NJ 08625-0456

609-633-9627609-633-9627