December 2024
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Reminder: First quarter stories of service (from members) and project performance reports (from site staff) are due by December 15. Site reporters should've received an email from us with a link to the online report form; if you did not, please contact your WSC Coordinator.
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The make-up session for the Site Staff Orientation Training is coming up tomorrow, December 5, from 2:00-3:30pm – if you (or someone else from your organization) did not attend the original training session in October, please plan on attending this one. This training will cover programmatic and policy changes for the 2024-25 program year, review the basics of member and program supervision, and share best practices to support your members and help them thrive this service term!
If you have not received our emails with the link to join this session, or if you missed the October session and will not be able to attend this one as well, please contact our training specialist, Bryce Bateman, for assistance.
Each year, AmeriCorps leads the call for all Americans to serve on MLK Day in honor of his legacy and the continuing effort to heal that which divides us. On January 20, how will you participate on this National Day of Service?
To get you started, AmeriCorps has a list of project ideas and a resource kit. If you'll be hosting a community service project and need volunteers, let us know and we'll share your event on our website.
You can also check out GetConnected and VolunteerMatch for nearby volunteer opportunities you can participate in.
Options for doing something on your own could include collecting food and hygiene supplies for your local food bank, or making homemade dog toys and donating to an animal shelter.
Now is the time to start planning!
Member Evals Due January 31
Site staff, member evaluations are due by January 31 for those who started service September through November. Schedule time with your member to review progress made toward goals, and any additional support they may need from you to succeed in their position. This is a good time to touch base on our new Life After AmeriCorps planning checklist, and help them create a professional development plan for the remainder of their term.
January Lunch & Learn
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The January Site Staff Lunch & Learn is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, at 11:30am. During this session we’ll be discussing best practices around member evaluations, and reviewing what activities you and your member should be prioritizing from our Life After AmeriCorps checklist at this point in the service term. We look forward to seeing you there!
January 8 11:30am | Join here
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Members, the holiday & cold-weather season is here, and taking a day off may be necessary. Before you take any time off, make sure you’re on track with your required hours. To check your hours:
1. Log into TimeTracker.
2. Open your last approved timesheet.
3. Compare your total hours at the bottom of the sheet to our chart.
Note: Hours not yet approved won’t be added to your total. Ask your site staff to approve all timesheets before checking. As an example, for those 1700-hour members who started on September 3rd, you should have at least 480 hours served by the end of November.
If you're getting behind, create a plan with your site staff now to gain additional hours and use WSC’s alternative service policy if needed. For more details regarding leave, see section VII (Leave Situations) in your MSA.
Also, during the holidays, sites may be closed for a few days. Members may be eligible for the same holidays as site staff with approval, but “holiday hours” don’t count as service term hours. You must serve to earn service hours. Not completing the minimum required hours will affect your eligibility for an education award. To that end, consider serving additional hours at your site or serve at a local animal shelter, food bank, environmental project, or another non-profit. Just make sure that the service activities are allowable. Prohibited activities can be found in section IX of your MSA and in WSC policy #121.
Site Recruitment Survey and Member Recommendations
Site staff, we want to hear from you! If you haven’t already, please take a minute to complete our site recruitment survey. Your feedback shapes our recruitment efforts for next year.
We are also looking for current members to support the recruitment effort by participating in panels, videos, etc. If you have a returning or experienced member to recommend for this opportunity, email Hilary with our outreach and recruitment team.
Outreach Team Road Trip!
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Our outreach team is hitting the road this winter to visit with partner site staff and members. We’re collecting stories and photos about the difference that service is making in communities across our state to feature in digital, print, and social media. Interested in telling your story and being featured in the coming year? Email Jason McLaughlin to coordinate a visit with him.
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As we head into December, we know that icy and snowy weather is headed our way. Members and site staff, please take some time to make sure there is a plan in place for inclement weather.
Site staff, are there alert systems in your agency that the member needs access to in case of office closures? How are you going to ensure your member is looped into those alerts?
Members, do you have a way to contact your site staff in case you are snowed in, or the road conditions are unsafe? What is the protocol for this at your site?
We understand that inclement weather happens and may lead to unplanned member absences. Please make sure that you are being safe and communicating with each other. In these circumstances, members and site staff can utilize our teleservice policy or the alternative service policy to make up hours missed due to weather.
Did you know that WSC/WRC members AND their household members have access to free and confidential mental health benefits?
The Member Assistance Program through AllOne Health is available at no charge. MAP provides webinars, podcasts, and other resources, plus phone, webchat, and face-to-face counseling and consulting on a wide range of topics including life/service balance and stress management, legal assistance, financial planning and more. Counselors are available 24/7 via phone if you ever need to talk with someone right away about a stressful/crisis situation or your mental health wellbeing.
Visit our Member Resources page for MAP contact information and additional details.
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