Literacy VISTA Early Service Training

Literacy VISTA Early Service Training

What is AmeriCorps VISTA? Founded in 1965 (War on Poverty) National service expanded and AmeriCorps created in 1990s VISTA mission: To start, strengthen or expand programs, systems or services that help people move out of poverty. AmeriCorps CNCS Senior Corps SIF AmeriCorps VISTA State & National AmeriCorps NCCC RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions

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

CNCS State Office Staff Sam Schuth Jaime Renner Kara Balcerzak David Kreft

What is Minnesota Literacy Council? Founded in 1972 by group of volunteers in a church basement who wanted to help adults learn to read Has since evolved to be a statewide organization dedicated to sharing the power of learning for all ages, preschool through adults, through direct services, capacity-building, and advocacy. Mission: To share the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy

Serving Minnesotans Adult Literacy Hotline Open Door Learning Center Early Literacy and Families Summer Reads VISTA PROGRAMS & SERVICES Strengthening Organizations Tutor Training Volunteer Outreach Literacy VISTA Literacy Strategies Technology Services Engaging Others in the Cause Advocacy

MN Literacy Council National Service Program: Literacy VISTA & Summer Reads Meghan Paul-Cook (Director) Courtney Zaato (Coordinator) Emily Smith (VISTA Leader) Summer Reads Outreach Specialists Goal #1: Capacity building: Provide non-profits and educational institutions with resources to build their capacity to provide accessible, high quality literacy programs in Minnesota s highpoverty communities. Goal #2: Professional development: Provide opportunities for VISTA members to gain skills and experience that enable them to become leaders in their chosen field.

ROLES & EXPECTATIONS

CNCS MLC Host site 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. Host site CNCS MLC VISTAs

What should you expect from your If you don t feel your host site is meeting these expectations, let us know! Host site host site? CNCS MLC 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 VISTAs Time off for cohort meetings and training

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 Host site learning and growth Contribute as a member of the cohort and your peer group CNCS 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 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 as sponsor? Host site CNCS MLC VISTAs 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

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. CNCS 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. MLC Host site VISTAs

QUESTIONS?

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!

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 Meghan or Courtney as well as 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 fulltime VISTA service If your site supervisor approves, they should send the form to the literacy council. 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 Get approval from host site supervisor and Minnesota Literacy Council

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!

Travel reimbursement MN Literacy Council will reimburse you for: Travel to/from Literacy VISTA training (EST, in-service, retreats, and cohort meetings) Mileage, parking, and public transit costs Travel meals and hotel stays also may be covered NOTE: normal daily commute DOES NOT count must adjust your mileage on your form accordingly To get your reimbursement: Submit the mileage reimbursement form to the literacy council (same form for public transit, driving mileage, parking receipts, and other modes of transportation) Save and submit original receipts (not gas) Reimbursed via check **Your host site will reimburse you for any other service-related travel/mileage following their policies and procedures. If this is NOT happening, contact the literacy council right away!

REQUIREMENTS Things you ll need to do

Participate in Literacy VISTA trainings Early Service Training In-service trainings generally the last Friday of each month (some will be half days, some will be full days) Retreats Peer group meetings and activities *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.

Reporting and Feedback Quarterly Progress Reports will be completed by your supervisor, with your assistance Mid-Year Performance Evaluation (VISTA and supervisor) Close of Service/Year End Forms (VISTA and supervisor) Feedback to Literacy Council Post-training evaluations End of Service survey Monthly reflections Informal feedback

Keep the literacy council 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. This is what we are here for! For example:

NAVIGATING YOUR YEAR Things that can help you be successful

Your VISTA Leader Emily 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 Emily for this year.

National Service Program Staff Let Meghan or Courtney know if you need assistance with issues with your host sites or with CNCS.

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

SuperVAD VISTA Assignment Description and Project Work Plan Think of it as a map and a tool

Professional development In addition to your (required) in-service trainings and events, there are additional opportunities for professional development. Some will be free, others cost money Each Literacy VISTA is eligible to use $150 in Professional Development Funds Trainings, conferences, classes, books 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.

Self Advocacy Effective Communication at Your Host Site Reflect and identify your goals Seek Input Be patient

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 1. What does VISTA stand for? 2. In what year did the first VISTA members start their service? 3. Fill in the blank: the Minnesota Literacy Council is your VISTA 4. How many personal days and medical leave days do you have for the year? 5. What should you do if you want to get a part-time job during your VISTA year?

6. What should you do if you plan on enrolling in classes during your VISTA year? 7. What is the name of the federal legislation that restricts the political activity of some government employees? 8. When will Literacy VISTA cohort meetings generally be held? 9. How much money is available to you through Literacy VISTA Professional Development Funds? 10. What is the first step you should take if you want to use your PD funds? 11. Paraphrase the 2 goals of the Literacy VISTA program.

Thank you! QUESTIONS?