My organization would like to host a VISTA member
What does it mean to be an AmeriCorps VISTA host site?
AmeriCorps VISTA members for the City of Saint Paul spend one year in full-time service to address poverty through closing the education opportunity gap. All projects focus on building permanent infrastructure in organizations to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Eligible organizations include:
- Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations
- Local, state, or federal agencies
- K-12 schools (public, private or charter), colleges or universities
Project sponsors must be able to direct the project, supervise the AmeriCorps VISTA member, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. The goals and objectives must be clearly defined and directed toward alleviating problems of low-income communities, and meet the regulations of the AmeriCorps VISTA and Saint Paul VISTA Programs.
One consistent goal for every AmeriCorps VISTA project should be the sustainability of the project by the sponsoring agency and the low-income community after AmeriCorps VISTA project sponsorship ends. For more information, please visit the AmeriCorps website HERE.
What are the benefits of hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA through the City of Saint Paul?
VISTA members work to build permanent infrastructure in organizations to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTA members are prohibited from engaging in direct service, focusing instead on creating systemic change. By working to build capacity, VISTA members can transform the work of organizations and communities, allowing them to: serve more clients, reach a greater audience, more deeply impact causes of poverty, and expand the quality and quantity of program offerings.
What are the requirements for becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA host agency?
Host sites must be able to direct the project, supervise the VISTA member, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. The goals and objectives of the project must be clearly defined and hosts need to be able to demonstrate measurable results.
Host sites need to comply with and/or provide the following:
- A non-refundable, $3,200 cost-share payment to the Saint Paul VISTA Program for each VISTA member hosted.
- Active recruitment, effective interviewing and selection of their own VISTA applicants, with support and approval from Saint Paul VISTA Program staff and the CNCS.
- Participation in Saint Paul VISTA Supervisor orientation, project plan development and on-going training.
- A designated supervisor who will provide daily supervision and guidance to the VISTA member. This person must be available for frequent communication and to meet with the VISTA regularly to discuss projects, goals, and activities.
- Responsibility for the completion of quarterly reports, semi-annual member performance evaluations, and other reporting as required by the Saint Paul VISTA Program.
- A comfortable work environment, including reasonable office space, use of a computer, fax, phone and e-mail access comparable to that of paid staff.
- Meaningful work for the VISTA member in accordance with a site-developed project plan that will be mutually agreed to by the host site, VISTA member, VISTA Program staff and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- Support for VISTA member’s professional development.
- Active planning for sustaining the project’s goals and strategies beyond the VISTA partnership.
- Reimbursement to VISTA member for service-related travel expenses.
- A signed letter of commitment and memorandum of understanding, bearing the signatures of the VISTA Supervisor as well the host organization’s President of the Board of Directors, Executive Director, or highest governing authority.
My organization would like to host a VISTA member.
**Our 2013-2014 host site locations and project plans have been finalized. If you are interested in hosting a VISTA member for the 2014-2015 year, please check back at a later date.**
VISTA Proposal, Award and Recruitment
The City of Saint Paul VISTA Program projects operate on an August-to-August term, following the below timeline.
January 30, 2013 Application proposals due to Saint Paul VISTA Program
February 2013 Applicants notified of VISTA member award status – finalists asked to submit a Project Plan
March 15, 2013 Project Plans due to Saint Paul VISTA Program (for select sites)
March 2013 Saint Paul VISTA Program New VISTA Supervisor Training
March-June 17, 2013 VISTA member recruitment
June 2013 On-Site Orientation and Training Plans due to Saint Paul VISTA Program
June 5, 2013 Memorandums of Understanding signed and returned to Saint Paul VISTA Program
June 5, 2013* Final candidates selected and VISTA pre-enrollment paperwork due to Saint Paul VISTA Program
July 30-August 2, 2013* VISTA members attend CNCS Pre-Service Orientation (PSO)
August 5-6, 2013* VISTA members attend Saint Paul VISTA Program Orientation
August 7, 2013* VISTA members begin service at their sites
*CNCS recruitment and Pre-Service Orientation dates are subject to change, which can affect member pre-enrollment, Saint Paul VISTA Program Orientation dates and VISTA members' first day on-site.
Request for New Proposals 2013-2014
Our 2013-2014 host site locations and project plans have been finalized. If you are interested in hosting a VISTA member for the 2014-2015 program year, please check back soon. To view the official 2013-2014 Request for Proposals, please click here.
For more information on the Request for Proposals as a host organization for the 2013-2014 program year, please contact Willy Tully, VISTA Program Manager, 651.266.8582.
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