Dear Agency Director:

Thank you for your interest in hosting a VISTA member through the United Way of Weld County AmeriCorps*VISTA project. This set of guidelines is meant to help you present the best case as to why your agency could offer a great experience for a VISTA member and impact the community. When placed in the right environment, a VISTA member can have an extremely positive and productive effect on a host agency; gathering relevant experiences to help them throughout their professional career. Our selection process will consider the follow:

VISTA Appropriateness (Does this project relate to the issue of poverty eradication and does it fall within the boundaries of capacity building?),Workload (Does this work plan represent a feasible amount of to be accomplished within a year?),Sustainability (Does this plan reflect that the organization has considered how the project will be maintained after the VISTA departs?),Impact (Does this project seem significant to the welfare of the organization and/or beneficial to the community?),Support and Supervision (Does this plan suggest the ability of the agency to effectively support and supervise the VISTA member?),Overall Impression (Does this project seem like it would be an effective use of VISTA resources?) Please submit the two following items to Erika Rogness (erika@unitedway-weld.org)

VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) outlining the duties that your member would perform over the course of a year. (Attached to this letter is a blank VAD form as well as two sample VADs for guidance.)

A Narrative addressing your VISTA assignment, considering these areas specifically:

1) How does this assignment relate to the broad issue of poverty eradication and does it fall within the boundaries of capacity building (not direct service) for your agency?

2) Does this assignment represent a feasible amount of work to be accomplished within a year?

3) How does your agency plan to sustain the work completed by the VISTA after he/she departs?

4) How is this project significant to the welfare of the organization and/or beneficial to the community?

5) How does your agency plan to support a member through supervision and other professional development?

814 9th Street - PO Box 1944 - Greeley, CO 80634 - 970-353-4300 - www.unitedway-weld.org

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Erika@unitedway-weld.org, 970-304-6179.

Thank you again for your interest in the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

Sincerely,

Erika RognessUnited Way of Weld County – VISTA Leader

814 9th Street - PO Box 1944 - Greeley, CO 80634 - 970-353-4300 - www.unitedway-weld.org

SAMPLE VADAmericorps*VISTA MemberVISTA ProjectSummer School / After School ProgramSite NameHighland Schools

Goal 1Create a summer school program for Weld Re-9 school district.Steps:1. Collaborate with district teachers to identify the specific needs of a summerschool program.2. Explore and apply for possible funding assistance.3. Collaborate with the director of instruction and curriculum to indentify andsecure an appropriate curriculum.4. Using district data on student achievement, design a selection process to beused in the summer school program.5. Coordinate with district administration to select and support teachers.6. Implement the program and complete a program evaluation with futurerecommendations after each session.

Goal 2Create a secondary after school program for Weld Re-9 school district.Steps:1. Collaborate with secondary teachers to identify specific needs for an after schoolprogram.2. Assist with securing supervision and funding for the program.3. Implement the program and complete a program evaluation including futurerecommendations.

TimelineJune, 2008- Begin assignment with Weld Re-9 school district.- Attend VISTA training through Weld County United Way.August, 2008- In coordination with the beginning of the school session, a needs assessment andproject committee should be completed.March, 2009- Complete a student selection process.April, 2009- Communications with parents regarding summer school attendance.- Selection of staffJune, 2009- Implement the first session of summer school.Year Long

814 9th Street - PO Box 1944 - Greeley, CO 80634 - 970-353-4300 - www.unitedway-weld.org

- Assist in attaining resources to fund summer school and after school programs.- Determine appropriate supervision requirements.- Determine and develop appropriate curriculum materials and assessments.- Participate in district objectives and leadership opportunities.

814 9th Street - PO Box 1944 - Greeley, CO 80634 - 970-353-4300 - www.unitedway-weld.org