Download - Mcc host site orientation
MCC*VISTA Host Site Orientation
Rachel KlegonMCC*VISTA Program
Manager
(Corporation for National and Community
ServiceCNCS)
VISTA Principles
• Anti Poverty
• Community Empowerment
• Capacity Building
Capacity Building
• Tasks and activities to create, expand or strengthen systems or processes in order to increase an organization’s ability to function effectively and meet its mission.
• When is direct service ok?
Focus Areas
• Education
• Veterans and Military Families
• Healthy Futures
• Environmental Stewardship
• Economic Opportunity
• Disaster Services
Education• Support and Facilitate access to services and
resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged people, especially children– Improve school readiness for economically disadvantaged young
children– Improve educational and behavioural outcomes for students in low-
achieving elementary, middle and high schools– Improve the preparation for prospects of success in post-secondary
education institutions for economically disadvantaged students
Supervisor’s roles/responsibilities• Educate Community & Staff about VISTA
• Ensure Adequate Resources
• Develop VAD—Review, Revise, Utilize
• Provide regular supervision, guidance and feedback to the VISTA
• Provide regular feedback to the grant Program Manager – Quarterly Reports– Supervisor Meetings & Conference Calls
Supervisor’s roles/responsibilities• Maintain oversight for the overall sustainability
• Encourage & Provide Opportunities for the VISTA’s Personal and Professional Growth/ Find a Mentor
• Attend Supervisor meetings
• Support the integration of VISTAs into your organization and the community– Be your VISTAS Greatest Support
Involve Program Manager If. . .• Getting close to using sick vacation days up
(10 allowed for each)
• Leave taken without approval
• Behavioral problems after receiving written or verbal warnings
• Change in Workplan
• Change in address of VISTA or project site
• Change in supervisor
What if the placement isn’t working out?
• Supervisor issues
• VISTA Issues
VISTA Finances• CNCS/MCC Benefits
– Living Allowance– Relocation– Health Benefits– Child Care (for VISTAs that qualify)– Mileage Reimbursement (CNCS/MCC
required events)– Professional Development
VISTA Finances continued• Housing
• Transportation
• Travel/Mileage
• Student Loans
• Additional Training
Be aware and responsive
VISTA: am I an employee or a volunteer?
• Use Workplan to stay on track
• Follow same rules of conduct
• Quick learning curve
– need to leave their legacy.
• Need recognition and feedback– “not getting rewarded with grades or money-
need recognition”
Reporting• Quarterly reports
• Send timely accomplishments and storiesoMNA BlogoCNCS monthly reports to DCoMCC website/ Monthly Featureo Share best practicesoMulti Media
Monitoring
• Site visits (2 per year) Quarterly Reports, Calls with VISTA Leader, 6 month review and End of the Year Evaluations,
• Return phone calls in a timely manner
Training• Pre Service Orientation, CNCS• On site Orientation, Campus• August 10-12 training, MCC• November training, MCC• January training/Service Learning Institute, MCC. • March Training, MCC• Ongoing professional development• End or Year Celebration, MCC
MCC Communication• Weekly e-mails
• Check in calls with VISTA Leader
• Monthly poverty conference calls
Provide support, resources and look for any concerns
Preparing for your VISTA• Set aside first couple weeks for orientation
• Creating a welcoming workspace
• Touch base with VISTA prior to PSO– Confirm starting date/time, dress, parking,
lunch
• Ask VISTAs what they learned at PSO
TUTORIALS & TRAINING
• www.nationalservice.gov
• www.nationalservicesources.org
• http://micampuscompact.org/vista.asp
VISTA Member Forms
• http://my.americorps.gov
RESOURCES
• VISTA member handbook, http://www.nationalservice.gov/help/vistahandbook/chapter1.html
• VISTA Campus, http://vistacampus.org/login/index.php
• Rachel Klegon, Program Manager
• VISTA Leader, [email protected]