Program Design:Incorporating Part-Time Members

United Way of King CountyEmily Portillo & Jake Janesch

INTRODUCTIONS

Emily Portillo (she/her)Bridge to Finish Program CoordinatorCompleted 3 terms of AmeriCorpsAt United Way since Sept 2017

Jake Janesch (he/him)AmeriCorps Program CoordinatorCompleted 2 terms of AmeriCorps At United Way since Sept 2017

AGENDA

Learning Outcome: understanding best practices from United Way to implement & leverage half-term members for your AmeriCorps program.

● Introductions & Oview of Presentation● What do you want from this presentation? ● United Way of King County AmeriCorps Program ● Recruitment● Orientation● Evolution of Half-Term Members● Break (2:45PM)● Small Group Activity ● Share-out & Questions

THREE FOCUS AREAS

Recruitment

OrientationEvolution of

Team

SHARE OUT

1. What do you hope to gain from this presentation about leveraging half-term AmeriCorps Members?

1. Has your program implemented half-term members in the past? What is one thing that went well? What is one thing your program needs support with?

UNITED WAY OF KING COUNTY AMERICORPS

people have home, students graduate, and families are financially stable

- Five Signature Programs - Direct Service and VISTA Members - Over 200+ Members per Program Year - Internal and External Positions- All-AmeriCorps Professional Development

RECRUITMENT: strategies

● Recruit Year-Round● Create a Personalized Program Brand● External Sites and/or Internal Employee Buy-in● Set Expectations: quick deadlines and timelines● Continuous Engagement & Transparency● Strategic Timeline: program length, time-off, check-ins● Equity Among Full-Term and Half-Term Members● Housing Stipends for 2nd term members

RECRUITMENT: outreach

● Recruitment Budget ● Social Media, Google Ads, Digital Campaigns● Warm Connections and Local Recruiting● Highlight Benefits & Incentives● Organizational-wide Action Steps● Email Signature & Banners● Interest Form

RECRUITMENT: member qualities

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

● Entrepreneurial Spirit

● Ambition and Strong Work Ethic

● Positive Attitude & Leadership

● Flexibility

● Persistence & Problem-Solving Ability

● Eagerness to Learn Quickly

● Team Player

● Basic understanding of Systemic Oppression

HOW TO EVALUATE DURING RECRUITMENT

• Set Expectations & Communicate Realities

• Behavioral Interview Questions

• Racial Equity Questions

• Reference Checks

• High Expectations

• Reiterate Key Criteria

QUESTIONS

Any Questions?

SHARE OUT

Raise your hand if you’ve organized and facilitated an

AmeriCorps orientation before

ORIENTATION: goals

● Appeal to service motivations● Ignite interest in organization’s mission● Develop a sense of belonging ● Discuss site needs and member responsibilities● Build skills and capacity of members● Identify goals and accountability● Create opportunity for practice and reflection

ORIENTATION: planning

Timeline ThemesBefore Service Starts

(ASAP)Introductions & Engagement

Orientation(1-2 weeks)

Trainings & Practice

After Orientation(1 month)

Mobilization & Reflection

ORIENTATION: execution

● Introductions● Volunteer Events● Resource Sharing● Onboarding Paperwork● Orientation Logistics

● Welcome Gift● Review of Policies/Supports● History, Mission, & Context● Service Role● Professional Development● Organizational Culture● Goal Setting● Accountability Structure● Team Building

● Weekly Check-Ins● Team Meetings● Audits & Feedback● Revisit Goals● Training Opportunities &

Needs

Before During After

QUESTIONS

Any Questions?

EVOLUTION OF TEAM

LeverageIndividuals with relevant experience

EffectivenessRe-training opportunities & feedback Align members with existing program structures and timelines

ImpactService gaps and long-term impact

ScaleHalf-term structure takes time to perfect

TAKE A BREAK

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS

1. What are you doing well in terms of member recruitment, orientation, and support?

2. Select one area from this discussion where you’d like to develop a new strategy or approach.

3. What ideas does your group have to improving your current practices?

Choose the breakout group based on your birth month

Breakout 1: Jake (Lead)January – March | https://bit.ly/ACBreakout1

Breakout 2: Jenny (Lead)April – June | https://bit.ly/ACBreakout2

Breakout 3: Mary (Lead)July – September | https://bit.ly/ACBreakout3

Breakout 4: Emily (Lead)October – December | https://bit.ly/ACBreakout4

QUESTIONS

Any Questions?

Program Design:Incorporating Part-Time Members

United Way of King CountyEmily Portillo & Jake Janesch