1. New Program Director Session
Welcome to Kickoff!
New Program Director Session

2. New PD Session Agenda Introductions
Overview of National Service, AmeriCorps, & MSA
AmeriCorps Systems and Compliance (Systems activity, PD Handbook)
Grants Process and Management
Partnership Expectations

3. Overview Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS)
Massachusetts Service Alliance
AmeriCorps programs
AmeriCorps members

4. Written systems help programs to…
(Review)
Standardize program operations
Bring new program staff on board
Comply with AmeriCorps Provisions
Share and replicate successful practices

5. Creating Systems Objective What is the overall goal of this system?
Mode
Describe each step of how the objective will be met.
Frequency
When and how often will each step described above be taken?

6. Creating Systems (Continued)
Distribution
Who will need to receive the information and/or documentation for this system?
Person Responsible
Who is responsible for each of the steps in your “mode” section, and who is responsible for the overall objective?
Logistics
Any specific details that need to be considered in order to complete the objective.

7. Activity!
Write a system for doing the laundry

8. Program Binder Requirements
Program Binders must have:
A section for each of the AmeriCorps Systems (Recruitment through Reimbursement).
A completed System Worksheet and supporting documentation for each section
For example: member application, contract, performance measurement instruments, performance evaluation tool, host site monitoring tool
Program Year Calendar (resubmitted annually)

9. Program Binder Due Dates
All continuing programs must update their systems and documentation annually
Resubmissions due late September (date TBA)
New programs’ binders are due per Program Officer instructions – staggered schedule focusing on start-up systems first
List of the Systems and Objectives and blank system worksheets available on our website:

10. Grant Management

11. Viewing Your AmeriCorps Grant
eGrants
Program narrative
Performance measures
Aligned measure for primary service activity
Program Budget
Including Budget Narrative
My AmeriCorps portal (to be covered later in Kickoff)
Member enrollment and exiting ( 30 day compliance)
Service site listing
Manage slots
My AmeriCorps tutorials:
americorps-state-commissions-and-sub-grantees-egrants-0

12. Progress Reports
Mid-year and end-of-year update with multiple components
Basic program information
Progress toward achieving Performance Measures
Also an opportunity to share accomplishments and challenges
Completed online
October 15, 2017: cumulative for program year
April 15, 2018: data through March 31 for program year
October 15, 2018: cumulative for program year

13. PER and Reimbursement Requests
Periodic Expense Report (PER)
Minimum quarterly
October, January, April, July
Reimbursement request no later than 30 days after submitting quarterly PER
Must submit with July 15 PER
Able to request more often; MSA recommends monthly
Reimbursement basis; no advances
Fifteen day processing time based on 15th and 30th of each month

14. Grants Process Recompete vs. Continuations (review)
FY 2019 MSA RFP released early August 2017
TA sessions to review instructions
Recompete concept papers due in mid- to late September
Competitive continuation applications due to MSA in Word format by early December
Application instructions will be sent by Program Officer

15. Partnership Expectations

16. Partnership Assume positive intent Mutually beneficial relationship
Communicate openly and frequently
Lead the service field
Use and refer to provisions to ensure compliance

17. Communication Program Officers (primary contact) Other MSA Staff
Suzana Kantardzic, Senior Program Officer
Maura Hackett, Program Officer
Rachel Lieberman, Program Officer
Elizabeth Way, Program Officer
Other MSA Staff
July Afable, Manager of Accounting and Finance
(Open Position) Commonwealth Corps Program Manager
Steve Gallucci, Chief Financial Officer
Emily Haber, Chief Executive Officer
Lisl Hacker, Manager of Training and Technical Assistance
Shana Lothrop, Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives
Beth McGuinness, Director of Programs
(Open Position) Administrative Coordinator
Amy Mulvena, Commonwealth Corps Assistant
Lindsay Rooney, Director of External Relations and Development

18. Branding & Recruitment
DO:
AmeriCorps logo (big “A”) on service gear
“Service” in recruitment materials and position descriptions
AmeriCorps signage at service sites
Include AmeriCorps and MSA information at member and site partner orientation
Best practice: giveaway items
AVOID:
“Staff” or “Employee” on service gear
“Job” or “Employment” in recruitment materials or position descriptions
Referring to or creating culture of members as staff at service sites

19. Activity: National Service Context
Program Director’s Handbook: Your best friend (2 min.)
Group 1: Skim page 5 (CNCS Mission & Strategic Plan)
Group 2: Skim page 6 through 7 (CNCS Structure and Programs)
Group 3: Skim page 6 and 7 (especially “About MSA”)

20. National Service Context
Group Activity (7 min.)
On flipchart paper
List five words that summarize most important information about:
Group 1: CNCS
Group 2: National Service Programs
Group 3: Massachusetts Service Alliance
List up to three:
Insights/learning about how this information relates to your role as AmeriCorps program manager,
Questions about this information as it relates to your role.

21. Program Directors’ Meetings
Four required meetings annually
meeting dates:
October 18th
December 13th
February 14th
April 25th
Hosted by programs – MSA is looking for volunteers!
Mandatory program representation
Members should not attend

22. AmeriCorps Opening Day
Full day event on Friday, November 3rd, 2017
Roxbury Community College
Mandatory program representation
Lindsay or Emily will talk more about this tomorrow morning

23. Training and Technical Assistance
Contact your Program Officer with questions
Lisl and Gretchen will continue providing support
Online resources
National Service Resource Center
E-newsletters and MSA grantee page
Atlantic Cluster Conference?
We will continue to talk more about T/TA throughout the Kickoff and throughout the year