VISTA Position

Job Title:  VISTA Position

The main goal of the VISTA member will be to develop and implement systems that will:1)       Increase volunteer participation in all City Year Louisiana service activities.2)       Help to formalize procedures for community partnerships as it relates to service activities.3)       Increase the number of repeat volunteers at City Year service events.

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.  Through AmeriCorps*VISTA, ordinary people provide extraordinary service in more than 1,200 projects nationwide.

Project (Capacity Building): Assist in implementing M.L.K. Day of Service in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.• Increase volunteer participation by 20% over last year’s volunteer numbers(650 volunteers)• Assist in coordination of M.L.K. Day events in each site.• Assist in training host agencies about quality volunteer opportunities.• Plan follow-up meeting with project hosts and partners to encourage on-going partnership and lay foundation for programs in different cities.• Leveraging City Year M.L.K. Day activities to help educate about National Service and City Year.• Document 07-08 Activities.• VISTA End Project:• Documentation of event for subsequent years.• Development of tracker for community and media contacts.Project (Capacity Building): Develop system to increase percentage of repeat volunteers for City Year Louisiana service activities.• Increase on-going participation of repeat volunteers by 20%• Possible activities include:• Volunteer socials• Reward/Recognition system for volunteers.• Special service days for repeat volunteers.• System for engaging volunteers in service planning process (committees).• Other activities applicable.• VISTA End Project:• Tool Kit for volunteer recognition system. (Or other systems as applicable)Project (Capacity Building): Plan and implement Service Projects in New Orleans.• Plan service for corps members and external volunteers.Project (Capacity Building): Assist in volunteer recruitment for City Year/Care Force service events.• Build relationships with community organizations, universities and corporations to institute a volunteer recruitment model (team based).• Collaborate with other CYL departments to implement volunteer recruitment programs.Other duties as Assigned

Belief in youth as agents of social changeVolunteer management or event planning a plusFamiliarity with southeast Louisiana area is a plusExhibit strong desire to work with diverse group of individualsAbility to work as both a team member and independent leaderExcellent organization skillsWritten and oral skillsAbility to juggle multiple tasks The candidate for this position will work on a living stipend and receive modest benefits.