The mission of SPRUCE is to successfully expand program and infrastructure sustainability through community awareness and engagement to build relationships and donor involvement to encourage viability and creativity in the arts and education. SPRUCE is a shared site service opportunity of three like-minded organizations working together to further our goals to promote program sustainability through continually building relationships and developing collaborations for programming and financial support. VISTAs serving with SPRUCE will acquire significant practice in researching, developing and coordinating partnership opportunities in our local region, our state, and nationwide through planning and coordinating programs, networking with community stakeholders, fundraising, grant writing, and donor involvement as well as gaining a unique and personal experience that comes from being a part of helping our community learn from and heal from historic and current trauma including racism, poverty, and the the lack of positive social structure. Experience the culture of La Plata County that was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" means "the silver" in Spanish. La Plata County comprises the Durango, CO Micropolitan Area in a rural environment adorned with nature’s beauty for outdoor enjoyment including the San Juan National Forest, the Weminuche Wilderness, the Colorado Trail, and the San Juan Skyway, a designated national scenic byway. Enjoy the four seasons while learning about the four directions in Native American cultural heritage found in abundance during this work experience developing partner agencies, prospective donors, and sustainability for our organizations.
Service Activities
The Fund Development VISTA with SPRUCE will: Align Efforts Towards Specific Visions and Mission; Identify Best Practices in Non-Profit Policies, Procedures, and Funding Strategies; Engage in Community Awareness to Increase Program and Organization Participation; Strengthen and Expand Partnerships for Sustainability, Growth, and Funding; Research, Develop, and Implement Networking Matrix for Outreach to Stakeholders; Help in Developing, Planning, and Implementing Local and/or Virtual Fundraisers; Communicate with Collaborators, Volunteers, Donors, and Grantors; Expand Capital Campaign Success for Cash and In-Kind Leveraged Resources
Community Need Addressed
lack of funding opportunities
Position Outcomes
increased programs
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
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, Effectively delegate tasks, 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