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AmeriCorps 101

AmeriCorps 101. Welcome AmeriCorps Members of 2013-2014 New Jersey AmeriCorps Launch November 18, 2013. Celebrating 20 Years of Service!. Way, Way Back…. You are part of a long history of Americans in service Back in the day…. 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Nation.

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AmeriCorps 101

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  1. AmeriCorps 101

  2. Welcome AmeriCorps Members of 2013-2014 New Jersey AmeriCorps LaunchNovember 18, 2013

  3. Celebrating 20 Years of Service!

  4. Way, Way Back…. You are part of a long history of Americans in service Back in the day….

  5. 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Nation

  6. 1933-1942 Serving the Needs of the Nation Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the first elected leaders to use the concepts of William James’ Moral Living to create public policy.

  7. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)1933-1942 Provided opportunities for young men and boys related to the conservation and development of natural resources in rural lands owned by federal, state and local governments.

  8. 1950-1961Engaging Americans “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

  9. On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy signed the Executive Order that officially started the Peace Corps

  10. 1960’s Continuing a Legacy Seniors Serving their Nation

  11. 1964 Domestic Volunteer Act Creation of VISTA

  12. 1988-1990A Kinder, More Gentle Nation President Bush comments about individuals serving their neighbors being like a “thousand points of light”

  13. 1991-1992A Call to Service During the Presidential campaign, Governor Bill Clinton visits a number of college campuses and urban communities and is intrigued by the National Service movement.

  14. September 1993 President Bill Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities.

  15. January 2002USA Freedom Corps • In his state of the Union address, President Bush called on us to dedicate at least two years to the service of others, and created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call.

  16. 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act reauthorizing and expanding national service programs.

  17. Which Brings Us to You!

  18. As you start YOUR term of service… Begin with the End in Mind

  19. Begin with the End in Mind • What will your Life after AmeriCorps look like? • Are you prepared to make the most of training, service and leadership opportunities? • Have you begun Detailed Journaling? • Are you learning Organizational Culture? • Have your student loans grown? • Did you file for Deferment? • Will interest compound? • Have you set a reminder for interest accrual?

  20. Be Prepared for Life After AmeriCorps service • What is the culture of your organization? • Have you become part of that? • Are you Pro-Active? • What is your personal email address? • What does your Facebook, Twitter look like? You will be judged! Really, you will…

  21. Understanding your Role… Does everyone understand that you are AMERICORPS first! You are not an Employee! You are not an Employee! You are an AmeriCorps MEMBER and you will get things done for your community!

  22. AmeriCorps Service and Funds • Every program wrote an application with clear targets and goals for communities served. The program is judged on these performance measures. • What are your programs performance measures? Do you know? Insist that you know!

  23. Know Your AmeriCorps Member Contract! • When is your start/enrollment date? • When is your last day? • How many hours MUST YOU SERVE PER WEEK? • How many hours must you serve for the term? • Know your rights & responsibilities! • Benefits only while serving, hours commitment, timesheets, time off, grievance procedure ? !

  24. Know Your AmeriCorps Member Contract • What are the expectations on you? • What are your expectations? • Who is your direct supervisor? • Did you get a signed copy of your contract? Was your contract discussed with everyone? • What is the grievance procedure? Who do you contact? - not your manager.

  25. The Very Basics of AmeriCorps... Just the Facts….

  26. AmeriCorps is.. • People of All Backgrounds who have made aCOMMITMENT to a specific TERM OF SERVICE not longer than one year. AmeriCorps has… • Lots of benefits for members & the community • LOTS of regulations that MUST be followed by organizations, staff and members.

  27. AmeriCorps is NOT • A JOB • A JOB’S PROGRAM • An INTERNSHIP • FREE LABOR • A STAFF BUILDER

  28. AmeriCorps is… * National Service Program (Domestic Peace Corps) • Service to the Community • Education Awards For Service

  29. AMERICORPSinNew Jersey

  30. FUNDING PROCESS • AmeriCorps is • funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) • administered by the NJ Commission on National and Community Service • hosted by the Department of State

  31. New Jersey CDC St. Paul’s CDC Montclair University The Salvation Army NJ DEP Watershed Ambassadors The College of New Jersey AmeriCorps Programs in NJ

  32. MORE AmeriCorps in NJ • Jersey Cares • Boys & Girls Club of NJ • Great Oaks Charter School • United Way of Central Jersey • Enable Inc. • Jewish Renaissance Foundation • United Way of Monmouth County • Center for Family Services

  33. AmeriCorps in New Jersey You ARE NOT ALONE! There will be hundreds of Corps Members serving in all areas of New Jersey this program year!

  34. Focus Areas of National Service Disaster Services Veterans and Military Families Economic Opportunity Education Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures AmeriCorps in New Jersey

  35. AmeriCorps Members must meet these REQUIREMENTS to Serve: • Must be 17 years of age or older. • Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the US. • Proof: Birth Certificate &/or Specific LIMITED Acceptable Documents PROGRAMS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Age, Education)

  36. More REQUIREMENTS to serve: • Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalency, or must be working towards their GED. • Must complete your Term of Service. 1700 hours (FT) 900 hours (HT) 450 hours (QT) 300 hours (MT)

  37. AmeriCorps Members support the nation and the community through DIRECT SERVICE!

  38. DIRECT SERVICE includes • Tutor Students • Educate communities about their environment • Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned Homes • Provide Mentoring During (Non) School Hours

  39. DIRECT SERVICE also Includes • Recruit Volunteers • Assist Homeless Individuals • Provide Support to People with Disabilities • Assist Families with Young Children

  40. (Let me explain)….AmeriCorps Direct Service IS NOT • Office work • Answering phones • Clerical work, Administrative duties • Janitorial duties • Supervising other members • Managing paperwork or financial issues • Anything that is connect to Prohibited Activities – directly or indirectly

  41. Full-Time Members 1,700 Hours of Service Education Award Living Allowance $12,100 Health Insurance Child Care Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Half-Time Members 900 Hours of Service Education Award Living Allowance (varies) Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual What Do AmeriCorps Members Receive?All Members Receive Training & the Experience of a Life Time! PLUS…

  42. 2013-2014 Terms of Service TERM HOURS ED AWARD • Full Time 1700 $5550 • Half Time 900 $2775 • Quarter Time 450 $1468 • Minimum Time 300 $1175

  43. Term Limits An individual may receive (a living allowance, child care and health care) for no more than four terms of service in an AmeriCorps State & National program, regardless of whether those terms were served on a full-, part-, or reduced part-time basis.

  44. Education Award can be used in the following ways: Repay qualified existing or future student loans ** FEDERAL STUDENTS LOANS ONLY** Pay all or part of cost of attending an institution of higher Education (including certain vocational programs) Pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-work program Educational Award

  45. Educational Award • Must be used at an institution or program that that has been approved by the US Dept. of Ed, for participation in Title IV programs. • Earn up to the equivalent of 2 full time education awards - in no more than 4 terms • Taxable **upon use**

  46. Education Award • You have up to seven years to use you award • Education Award can • be used at more than one institution • help pay more then one loan. • Education Award can be used outside of the United States

  47. Deferment and Interest Accrual • Stop paying loan payments during your service. • Interest continues to grow unless you defer AND file for Interest Accrual You could save so much!

  48. Education Award • ONLY Transferable IF… • You were at least 55 when you enrolled; and • You began service on or after October 1, 2009; and • You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or National program. • Only awards earned in terms beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible for transfer.

  49. Partial Education Award • Must complete at least 15% of your service hours to be eligible for a pro-rated Education Award due to compelling personal circumstances. • These are reasons BEYOND the member’s control. (going to school is NOT CPC)

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