The Service Collaborative of wny on Site Orientation and Training

The Education impact area aims to provide educational services to serve economically disadvantaged youth through increasing the number and capacity of services. Partners will focus on these outcomes: (1) Increase unduplicated services to underperforming/Title 1 schools; (2) Increase the number of unduplicated economically disadvantaged youth receiving educational support services; (3)Recruit volunteers to provide educational support services and enrichment activities to disadvantaged children and young adults.

1. 
   Buffalo State College Community Academic Center
   
2. 
   Buffalo Urban League
   
3. 
   Community Action Organization
   
4. 
   Clean Air Coalition
   
5. 
   Community Music School
   
6. 
   Compass House
   
7. 
   Explore & More Children’s Museum
   
8. 
   Medaille College
   
9. 
   New Roots Charter School
   
10. 
    Peaceprints Prison Ministries
    
11. 
    Plymouth Crossroads
    
12. 
    United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
    

The Veterans and Military Families impact area aims to provide a direct and demonstrable service and benefit to organizations serving the unmet needs of veterans, members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty, and family members of deployed military personnel. Partners will focus on these outcomes: (1) Through outreach and the creation of veteran educational support services at college veteran offices, low-income or at-risk veterans and military personnel will access GI Bill education benefits and pursue educational opportunities; (2) Services are created or enhanced to assist veterans in receiving professional certification, licensure, or credentials to allow veterans to obtain or train for employment; (3) Engage veterans as community volunteers to foster a sense of civic reengagement and provide a network for military families; (4) Increase the number of housing units/services developed and available for veterans; (5) VISTA members create and enhance services and programs geared towards veteran and military families; (6) Increase the number of veterans receiving services and assistance, including those who are disabled, unemployed, older, and/or live in rural areas.

1. 
   Compeer, Inc.
   
2. 
   Every Person Influences Children
   
3. 
   Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling & Referral Agency, Inc.
   
4. 
   Headway of WNY, Inc.
   
5. 
   Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc., Rochester
   
6. 
   Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc., Geneva
   
7. 
   Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
   
8. 
   Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
   
9. 
   Opportunity Corps
   
10. 
    United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
    
11. 
    Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., Rochester
    
12. 
    Wayne County Action Program
    
13. 
    WNY Law Center
    
14. 
    WNY Veterans Housing Coalition, Inc.
    

The Community and Economic Development impact area aims to alleviate poverty through sustainable solutions through financial literacy, employment services, and housing. Partners will focus on these outcomes: (1) Increase the number of low-income individuals receiving financial literacy services because of a VISTA member's efforts; (2) Due to financial literacy services provided, individuals report an improved financial knowledge; (3) Increase the number of unduplicated, low-income individuals receiving job training and other skill development services through community outreach and program enhancement; (4) VISTA members will increase the number of unduplicated, low-income individuals, including homeless individuals, receiving appropriate housing seminars and support services; (5) VISTA member(s) will increase from last year the number of unduplicated economically disadvantaged individuals, including homeless individuals, transitioned into safe, healthy, affordable housing.

1. 
   Belmont Housing
   
2. 
   Hearts and Hands
   
3. 
   Journey’s End Refugee Services
   
4. 
   Westminster Economic Development Initiative
   

The Health and Nutrition impact area aims to develop or enhance programs providing access to immediate and preventative health care services and benefits to low-income individuals and families. Partners will focus on these outcomes: (1) Increase the number of unduplicated low-income youth receiving obesity prevention educational support services; (2) Increase the capacity of service providers to provide assistance to low-income families through training, technical assistance, and capacity building related to school-based obesity prevention efforts; (3) Increase the number of unduplicated obesity prevention education services provided to underperforming schools.

1. 
   New Roots Charter School
   
2. 
   United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
   

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  Stipend is $11,352 annually, which amounts to $436.62 each pay period before taxes.
  
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  Members are paid bi-weekly directly by the Service Collaborative of Western New York
  
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  Direct Deposit is the preferred method of payment.
  

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  Prior to each member’s swear-in, they must elect to receive one of the following awards to be given at the end of a successfully completed term of service:
  

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  Education Award=$5,550 scholarship (before taxes)
  
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    Awarded through the National Service Trust.
    
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  Stipend of Appreciation=$1,500 cash (before taxes)
  

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  Deferment of qualifying student loans is each member’s responsibility.
  
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  Requests are made through the My AmeriCorps Portal.
  
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  Deferment is solely handled by the member, the NY Corporation State Office, and the VISTA Member Support Unit.
  
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  Any interest accrued on deferred student loans will be paid by the National Service Trust, contingent on the submission of the appropriate form.
  
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  To receive loan deferment during service, a member must elect the Education Award as their end of service benefit.
  

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  This is provided free of charge to all VISTA members by the Corporation for National and Community Service through Seven Corners.
  
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  All VISTA members are automatically enrolled in CNCS’s health benefits plan unless proof of alternate insurance is submitted.
  
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  Any questions regarding health benefits should be fielded directly to Seven Corners.
  

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  Members with children may be eligible for a child care stipend during their year of service to assist with the cost of child care.
  

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  If a member would like to receive life insurance, they must elect this benefit through the My AmeriCorps Portal and provide proof of acceptance to their sponsoring organization.
  
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  Life Insurance costs each enrolled member ~$2.00 each pay check/26 paychecks during year term.
  
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  VISTA members are eligible for the following life insurance plan:
  

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  Provider: Reliance Standard Insurance Company
  

Philadelphia, PA 19101-8330

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  Coverage: $19,600
  
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  Coverage starts on your first day of service and terminates 31 days after your last day of service.
  

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  Members that have completed a successful term are eligible for non-competitive status for one year.
  
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  For more information on this benefit, please consult your VISTA Member Handbook or www.americorps.gov, or Google “non-competitive status.”
  

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  Many members are eligible for public assistance programs such as food stamps, HEAP, and Medicaid during their term of service. The sponsoring organization will provide the necessary support (i.e.-letters) to apply for these benefits, but enrollment is optional and the responsibility of each member.
  

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  Serve New York VISTA holds a three day overnight training conference in October. In addition to these trainings, members will attend monthly trainings. These events give our members valuable opportunities to grow as individuals and to connect with other VISTAs. Suggestions and requests for trainings are always welcome.
  
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  Pursuing training opportunities outside of the Serve New York AmeriCorps VISTA trainings is encouraged and must be approved by a member’s host site. On a limited and case-by-case basis, funds may be available for this from the sponsoring organization. Requests for these funds should be submitted to the VISTA Director in a formal letter on the host site’s letterhead. Please include in the request the cost and the reason why the training is necessary for the VISTA member to perform his or her service. Requests will be addressed in a timely fashion, but please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. If approved, funds will be provided in the form of reimbursement upon the VISTA member’s successful completion of the training course.
  

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  VISTA Members: We encourage our members to connect with other members and host sites during their year of service at monthly trainings, social events, and beyond.
  
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  VISTA Leaders: VISTA Leaders are 2^nd or 3^rd year VISTA members. Leaders serve as mentors and examples for all Serve New York VISTAs. Our program has three VISTA Leaders in place to make sure that each member has a positive and fulfilling service experience. VISTA Leaders are a member’s first go-to resource for questions related to VISTA service.
  
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  VISTA Program Specialist: The VISTA Program Specialist is responsible for payroll, enrollment paperwork, supporting the VISTA leaders, recruitment of new members, overseeing member trainings, and otherwise assisting the Program Manager and Program Director. Any payroll questions should be relayed to the Program Specialist.
  
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  VISTA Program Manager: The VISTA Program Manager is responsible for partner development and selection and is the primary contact for site supervisors. The Program Manager is also responsible for the day to day operations of Serve New York VISTA. Any general program-related issues should be relayed to the Program Manager.
  
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  VISTA Director: The VISTA Director oversees, manages and leads the VISTA staff, Leaders and members. The Program Director is responsible for reporting to the State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Program Director is also available to discuss sensitive issues related to your term of service.
  

All partnering host sites are contractually obligated to provide each VISTA member with the following:

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  An adequate workspace with a desk, computer, and telephone.
  
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  Access to the internet and a fax machine.
  
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  Support and supervision by a host site supervisor.
  
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  All position-specific guidance and training necessary for the completion of the VISTA project.
  

edaward.org

americorps.sevencorners.com

vistacampus.org

1-800-942-2677

www.mybenefits.ny.gov

www.americorpsalums.org

All members are responsible for meeting the requirements stated in their VISTA contract.

Each VISTA Member is required to submit an electronic monthly report detailing activities, resources generated, individuals served, and challenges faced or stories related to their service. Reports are due to your VISTA Leader by the 5^th day of each month (i.e. the January 1^st-January 31^st report is due by February 5^th). Reports are to be submitted to your VISTA Leader via email and you must always CC your host site supervisor so that the host site supervisor also receives each report. The monthly report is your place to show the VISTA Management Team and your host site supervisor the efforts and results of your service. Please read the explanations provided on the first page of the member reporting template for further clarification.

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  Why is my monthly report important?
  

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  Your reports are compiled to complete our program's semi-annual progress report. The data and progress stated in the report are reviewed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, and your effectiveness directly affects our program's ability to receive future funding. In short, your service influences federal dollars coming into New York State!
  
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  Reports give each member a chance to reflect and provide feedback to the VISTA Management Team on accomplishments and challenges.
  
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  Finally, your reports are necessary for your supervisor to assess the overall progress of the project, make adjustments where necessary, and complete their reports for Serve New York VISTA.
  

The Service Collaborative of Western New York relies on the data gathered, analyzed, and reported by its members to renew project funding, develop partnerships, and secure additional grants. It is important to us that the data you provide on your monthly reports is accurate, accountable, and easily traced back to its source.

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  Grant award letters from funders/foundations, or a letter on organization letterhead confirming the award of funding
  
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  Volunteer sign-in sheets or volunteer log
  
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  Press/media clippings, and/or press releases
  
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  Participant logs for programs, classes, service-events, etc.
  
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  Copies of sample survey distributed to participants with summary of survey results.
  

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  Submission
  

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  Time Records are due bi-weekly according to the payroll schedule. In the case that a timesheet is due on a holiday, please submit your timesheet on the next business day. If you cannot have your supervisor sign your timesheet by this deadline, please send it without the appropriate signature. Re-send a copy of the signed timesheet as soon as possible.
  
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  Any payroll related changes (direct deposit, address change, etc.) must be submitted to VISTA Staff.
  
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  Please make sure that your signature is on each timesheet you submit. 
  
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  Timesheets should be emailed to Colleen Homer or faxed with a coversheet to 716 822 3060, Attn: Colleen Homer
  

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  Hour Requirements
  

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  Each VISTA member is required to serve at least 40 hours each week, which includes a daily one-hour lunch break (as required by NYS Law).  This means that each pay period, a member should have served at least 80 hours, including time taken for lunches.
  
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  If you serve two shifts in one day, please record those exact hours.  It is perfectly acceptable to record the first shift in the “Time In” box, and the second shift in the “Time Out” box. 
  

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  Please total your hours and record the total on each timesheet. 
  

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  Activities
  

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  Activities must be recorded for each day served. 
  
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  Please provide at least two to three descriptions/activities for each day of service.
  

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  Holidays/Time Off
  

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  Holiday host site closings should be indicated for each day when they occur.  Never leave a day you normally serve at your site blank; please indicate the reason you did not serve on that normally scheduled day. These days off do not count as hours of service, so please do not add them to payroll totals.  The same pertains to vacation and sick days. 
  
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  When Holidays, closings, and days off occur during a pay period, you are not required to meet your minimal 80 hours.  Whatever constitutes a full day of service for your site (in hours) should be subtracted from your required 80 hours.  *EXAMPLE: Site is closed two days for Christmas, you normally serve an 8 hour day at your site with a one hour lunch, that pay period you will need to total at least 64 hours.*
  
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  Any sick or vacation time taken during a VISTA’s year of service must be documented on a member's time off request log. In the case of sick days, please turn in your signed time off request log with the corresponding timesheet. If you plan to take vacation days, your time off request log must be submitted to the Program Specialist at least three business days before the scheduled time off occurs.
  
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  Please remember that VISTA Members serve 24/7. This means that VISTAs should be serving at their host site whenever it is open and staff is required to report. (i.e.-If your host site is open on Saturdays, then you are required to serve at your site on that day.)
  

Serve New York VISTA holds a three day overnight training conference in October. In addition to this training, members will attend monthly trainings. Accommodations for transportation to these events are provided when necessary and if possible. Members are urged to carpool to trainings as much as possible. If you perceive a potential conflict at your host site with a mandatory training event, please contact your VISTA Leader as soon as possible to discuss the situation. Details for member trainings are communicated by VISTA Leaders through e-mail.

Throughout each member's year of service, there will be various opportunities to take part in direct community service projects. We encourage our members to participate in these special events whenever possible.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 9/11, and AmeriCorps Week always serve as our program’s mandatory Service Projects. These are our organization's biggest service events of the year, and they coincide with the Corporation for National and Community Service's mandate to increase volunteerism on MLK Day and 9/11, as well as recognize AmeriCorps members during AmeriCorps Week.

Site Visits

It is a program requirement for each VISTA member to meet with a VISTA Leader monthly during his or her first year of service, and bi-monthly during the second and/or third year of service (although a monthly visit is still available to all members upon request). Site visits generally take place at a member’s host site and usually take about an hour, depending on a member's individual needs. The purpose of the visit is to provide each member with an opportunity to connect with the VISTA Leader as a mentor and to discuss VISTA-related topics. Site visits follow a curriculum that relates to a member's stage in his or her service; they are a time to discuss how the project is going and possible ways to strengthen the VISTA member's efforts. At least twice per year, the VISTA staff will also go along for all monthly site visits to check in with each member face to face.

VISTA Leaders will schedule site visits as early as possible via email. It is requested that members be accommodating and accept the Leader's requested meeting time whenever possible, barring major conflicts; concomitantly, it is expected that VISTA members give advanced notice if it is absolutely necessary to change a site visit time.

Communication

All VISTA Members are required to provide communication to the Management Team regarding the following:

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  Project progress
  
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  Accurate mailing address
  
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  Personal and host site contact information (i.e. phone, fax, email, etc.)
  
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  Any problems or concerns you may have during your VISTA service
  

AmeriCorps VISTA members, as well as AmeriCorps VISTA programs and projects, are subject to certain restrictions related to their engagement in political activities. Such political activities are classified as either: (1) engaging in electoral activities; (2) engaging in lobbying; or (3) participating in demonstrations.

Under the Hatch Act, AmeriCorps VISTA members are prohibited from engaging in the following activities at all times during service, including off duty service time:

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  May not use their official authority or influence, as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, to influence an election
  

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