AmeriCorps 101 Part 2 Onboarding AmeriCorps Members for Success

Agenda About YouthBuild and Public Allies and their connection to AmeriCorps Discuss Onboarding Process Share Some Inclusive Onboarding Strategies Pair and share activity

About YouthBuild Low-income young people ages 16 to 24 ½ of the time working toward GED/High School Diploma ½ of the time learning job skills and performing service by building affordable housing in their communities

What is YouthBuild?

YOUTHBUILD Network

YouthBuild and AmeriCorps AmeriCorps National Direct grantee since 1994 Almost 3,000 members from low-income, disadvantaged communities 73 YouthBuild sites receive AmeriCorps funds and slots in 26 States + DC Primary service = building of low-income housing

YOUTHBUILD AMERICORPS

About Public Allies Founded in 1992, we are a national movement grounded in the conviction that everyone leads. Our mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic participation. Public Allies employs three integrated strategies to develop the next generation of leaders and re-define leadership for our times:

About Public Allies The Public Allies signature AmeriCorps Ally Program identifies diverse young adults and prepares them for leadership through paid full-time nonprofit apprenticeships and rigorous leadership training. Our Alumni Programs connect and engage the growing Public Allies network of diverse leaders and invests in those positioned to make the greatest impact. Public Allies' training and consulting arm, The Leadership Practice, magnifies our results by helping leaders and organizations better harness the assets of diverse teams and communities

How the Public Allies AmeriCorps Program Operates Consists of four components designed to cultivate the leadership potential of our members, impact social issues in the local communities in which we operate, and increase the capacity and effectiveness of the non profit sector –Apprenticeship –Team Service Project –Training and Learning –Individual Coaching and Development

Onboarding – The Wrong Way

YouthBuild Onboarding Process Typical YouthBuild Program Timeline

Onboarding Strategies Is the program a right fit?  Shadow a current member  Come visit the program: open-house or invitation to graduation  Host orientation for families

Onboarding Strategies Is the program a right fit?  The informational session – live and virtual  Setting expectations: time, commitment, workload, performance, culture  Early opportunity to screen for “fit” and service orientation  Opportunity to extend the interview process from beyond just the formal interview  Opportunity to meet current members, alumni, partners, and staff

Onboarding Strategies Fostering Community  Team-building exercises  Community potluck meals  Group work  Mentoring  Formal mentoring set-up / serve alongside mentors  Bringing in former members to discuss experience = organic mentorship

Onboarding Strategies Fostering Community  Early introduction of members to Alumni  Two week “Core Training” and retreat  Team Service Project  Establishing Group Norms  Shared Goal Setting and Accountability Partners  Personal Story Telling

Onboarding Strategies Connection to Service / AmeriCorps / Program Mission  Share history and current breadth of AmeriCorps  Videos  Online research scavenger hunt  Use of the logo  In corporate AmeriCorps Pledge  State Commission events  Community Needs Assessment  Plan and/or participate in service project, but not necessarily primary service activity

Onboarding Strategies Connection to Service / AmeriCorps / Program Mission  Servant Leadership Curriculum  Leadership Style Assessment/Inventory  Joint Mid Year Retreat with other PA sites  Collaborative Community Service Days  Theories of Change Curriculum

Onboarding Strategies Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and and Expectations  Going over member contract  Upfront and explicit about requirements  Pair and Share  Play a game to go over these - Jeopardy  Individual Service Plans – outline skill development & connect to career plan

Onboarding Strategies Benefits of membership  Emphasis on Education Award – make a plan for PSE usage/post-program placement support  Resume Prep – outline skill development & connect to career plan through service  Connection to Leadership Development / Policy Council  Define leader, skills of leader and show how these members will gain these exact skills

Onboarding Strategies Benefits of membership  Individual Coaching and goal setting  Early EOB during info sessions and orientations  Networking opportunities with Alumni  Encouraging members to take advantage all the benefits that help sustain service  Self Care Curriculum  Celebrating and promoting member impact and success

Pair and Share Is the Program a Right Fit? Fostering Community Connecting to Service / AmeriCorps / Program Mission Understanding roles, responsibilities and expectations Benefits of Membership

Evaluating for Success What YouthBuild and Public Allies are saying after their AmeriCorps experience.