Reading Partners VISTA members will serve full-time from August 5, 2019 through August 4, 2020, and depending on the role can serve in Tulsa, Oakland, New York, and the Twin Cities (MN) regions! We are recruiting 7 total VISTA members for this timeframe.
We are now accepting applications all the way through mid-June, and would love to hear from you if you are at all interested. We can set up a quick call if you'd like to learn more, or simply follow up via email to provide answers to any questions or concerns you might have. You can also reach out to americorps@readingpartners.org with any questions at all.
Service Activities
The VISTA Community Relations Coordinator will develop new systems, best practices, and tools for the regional team to support the growth of donor relationships and awareness of Reading Partners’ programming. The VISTA Development Coordinator creates tools for donor cultivation through grant-writing and systems development, in order to help meet Reading Partners' development goals. The AmeriCorps VISTA Leader will provide training, peer development, and support to national Reading Partners VISTA members. The VISTA Leader will also serve as the VISTA Regional Leader to Bay Area VISTA members by creating professional development trainings in coordination with the local office. The VISTA Volunteer Organizer will forge volunteer partnerships throughout the region, creating systems to funnel volunteers into the schools to tutor Reading Partners’ students. The VO will help establish best practices to ensure these partnerships are sustainable into following program years.
Community Need Addressed
Reading Partners works to address the literacy crisis in the United States, and VISTA members help build capacity in the organization to get that done!
Position Outcomes
VISTA members can serve in a variety of capacities at Reading Partners. VISTA members can support in development & fund raising, in system and resource development, in community engagement and recruitment, and in leadership and mentorship. Our mission is deeply rooted to the service of AmeriCorps & VISTA members, and we thrive because of our VISTA members serving and building capacity in the organization.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Our VISTA members are supported by our national & regional teams, and receive ongoing training and support in order to achieve their goals.
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