Sustainability Binder: Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

Choose one font and color for all pages inserted in binder to keep it consistent. The

exception: If you include pages provided by SCCC, your institution, photos or

advertisements.

Insert typed documents only.

Put information that is relevant. Provide what you have and what you didn’t previously have

to cover your entire basis of knowledge on “things to know” for your college/university.

Be thorough with explanations you choose to insert.

Use your better judgment when inserting information.

Highlighting items in your binder is OK (limit to one color or Microsoft word to highlight)

Ask approval of additional documents not previously discussed and put those into your

misc. section

Don’t:

Don’t write in or on your binder.

Don’t add in information that is not included on your table of contents without having it

approved.

Don’t use glue or tape to assemble items in your binder.

Don’t use sticky notes for additional notes or side notes for explanation in your binder.

Don’t have loose papers in the pockets of your binder.

Don’t staple pages together in your binder together.

Don’t include information (sensitive info- ex. student names, names of clients, personal cell

phone) about your institution, community partners or vendors that is not approved first.

Table of Contents

Being a VISTA

SCCC mission and vision

SCCC VISTA Policies

VAD

Monthly and Quarterly Reports

Letter of introduction

National, campus & SCCC calendars

Student loans

Living on a budget

List of some practical things learned from your VISTA experience

College/University Information

Map of campus

Campus cliff notes

Important campus contacts

How to get set up

Other area VISTAs

About the city/town

Things to do/ events

Demographics of campus/surrounding city

Things to do on campus

How to: navigate your campus

Calendar of Events

Community Contacts

Vendors

Contact information

Other local VISTA members

Volunteer Development

Sample training schedules and agendas

Up to Date List of volunteers

How to: recruit methods/opportunities/ type of volunteers your

community partners are looking for

Sample flyers

Links to social media with login information provided

Volunteer recruitment websites

Grants & Funding

Name & contact information of donors

Name & contact information for grant funders Application copies

of grants

Letters of support for grants

List of people who helped develop & review grants

Links to potential and relevant foundations/ Non-profits

Resource Materials & Training Opportunities

List of websites and their description

All materials given by SCCC

Professional Development Opportunities: Any relevant webinar

info/Leadership development opportunities provided on campus

Events & Programs

Project sample plan

Flyers or Newsletters

Project plan sample

Reflections and suggestions

Your project plans

Misc.

Articles pertaining to you or about your college/university that has

been published in V-news or Better Together

Pictures taken from signature events or other poverty related

events throughout your VISTA year

ROLE OF AMERICORPS VISTA LEADER

Leaders provide support and coordination for members to increase the project's

impact.

AmeriCorps VISTA Leaders are former AmeriCorps VISTA members who successfully

completed at least a full term of full-time service and demonstrated exemplary skills and

leadership in community service.

Leaders set an example of leadership for AmeriCorps VISTA members, ensure positive

relations, facilitate idea-sharing, and mediate issues with the community, the project,

supervisors, and AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Leaders also play a support role in recruiting, mentoring, and coordinating AmeriCorps

VISTA members.

Leaders are assigned by the Corporation to projects or regions to assist sponsoring

organizations in achieving program objectives and developing new project activities and

sources of community support.

LEADER'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS,

SUPERVISORS, AND MEMBERS

Leaders coordinate and provide support to members, but they are not responsible for

members. The project supervisor is directly responsible for the management of

AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Leader may serve as a mediator, a facilitator, an adviser, or a trainer. The supervisor and

AmeriCorps VISTA Leader should make sure AmeriCorps VISTA members understand

the Leader's role and responsibilities.

The supervisor/sponsoring organization should not expect Leaders to take on roles

similar to those of members in addition to their roles and responsibilities outlined in the

project's Leader position description. For example, if an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

coordinates a project that involves eight members who implement literacy programs at

six different sites, the Leader should not be expected to implement a literacy program.

On-Site Orientation & Training Checklist

On-Site Orientation and Training (OSOT) should be completed in the first month of the

VISTA’s service. The following template is provided to assist site supervisors in planning an

effective OSOT.

BEFORE THE VISTA ARRIVES

Explain role of VISTA to other staff members

Inform partners and other departments about the VISTA and what this means for them

Contact VISTA. Provide housing resources, directions to office, and expectations for first day

FIRST DAY:

Introduce VISTA Member to other office staff

Provide VISTA a tour of the office

Go over VAD (VISTA Assignment Description)

Share what previous VISTA Members have worked on, if applicable

Set up email, voicemail, complete necessary paperwork, etc.

Instruct VISTA on use of phone, fax, copier, mail process, ordering office supplies, etc.

Get VISTA keys to access office

WEEK ONE:

Discuss common expectations and agreements for a working relationship, including, but not

limited to:

The supervisor’s role and responsibilities

The supervisor’s management style

The VISTA Member’s learning style

A clear understanding of the lines of communication between VISTA Member and supervisor

A clear understanding of the support provided to the VISTA Member

Introduction to the chain of command for the organization

Establish a weekly meeting time

Day of the week:

Time:

Discuss professional behavior expectations and office policies, to include, but not limited to:

VISTA Member’s schedule: hours in the office, arrival/departure time

Office attire

Attendance expectations: who to call if sick, what to do if running late, etc.

Office behavior: what is appropriate, what is not?

Employee policies: computer use, working with the media, etc.

Mileage reimbursement procedure

Provide VISTA Member with the culture and mission of the institution, to include, but not

limited to:

History

Mision

How the organization functions

The organization’s role in the community

Provide VISTA Member with an introduction to the community, to include, but not limited to:

The socio-economic and political structure

The physical boundaries of the service area

How the VISTA project will impact the community

Tour of community and introductions to key community partners

Potential resources that can help achieve project goals

WEEKS TWO-FOUR

Allow the VISTA Member to learn about their project and develop their skills. This may include:

Professional development training

Signing up for appropriate list serve

Research

Sitting in on staff meetings

OTHER OSOT ACTIVITES

Get VISTA approved to drive organization vehicle, if applicable

Familiarize VISTA with office emergency protocol

Other, as applicable

South Carolina Campus Compact: VISTA Evaluation Tool

This evaluation will cover three parts: Your VISTA Site, Supervisor and VISTA Leader evaluations. When

answering each question, read carefully and circle one choice (1 does not meet expectations- 5 exceeds

expectations) for each question asked.

VISTA Name (optional):

University Placement (optional):

Period start:

Period end:

Reviewer:

VISTA ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This evaluation is confidential. It will not be seen by my supervisor, but only by the director of the SCCC

office. Responses will be compiled in aggregate form with no identifying information and utilized as a tool to

enhance program performance. I have reviewed this document and have answered each question honestly and to

the best of my ability.

VISTA Signature ________________________________ Date ___________

VISTA Site Evaluation

1) I feel welcomed in my office environment

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Positive work environment

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3) I feel that I am fulfilling the VISTA mission

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

4) Condition of office upon arrival

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

5) Office amenities (office, desk, chair, phone, business cards, etc)

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

6) Location (are you happy where you are placed)

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

7) Campus accessibility (are you close to partners & students you serve)

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

8) Interaction on campus (with students, faculty, programs & coordinators. Please specify if it is

daily, weekly or not at all in your comments)

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

9) Sustainability binder from previous VISTA member

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

10) University support (does your site offer a meal plan, housing, parking permit, etc.)

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary: __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Supervisor Evaluation

1) Knowledge of VISTA position

1 2 3 4 5 Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Communication with VISTA member

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3) Accessibility

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

4) Provided on-site training on or around start date

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

5) Provides weekly supervision meetings and/or ongoing support

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

6) Provides tools for planning and organization (project plans, vendor contacts, etc)

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary: __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

VISTA Leader Evaluation

1) Knowledge of VISTA position

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Communication with VISTA member

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

3) Accessibility

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

4) Provides weekly meetings and on going support

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

5) Provides tools for planning and organization

1 2 3 4 5

Comments:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Summary: __________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional remarks on areas of success or improvement:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________