Fellows will work at their partner site four days per week (Monday-Thursday). Fellows will serve as liaisons between Tulane, their partner agencies, and the communities in which they are placed.They will also research other organizations that do similar work to their partner organizations and try to build inter-agency collaborations. On Fridays, the Fellows will convene at Tulane to participate in a rigorous professional development and training curriculum.
Service Activities
The specific service activities that the VISTA Fellow will perform is dependent upon the identified needs at the specific site that the VISTA will serve at throughout their year.
Community Need Addressed
During the 2013-2014 academic year, CPS conducted research to learn more about the ways a place-based engagement strategy could improve the effectiveness of our partnerships. After mapping the locations of civic engagement by Tulane students in the 2012-2013 academic year and layering them with community characteristics and needs, the initial maps indicated the corridor between Tulane’s Uptown and Downtown campuses (generally the Freret, Broadmoor, and Central City neighborhoods) is an area that deserves coordinated and strategic attention because of its close proximity, the level of need, existing assets, including current partnerships, and a high level of engagement. As such, all of the Tulane AmeriCorps Fellows will be placed at community organizations within this service corridor.
Position Outcomes
The Tulane AmeriCorps Fellows Program will support 8 committed volunteers in an AmeriCorps VISTA placement. During their fellowship, Tulane AmeriCorps Fellows will be placed in local non-profits dealing with poverty eradication that have a relationship with Tulane. Community partners range from start-ups to mainstay institutions that have served the New Orleans community for decades and offer service placement opportunities to match every interest. Fellows will work in the community Monday through Thursday and will receive professional development and have program meetings on Fridays either on campus or at a partner site location in the community.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Stipend, Training
In addition to the benefits that our Tulane AmeriCorps VISTA program specifically offers, you can visit the link below to read more about the various benefits that are standard with any AmeriCorps VISTA program, including ours, throughout the country.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista/americorps-vista-faqs
Skills you will gain
The Corps members will attain skills that are related to the specific work that each site specifies for its VISTA placement.
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, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, 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