Literacy VISTA Things You Need to Know!

We will cover… Things to understand about how it all fits together, roles and expectations Things to remember about VISTA policy Things you’ll need to do this year Things that can help you be successful

3 incentives to pay attention We’ll cover a lot of important details in this session and will answer a lot of your questions Fill out your worksheet as we go along and solve the puzzle for a chance to win a prize! Your table will have a chance to compete for glory in a trivia game at the end! Let’s start with some context…

What is AmeriCorps VISTA? CNCS AmeriCorps AmeriCorps VISTA State & National AmeriCorps NCCC Senior Corps RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions SIF To start, strengthen or expand programs, systems or services that help people move out of poverty.

? sponsor CNCS Host site “I serve as a VISTA at [my host site] through the Minnesota Literacy Council’s Literacy VISTA program.”

CNCS state office Sam Schuth Jaime Renner Kara Balcerzak Samson Girma

National service program: Literacy VISTA & Summer Reads Shannon Gatewood (VISTA Leader) Ellen Bergstrom (Director) Meghan Paul-Cook (Coordinator)

Roles and Expectations Things to understand Roles and Expectations

CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs

What should you expect from CNCS? After PSO, most communication will go through MLC as your sponsor, but the state office staff and others are there when you need them. You will have a lot of resources available to you through the VISTA Campus and will get email updates, invitations to webinars, etc. If you’re not sure whether it applies to you, check with your VISTA Leader. CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs

What should you expect from your host site? Welcome you as a part of the staff Provide work space and materials Reimburse for travel required by the project Provide day-to-day supervision, set expectations Set your schedule (full time) Weekly 1-1 check-ins: coaching, mentoring and guidance on the project 10-15 hours per month of staff time Time off for cohort meetings and training CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs If you don’t feel your host site is meeting these expectations, let us know!

What we expect from you as a VISTA Focus on the capacity-building goal, objectives and activities outlined in your VAD Work with your host site supervisor Aim to make a long-term impact; sustainable changes in your host site’s capacity to provide effective literacy services Take appropriate risks to help your host site grow Take initiative on the project and seek out guidance, collaboration or assistance when needed Be service-minded and flexible Take responsibility for your own learning and growth Contribute as a member of the cohort and your peer group CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs You are NOT An employee An intern “Just” a volunteer You are a national service member!

What is the role of the literacy council as sponsor? Areas we can help: VISTA policies and procedures VISTA benefits and requirements Professional development Living on the VISTA budget, work/life balance Staying motivated Making connections/networking Dealing with issues with your supervisor or host site Transition to post-VISTA career Keep you informed Provide training and other opportunities for professional development Share resources, advice and ideas Facilitate networking and collaboration Answer questions and provide technical assistance Provide support – listen, problem-solve, mediate or advocate Pay living allowance CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs

CNCS MLC Host site VISTAs Literacy VISTA goal #1: Provide non-profits and educational institutions with resources to build their capacity to provide accessible, high quality literacy programs in Minnesota’s high-poverty communities. Literacy VISTA goal #2: Provide opportunities for VISTA members to gain skills and experience that will allow them to become leaders in their chosen field. CNCS Host site MLC VISTAs

Policies Things that are important to remember

Attendance & leave policies VISTA is full-time service for a full year. You are entitled to 10 personal days and 10 medical leave days. Federal holidays recognized by your host site are a day off for you, too. You will report to your host site supervisor and they will set your day-to-day schedule. If expectations are unclear, please ask questions! Contact Ellen (and your supervisor) immediately if there is an emergency.

Outside employment policy If you plan to hold a part-time job in addition to your VISTA service, fill out the form and give it to your site supervisor. To qualify, You cannot be employed by your host site You must be able to prioritize your full-time VISTA service If your site supervisor approves, they should send the form to Ellen. It is then submitted to CNCS for final approval.

Taking classes Make sure you can prioritize full-time VISTA service Talk to your host site supervisor to make sure it will be manageable

Hatch Act Make sure to avoid any perception that federal funds may be being used to support political activity. Keep your political life and your VISTA life separate!

Requirements Things you’ll need to do

Participate in Literacy VISTA trainings Early Service Training (August 15-16) In-service training generally the first Friday of each month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cohort meetings generally the 3rd Friday of each month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. *If you have a conflict, contact us in advance!

Peer group You will be expected to contribute as a member of your peer group. More on this tomorrow!

Green Book The “Green Book” is a manual you will put together during your year to facilitate the transition to the next VISTA and/or the staff, volunteers or community partners who will sustain the work of your project once your service is finished.

Progress reports The Minnesota Literacy Council collects quarterly progress reports from each project. This is primarily your supervisor’s responsibility, but you will help!

Evaluations Formal opportunities to give and receive feedback from your site supervisor: Mid-year evaluation Year-end Close of Service form The literacy council will also ask for your feedback! Post-training evaluations Year-end survey And other ways, too

Keep your sponsor informed We want you to let us know how things are going and how we can support you. We also rely on you to let us know if you have concerns or if changes happen. For example:

Navigating your year Things that can help you be successful

Your VISTA Leader Shannon will be a great resource for you! If she doesn’t know the answer to your question she’ll do her best to connect you with someone who does. You’ll hear more this afternoon about some of the things you can go to Shannon for this year.

National Service Program Director Let Ellen know if you need assistance with issues with your host sites or with CNCS.

VISTA Program Coordinator Meghan supports the Literacy VISTA program in many ways and is a great resource if Shannon and Ellen are ever unavailable.

Your VISTA peers Connections with other VISTAs can be an important source of support for you this year!

SuperVAD Think of it as a map and a tool

Professional development In addition to your (required) in-service training and cohort meeting days, there are additional opportunities for training. Some will be free, others cost money Each Literacy VISTA is eligible to use $150 in Professional Development Funds Trainings, conferences, classes, and more Get pre-approved! Send the form to Shannon, along with a description. Then register. If you must pay, save your receipt. We can make payments directly (preferred) or reimburse you.

Travel reimbursement You can be reimbursed for travel to and from required Literacy VISTA training (EST, in-service and cohort meetings) You can also use PD funds for travel to and from additional trainings, conferences, etc. Includes: Mileage, parking, and public transit costs. Travel meals and hotel stays also may be covered. Daily commute doesn’t count. Send the form to Shannon. Save and submit original receipts (but not for gas) You’ll get reimbursed via check

Literacy VISTA - VISTA Portal mnliteracy.org/vista Username: mlcvista Password: literacy Training info Forms, policies and procedures Resources Roster

One more important thing to have: Patience!!! Be patient with your project. Capacity-building takes time. Doing work (well) in a community takes time. Be patient with yourself. Ups and downs are very common during your VISTA year. If you hit a slump, give it time. Be patient with your host site, supervisor and community partners, too.

This year will be what you make of it. Let’s make it a great year!

Trivia What does VISTA stand for? In what year did the first VISTA members start their service? Fill in the blank: the Minnesota Literacy Council is your VISTA __________ How many personal days and medical leave days do you have for the year? What should you do if you want to get a part-time job during your VISTA year?

Trivia What is the name of the federal legislation that restricts the political activity of some government employees? When will Literacy VISTA cohort meetings generally be held? How much money is available to you through Literacy VISTA Professional Development Funds? What is the first step you should take if you want to use your PD funds? Paraphrase the 2 goals of the Literacy VISTA program.

Thank you! Questions?