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Dear Sponsors and Supervisors –
As a result of the current global circumstance surrounding COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged. This drastically affects our recruitment options. We want to remind you of the digital resources available and provide some new ideas while we are operating under these unprecedented conditions.
Check Out the New Recruitment Resource Hub
CNCS has a new page dedicated to recruitment resources! Download the latest recruitment materials; order gear, collateral, and signage; and review helpful recruitment tips.
Visit the Updated VISTA Campus
You’ll find our reformatted VISTA Member Recruitment page on the VISTA Campus offers resources for a streamlined recruitment strategy and discovering, vetting, and selecting the right VISTA candidate.
Recruit Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Ready to Serve Locally
As you know, CNCS has been working closely with the Peace Corps to ensure their evacuated Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) are aware of domestic service opportunities with AmeriCorps. You can see an example of this effort on our AmeriCorps webpage with RPCV focus; this site includes a webinar highlighting the AmeriCorps service option available to RPCVs.
Additionally, VISTA has updated our policy that will allow RPCVs, who have completed more than 50% of their term and ended service early due to COVID-19, to be eligible to serve as a VISTA Leader during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you wish to target recruitment to these RPCVs, you are encouraged to consider taking the following actions:
- Post your AmeriCorps service opportunities on the RPCV Career Link Peace Corps has informed us that newly added opportunities are auto-shared with an email distribution list of up to 22,000 recipients.
- Promote your service opportunity to a wider audience by tagging @AmeriCorps, using your organization’s hashtags as well as the following suggested hashtags when posting to social media, #RPCV
Seek Out Virtual Opportunities
During the last sponsor call, we mentioned that we have participated in virtual career fairs with institutions of higher education. We encourage you to modify and adjust your recruitment efforts to include as much online and remote recruiting as possible. This includes hosting online informational sessions, virtual office hours, and partnering with various organizations, schools and universities, community centers, and clubs to distribute any information or to also hold virtual sessions.
Check out our editable recruitment PowerPoint you can use for a virtual information session. Customize it to highlight your service opportunity, and it’s benefits to the community and for your potential service member.
Create Your Virtual Message
Here’s a recruitment message worksheet that highlights key points to engage potential members and encourage them to apply. See the image below to learn how an organization has promoted a virtual VISTA Information Session. If you decide such a similar message would work for your organization, be sure to edit accordingly.
 Text: Contribute your skills, talents, and motivation to change the lives of people in your hometown or in a community across the country. As a VISTA member, you can make a tangible difference in people's lives while earning invaluable professional experience. Register for this Information Session to learn more about summer and full-time opportunities as a VISTA member (Volunteers in Service to America). If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment, please email AmeriCorpsVISTA@instititutionsname.edu. Please register via Handshake to get the Zoom info!
Use Talking Points of Interest
When engaging applicants, use the following talking points and best practices:
- After completing a year of service, VISTA alumni receive Non-Competitive Eligibility. (NCE). The NCE benefit makes the application and hiring process for federal jobs easier.
- AmeriCorps VISTA members gain the professional skills and experience that employers are looking for. Eight out of 10 AmeriCorps alumni surveyed say that their service benefited their career path.
- AmeriCorps VISTA members are able to have a part-time outside employment as long as it doesn't conflict with your VISTA service.
- There are hundreds of schools that match our Education Award, $6,000+.
- Potential members are eager to know more about benefits of national service.
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Employers of National Service (EONS) is a network that includes more than 600 employers and continues to grow. These employers are looking for dedicated, highly qualified, and mission-oriented potential employees in our national service alumni.
Make Social Media Work for Your VISTA Project
Use @AmeriCorpsVISTA to tag us in your social media posts on Facebook and Twitter.
Remember to use hashtags: #AmeriCorpsWorks #GoWhereYoureNeeded #AmeriCorpsVISTA #BeTheGreaterGood
Download and customize the VISTA flyer with your program's information to share on your website and social media platforms.
Click here to see how SDSU Extension AmeriCorps VISTA uses photos and videos from the VISTA Flickr page on their website. AmeriCorps VISTA Flickr photos are available for download, here.
Share stories of current members or alumni with potential VISTA members to hear the stories of current members or VISTA alumni. Check out these videos:
Order Recruitment Materials
While in person recruitment events are not currently taking place, you can still order VISTA Recruitment gear and collateral that will be useful for when you are safely able to host in-person recruitment events.
We recommend that your VISTA Recruitment Gear include tote bags, brochures, and posters.
Ordering Instructions:
- Create an account in the CNCS Ordering System.
- Use Item Name or SKU Number to easily search for each item.
- After completing your order, click “Check Out.”
- Enter your shipping address. No PO Boxes will be accepted.
- Click “Continue to Review.”
- Review your order at the top of the screen to ensure all items are added. In the Order Justification box, please include the following:
Name of your organization – SPONKITFY20
- Click “Complete Checkout.
- You will receive an email message that your order is complete with your order number. You can track your package by clicking on the link in your email.
Search for Applicants in eGrants
Leverage the Search for Applicants function in MyAmeriCorps to track and discover applicants by filtering for location, skills, applicant status, and more.
Questions? Contact VISTAoutreach@cns.gov.
In service,
The VISTA Marketing, Outreach, and Recruitment Team
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