ICAP Training Guidelines
Orientation
An orientation which meets AmeriCorps standards is available for you to use. Below is a description of what must be included in the AmeriCorps orientation. If your orientation differs from that provided by Iowa Campus Compact you will need to have your members sign and submit an agenda for your specific orientation.
From the ICVS Program Handbook:
Programs must conduct a member orientation designed to enhance member sensitivity to the community and comply with any pre-service orientation or training required by the Corporation. At a minimum, these items should be covered during orientation and explicitly listed on the member orientation agenda:
i. Member rights and responsibilities, including the Program’s code of conduct,
ii. Prohibited activities (including those specified in the regulations) Please Note: There is an increased emphasis on ensuring that all members are trained on prohibited activities, so be sure that you devote enough time to this topic on your orientation agenda.
iii. Requirements under the Drug-Free Workplace Act (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.),
iv. Suspension and termination from service,
v. Grievance procedures,
vi. Sexual harassment, other non-discrimination issues, and other topics as necessary,
vii. National Service
viii. Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.
From the ICVS Program Handbook:
Programs must conduct a member orientation designed to enhance member sensitivity to the community and comply with any pre-service orientation or training required by the Corporation. At a minimum, these items should be covered during orientation and explicitly listed on the member orientation agenda:
i. Member rights and responsibilities, including the Program’s code of conduct,
ii. Prohibited activities (including those specified in the regulations) Please Note: There is an increased emphasis on ensuring that all members are trained on prohibited activities, so be sure that you devote enough time to this topic on your orientation agenda.
iii. Requirements under the Drug-Free Workplace Act (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.),
iv. Suspension and termination from service,
v. Grievance procedures,
vi. Sexual harassment, other non-discrimination issues, and other topics as necessary,
vii. National Service
viii. Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.
Member Training Requirements
All required trainings must be made available to members by IACC and the member’s supervisor. IACC has provided trainings on the ICAP website. Training materials outside of those provided by IACC which meet the definition of the required trainings can be used by members to complete training requirements at the discretion of the member’s site supervisor.
Members are solely responsible for attending and completing all AmeriCorps required trainings. Required trainings include Capacity Building and Volunteer Management, Civic Engagement, Disaster Training, Communication, Life After AmeriCorps, Using the education award, and using the timekeeping system.
Members are solely responsible for attending and completing all AmeriCorps required trainings. Required trainings include Capacity Building and Volunteer Management, Civic Engagement, Disaster Training, Communication, Life After AmeriCorps, Using the education award, and using the timekeeping system.
IowaGrants
A self-guided module is available for members on the ICAP website under the timekeeping tab. This training may be waived at the discretion of the supervisor if a member has previously served in ICAP or used the IowaGrants timekeeping system. This training should cover the following items.
1.) Member Timekeeping responsibilities and requirements
2.) Accessing IowaGrants
3.) Entering Hours
a.) Direct Hours
b.) Training Hours
c.) Fundraising Hours
4.) Submitting hours
5.) Great Stories
1.) Member Timekeeping responsibilities and requirements
2.) Accessing IowaGrants
3.) Entering Hours
a.) Direct Hours
b.) Training Hours
c.) Fundraising Hours
4.) Submitting hours
5.) Great Stories
Capacity Building & Volunteer Management
This training must be completed within 30 days of enrollment by all ICAP members. The member will indicate the completion of this training by completing the appropriate section of their training certification form and indicating the completion of this training on the member’s IowaGrants timesheet.
This training may be waived at the discretion of the supervisor if the member is serving in a term less than 4 months and has previously served in ICAP.
The training should cover the following items.
1) Capacity Building
a) Defining capacity building
b) The importance of capacity building services to nonprofits
c) Examples of capacity building activities
d) Examples of direct service activities
e) Methods of identifying program or project needs in order to build capacity
2) Volunteer Recruitment & Management
a) Defining recruitment, retention, and recognition
b) Effective recruitment strategies
c) Effective retention strategies
d) The importance of recognizing volunteers
e) Effective recognition strategies
This training may be waived at the discretion of the supervisor if the member is serving in a term less than 4 months and has previously served in ICAP.
The training should cover the following items.
1) Capacity Building
a) Defining capacity building
b) The importance of capacity building services to nonprofits
c) Examples of capacity building activities
d) Examples of direct service activities
e) Methods of identifying program or project needs in order to build capacity
2) Volunteer Recruitment & Management
a) Defining recruitment, retention, and recognition
b) Effective recruitment strategies
c) Effective retention strategies
d) The importance of recognizing volunteers
e) Effective recognition strategies
Civic Engagement
IACC provides a module, but this is largely dependent upon the site supervisor and what they feel is best. At the most basic level this training should help the member connect the value of their service to their community and/or nonprofit service sites.
Communication
Communication training topics could include personality colors, diversity, conflict resolution, public speaking, effective meetings, customer service, team building, leadership, etc.
Possible topics
Effective communication for volunteer management
Effective communication in an office environment
Effectively communicating your impact
Possible topics
Effective communication for volunteer management
Effective communication in an office environment
Effectively communicating your impact
Disaster Training
This training may cover a wide variety of topics related to disaster training. The main learning outcome of this training is for the member to recognize that disaster training is a vital part to AmeriCorps service and that they may be called upon to serve in a disaster situation.
Examples of disaster preparedness training could include CPR/AED/First Aid training, Volunteer Reception Center/Emergency Volunteer Center training, etc
Examples of disaster preparedness training could include CPR/AED/First Aid training, Volunteer Reception Center/Emergency Volunteer Center training, etc
Life After AmeriCorps
This training may cover a wide variety of topics related to professional development beyond the member’s ICAP term of service. The provided training includes the “Using your Education Award” training as well as information on other AmeriCorps programs.