1. Literacy VISTA
Things You Need to Know!

2. We will cover…
Things to understand about how it all fits together, roles and expectations
Things to remember about VISTA policy
Things you’ll need to do this year
Things that can help you be successful

3. 3 incentives to pay attention
We’ll cover a lot of important details in this session and will answer a lot of your questions
Fill out your worksheet as we go along and solve the puzzle for a chance to win a prize!
Your table will have a chance to compete for glory in a trivia game at the end!
Let’s start with some context…

4. What is AmeriCorps VISTA?
CNCS
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps VISTA
State & National AmeriCorps
NCCC
Senior Corps
RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions
SIF
To start, strengthen or expand programs, systems or services that help people move out of poverty.

5. ?
sponsor
CNCS
Host site
“I serve as a VISTA at [my host site] through the Minnesota Literacy Council’s Literacy VISTA program.”

6. CNCS state office
Sam Schuth
Jaime Renner
Kara Balcerzak
Samson Girma

7. National service program: Literacy VISTA & Summer Reads
Shannon Gatewood (VISTA Leader)
Ellen Bergstrom (Director)
Meghan Paul-Cook (Coordinator)

8. Roles and Expectations
Things to understand
Roles and Expectations

9. CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs

10. What should you expect from CNCS?
After PSO, most communication will go through MLC as your sponsor, but the state office staff and others are there when you need them.
You will have a lot of resources available to you through the VISTA Campus and will get updates, invitations to webinars, etc. If you’re not sure whether it applies to you, check with your VISTA Leader.
CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs

11. What should you expect from your host site?
Welcome you as a part of the staff
Provide work space and materials
Reimburse for travel required by the project
Provide day-to-day supervision, set expectations
Set your schedule (full time)
Weekly 1-1 check-ins: coaching, mentoring and guidance on the project
10-15 hours per month of staff time
Time off for cohort meetings and training
CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs
If you don’t feel your host site is meeting these expectations, let us know!

12. What we expect from you as a VISTA
Focus on the capacity-building goal, objectives and activities outlined in your VAD
Work with your host site supervisor
Aim to make a long-term impact; sustainable changes in your host site’s capacity to provide effective literacy services
Take appropriate risks to help your host site grow
Take initiative on the project and seek out guidance, collaboration or assistance when needed
Be service-minded and flexible
Take responsibility for your own learning and growth
Contribute as a member of the cohort and your peer group
CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs
You are NOT
An employee
An intern
“Just” a volunteer
You are a national service member!

13. What is the role of the literacy council as sponsor?
Areas we can help:
VISTA policies and procedures
VISTA benefits and requirements
Professional development
Living on the VISTA budget, work/life balance
Staying motivated
Making connections/networking
Dealing with issues with your supervisor or host site
Transition to post-VISTA career
Keep you informed
Provide training and other opportunities for professional development
Share resources, advice and ideas
Facilitate networking and collaboration
Answer questions and provide technical assistance
Provide support – listen, problem-solve, mediate or advocate
Pay living allowance
CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs

14. CNCS MLC Host site VISTAs Literacy VISTA goal #1:
Provide non-profits and educational institutions with resources to build their capacity to provide accessible, high quality literacy programs in Minnesota’s high-poverty communities.
Literacy VISTA goal #2:
Provide opportunities for VISTA members to gain skills and experience that will allow them to become leaders in their chosen field.
CNCS
Host site
MLC
VISTAs

15. Policies
Things that are important to remember

16. Attendance & leave policies
VISTA is full-time service for a full year.
You are entitled to 10 personal days and 10 medical leave days.
Federal holidays recognized by your host site are a day off for you, too.
You will report to your host site supervisor and they will set your day-to-day schedule. If expectations are unclear, please ask questions!
Contact Ellen (and your supervisor) immediately if there is an emergency.

17. Outside employment policy
If you plan to hold a part-time job in addition to your VISTA service, fill out the form and give it to your site supervisor. To qualify,
You cannot be employed by your host site
You must be able to prioritize your full-time VISTA service
If your site supervisor approves, they should send the form to Ellen. It is then submitted to CNCS for final approval.

18. Taking classes Make sure you can prioritize full-time VISTA service
Talk to your host site supervisor to make sure it will be manageable

19. Hatch Act
Make sure to avoid any perception that federal funds may be being used to support political activity.
Keep your political life and your VISTA life separate!

20. Requirements
Things you’ll need to do

21. Participate in Literacy VISTA trainings
Early Service Training (August 15-16)
In-service training
generally the first Friday of each month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cohort meetings
generally the 3rd Friday of each month, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*If you have a conflict, contact us
in advance!

22. Peer group
You will be expected to contribute as a member of your peer group. More on this tomorrow!

23. Green Book
The “Green Book” is a manual you will put together during your year to facilitate the transition to the next VISTA and/or the staff, volunteers or community partners who will sustain the work of your project once your service is finished.

24. Progress reports
The Minnesota Literacy Council collects quarterly progress reports from each project. This is primarily your supervisor’s responsibility, but you will help!

25. Evaluations
Formal opportunities to give and receive feedback from your site supervisor:
Mid-year evaluation
Year-end Close of Service form
The literacy council will also ask for your feedback!
Post-training evaluations
Year-end survey
And other ways, too

26. Keep your sponsor informed
We want you to let us know how things are going and how we can support you. We also rely on you to let us know if you have concerns or if changes happen.
For example:

27. Navigating your year
Things that can help you be successful

28. Your VISTA Leader
Shannon will be a great resource for you! If she doesn’t know the answer to your question she’ll do her best to connect you with someone who does. You’ll hear more this afternoon about some of the things you can go to Shannon for this year.

29. National Service Program Director
Let Ellen know if you need assistance with issues with your host sites or with CNCS.

30. VISTA Program Coordinator
Meghan supports the Literacy VISTA program in many ways and is a great resource if Shannon and Ellen are ever unavailable.

31. Your VISTA peers
Connections with other VISTAs can be an important source of support for you this year!

32. SuperVAD
Think of it as a map and a tool

33. Professional development
In addition to your (required) in-service training and cohort meeting days, there are additional opportunities for training.
Some will be free, others cost money
Each Literacy VISTA is eligible to use $150 in Professional Development Funds
Trainings, conferences, classes, and more
Get pre-approved! Send the form to Shannon, along with a description.
Then register. If you must pay, save your receipt.
We can make payments directly (preferred) or reimburse you.

34. Travel reimbursement
You can be reimbursed for travel to and from required Literacy VISTA training (EST, in-service and cohort meetings)
You can also use PD funds for travel to and from additional trainings, conferences, etc.
Includes: Mileage, parking, and public transit costs. Travel meals and
hotel stays also may be
covered.
Daily commute doesn’t count.
Send the form to Shannon.
Save and submit original receipts (but not for gas)
You’ll get reimbursed via check

35. Literacy VISTA - VISTA Portal
mnliteracy.org/vista
Username: mlcvista Password: literacy
Training info
Forms, policies and procedures
Resources
Roster

36. One more important thing to have:
Patience!!!
Be patient with your project. Capacity-building takes time. Doing work (well) in a community takes time.
Be patient with yourself. Ups and downs are very common during your VISTA year. If you hit a slump, give it time.
Be patient with your host site, supervisor and community partners, too.

37. This year will be what you make of it.
Let’s make it a great year!

38. Trivia What does VISTA stand for?
In what year did the first VISTA members start their service?
Fill in the blank: the Minnesota Literacy Council is your VISTA __________
How many personal days and medical leave days do you have for the year?
What should you do if you want to get a part-time job during your VISTA year?

39. Trivia
What is the name of the federal legislation that restricts the political activity of some government employees?
When will Literacy VISTA cohort meetings generally be held?
How much money is available to you through Literacy VISTA Professional Development Funds?
What is the first step you should take if you want to use your PD funds?
Paraphrase the 2 goals of the Literacy VISTA program.

40. Thank you!
Questions?