Site Supervisor FAQ

• How does my agency or organization benefit from hosting an AmeriCorps Member?
• Can this program partner with Work-Study?
• What is the time commitment to serve as a Site Supervisor?
• Can I serve as a Site Supervisor for multiple people?
• Can a Member’s position be paid?
• Who is responsible for sending in completed paperwork?
• What if there is a concern with the quality or nature of the Member’s service activities?
• Is serving in a soup kitchen located in a church considered a “prohibited activity”?
• Can documents be faxed?
• What do I do if I am no longer able to serve as a Site Supervisor?
• What happens if I don’t sign the Member’s documents?
• Will AmeriCorps or Campus Compact staff visit my site?
• What is a “Great Story”?

How does my agency or organization benefit from hosting an AmeriCorps Member?

The benefits of sponsoring an AmeriCorps Member are numerous:

• Access to a committed volunteer who can serve at your agency for a set period of time.
• Ability to collaborate with a volunteer to identify a community need and outline steps to address community issues.
• Fostering a deeper relationship between community organizations and college/university resources.
• Opportunity to serve as a personal and professional mentor to a higher education student.
• Development of programs or sustainability measures by an AmeriCorps Member for your agency or organization.
• Direct connection to the national service movement and support of national service initiatives.

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Can this program partner with Work-Study?

Yes! Students who hold Federal/State-funded Community Service Work Study positions may also be Students in Service Members. Work Study positions are the only paid positions eligible for participation. Students who have a service-related, unpaid internship, may also be eligible to participate.

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What is the time commitment to serve as a Site Supervisor?

The AmeriCorps process blends nicely with many steps traditionally taken during an orientation process for any new volunteer. There are some primary forms to fill out with the Member that will take less than 30 minutes to complete. Once the Member has been enrolled, the Site Supervisor’s must provide appropriate training for Member to do their service. Throughout a Member’s Term of Service you, as the Site Supervisor, will sign monthly Time Logs. You will also complete a Site Supervisor Evaluation at the end of your Member’s term.

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Can I serve as a Site Supervisor for multiple people?

Yes! You may choose to serve as a Site Supervisor for multiple AmeriCorps Members. We encourage Members to select a supervisor who is in direct contact with their day-to-day activities – someone who really can mentor and advise them in their service experience.

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Can a Member’s position be paid?

The ONLY positions for which a Member may receive pay and accrue AmeriCorps hours are those funded by Community Service Work Study funds. All other service must be unpaid (including internships, academic course-related service, and general volunteer service).

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Who is responsible for sending in completed paperwork?

Ultimately, the Member is responsible for completing, securing appropriate signatures, and sending program-related paperwork to the SIS Coordinator on your campus. As a Site Supervisor, you have agreed to assist the Member in completing tasks that require your participation, collaboration and approval/verification signature.

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What if there is a concern with the quality or nature of the Member’s service activities?

While we encourage Site Supervisors to work directly with Members to outline responsibilities and expectations, Site Supervisors can directly contact the SIS Coordinator on your campus.

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Is serving in a soup kitchen located in a church considered a “prohibited activity”?

To determine whether an activity is prohibited, a Site Supervisor and Member should consider first the type of the activity, and secondly the location. If a Member is serving food in a soup kitchen that happens to be in a church, that activity in and of itself may be appropriate. Students in Service encourages partnering with faith-based organizations. However, if a Member is expected, as part of the soup kitchen experience, to discuss or promote the particular ideology or mission of the hosting religious organization, that would be an example of an unacceptable direct service activity. This may be a helpful example in determining prohibited activities.

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Can documents be faxed?

Please do not fax paperwork to the SIS Coordinator on your campus. If your paperwork will be late, you may notify the office to which you submit paperwork, but you will need to send the original document with original signatures as soon as possible.

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What do I do if I am no longer able to serve as a Site Supervisor?

We encourage you to communicate with your Member regarding your role as a Site Supervisor. Should you find you are unable to serve in this capacity, the Member is required to identify a new Site Supervisor. Please give your Member as much notice as possible if you are unable to continue in this role.

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What happens if I don’t sign the Member’s documents?

The Member is ultimately responsible for making sure all of their documents are signed and approved, and completed by program deadlines. Incomplete or late documents may place the Member’s status with AmeriCorps in jeopardy. The SIS staff monitors paperwork to make sure it’s complete and signed by the correct people. Although it is rare that a Member would forge information, we do monitor those details. Should a concern arise with a Member’s documents, we first work directly with the Member, but in some cases, may contact you directly.

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Will AmeriCorps or Campus Compact staff visit my site?

Throughout the year, the Students in Service staff have an interest is visiting sites around the state to provide a more personal touch to the program and make connections with Members and community agencies. While Students in Service staff may not personally visit every site (there may be hundreds!), if we are able to schedule a visit, we do hope you will consider our invitation to share your agencies experiences with our program. The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) also conducts site visits to Campus Compact. During a site visit, CNCS will visit one college or university and review program administration. CNCS staff members also feel strongly about making a connection in the community and invite direct feedback about program experience from Members and community partners. Again, while CNCS may not visit each community, if your site is selected, you are asked to consider sharing your experiences.

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What is a “Great Story”?

A significant component of any service-learning program is the element of reflection. Participants must have an opportunity to consider their experiences and reflect upon the meaning of those experiences. The experiential learning process is a valuable component of Students in Service. Members are strongly encouraged to submit Great Stories throughout their term of service. This story is a reflection piece about a positive experience that occurred at their service site and/or about their service with a client.

Members should submit their Great Stories online here.

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