Abstract

A community gatekeeper is a nonprofit or government agency that has access to potential AmeriCorps members that are not within the Corporation for National and Community Service family. These organizations have the potential to provide new recruits, collaboration opportunities and increased visibility. This effective practice, submitted by Jason Scott, Associate Training Officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service, in January 2005, reviews important information for establishing a dialogue with these groups, and recommends additional materials that can be requested from the Corporation.

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Issue

Recruitment is one of the most critical aspects of AmeriCorps program operation. Looking for volunteers and members outside the national service community builds capacity for programs.

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Action

TALKING WITH COMMUNITY GATEKEEPERS

• Gauge their knowledge of AmeriCorps.
  Ask them if they know what AmeriCorps is and what AmeriCorps members do.
• Provide them with basic information about AmeriCorps.
  AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage up to 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps members serve through thousands of nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based organizations. They tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters. Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America.

Materials: AmeriCorps Fact Sheet, CNCS fact sheet

• Explain the three different types of AmeriCorps programs:
• AmeriCorps*VISTA
• AmeriCorps*NCCC
• AmeriCorps*State and National projects

• AmeriCorps*VISTA
  For more than 35 years, AmeriCorps*VISTA members have been helping bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members serve full-time for a year in nonprofits, public agencies and faith-based groups throughout the country, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, or bridge the digital divide.

• AmeriCorps*NCCC
  AmeriCorps*NCCC is a 10-month, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. AmeriCorps*NCCC combines the best practices of civilian service with the best aspects of military service, including leadership and team building. Members serve in teams of 10 to 15 members.

• AmeriCorps*State and National
  Members serve with any of the programs that make up AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps grantees include national groups like Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as many faith-based and community organizations.

Materials: Summary of Programs Sheet, individual program brochures

• Explain the benefits of serving in an AmeriCorps program.
  Members receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, student loan deferment, and training. Members may also be eligible to receive a $4,725 education award to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, or to pay off student loans. Members who serve part-time get a portion of that amount. Besides the educational benefits, members also receive a wide variety of "life skills" -- working in a team setting, flexibility, and job networking.

Materials: Education Award Sheet

•  Suggest the following:
• Host an information session on AmeriCorps at their agency
• Provide them with information on how to become an AmeriCorps partner
• Provide them with fliers and brochures for them to distribute or display
• Advertise and/or publish an article in their newsletter or publication
• Hang a poster at their site or agency

Materials: Apply Online brochures, any requested materials

BECOMING AN AMERICORPS PROGRAM PARTNER

Many gatekeepers will be interested in how to get an AmeriCorps member to serve with their program or how they can become an AmeriCorps program. Depending on the needs and resources of the agency there are many ways to partner with AmeriCorps:

• Become an AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsor.
  AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve with an agency to help combat poverty. Members serve in a capacity-building role helping to design and implement programs. Members will serve one year with an agency. Your agency is responsible for providing supervision, work station, computer access, phone access, and agency training for the member serving at your site. Applications are accepted year-round.

Materials: Becoming an AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Sheet, AmeriCorps*VISTA brochure

• Become an AmeriCorps*NCCC project sponsor.
  AmeriCorps*NCCC can provide you with a team of committed, enthusiastic, hardworking young people. An AmeriCorps*NCCC team is supervised by a trained leader. That team will understand and respond to the objectives and requirements that you establish in your application. Members serve on a short-term project with your agency (2-8 weeks). Your agency is responsible for providing materials and equipment; technical supervision, training and orientation; and assistance with food and lodging if your organization is located more than 90 minutes away from an AmeriCorps*NCCC campus. Project application deadlines vary by campus.

Materials: Becoming an AmeriCorps*NCCC Project Sponsor Sheet; AmeriCorps*NCCC brochure

• Become an AmeriCorps*State program.
  CNCS funds and supports high-quality programs that develop an ethic of responsibility in those who participate, strengthen communities, and help meet needs through service in the areas of the environment, education, public safety, homeland security, and other human needs. Your program should provide opportunities for your community to define and solve its problems. Successful applicants are able to demonstrate that their program or the service offered builds the capacity of nonprofit organizations to meet community needs and provides a benefit that the community values. Agencies should contact their state commission for information on developing an AmeriCorps*State program. Application deadlines vary by state.

• Become an AmeriCorps*National project.
  Eligible applicants who will operate in two or more states should seek funding directly from CNCS, rather than through the individual states. Eligible applicants also include partnerships or consortia formed across two or more states, consisting of institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, or other nonprofits, including labor and religious organizations. CNCS has developed a new grants management system, called eGrants, which includes online grant applications, awards and reporting. You will be able to use the built-in budget and application compliance checks to ensure that you complete all parts of your application.

Materials: Becoming an AmeriCorps*National Project Sheet; AmeriCorps brochure

• Discuss other partnership ideas.
  There are also opportunities to become an AmeriCorps*Education Award program, to partner with Learn and Serve, and to partner with Senior Corps.

Materials: Become an AmeriCorps*Education Award Program Sheet; Partnering with Learn and Serve Sheet; Partnering with Senior Corps Sheet

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Context

When considering AmeriCorps sustainability, a community gatekeeper is a nonprofit (local or national) or government agency (local and state -- federal agencies are not eligible) that has access to potential AmeriCorps members that are not within the Corporation for National and Community Service family.

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Posted On

April 5, 2005

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Talking about AmeriCorps

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Related sites

AmeriCorps

Topic Areas

• Community building
• Communication skills
• Recruitment
• Capacity building
• Marketing and media
• Community partnerships
• Partnerships
• Start-up
• Sustainability
• AmeriCorps National
• AmeriCorps NCCC
• AmeriCorps
• AmeriCorps State
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• Member
• Community-Based Organizations
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Program management

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