2009 AmeriCorps Project Director Training

September 22 – 24, 2009

Saratoga Hilton

Saratoga Springs, New York

Summary of the Training

The New York State Office of National and Community Service conducted training for all AmeriCorps Project Directors and fiscal representatives that work with their AmeriCorps program. This comprehensive training provided 2009-10 grantees critical information on program and financial requirements of the AmeriCorps grant. Training sessions provided information on existing AmeriCorps policies and procedures and also covered new issues such as impacts to national service programs resulting from passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, use of the new AmeriCorps Portal, and a review of the State Commission’s reporting system that all AmeriCorps programs are required to use. A presentation was also made to AmeriCorps programs that received funding and are managing new programs funded by the American recovery & reinvestment Act (ARRA) on policies and procures for program management and reporting. Approximately 100 staff from more than 40 AmeriCorps programs attended the training in New York.

Below you will find the PowerPoint presentations and presenter materials. If you have questions relative to the training, please contact your program administrator at New Yorkers Volunteer.

**Click here for the complete PROJECT DIRECTOR TRAINING AGENDA**

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd

AmeriCorps Updates for the 2009-10 Program Year

Program staff will receive detailed information and discuss state and federal updates pertaining to National Service and volunteerism. Subjects will include changes to the Commission’s Monitoring Policy a summary of the 2010-11 Grants Process, State Commission Training Program updates, and Updates on the Commission Website.

AmeriCorps Program Monitoring Commission Policy

Fixed Price Grant FAQs

Fixed Price Grants Presentation

Statewide Evaluation: AmeriCorps & Volunteer Generation

The findings of the State Commission’s three-year research study on how AmeriCorps program generate volunteers will be presented. This statewide evaluation report is the product of data collected from AmeriCorps programs and can be used by those programs that participated to fulfill the CNCS program evaluation requirement.

AmeriCorps Statewide Evaluation Presentation

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd

Contract Management System (CMS) Training

Programs will have the opportunity to learn more about the CMS System, and to discuss issues related to program and fiscal reporting through CMS.

CMS Online Claim Q&A Presentation

AmeriCorps Portal Training on Work Flow and Processes

Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about each component of the AmeriCorps Portal, and how each component interacts with each other in the Portal. Session will also include discussion on the Commission’s policies regarding the portal.

AmeriCorps Portal Presentation

Web 2.0 - Effective Ways to use Social Networking to Enhance Program Effectiveness and Outreach

Participants will learn how to maximize the resources of Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, and other technologies that have become the new way to effectively promote their organization. The session will help participants understand the new culture of social networking and how to maximize the potential.

Social Networking Session - Discussion Paper

Everyone Can Serve: AmeriCorps & American Disabilities Act

Stefanie Perez, Disability Coordinator
State Office of National and Community Service

ADA Material - Lunch Presentation

ADA Material - ACCESS Guidelines Grantees

ADA Material - Asset Based Supervision

ADA Material - Essential Functions Handout

ADA Material - Inclusion Outreach Tips

ADA Material - NSIP Fact Sheet 1

ADA Material - NSIP Fact Sheet 2

ADA Material - NSIP Inclusion Language

ADA Material - NSIP Inclusive Interviewing

ADA Material - Reasonable Accommodations

NYC Service

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of NYC Service, New York City Mayor Bloomberg's Blueprint for Service to increase civic engagement. The presentation will describe an overview of NYC Service initiatives, including NYC Civic Corps, within the constructs of NYC Service's mission and goals. A discussion will include how strategies in this model can translate to AmeriCorps programs or be implemented in other areas of the state, and also how other Mayor’s can develop a Blueprint for Service for their city.

NYC Service Presentation

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th

Overview of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Participants will learn about the historic service legislation and how it will impact the landscape of national and community service programs. The session has built in time for questions and answers to help programs better understand the law and prepare for the changes it will bring.

Serve America Act Key Dates

ARRA Reporting Requirements

Commission staff will explain reporting mechanism and process for grants being operated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

ARRA AmeriCorps Presentation