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| AmeriCorps Update
08.25.2014
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| IMPORTANT DEADLINES + EVENTS
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| August 27, 2014
August 28, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
September 1, 2014 Labor Day (Holiday). OneStar Office will be closed.
September 2, 2014 Final Deadline for AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary Event RSVPs (General Seating). Click here to RSVP.
September 4, 2014 Deadline to Request CNCS Funding for FY14 Reasonable Accommodation Requests. Contact your Grants Officer for details if you plan to submit a request.
September 11, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
September 11, 2014
September 12, 2014 AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary & Texas Statewide Swearing-In Event (Austin, TX; time change to 9:30-11:30am Central). Click here to RSVP.
September 18-19, 2014
October 16, 2014 Final FFR/PER/APR due to OneStar for all 2013-2014 AmeriCorps Programs.
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| New AmeriCorps 20th / OneStar 10th Anniversary Webpage OneStar has now launched a new, central webpage as a one-stop shop to keep you up-to-date with the latest information on the upcoming AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary event festivities on September 12th. Here you can find the following information: Press Releases and Media Information (coming soon!) For all of this and more, please visit: CNCS has also just launched a new website with all things AmeriCorps 20 – check it out and ensure you and your members have signed up online to pledge your commitment to service! Please make sure to order your commemorative event t-shirts by Wednesday, August 27th! Thanks for your participation and OneStar is super excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with you! If you have any questions about anniversary-related details, please contact gabriella@onestarfoundation.org.
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| Twitter Chat with Wendy! Ask a question or share your anniversary plans. Here’s how it works: - Ask your questions now and during the chat with the hashtag #AskWendy
- Follow the chat live on Twitter through @americorps
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| Announcing the Governor’s Volunteer Award Winners! On August 15th, OneStar announced the winners of the 31st Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards (GVA). The winners are: - Governor’s Lonestar Achievement Award – Virgil L. Teter, Jr. (Waco)
- First Lady’s Rising Star Award – Elise Clements (Denton)
- Community Leadership Award – Texas Master Naturalist Program (Kerrville) – tie for award
- Community Leadership Award – Heart of Texas RSVP (Waco) - tie for award
- Senior Corps Community Impact Award – “Grandpa” Oscar Cole (Beaumont)
- AmeriCorps "Make a Difference" – Katherine Martin (Dallas)
"The individuals and organizations honored through the 31st Annual Governor's Volunteer Awards have truly gone above and beyond to help their fellow Texans in times of need," said Elizabeth Darling, President and CEO of OneStar Foundation. "They are stellar examples of the good that can be found in all of us when we become engaged in solutions to social challenges." The winners will be honored at a ceremony on September 17, 2014, in Austin with their invited guests and the OneStar Foundation Board. Congratulations to all of our 2014 GVA winners! Click here to read their stories.
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| Call Recording Now Available If you missed the last OneStar Monthly Grantee Call on Thursday, August 21st, the call recording is now available on our Grantee Resource Library by clicking here. The call’s theme was “Updates from the Field,” hosted by various OneStar staff. Topics included: Texas Nonprofit Summit, Governor’s Volunteer Award Winners, Planning for the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary, Disability Inclusion/New Reasonable Accommodation Funding, AmeriCorps Health Care Update, New AmeriCorps Enrollment/Exit Forms, CNCS IPERA Monitoring, Preparing Your Final APRs and FFRs, OneStar Staff Transitions, and more. Mark your calendars now for the following calls in 2014 (all third Thursdays from 1-2pm Central): - September 18 – Informal Peer-led Call CANCELLED DUE TO TEXAS NONPROFIT SUMMIT
- October 16 – OneStar Updates from the Field
- November 20 – Informal Peer-led Call
- December 18 – OneStar Updates from the Field
If you have a peer topic suggestion or would like to host one of the Informal Peer Calls listed above, please contact your OneStar Grants Officers.
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| Changes to AmeriCorps Enrollment/Exit Forms Last week, CNCS announced that changes to the member enrollment and member exit forms are now live in the MyAmeriCorps/eGrants portal. These changes are designed to improve data quality and to provide additional demographic data about the AmeriCorps member population. Changes include: - All demographic questions are now required.
- The enrollment form now has additional options for veteran status.
- The exit form has new questions about disability status, type of disability and disability benefits.
- The exit form asks whether education level has changed since the beginning of service.
CNCS expects to share updated paper versions of the forms in the near future. NOTE: Programs that use paper forms should continue to use the old forms until new ones are provided.
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| New AmeriCorps Healthcare Survey & Impact Report The America’s Service Commissions (ASC) Healthcare Work Group, operating as part of the ASC Public Policy Committee, recently released a new AmeriCorps Healthcare Survey & Impact Report that is now available online. OneStar Foundation staff actively participated in the Work Group and in collecting and analyzing the data and findings outlined in this report; several AmeriCorps Texas grantees also participated in the original healthcare survey that is the basis for this report. The overall goal of the ASC Health Care Work Group in publishing this report is three-fold: - To improve our collective understanding of the current AmeriCorps program and member experience in obtaining and utilizing AmeriCorps health care coverage and benefits;
- To improve the current AmeriCorps program and member experience in obtaining and utilizing AmeriCorps health care coverage and benefits, by minimizing administrative burden wherever possible and allowing for the sharing of innovative or best practices in AmeriCorps healthcare implementation across programs and states; and
- To ensure that AmeriCorps programs and members have continued access to high quality healthcare and can make well-informed, compliant decisions about healthcare options throughout the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
We hope this report will be of constructive use to all of you and the national service field as we work together to support high quality healthcare coverage to AmeriCorps members. Background: About the ASC Healthcare Work Group: This group was formed to explore the impact of healthcare changes on AmeriCorps State & National programs and members as a result of the implementation and requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The goal of the group is to identify challenges, concerns and potential opportunities related to the ACA and AmeriCorps healthcare coverage. The group is facilitated by America’s Service Commissions and chaired by Philip Kolling of SerVermont.
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| Post your #911day Projects! September 11th, 2014 marks the 13th anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks ever to occur on U.S. soil.
It also marks the National Day of Service and Remembrance, a day to honor the lives of those who were lost and commemorate the spirit of compassion and generosity that followed. We, along with many partners around the country, are giving Americans the ability to mark this date by serving in their communities. This year, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance coincides with the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps and many states are planning projects to commemorate both events. I f you are planning to host a 9/11 Day event, don't forget to: About #911day: The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups and led by the organization MyGoodDeed. These individuals and organizations worked to establish the service day as a way to honor those who were lost and to rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that followed the attacks. The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance was established into law by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009, and furthers President Obama’s call to service, United We Serve.
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| Family Volunteer Day Mini-Grants Available – Apply by 9/4 GenerationOn, with generous support from Disney Friends for Change, is giving out Family Volunteer Day grants and event day service kits to affiliates or non-profit organizations around the country. Organizations approved for a grant will receive a $1,000 grant and an event day service kit; including t-shirts, a vinyl banner, stickers and a project planning guide. Family Volunteer Day is November 22 this year - the Saturday before Thanksgiving to 'kick off' the holiday season with giving and service, and to signal the start of National Family Week. Deadline: September 4
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| AmeriCorps Alums: Virtual Grad Fairs are Back! In conjunction with AmeriCorps Alums, we are proud to announce an upcoming professional development opportunity for AmeriCorps members and Alums to further their Life After AmeriCorps: Second Annual Virtual Grad School Fair Series: These exciting events will build on last year’s inaugural event by including even more schools committed to recruiting AmeriCorps alumni. One of the key goals of this event is to provide alumni with options that are available to them when considering how they will utilize their Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Many alumni and current members can benefit from the growing number of schools that are actively recruiting AmeriCorps alumni. This event will help connect members and alumni to those schools, and will include schools that match the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. For AmeriCorps programs, this event is a great Life After AmeriCorps opportunity that provides members with a wide variety of choices for using the Ed Award. Best of all, the event is FREE to current AmeriCorps members and alumni. There are two opportunities to attend this year’s series. They will occur on: - Friday, September 26, 2014 from 12:00PM to 3:00 PM Eastern (Register here)
- Tuesday, September 30, 2014 from 6:00PM to 8:30PM Eastern (Register here)
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| G-489 - Management of Spontaneous Volunteers in Disasters
OneStar is pleased to announce that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) will be offering two upcoming G-489 certification courses on “Management of Spontaneous Volunteers in Times of Disaster”: This one-day course aims to introduce the keys to success in managing large numbers of spontaneous volunteers in disasters. Its underlying assumption is that much of the volunteer help is indeed needed, and that with basic Emergency Management coordination skills, the volunteer resources can often be put to effective use, making a positive difference in the affected community. The course will discuss the benefits spontaneous volunteers can bring to relief efforts and the challenges they may bring if not coordinated effectively. In addition, the course will examine planning considerations regarding spontaneous volunteers. Special emphasis is also placed on how to make full use of a Volunteer Reception Center—the backbone of any well-organized spontaneous volunteer management program.
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| Texas Nonprofit Summit: Collective Action for Impact!
Whether it’s the exceptional keynote speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities, or the unique sessions full of ideas and resources, the 2014 Texas Nonprofit Summit has so much to offer! When: September 18-19, 2014
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| Marking 50 Years of the Economic Opportunity Act The following is a message from D. Paul Monteiro, Director, AmeriCorps VISTA at the Corporation for National and Community Service that was sent to the field on August 20, 2014: Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act, making a national commitment to lift our communities out of poverty. Among the many programs created by this important legislation was Volunteers in Service to America. During Johnson’s remarks in the Rose Garden, he thanked the champions of the Act, saying “In the days and years to come, those who have an opportunity to participate in this program will vindicate your thinking and vindicate your action.” A half century later, I couldn’t agree more. In the short time that I have been with AmeriCorps VISTA, I have seen the amazing work that you and our partners have been able to achieve. From helping the unemployed develop new skills to providing nutritious meals to children lacking food security, AmeriCorps VISTA members are fulfilling the commitment Johnson made on August 20, 1964. And I am honored to share this special memo from President Barack Obama. Another exciting milestone is quickly approaching with the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps on September 12. In a historic moment, current members – as well as those who served previously – will participate in a simultaneous swearing-in ceremony at local events in every state across the country. I encourage you to find an event and pledge your support for national service. Thank you for your diligent service each and every day. I hope our paths cross soon as I travel the country meeting our team and new partners to grow our program.
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| Civic Reflection Training Services Request Form OneStar is pleased to periodically offer Civic Reflection training services to grantees, national service programs, and eligible organizations throughout the state of Texas. The two types of services offered are Civic Reflection Discussions and Civic Reflection Facilitation Workshops. Civic reflection uses short, thought-provoking images, video or readings from literature, history, or philosophy to open up important questions in civic life and explore the underlying values and beliefs that drive our shared work in the world. AmeriCorps programs have utilized the practice of civic reflection as a tool in such areas as member development, staff development, and member retention.
Reasonable Accommodation Request Form OneStar may have funding available to support grantees with reasonable accommodation requests for members and/or potential members. If you need to request funds to provide a reasonable accommodation for a member or potential member, please complete the request form at http://www.tfaforms.com/167676.
Updating Program Contact Information If during the year, you have any changes, additions, or deletions to your program’s contacts, please update your program’s Authorized Representative Form (ARF) by visiting http://www.tfaforms.com/159770. This site allows you to add, remove, and/or update contacts at any time and you only need to enter the contact information for the person(s) you need to update. As a reminder, OneStar requires the following roles to be designated and corresponding contact information to be on file: - Legal Authorized Signatory
- Primary Program Contact
- Primary Fiscal Contact
- Secondary Contacts (Primary or Fiscal) – as applicable
Please note that it is a grantee requirement to update this form within 10 working days of a change in your program’s key personnel assigned to your AmeriCorps project.
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