AmeriCorps:Serving to Learn/

Learning to Serve

Geraldine E. Stirtz, M.Ed.

Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning (OSL)

Traci D. Schellhase, M.S.

UNK Academic & Career Advisor

Meaning of Service Reflections from authors: Service can be an attitude, a relationship,

and a way of being in the world. “We can help through what we do. But at the deepest level we help through who we are.” (Dass & Gorman, 1985, p227)

“Another reason many people engage in service is their recognition of responsibility as an essential aspect of life in a democracy…participation is not only a right but an obligation.” (R.Wade, 1997)

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,

stirtzg@unk.edu

Why Serve?Our democracy is changing!

◦AmeriCorps developed to provide opportunities for citizens of all ages to serve

◦ Educational institutions are recognizing the value of service to the students as well as the community

◦ Employers are seeking employees with service experiences because… Service… engages people in the lives of others …helps in building relationships …strengthens communities …promotes life-long civic engagement

once involved, individuals stay involvedGeraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK

Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Corporation for National and Community Service

•Provides Major Federal funding support

•Encourages the use of service-learning to enhance and strengthen the base of National volunteer efforts

•UNK Rural Corps Project one of many supported throughout the US

• ServeNebraska, funded by the Corporation, provides statewide grants and encourages training in service-learning to enhance the meaning of service for participants.

Rural Corps Project

Office for Service-Learning Goal: “Build a Corps of Engaged Citizens in South

Central Nebraska◦ Past year - 15 Varied Host Sites

opportunities for citizens 18 and older Receive stipend, an education award, based

on hours served & position size Full, Half, Reduced Half, Quarter, Minimum

Time slots◦ 13-25 Members-70+ enrolled, past 4 years

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,

stirtzg@unk.edu

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Provide support for agencies and programs in the community

Sustainable partnerships previously established with Office for Service-Learning

Coaching, training for Supervisors very critical◦ Understanding AmeriCorps structure and purpose◦ Reporting challenges – measuring impact◦ Restricted Member’s Activities◦ Responsibilities to/for Members◦ Relationships

Community awareness-promotion On-going training and support Express/celebrate appreciation for partnerships

Building Community Partnerships

AmeriCorps Mission

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,

stirtzg@unk.edu

A program that helps Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in service that addresses the nation’s educational, public safety, environmental, and other human needs, with a goal to achieve direct and measurable results, encouraging all Americans to engage in service.

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Learn & Serve America

AmeriCorps

Senior Corps

Learn & Serve AmericaState Ed Agencies (K-12) Higher Ed Institutions

Community-based Orgs

Tribes

Local ProjectsSponsoring AgenciesState Offices

Nat’l Demonstration

ProjectsHQ

Nat’l Organizations

Foster GrandparentsSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

RSVPSponsoring AgenciesState OfficesSenior CompanionsSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

Nat’l Demonstration ProjectsNat’l Organizations

Sponsoring Agencies

National, Regional & Local Projects

SE Region Campus

NE Region Campus

Central Region Campus

Western Region Campus

Capital Region Campus

APromise Fellows GrantsState Commissions

Nat’l Organizations

Tribes & Territories

State GrantsState Commissions

Ed Award Program GrantsState Commissions

Nat’l Organizations

Tribes & Territories

Tribes & Territories

Grants

National Direct GrantsNat’l Parent Organizations

Presidential Freedom ScholarshipsHS Jrs/Sr

Nat’l S-L ClearinghouseAll S-L practitioners & researchers

Nat’l L&S America T/TA ExchangeAll S-L practitioners

AState & NationalAState & National

ANCCCANCCC AVISTAAVISTA

Sponsoring Agencies

VISTA LeadersHQ

Sponsoring Agencies

The National Service Network Programs &

Partners

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

American Red Cross Arc of Buffalo County Kearney Community Learning Center (KCLC) Kearney Public Schools (KPS) Rowe Sanctuary UNK Frank House Historical Museum UNK Office for Service-Learning Great Platte River Road Archway Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity United Way of the Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity Kearney Area Community Foundation

RuralCorps Host Sites

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Project/Program development Educational Community engagement

Fundraising Secretarial work Fulfilling previously paid positions

Member Responsibilities

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

US Army Veteran Served a half-time and a full-time position

◦ 2010 & 2011 grant years

Developed various community programs Recruited individuals in rural communities

Accepted a full-time position in August 2012

American Red Cross

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Unemployed college graduate Served 2 half-time positions

Developed educational curriculum for visitors and tour groups

“I grew up in the Scouts doing camping and that sort of thing. Working here seemed like a good fit, combining my love of the outdoors with environmental education.”

Rowe Sanctuary

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Served one reduced half-time position, 2010

Increased campus awareness of service-learning

Assisted with organization and preparation of monthly member meetings

Helped assist Program Director w/ training

Worked with small groups of ELL students

UNK Office of Service-Learning & Kearney Public Schools

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Professional Development Training◦ Various topics

AmeriCorps/Corporation/ServeNebraska Overview Service-Learning (OSL Director) Career Planning & Resume Building (Career Services) Conflict Management (Mediation Center) Multicultural Awareness (Social Work Faculty) Working with Persons with Disabilities (Arc Program) Disaster Preparedness (Red Cross)

Member Projects Reporting

◦ Developed Reporting Forms

Member Training-Team Building

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Promoted on campus and in community◦ Posters in buildings & businesses

◦ Brochures developed, printed, distributed at campus events

◦ Email announcements in campus system

◦ Flyers distributed to faculty asking to share

◦ Student bulletins and campus paper information

◦ Radio/TV conversations

◦ Area newspaper stories

Marketing & Recruitment

Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu

Questions?

Contact stirtzg@unk.edu for assistance or additional information

Program grant funds from the Corporation for National & Community Service

Supported through ServeNebraska

Q & A Time