Join Now - KsCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Member
Applications for 2009-2010 have closed. Thank you for your interest!
Become a change agent in higher education. Work with Kansas Campus Compact to connect colleges with communities, engage students in civic learning, and help solve society's most pressing needs.
Benefits | Program Description | Position Description
Eligibility | Apply Now
Member Benefits
- $4,725 Education Award or End-of-Service Stipend of $1,200
- Student loan forbearance or deferment
- Health benefits
- Housing support
- Living allowance
- Relocation allowance
- Personal and professional training
- The opportunity to help your community
- The appeal of being part of a national movement
- Training in job skills and career networking opportunities
- The chance to apply education and experience
- For more details on these, read the VISTA Member Information & Guidelines
Program Description
The Kansas Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Project helps colleges and universities to better respond to pressing issues facing low-income communities by improving the quality of campus community service and civic learning programs, and by increasing the number of students coordinating programs and directly serving in the community. KsCC VISTA Members will serve for one year as Service-Learning/Community Service/Civic Engagement Specialists at colleges and universities across Kansas, beginning in July/August.
In 2009-2010, VISTA sites include:
- Butler Community College (El Dorado)
- Fort Hays State University (Hays)
- Kansas State University (Manhattan)
- Southwestern College (Winfield)
- University of Kansas (Lawrence)
During their year of service KsCC VISTA Members will gain experience through personal and professional training including: grant writing, grant review, public speaking, situational leadership, building effective partnerships, fundraising, diversity training and social justice education, conflict resolution, program evaluation, strategies for sustainability, basics of student development, recruitment and retention of volunteers, history of higher education, service-learning 101, careers in the common good, team-building, ropes courses and outdoor initiatives, and asset-based community development.
KsCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Position Description
KsCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Members will connect colleges with local community organizations to address the needs of low-income communities. Members will tap into existing campus and community/faith-based resources to lead and coordinate sustainable local initiatives. These efforts will instill in students and volunteers a deeper understanding of poverty-related issues and how they can be addressed. KsCC VISTA Members will pursue one of three projects, depending on the host campus:
- To counter the pressures that the current recession places on nonprofit organizations and low-income populations, KsCC VISTA host sites will convene and participate in community partnerships whose combined observation, vision, power, and resources are sufficient to achieve sustained change in the community. Partnerships will not focus solely on improving services offered to populations in need, but will also reduce and eliminate need by addressing the causes that create the need. HOST CAMPUSES: Butler Community College, Fort Hays State University
- To increase low-income and first-generation student access and success in Kansas post-secondary education, KsCC VISTAs will build initiatives at host institutions that encourage the target student groups to complete programs of study by building their motivation, social capital, and connections to the community and convene larger, stronger community partnerships (including schools, nonprofit organizations, government, and businesses) to address community-specific low-income needs through means which may include, but cannot be limited to, campus participation in community service and service-learning. HOST CAMPUS: University of Kansas
- To support campus missions to graduate students who are committed to constructive community engagement, KSCC VISTAs will increase student, community, and faculty/staff participation in service-learning/community service initiatives that address community needs and transition leadership and coordination of existing VISTA-supported service-learning /community service initiatives to campus staff or volunteers. HOST CAMPUSES: Kansas State University, Southwestern College
Subsistence Allowance: $809/month and Education Award of $4,725 OR End-of-Service Stipend of $1,200. (Health care and childcare are provided if necessary). **Housing is often provided**
Qualifications:
- College Degree - A.A./A.S. or B.A./B.S.
- Strong interest and experience in college community service/service-learning
- Commitment to the mission of the project and its impact on communities
- Knowledge of and/or interest in working with students, administrators, and faculty
- Proven leadership ability
- Organizational skills, project and multi-task management, public speaking, event planning
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Required Training:
All VISTA Members must attend pre-service orientation (PSO) sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service. All travel expenses to and from the location of the PSO (airfare, lodging, food) are covered by CNCS. These trainings are correlated with the start date of the Member's service.
| Member Start Date | PSO Dates | Paperwork Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| July 27, 2009 | July 21-24, 2009 | June 8, 2009 |
| August 31, 2009 | August 25-28, 2009 | July 13, 2009 |
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S.
- 18 yrs or older
- *Must make full 12 month commitment to service
- **VISTA members may not have other outside commitments (i.e. school, second job, etc.)
*AmeriCorps*VISTA service is a one-year commitment. Members are expected to serve 12 months, full-time, excluding Pre-Service Orientation. AmeriCorps*VISTA service is unique in that it involves a full immersion in the project and community. This is not a 9-to-5 job. You are expected to be available for the needs of your community and project at all times. If an individual believes he or she cannot fulfill this commitment, that person should not become an AmeriCorps*VISTA Member.
**While serving as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Member, full or part-time employment is prohibited. Full or part-time enrollment in school is also prohibited.
Apply Now! (Online applications are required)
**Please read the KsCC VISTA Guidelines prior to applying**To begin the application process, go to AmeriCorps.org and click “Apply to Serve.” This will create an account for you on the AmeriCorps application website. Once your account has been created, you can return at any time to AmeriCorps.org and log in to add information to your application and save it.
**Kansas Campus Compact will not process your application until reference contact information and two reference letters are submitted. Contact your references to ensure they completed these tasks.
**When completing the “Reference Information” section of the application, please be sure to enter an email address for your reference if you expect the reference to complete the form electronically.
Questions should be directed to Angela Deckard, or 785-532-3475
For more information about the KsCC VISTA Project, click here and visit the national AmeriCorps*VISTA website.
