The Volunteer & Outreach AmeriCorps Member will serve a key coordinating role within Aspire to mobilize volunteers and community resources to support program activities, as follows:
Responsibilities: Volunteers
• Recruit volunteers through various means, including attending volunteer fairs, posting volunteer listings, etc.;
• Cultivate partnerships with area high schools, colleges, and community organizations for volunteer recruitment;
• Train and supervise volunteers for Aspire's programs and activities,ensuring coordination with program staff;
• Collaborate with Parent Connection Program to ensure adequate volunteer coverage during Buddy Nights;
• Identify and implement methods to recruit Baby Boomers and retired adults as volunteers; and
• Plan and implement volunteer recognition activities, throughout the year and during National Volunteer Week. Development
• Coordinate and support Aspire's major resource generation events (approximately three/year), including designing and managing print materials, mailings, and event logistics;
• Track donations and follow-up with donors during Aspire's annual giving campaign;and
• Assist with proposal development for Aspire's programs, as necessary and appropriate. Outreach
• Develop newsletters, reports, and other communications for community partners and volunteers;and
• Maintain Aspire's website and other social media that reach community partners and volunteers. General
• Provide periodic direct service to Aspire programs to inform outreach and coordination efforts;
• Develop reports on Volunteer and Outreach activities as required;
• Participate in required AmeriCorps and/or National Days of Service projects; and
• Comply with all applicable rules, regulations, and agreements of the organization.
Minimum Requirements :
• U.S. citizen,national,or lawful permanent resident alien;
• High school graduate or equivalent, at least 17 years old;
• Commitment to local,community-based organizations;
• Strong research, writing,and organizational skills;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Professional communication skills - ability to interact well with children, parents, community members/partners, volunteers, program staff, and high-level supports including Board Members;
• Interest in and sensitivity to working with people from a variety of cultures and ethnic groups;
• Bilingual Spanish and English skills, including reading, writing,and conversation helpful;
• Self-motivated,independent, and resourceful;and
• A great sense of humor!
Service Activities
The full-time Volunteer & Outreach Program AmeriCorps Member will dedicate 100% of time and effort to recruiting volunteers to support Learning Links performance measures, ensuring that volunteers are well-integrated into program activities and effectively utilized, raising awareness about community service and volunteerism, and organizing community service projects for children and families.
Community Need Addressed
ASPIRE! serves children and families in the Columbia Heights West and Pike Village Center neighborhoods of Arlington. The organization’s original afterschool program was established in 1994 through a grassroots effort of community organizers in response to widespread concern about the well-being of children in Columbia Heights West during out-of-school time hours. Twenty years later, ASPIRE! is well-rooted in the community where it originated, including expanding its services to two affordable housing developments at the request of local affordable housing organizations and neighboring schools in response to community demand. It consistently operates at maximum capacity and is oversubscribed by 115% with waiting lists at all of its sites and a steady pipeline of referrals from local teachers and schools.
Position Outcomes
Short Term
at least 80% (64) 3rd-5th grade students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds will improve their reading proficiency per school-based, standardized assessments of reading instructional levels at the beginning and end of the school year.
Mid Term
students’ improved reading proficiency will ensure that they can fully participate in school and keep up with academic content in middle and high school and successfully graduate from high school.
Long Term
students will have better livelihood opportunities and increased lifelong earning potential.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
• Aspire is committed to strengthening Corps Members' professional and personal development. Corps Members will receive training in a variety of topics including: content areas, volunteer management, child development, behavior management, education theory, leadership skills, database and computer skills and team building.
• Full-time Members will also have the option (first-come, first-serve basis), if they so choose and qualify, to live at a local affordable housing development at a significantly discounted rate.
Skills you will gain
Supervising, database management, timekeeping, communication, excel, design, public speaking, volunteer management, recruitment, public relations
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment