An AmeriCorps VISTA is required to work full time, 35-40 hours per week, and is considered to be on call 24-7 for flexibility to programming they might be working on with you.  They must commit to working at your site for at least one year. VISTAs do not perform direct service, but rather work to increase the capacity of the program or agency.  This is an important factor to remember as one is preparing a concept paper and volunteer assignment description for ones' agency, as the ability for the program to continue in a greater way after the VISTA is very important.

Step 1:  Concept Paper

If your adult literacy program has a current need that might appropriately be met by a VISTA volunteer, the first step is to outline your proposal to host a VISTA member in concept paper format.  If you have questions about how to complete the concept paper, or have trouble downloading the instructions, please give us a call.  We encourage you to design your site concept paper for a specific one, two or three year period, so that we can plan to accommodate you.  If you have a multi-year work plan and your VISTA member does not wish to serve for more than one year, another member can complete the plan.  However, please be aware that CNS imposes a maximum of three years for any site work plan.

Step 2:  Volunteer Assignment Description (VAD)

Each VISTA member has an individual VAD, including one or more of the goals detailed on the program page.  Once your concept paper has been accepted, we'll help you to develop the VAD for your VISTA member.   The outcome envisioned by the VAD must be sustainable without the member’s efforts after his or her term of service is complete.  A VISTA member’s progress is measured in terms of achieving these set goals, but also and ultimately by whether the sustainability outcome is met.

Step 3: Recruitment

Individual sites should take the lead in recruiting their own VISTA member.  The Coalition can help you develop a list of qualifications needed, and we will list the position in the AmeriCorps national online recruiting system.  However, local applicants are often stronger candidates because relocation is not necessary, and because they have at least some knowledge of the community in which they will be working.  Generally, we will approve whomever you approve, as long as their application is in order and there are no obvious problems.

Step 4:  Fees

The Coalition charges an administrative fee of $2500 per VISTA member per year of service.  A memorandum of agreement between the Coalition and your agency in which you agree to pay this fee must be completed.  The fee will be invoiced when you have selected a VISTA member for your position, and will be due before the start of Pre-Service Orientation.

Step 5: On-Site Orientation

Soon after the VISTA volunteer begins their service, a member of the Coalition will visit your organization to provide On-Site Orientation with you and your VISTA volunteer.  Information about funds available for training, requirements for reporting, etc. will be discussed.