thrive in strong communities A diverse network that supports & equips each other to get things done so that all people can thrive in strong communities

Goals of Today’s Session Introduce AmeriCorps Alums’ Mission & Work Explore Findings from AmeriCorps Alums Corps Member Professional Development Study Share Tools/Resources You Can Start Using Today to Improve Corps Members’ Experience and Life after AmeriCorps

Who & What is AmeriCorps Alums? A diverse network that supports & equips each other to get things done so that all people can thrive in strong communities Ben Duda & Mary Bruce Co-Executive Directors Ana Estrada Chair, National Advisory Council

Who Are Alums? 900,000+ alumni Mostly between ages of 18-35 More racially diverse than US population 2/3 women

Individual Reflection: How have you connected with AmeriCorps alumni &/or Alums (the organization) to support your work?

SERVICE PIC What I did

Inspiration for Our Work? I will carry this commitment with me The 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. This line is our driving force – it’s why we do what we do!

Rachelle will soon begin her second term as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Children’s Home Society of Florida’s community outreach and engagement initiative. She was recently awarded Volunteer Florida’s Champion of Service award for her VISTA work. “trust in yourself, be patient, don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But most importantly, revel in every little victory!”

Rachelle will soon begin her second term as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Children’s Home Society of Florida’s community outreach and engagement initiative. She was recently awarded Volunteer Florida’s Champion of Service award for her VISTA work. “trust in yourself, be patient, don’t be afraid to experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But most importantly, revel in every little victory!” Aileen Alon - Director of Arts & Creative Industry at Opa-locka Community Development Corporation Brad - Program Manager at Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County Morgan- teacher in public schools Merrell – impact manager at City Year Miami

Research!

9 in 10

4 in 5

1 in 3

More Research!

AmeriCorps Alums “Life After AmeriCorps” 101 Evaluation Alums surveyed nearly 400 Corps members in 4 different programs at the beginning and end of their year of service to see the effects of connecting to the Alums’ network and resources Members geographically divided into treatment and control groups with similar corps member demographics

AmeriCorps Alums P.D. Study Con’t: What the “Treatment” Group Recv’d 2 monthly newsletters 3 direct messages from program managers 3 direct messages from Alums 1 “Welcome to Alums” Webinar + 2 live/archived Webinars All Alums’ resources (social media, jobs board, blog, discounts, etc.)

Study Results Corps member in treatment group more likely to: Want to continue with another year of AmeriCorps service Know how to use their education award Be aware of the resources available to reach their goals Be knowledgeable about who to turn to for career advice or support and how to discuss AmeriCorps in interviews Report an interest in pursuing policy issues Feel connected to a network of AmeriCorps members serving across the country All of These Results Are Statistically Significant!

Partner Perspectives “A program director told me that at first she was not really sure about this AC Alums partnership, but after seeing how easy the materials have been, and listening to the welcome webinar, they are so excited about it! One corps member said, ‘I had no idea how big the national service network was, I feel like I’m part of a bigger family now’. I thought that was pretty great.” -Amy Porter, Program Officer Serve Wisconsin

Partnership Benefits - Programs Engagement of alums is a powerful recruitment tool Each year: 1,300 Wisconsin AmeriCorps members 75,000 AmeriCorps members nationwide “At first some Program Directors were not really sure about this AC Alums partnership, but after seeing how easy the materials have been, and listening to the welcome webinar, members are so excited about it! One corps member said, ‘I had no idea how big the national service network was, I feel like I’m part of a bigger family now’.”

Why Your Work Matters

Recruitment

Retention

Impact

Good for: YOU YOUR MEMBERS YOUR PROGRAM AMERICA!

Even More Research!

Alumni Talent & Diversity Social Sector Talent & Equity Data Snapshot Alumni Talent & Diversity Social Sector Talent & Equity 1 million alums in 2016 + the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps in 2019; Alums develop key skills through service, but only 1 in 3 report they are well prepared for “life after  AmeriCorps” 45%+ of AmeriCorps Alums program participants are people of color ~4 in 5 alums work in the social sector (2 in 3 in govt / nonprofit); ~50% served in youth/education Alums are increasingly in leadership positions in social sector 89% of nonprofit CEOs are white; 80% of board members are white Less than 1% of nonprofit budgets are dedicated to talent development Ineffective talent policies, practices, and mindsets disproportionately affect people of color Racial disparities prevent organizations from achieving their greatest impact Women & people of color are penalized for advocating equity

Our Strategic Direction Build on our current work to support & equip alums & launch a Talent and Equity Initiative to supercharge the supply and demand of qualified, diverse talent in purpose-driven organizations at a time when our country needs this more than ever.

Pair Share: What do you need to support corps member development – especially for corps members from populations that face (education, employment, etc.) disparities? So Alums want to change the world, but what skills do they have for it? Alums, and all service members, have the drive and experience to become forces for change in America

Life after AmeriCorps starts today! So how do we tap the potential of our service alumni?

FREE

Our Professional Development Programs & Events Virtual Grad School Fairs (2016 calendar online now!) Virtual Career Fairs Monthly Webinars Jobs Board Career Newsletter LinkedIn Community Career Coach Blogs & Webinars Webinar topics: How to Put AmeriCorps on Your Resume, The Effective Eli Segal Award, Smart Networking, Top 5 Spreadsheet Skills, Interviewing & Salary Negotiation Strategy

Webinars 30+ on Demand

Shout-Out to Our AmeriCorps Alum Webinar Panelists of 2015!

38 College Partnerships

Virtual Grad School Fair – 20+ States & 50+ Fields of Study!

Chances to Serve Find a Volunteer Project on our Facebook App Find a Board Service Role Volunteer with a Chapter!

Discounts & Benefits Because You Served Corporate & other benefits partners provide alumni resources, opportunities, discounts and support

Network with Us! 70+ Chapters & Growing* *Full list at http://www.americorpsalums.org/?ActiveChapters

Signature Event

Voice Your AmeriCorps Pride During Alums’ June Graduation Celebration http://www.americorpsalums.org/?Graduation

Goals of #AmeriGrad Month Celebrate the accomplishments of a service year with the 75,000+ Corps members graduating this year! Connect graduating Corps members (and ALL AmeriCorps grads) to the Alums network & career supports.

Join Us & Lift Up the Alumni Voice! We are a 67,000+ Social Community & Growing! https://www.linkedin.com/groups/AmeriCorps-Alums-105198 @AmeriCorpsAlums / ForAmeriCorpsAlums Blog.americorpsalums.org

Pair Share: One new inspiration? One new insight? One thing you’ll do?