Arhive: ACEE VISTA School Volunteer Management Handbook

This archived resource was originally developed by Jayne Cravens for the
AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education Program (ACEE)
which, at the time (2000), was based at the University of Texas at Austin.
The handbook is provided as an example for other AmeriCorps programs.

The official, current web site of the ACEE program is elsewhere.
Please note that many of the links in this handbook no longer function, many of the activities are no longer undertaken,
and much of the information is outdated. In some cases, contact information and organization names have been deleted.

Version: 2000

ACEE VISTA
School Volunteer Management Handbook

This handbook is a resource guide for VISTAs in charge of managing school-based volunteers for Sanchez Elementary School in Austin, Texas through the AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education Program.

Although much of this handbook is site specific (relating only to Sanchez Elementary School), all of the information should be helpful to anyone managing a school-based volunteering program or working with volunteers in general. We are sharing this information also to encourage other VISTAS and AmeriCorps members all over the U.S. to document and share their learnings too.

The information in this handbook was written by Jennifer San Pedro (VISTA 1999-2000) and Curtis Montague (VISTA 1998-99), with additional materials from Jayne Cravens of the Virtual Volunteering Project and Bryan Murdock, ACEE Program Director.

This information is only an example of what is possible for the VISTA at Sanchez. One of the best things about being an ACEE VISTA is the flexibility in how you want to approach this assignment. These are recommendations from past VISTAs, but you should feel free to explore new activities and different ways to reach goals. And ACEE VISTAs should feel free to propose new sections and edits to this document!

CONTENTS

Getting Started at the School & the Basics You Should Know
An overview of what being a VISTA at Sanchez is all about, with some great advice from Jennifer San Pedro (VISTA 1999-2000).

Working with Volunteers / Mentors
A comprehensive, step-by-step guide for successfuly involving volunteers at Sanchez Elementary School, and encouraging teachers to develop volunteering opportunities.

ACEE Newsletter
What this is, how you will coordinate its publication and how you can use it to augment everything you do.

Using the ACEE Web Site
How this web site can be a valuable tool to the VISTA.

Volunteer Recruitment
A detailed plan to recruit volunteers for schools that REALLY works! (but you need to read Working with Volunteers / Mentors FIRST).

Related-Dana Center Resources
The Dana Center, home to the ACEE program, has several online resources from its other programs that can help the VISTA successfully involve volunteers in schools (UPDATE: many of these programs have been eliminated; the Dana Center has streamlined its mission).

Other Related Resources
Other advice that doesn't really fit under the other sections.

Coordinating After School Clubs & Activities

Books on Tape
"This is by far the easiest project to do and tons of fun for yourself and volunteers."

English as a Second Language
"This is by far the most complicated and time consuming program under the VISTAs charge, but it is also the most rewarding!"

Food Bank
An excellent resource to get food for ACEE meetings, ESL classes, picnics and other events. These are the details on how to work with the local food bank.

Harvest Fest
How AmeriCorps supports this community and fund raising event for Sanchez.

Health/Career Fairs
This event raises awareness within the Sanchez school community about available public health programs and services, and provides an opportunity for Sanchez students to attend career workshops.

Immigration Clinic
A one-time, short orientation to provide non-resident parents of Sanchez, and other community members, information about the educational rights of their children and their rights under the law.

Piece by Peace
Also known as Peace Works and Peace Games, this is an eight-week, one-hour a week, conflict-resolution program geared to 4th, 5th and 6th graders to teach them about choices, win-win situations, "I" statements, and community.

Painter Hall Observatory
A great tip for an after-school, evening activity.

Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
How to set up this program at Sanchez

~ A DAY IN THE LIFE ~ SUMMARY ~ BENEFACTORS ~ CONTACT INFO ~ APPLICATION ~

ACEE contact information

This archived resource was originally developed by Jayne Cravens for the
AmeriCorps for Community Engagement and Education Program (ACEE)
which, at the time (1998), was based at the University of Texas at Austin.
The official, current web site of the ACEE program is elsewhere.
Please note that many of the links in this handbook no longer function, and much of the information is outdated.

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