AmeriCorps Program Directors Monthly Update | March 18, 2021
Reminder: Next Virginia AmeriCorps Program Director
Zoom Meeting is Monday, April 12, 2021, 10-11am,
Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/93188984311 Password R9V.^rye0B
See you then!
Program Compliance
Slot Management & Planning: As we get closer to the end of the program year, the Commission would like to give your program as much support as possible in enrolling as many of your MSY as you are able, and in this way we are providing some information that may be useful for you to move forward.

Below you will find information taken from the AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions about planning for member slot types. You will also see a chart that has estimated deadline dates for enrolling certain terms of service based on the minimum number of hours a member is required to complete for a full education award.

If you plan on converting any of your unused slots into smaller types, please complete a PCR as soon as possible so your P.O. and the Program Manager can approve and ensure Members are set up for success!

2020 Terms and Conditions for AMERICORPS STATE
V. SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT, A. Planning for the Term of Service

“…The recipient must ensure that each member has sufficient opportunity to complete the required number of hours to qualify for an education award. In planning for the member’s term of service, the recipient must account for holidays and other time off and must provide each member with sufficient opportunity to make up missed hours.”

Virginia Service Commission Guidance
*Estimated, based on the number of hours required and months left in program year
National Criminal History Check New Rule: The new rule is effective May 1, 2021 and applies to individuals covered by the rule who begin work or service on or after this date and who are required to complete the national service criminal history checks.

Individuals covered by the rule who start in work or service prior to May 1, 2021, and who will remain in work or service after November 1, 2021, must complete a national service criminal history check that complies with the final rule by November 1, 2021.

Please review the New Rule materials found on the AmeriCorps website, including training presentations on Litmos. The Virginia Service Commission will review the rule and implementation at the PD Call on Monday April 12:


If you have any questions before then, please reach out to Christina or Samantha.
Program Evaluation
AmeriCorps Program Survey: Remember to encourage your staff to complete the 2021 AmeriCorps Program Staff Survey! We need your feedback to help better understand what program staff think of the technical assistance and training we provide. This feedback will help us hone in on what is most helpful and important, and focus our efforts in the future based on the perspective you share. The survey is available here if you would like to see the final copy: https://forms.gle/7rTMzcaUEwWh8sfm7. Please complete this survey by March 23, 2021.
Communications Update
Time is Running Out! Nominate a Member or Alum for the Virginia National Service Awards - Remember to submit your nominations for the National Service Awards by Thursday, March 25th! These awards a great way to highlight the amazing work your members are doing and also promote your organization as a whole. The winners from this year's awards will be honroed at the virtual Volunteerism and Service Conference, May 13th, at a special livestreamed ceremony. We will also recognize those winners from 2020 who were not able to be honored due to COVID.

AmeriCorps Week Wrap-Up/National Service Recognition Day is April 6th! - First, we want to say an enthusiastic "GREAT JOB!" on all the incredible AmeriCorps Week projects, stories, and posts this year! We are compiling everything and will be sending on to AmeriCorps as well as saving photos to our Flickr. If you haven't had a chance, go to the Virginia Service Commission's various social media outlets and you'll be able to see what your other AmeriCorps peers were up to over the course of the week. If you haven't sent us information on what your program did for AmeriCorps Week, please email info to patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov. To download the Governor's Proclamation from last week, click here.

Our next National Day of Service is National Service Recognition Day on April 6th. On this day, thousands of local leaders across the country honor AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers by issuing official proclamations and taking to social media in a nationwide show of appreciation. Your program is REQUIRED to plan a service project or event to amplify AmeriCorps to your local officials. Encourage your mayor or county officials to show their support by signing the official National Service Recognition mayor/county official support list. AmeriCorps will be release their toolkits and messaging soon so stay tuned to https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/national-service-recognition-day.
Nominate a Volunteer for the 2021 Governor's Volunteerism Awards - We know you work with some incredible volunteers every single day as part of your organization. Please take a moment to recognize these volunteers by nominating them for this award. Winners will be recognized at a special presentation in September and be highlighted by the Office of the Governor. By submitting a nomination to the 2021 Virginia Governor's Volunteerism Awards, you not only show appreciation for these incredible volunteers, but also inspire and ignite the spirit of service in others. Awards are presented in each of 10 categories: Senior, Adult, Young Adult, Youth, Family, Corporation, Small Business, Educational Organization, Faith-Based Organization, and Community Organization . Winners will be honored this summer. The deadline for nominations is April 23, 2021. More
Training & Technical Assistance

2021 Virginia Life After AmeriCorps Event (June 4, June 11, & June 17) - Registration will open soon for the VSC's Life After AmeriCorps training event! This year our theme is The Journey Ahead, and we will offer more than 22 sessions over three days for your members to custom select based on their interests. Whether your members are starting a new career, continuing their education, or have their sights set on something else, there's a session for them! Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

2021 ASC National Service Training Virtual Conference (May 4-7) - Remember to register for ASC's annual national service conference by April 16th. VSC will cover the cost to attend for one Program Director and one staff member for each AmeriCorps State program in our portfolio. Your program director should have recently received registration information. Visit the Conference Website for more information.

2021 Virginia Volunteerism Conference (May 11-13, 2021) - If you haven't registered for the Virginia Volunteerism Conference using your special discount code offered by the VSC for two of your staff members, you must do so my Friday, March 19th, to receive your two comp admissions! If you still have staff or members who would like to attend the Volunteerism Conference who were not covered by VSC, early bird registration ($100) has been extended to Friday, March 19th. Regular registration will open March 20th ($125). Because this is a virtual event, this is a great opportunity for more of your staff/members to attend without the burden of travel and hotel expense. Each registration login can only be used by one person, so everyone needs their own registration to attend. A limited number of scholarships are also available on a rolling basis. If you are interested in applying, don't delay! Visit https://forms.gle/RNBWDXVjpABMBWsQ7 to apply by April 30th. The full agenda of workshops and speakers has been announced! Visit https://virginiaservice.virginia.gov/volunteering/volunteerism-conference/ to check out this year's event!

SAVE THE DATE! Virginia AmeriCorps Program Director's Event (July 26-30) - The 2021 Program Director's Event will be virtual this year. We have some exciting content planned this year that has been specially-designed for you and your program needs. Mark your calendars now!
VSC Team
Kathy Spangler
Director, OVCS
(804) 726-7075
Roxanne Saunders
Program Manager
(804) 726-7931
Analise Adams
Program Officer
(804) 726-7653
Kimberly Brown
Program Officer
(804) 726-7069
Samantha Lukasiewicz
Program Officer
(804) 726-7925
Shannon Girouard
Fiscal Officer
(804) 726-7072
Jae-Young Choe
Executive Assistant
(804) 726-7065
Christina Dumas
Monitoring & Compliance Specialist
(804) 726-7675
Leanne Costantinidis
Project & Training Coordinator
(804) 726-7675
Gail Doyle
Communications Specialist
(804) 502-7553
Sasha Bronder
Americorps VISTA Leader, Community Action Capacity Building Project
(804) 726-7930