1. SITE PARTNER ORIENTATION: AMERICORPS 101 & TIMESHEETS 2014-2015 Next Steps AmeriCorps Program

2. Agenda I. Background Information II. AmeriCorps &History IV. Service Regulation- Prohibited Activities  A. Allowable Service  B. Unallowable Service

3. Background Information The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) and the Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Citizen Service (PennSERVE) awarded grants to organizations to implement AmeriCorps programs. Next Steps AmeriCorps is a part-time program that offers scholarships (education awards) to college students who serve their community. The purpose of the Next Steps AmeriCorps program is to engage at- risk college students in direct service and capacity-building to address unmet community needs, while also providing them with support and leadership development in hopes of fostering a support system that will persist them through college. The goal of graduating college.

4. Benefits of enrolling in the program Participants are part of a huge national movement PennSERVE family here in Pennsylvania, Earn an education award that can also be used towards books, tuition, loans. Participating in both the campus community and the surrounding community.

5. AmeriCorps is…. Service to our Nation by making a difference in communities AmeriCorps members get things done for citizens in Pennsylvania as well as every state in the United States!

6. AmeriCorps is A TERM OF SERVICE A COMMITMENT to 300 hours of Service A SEPARATE PROGRAM OF SERVICE that has LOTS of regulations that MUST be followed by organizations and members A win/ Win for the community and member!

7. AmeriCorps is NOT A job A “jobs program” An internship Free Labor A staff builder

8. History 1930  President Roosevelt creates the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Depression. 1961  President Kennedy creates the Peace Corps. Since then, more than 150,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps. 1964  President Johnson creates VISTA (volunteers in service to America) giving Americans opportunities to serve low-income communities.

9. History 1960s  The Foster Grandparent Program and RSVP are created to enable older Americans to serve their communities. 1990  President Bush signs the National and Community Service Act of 1990  This authorizes grants to support service- learning and national service programs

10. 1993  President Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and CNCS  AmeriCorps serves over 2 million Americans each year through their three main streams of service:  AmeriCorps  Senior Corps  Learn & Serve America (no longer)

11. AmeriCorp Members

12. AmeriCorp Members are People of All Backgrounds 17 Years & Older Committed to Making a Difference by Completing A Term of Service with Local & National Organizations

13. AmeriCorps Members must meet these Eligibility Requirements:  Must be 17 years of age or older.  Must have a High School Diploma or GED, or agree to earn the same before using their education award.  Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the US. ◦ Proof: Birth Certificate &/or Specific LIMITED Acceptable Documents  Must complete Term of Service to be eligible for the education award

14. AmeriCorps Members Agree to… A Term of Service that MUST be completed by a August 18, 2015 Undergo a Criminal Background check Follow a certain code of conduct when representing your AmeriCorps program Waive their education award if exiting early for non- compelling circumstances

15. AmeriCorps Education Award & Terms of Service TERM HOURS ED AWARD Minimum Time 300$1,195 AmeriCorps Members support the nation and the community through DIRECT SERVICE!

16. What is AmeriCorps DIRECT SERVICE? AmeriCorps Members Take Action and Find Solutions to Address Community Needs While Learning New Skills and Sharing Talents to Make a Difference in Pennsylvania Tutor Students Educate communities about their environment Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned Homes Provide Mentoring During Non-School Hours Recruit Volunteers Teach Parenting Skills to Teen Parents

17. AmeriCorps members DO NOT… Do office work Answer phones Do clerical work Do janitorial duties Supervise other members Manage paperwork or financial issues

18. Prohibited Activities While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not engage (or be asked to) in the following activities:

19. Prohibited Activities Political and Advocacy Activities a. Attempting to influence legislation; b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;

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

21. Prohibited Activities Religious Activities (even interfaith) You can do service with your church but you can’t provide religious services, with their AmeriCorps logo on. g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship  constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship  maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship,  engaging in any form of religious proselytization;

22. Prohibited Activities Don’t fundraise, collect signatures etc. for: h. Providing a direct benefit to— i. A business organized for profit; ii. A labor union; iii. A partisan political organization;

23. Prohibited Activities h. Providing a direct benefit to— Advocacy orgs ie: Planned Parenthood iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to engaging in political activities or substantial amount of lobbying except that nothing in these 9 provisions shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative;

24. Prohibited Activities h. Providing a direct benefit to— v. An organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph 3.g. above, unless CNCS assistance is not used to support those religious activities

25. Prohibited Activities i. Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive j. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and k. Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit.

26. Allowable Service Members can do are: Most direct volunteer work, including tutoring, mentoring, volunteer recruitment, etc. Community service in the areas of education, public safety, environmental initiatives, community development, and human services Federal or State-funded Community Service work study positions Service directly attending the population such as: ex. working at a pantry

27. Unallowable Service Members Can Do are: Service that is purely administrative Service with a for-profit organization International volunteer work Sleeping time on overnights or travel time Paid internships or practicum* Service completed at a site that does not provide liability or similar insurance for its volunteers Service that is done solely on campus and does not help the community in any way Work study not defined by the college/university financial aid office as “community service” *While all AmeriCorps service must be unpaid, there are instances in which members may receive a “living stipend” through work study funds.

28. Remember If you aren’t sure if a service activity is allowable, please ASK!!!