Information for Potential Host Sites
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Host Site Selection
Agencies interested in hosting one or more AmeriCorps members complete a proposal and submit it to the Genesee County Youth Bureau. The proposal outlines the project and gives the agency an opportunity to list the qualifications and skills required for potential members.
Proposals must be consistent with the goals and outcomes of the Genesee County AmeriCorps program. Projects may include duties that fall under one or more of our focus areas: youth development/mentoring, volunteer recruitment and public safety/ community outreach.
Submission of a proposal does not guarantee participation as a site. The Youth Bureau will attempt to recruit members for all appropriate projects. In the past, however, positions have gone unfilled because a member match could not be made. Host sites are encouraged to recruit their own member. Candidates recruited directly by host sites must still meet the qualifications for the program as well as complete the application and interview process. The Youth Bureau reserves the right to reject a candidate proposed by a site.
Host Site Responsibilities
Hosting an AmeriCorps member is similar to supervising an intern. The member will rely on the site supervisor for day-to-day instruction and assignments. AmeriCorps members are expected to provide meaningful service that benefits the host agency and the clients that it serves. The placement should give the member practical experience in a professional setting, increased skills and offer a chance to make a positive difference in the community.
Host sites are expected to provide members with agency specific training as well as a work area equipped to allow the member to complete required tasks. Host site supervisors are required to verify and sign member hours records as well as complete performance evaluations. Forms and instructions are provided by the Youth Bureau.
Agency Contribution
The majority of program costs are covered by grant funds received by the Youth Bureau from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Host sites are required to contribute $2,200 per half-time member (900 hours of service), $1,100 per quarter-time member (450 hours) or $750 per minimum-time member (300 hours). Agencies are invoiced for the local share according to a mutually agreed upon payment schedule.
Federal funds cannot be used to cover the local contribution. The agency share can be paid with state, local government or private dollars.
Host sites must also provide any supplies and materials that the member needs to complete his/her project. Sites may choose to reimburse members for mileage at their discretion.
Restrictions
- According to federal regulations, members cannot engage in AmeriCorps prohibited activities. These restrictions preclude religious, political and union activities. Examples are campaigning for political candidates, participating in a union strike and providing religious instruction. Contact the Youth Bureau for a complete list. Note: These activities are prohibited only while members are earning AmeriCorps service hours. There are no restrictions on activities conducted while not representing AmeriCorps.
- AmeriCorps members cannot be used to displace an existing employee or position.
- The majority of each member’s time should be spent providing direct services. No more than 20% of a member’s time can be devoted to training. Members are not intended to perform primarily clerical functions.
- Members may raise funds directly in support of service activities. Members may not raise funds to cover the agency’s general operating costs or to cover the local match for AmeriCorps. Members cannot write grants requesting funding from The Corporation for National and Community Service or other federal agencies. No more than 10% of each member’s total hours can be spent on fundraising activities.
- In most cases, sites cannot select a current employee as an AmeriCorps member. A waiver to this restriction can be granted if the program and the Corporation approves. The site must demonstrate that the duties to be performed by the employee as part of AmeriCorps are completely separate and distinct from the duties being performed as an employee of the agency. The same restrictions apply to hiring an AmeriCorps member as an employee while he/she is still completing service hours.
