Transcript Program Design, Administration and Implementation

Onboarding AmeriCorps Members
for Success
AmeriCorps 101
Part 2
Agenda
• About YouthBuild and Public Allies and their
connection to AmeriCorps
• Discuss Onboarding Process
• Share Some Inclusive Onboarding Strategies
• Pair and share activity
About YouthBuild
• Low-income young people ages 16 to 24
• ½ of the time working toward GED/High
School Diploma
• ½ of the time learning job skills and
performing service by building affordable
housing in their communities
What is YouthBuild?
YOUTHBUILD Network
YouthBuild and AmeriCorps
• AmeriCorps National Direct grantee since
1994
• Almost 3,000 members from low-income,
disadvantaged communities
• 73 YouthBuild sites receive AmeriCorps
funds and slots in 26 States + DC
• Primary service = building of low-income
housing
YOUTHBUILD AMERICORPS
About Public Allies
• Founded in 1992, we are a national movement
grounded in the conviction that everyone leads.
• Our mission is to advance new leadership to
strengthen communities, nonprofits and civic
participation.
• Public Allies employs three integrated
strategies to develop the next generation of
leaders and re-define leadership for our times:
About Public Allies
• The Public Allies signature AmeriCorps Ally Program
identifies diverse young adults and prepares them for
leadership through paid full-time nonprofit apprenticeships
and rigorous leadership training.
• Our Alumni Programs connect and engage the growing
Public Allies network of diverse leaders and invests in
those positioned to make the greatest impact.
• Public Allies' training and consulting arm, The Leadership
Practice, magnifies our results by helping leaders and
organizations better harness the assets of diverse teams
and communities
How the Public Allies
AmeriCorps Program Operates
• Consists of four components designed to cultivate
the leadership potential of our members, impact
social issues in the local communities in which we
operate, and increase the capacity and
effectiveness of the non profit sector
– Apprenticeship
– Team Service Project
– Training and Learning
– Individual Coaching and Development
Onboarding – The Wrong Way
YouthBuild Onboarding Process
Typical YouthBuild Program Timeline
Onboarding Strategies
• Is the program a right fit?
Shadow a current member
Come visit the program: open-house or
invitation to graduation
Host orientation for families
Onboarding Strategies
• Is the program a right fit?
The informational session – live and virtual
 Setting expectations: time, commitment, workload,
performance, culture
 Early opportunity to screen for “fit” and service
orientation
 Opportunity to extend the interview process from
beyond just the formal interview
 Opportunity to meet current members, alumni,
partners, and staff
Onboarding Strategies
• Fostering Community
Team-building exercises
Community potluck meals
Group work
Mentoring
 Formal mentoring set-up / serve alongside mentors
 Bringing in former members to discuss experience
= organic mentorship
Onboarding Strategies
• Fostering Community
Early introduction of members to Alumni
Two week “Core Training” and retreat
Team Service Project
Establishing Group Norms
Shared Goal Setting and Accountability
Partners
Personal Story Telling
Onboarding Strategies
• Connection to Service / AmeriCorps / Program
Mission
 Share history and current breadth of AmeriCorps
 Videos
 Online research scavenger hunt
 Use of the logo
 In corporate AmeriCorps Pledge
 State Commission events
 Community Needs Assessment
 Plan and/or participate in service project, but not necessarily
primary service activity
Onboarding Strategies
• Connection to Service / AmeriCorps / Program
Mission
Servant Leadership Curriculum
Leadership Style Assessment/Inventory
Joint Mid Year Retreat with other PA sites
Collaborative Community Service Days
Theories of Change Curriculum
Onboarding Strategies
• Understanding Roles, Responsibilities and
and Expectations
Going over member contract
 Upfront and explicit about requirements
 Pair and Share
Play a game to go over these - Jeopardy
Individual Service Plans – outline skill
development & connect to career plan
Onboarding Strategies
• Benefits of membership
Emphasis on Education Award – make a plan for
PSE usage/post-program placement support
Resume Prep – outline skill development &
connect to career plan through service
Connection to Leadership Development / Policy
Council
 Define leader, skills of leader and show how these
members will gain these exact skills
Onboarding Strategies
• Benefits of membership
Individual Coaching and goal setting
Early EOB during info sessions and orientations
Networking opportunities with Alumni
Encouraging members to take advantage all the
benefits that help sustain service
Self Care Curriculum
Celebrating and promoting member impact and
success
Pair and Share
Is the Program a Right Fit?
Fostering Community
Connecting to Service / AmeriCorps /
Program Mission
Understanding roles, responsibilities and
expectations
Benefits of Membership
Evaluating for Success
What YouthBuild and Public Allies are
saying after their AmeriCorps experience.