Post on 14-Feb-2016
description
AmeriCorps:Serving to Learn/
Learning to Serve
Geraldine E. Stirtz, M.Ed.Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning
(OSL)Traci D. Schellhase, M.S.UNK Academic & Career Advisor
Meaning of Service Reflections from authors: Service can be an attitude, a relationship, and
a way of being in the world. “We can help through what we do. But at the deepest level we help through who we are.” (Dass & Gorman, 1985, p227)
“Another reason many people engage in service is their recognition of responsibility as an essential aspect of life in a democracy…participation is not only a right but an obligation.” (R.Wade, 1997)
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,
stirtzg@unk.edu
Why Serve?Our democracy is changing!
◦AmeriCorps developed to provide opportunities for citizens of all ages to serve
◦ Educational institutions are recognizing the value of service to the students as well as the community
◦ Employers are seeking employees with service experiences because… Service… engages people in the lives of others …helps in building relationships …strengthens communities …promotes life-long civic engagement
once involved, individuals stay involvedGeraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK
Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Corporation for National and Community Service
•Provides Major Federal funding support •Encourages the use of service-learning to enhance and strengthen the base of National volunteer efforts•UNK Rural Corps Project one of many supported throughout the US• ServeNebraska, funded by the Corporation, provides statewide grants and encourages training in service-learning to enhance the meaning of service for participants.
Rural Corps ProjectOffice for Service-Learning Goal: “Build a Corps of Engaged Citizens in South
Central Nebraska◦ Past year - 15 Varied Host Sites
opportunities for citizens 18 and older Receive stipend, an education award, based
on hours served & position size Full, Half, Reduced Half, Quarter, Minimum
Time slots◦ 13-25 Members-70+ enrolled, past 4 years
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,
stirtzg@unk.edu
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Provide support for agencies and programs in the community
Sustainable partnerships previously established with Office for Service-Learning
Coaching, training for Supervisors very critical◦ Understanding AmeriCorps structure and purpose◦ Reporting challenges – measuring impact◦ Restricted Member’s Activities◦ Responsibilities to/for Members◦ Relationships
Community awareness-promotion On-going training and support Express/celebrate appreciation for partnerships
Building Community Partnerships
AmeriCorps Mission
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning,
stirtzg@unk.edu
A program that helps Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in service that addresses the nation’s educational, public safety, environmental, and other human needs, with a goal to achieve direct and measurable results, encouraging all Americans to engage in service.
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Learn & Serve America
AmeriCorps
Senior Corps
Learn & Serve AmericaState Ed Agencies (K-12) Higher Ed InstitutionsCommunity-based OrgsTribes
Local ProjectsSponsoring AgenciesState Offices
Nat’l Demonstration
ProjectsHQNat’l Organizations
Foster GrandparentsSponsoring AgenciesState Offices
RSVPSponsoring AgenciesState OfficesSenior CompanionsSponsoring AgenciesState Offices
Nat’l Demonstration ProjectsNat’l OrganizationsSponsoring Agencies
National, Regional & Local Projects
SE Region CampusNE Region CampusCentral Region CampusWestern Region CampusCapital Region Campus
APromise Fellows GrantsState CommissionsNat’l OrganizationsTribes & Territories
State GrantsState Commissions
Ed Award Program GrantsState CommissionsNat’l OrganizationsTribes & Territories
Tribes & Territories
Grants
National Direct GrantsNat’l Parent Organizations
Presidential Freedom ScholarshipsHS Jrs/Sr
Nat’l S-L ClearinghouseAll S-L practitioners & researchers
Nat’l L&S America T/TA ExchangeAll S-L practitioners
AState & NationalANCCC AVISTA
Sponsoring Agencies
VISTA LeadersHQSponsoring Agencies
The National Service Network Programs &
Partners
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
American Red Cross Arc of Buffalo County Kearney Community Learning Center (KCLC) Kearney Public Schools (KPS) Rowe Sanctuary UNK Frank House Historical Museum UNK Office for Service-Learning Great Platte River Road Archway Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity United Way of the Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity Kearney Area Community Foundation
RuralCorps Host Sites
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Project/Program development Educational Community engagement
Fundraising Secretarial work Fulfilling previously paid positions
Member Responsibilities
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
US Army Veteran Served a half-time and a full-time position
◦ 2010 & 2011 grant years
Developed various community programs Recruited individuals in rural communities
Accepted a full-time position in August 2012
American Red Cross
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Unemployed college graduate Served 2 half-time positions
Developed educational curriculum for visitors and tour groups
“I grew up in the Scouts doing camping and that sort of thing. Working here seemed like a good fit, combining my love of the outdoors with environmental education.”
Rowe Sanctuary
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Served one reduced half-time position, 2010 Increased campus awareness of service-learning Assisted with organization and preparation of
monthly member meetings Helped assist Program Director w/ training Worked with small groups of ELL
students
UNK Office of Service-Learning & Kearney Public Schools
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Professional Development Training◦ Various topics
AmeriCorps/Corporation/ServeNebraska Overview Service-Learning (OSL Director) Career Planning & Resume Building (Career Services) Conflict Management (Mediation Center) Multicultural Awareness (Social Work Faculty) Working with Persons with Disabilities (Arc Program) Disaster Preparedness (Red Cross)
Member Projects Reporting
◦ Developed Reporting Forms
Member Training-Team Building
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Promoted on campus and in community◦ Posters in buildings & businesses◦ Brochures developed, printed, distributed at
campus events◦ Email announcements in campus system◦ Flyers distributed to faculty asking to share◦ Student bulletins and campus paper information◦ Radio/TV conversations◦ Area newspaper stories
Marketing & Recruitment
Geraldine Stirtz, Director, UNK Office for Service-Learning, stirtzg@unk.edu
Questions?
Contact stirtzg@unk.edu for assistance or additional information
Program grant funds from the Corporation for National & Community Service
Supported through ServeNebraska
Q & A Time