KsCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Information & Guidelines
As part of the approval process, the Corporation for National and Community Service State Office staff wants to assure that all applicants understand the following information prior to committing to a year of AmeriCorps*VISTA service. All applicants should familiarize themselves with the AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Handbook.
a) VISTA’s mission is to “increase the capacity of low-income people to improve the conditions of their own lives.” VISTA members will serve others and support community residents and organizations to build their capacity to respond to problems in the community.
b) To serve as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member is to make a commitment to national and community service. THIS VOLUNTEER SERVICE IS NOT CONSIDERED EMPLOYMENT, AND THE LIVING ALLOWANCE IS NOT CONSIDERED INCOME.
c) When you begin this AmeriCorps*VISTA service position, you will receive a copy of the applicable Work Plan (The work plan is your assignment description). This work plan defines your role, responsibilities and the goals to be accomplished during this one year of service. This assignment will guide your efforts throughout the year.
d) The TERM OF SERVICE is one full calendar year, which requires a FULL TIME Commitment of 40 hours per week (minimum). Congress defines a full-time commitment as “24 hours a day, 7 days a week”. This translates into being available to the community at all times without regard to regular working hours, except for periods of approved leave. There is no Compensatory (“comp”) time for VISTAs who may be required to serve beyond the minimum 40 hours per week.
e) AN AMERICORPS*VISTA CANNOT HOLD A FULL OR PART TIME JOB.
f) FULL OR PART TIME ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL IS PROHIBITED. The only exceptions are: 1)
Taking one course may be authorized, if it is directly related to the A*VISTA assignment, or is part of an individual's personal career development plan; or 2) To retain eligibility for a Pell Grant. All A*VIST A member educational enrollment must be approval by the Corporation State Director, and approval is required before enrollment. Approval is required before enrolling in any formal/informal training that requires an absence from the service project.
g) VISTAs are allowed 10 personal days and 10 medical leave days. All absences from the project’s service area require advance approval from the AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervisor.
h) A VISTA is not an employee of the sponsor agency or of the Corporation (Federal government), except for purposes of the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), which provides Workman’s Compensation if an injury is a direct result of service, or for purposes of the Hatch Act, which prohibits partisan or non-partisan political activities while identified as a VISTA member or in the capacity as a VISTA member, including election activities; voter registration activities, and providing transportation to the polls. VISTA members retain their rights as private citizens, but may not engage in political activities that may be construed as representative of the sponsor, the Corporation for National Service or other AmeriCorps*VISTA members.
i) Current policy prohibits A*VISTA members from engaging in any religious activity as part of their duties, or which could be perceived as part of their duties by members of the community. Other policies are outlined in the AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Handbook.
j) Pre-Service Orientation (PSO): All new VISTA members will receive and must actively participate in a three (3) day/two (2) night orientation and training before beginning service. Members are sworn into service on the 3rd day of this orientation and their A*VISTA commitment begins the next day.
k) Additional training may include; 1. On-Site Orientation and Training (OSOT) prepared and delivered by the A*VISTA sponsor/host site to introduce the A*VISTA to the local sponsor and community, 2. Continuing Development Training (CDT): Within six months of the members start date, supervisors and members will identify and complete specific, skill based training necessary for the member to complete their work plan successfully, 3. Sponsor Training: Other training needs and opportunities may arise throughout the year of service. A*VISTA members and sponsors share responsibility for identifying such needs.
l) The Living allowance is subject to federal income tax (and state tax, if applicable). State and local taxes (if applicable) will be the responsibility of the VISTA member.
m) In Kansas, the bi-weekly living allowance is approximately $809.00/month for regular VISTA members and approximately $1009/month) for VISTA Leaders. These figures are BEFORE income taxes and are only approximate values.
n) The bi-weekly living allowance is required to be paid to the member through direct deposit unless the member can demonstrate that doing so would cause hardship. Should a paper check be mailed, it will be mailed to the project address, not to the member’s home.
o) VISTA members are eligible to enroll in group life insurance for which the nominal bi-weekly premium is required. This premium is deducted from the regular living allowance check.
p) Childcare benefits are contingent on having a child under 13 years of age in your care, meeting the income threshold, needing childcare assistance to complete the VISTA assignment and having a financial liability to pay necessary child care expenses.
q) During the Pre Service Orientation, the AmeriCorps*VISTA member must choose either the post service stipend of $1,200 in cash ($2,400 for VISTA Leaders) or a post-service Eli Segal education award with a value of $4,725. If your service is terminated early, YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR END OF SERVICE AWARD. Prior to the 10th month of service, there is an opportunity for members who chose the post service stipend to switch to the education award (certain restrictions apply). At no time may the education award be switched to a post service stipend. If the stipend is chosen, Federal and FICA taxes will be withheld. If the education award is selected, all applicable taxes will be the responsibility of the AmeriCorps*VISTA member.
r) Although the Corporation will process requests for deferment or forbearance that may be possible as a result of service, any student loans remain the responsibility of the individual VISTA member.
s) Health benefits are free and are only for the VISTA member (not his/her dependents). For further information on health benefits, review page 63 of the AmeriCorps*VISTA Handbook.
t) VISTA members are NOT eligible to receive Unemployment Compensation during their service, nor are they eligible to receive these benefits as a result of the completion of their service assignment.
u) AmeriCorps*VISTA members who are eligible to receive assistance or service under any governmental program (e.g., TANF, Medicaid, etc.) prior to enrollment as a member or who are receiving such assistance or services during AmeriCorps*VISTA service shall not be denied such benefits or given a decreased benefit because of the member’s failure or refusal to register for, seek, or accept employment or training during the period of service. This law, provided at 42 U.S.C. 5044, applies to any government program including, but not limited to federal, state, and local programs.
v) Most Kansas Campus Compact host sites offer free or reduced-cost housing for VISTA members. Federal tax law requires VISTA volunteers to include housing benefits in their income as wages. As a result of this law, your host institution may report the housing provided to you as taxable income on a 1099 form at the end of the tax year at the value your site institution paid or at a rate equal to the fair market value.
w) This document is not an office Corporation for National and Community Service document. Further information about AmeriCorps*VISTA policies are outlined in the AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Handbook.
