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Countdown to VISTA Service

The webinar will begin soon. While you wait, please share in the chat box: What motivated you to apply to your VISTA

position?

Dial: 866-609-4997

Dial: 866-609-4997

• Audio resource tools • Call in via phone (number listed

on each slide)• View Closed Captions in the Live

Captioning panel

• Download handouts from Handouts panel

Connecting to Audio

Dial: 866-609-4997

• Share comments and ideas in the Chat Panel (send to “Everyone”)

• Ask questions in the Q&A Panel • Some Adobe Connect features

are not available on mobile devices

• Links and recording will be available after the session

Tips for Participating

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Click this button if you don’t see the Chat panel.

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Countdown to VISTA ServiceDial: 866-609-4997

Dial: 866-609-4997Today’s Speakers

Chris HawkesAmeriCorps VISTA

Training Specialist

Andy KingAmeriCorps VISTA

Training Specialist

Dial: 866-609-4997

We’ll address:

• Support available to you as a VISTA• Steps to complete before starting • What to do on your first day of service• Benefits for VISTA members• Conditions of VISTA service• Q&A

Objectives

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Dial: 866-609-4997Online Support

my.americorps.gov vistacampus.gov

Dial: 866-609-4997VISTA Campus

• Working with Volunteers• Fundraising• Communication & Marketing• VISTA Program Area Resources• Other

• Poverty in America• Workplace & Service Site• Building Partnerships• Community Development• Project Management

Dial: 866-609-4997Webinars for VISTAs

• vistacampus.gov• Learning Opportunities for Service

and Beyond• Webinars on:• Life as a VISTA• The Work

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Dial: 866-609-4997Online Courses

Dial: 866-609-4997Where to Get Support

Supervisor

(State Abbreviation)@cns.gov

VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU@cns.gov)

vistacampus.govand 

my.americorps.gov

Dial: 866-609-4997Before You Arrivevistacampus.gov/startingvista

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Dial: 866-609-4997Before You Arrivevistacampus.gov/startingvista

Forms (my.americorps.gov)• Direct Deposit• Federal Tax Withholding • Unpaid Compensation Information• End of Service Benefit Selection

Dial: 866-609-4997Before You Arrivevistacampus.gov/startingvista

Forms (my.americorps.gov)• Direct Deposit• Federal Tax Withholding• Unpaid Compensation Information• End of Service Benefit Selection

Courses and Tutorials (vistacampus.gov)• VISTA Terms and Conditions of Service• VISTA Civil Rights and Responsibilities• Benefits of Service• Mission and Legacy of VISTA• VISTA Campus Overview• Test your knowledge!

Dial: 866-609-4997First Day of Service

• Must be in the office on your first day of service – Monday, 03/18/2019

• If you cannot be present, you may not be able to start service

• Contact your supervisor to confirm your plans• What time to arrive first day• Dress code• Parking situation• Any other special considerations

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Dial: 866-609-4997

•Webinar (Launching Your VISTA Service)• Resources for support• Benefits & Terms of Service• Induction: The Oath of Office

•Get fingerprint kit from supervisor

First Day of Service

Dial: 866-609-4997Your Service• Commitment of 1 year, full-time service

• Indirect service – building capacity

• VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)• Available on your my.americorps.gov account

• Issues with your VAD – Follow up with your Supervisor• If not in your my.americorps.gov account• If not what you agreed to do in your interview

Dial: 866-609-4997

What questions do you have?

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Dial: 866-609-4997Benefits of Servicevistacampus.gov/benefits

Dial: 866-609-4997Living Allowance

Dial: 866-609-4997Living Allowance

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Dial: 866-609-4997

• First living allowance payment on _______________

• Paid every two weeks, on Fridays

• Federal taxes are withheld from your pay, state taxes are not

• Living Allowance statements can be accessed from your My AmeriCorps account

• Does not qualify you for unemployment

Living Allowance

04/05/2019

Dial: 866-609-4997Direct Deposit

• Incorrect bank info will result in a 2-week delay in getting paid

• Get routing and account numbers from your checks or online account

• Call your bank to confirm NOT your account or routing number.

Dial: 866-609-4997Public Assistance Protection

• For public assistance in place prior to VISTA enrollment• benefits remain the same

• For new benefits, VISTA living allowance • is not factored in for most public assistance• is factored in for SNAP eligibility

• In about 2 weeks, your VISTA service letters will be accessible in your my.americorps.gov account

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Dial: 866-609-4997End-of-Service Benefit

Upon completing your service term:

Education Award ($6,095)OR

Cash stipend ($1,800)

If you select Ed Award now, you can change to Cash Stipend up until the end of your 10th month of service.

Dial: 866-609-4997

If you select the Education Award: • Loan Forbearance

• Temporary postponement of principal federally backed loan payments• Interest accrues, but you can request Trust to pay at completion of service• Request forbearance in my.americorps.gov account

If you select the End-of-Service Stipend:• Loan Deferment

• Postponement of monthly loan payments• Set up & request directly with lender

For either one, you must initiate the process.

Loan Forbearance & Deferment

Dial: 866-609-4997Education Award

More info:nationalservice.gov/resources/edaward

Forbearance requests: my.americorps.gov

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Dial: 866-609-4997VISTA Healthcare Benefit

Healthcare Allowance up to $7,900 to cover out-of-pocket expenses for members who have health insurance

ORHealth Benefit Plan for members who do not have health coverage

healthcare.govvistacampus.gov/healthcare

americorpsvista.imglobal.com

Dial: 866-609-4997Other Benefits

• Relocationvmsu@cns.gov

• ChildcareFor more information and to apply: americorpschildcare.com

Dial: 866-609-4997Leave Benefits

• 10 days personal leave

• 10 days sick leave

• Observe the national holidays of site

• Leave is tracked and approved by supervisor

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Dial: 866-609-4997Let’s Review

Dial: 866-609-4997Terms and Conditions

Click here first.

Dial: 866-609-4997Terms and ConditionsI can voice my political opinion using 

social media where my profile identifies me as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. 

YES NO

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Dial: 866-609-4997

Yes, you can have VISTA listed on your social media profile but cannot represent yourself as a spokesperson for AmeriCorps, VISTA, CNCS, or your sponsor.

Cannot do so while serving at your site or using any equipment at your site.

Online Political Activity

Dial: 866-609-4997Terms and Conditions

YES NO

I can demonstrate in a political rally.

Dial: 866-609-4997

Yes, as long as you are not identified as a VISTA or perceived to be a VISTA.

Political Demonstrations

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Dial: 866-609-4997Terms and Conditions

YES NO

I can ask people to donate money to a partisan political candidate, as long as it’s on my own time and I’m not 

identified as a VISTA.

Dial: 866-609-4997

No, you cannot raise money on behalf of a partisan candidate at any time during your VISTA year.

Partisan Fundraising

Dial: 866-609-4997Terms and Conditions

YES NO

I can have outside employment and/or earn additional income while serving as a VISTA member.

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Dial: 866-609-4997

Yes, as long as:• It does not conflict with your VISTA service• You are not employed by your sponsor• Your supervisor approves• It is part-time• You complete & submit the outside employment request

form

vistacampus.gov/resources/outside-employment-policy

Outside Employment

Dial: 866-609-4997Action Items

Forms (my.americorps.gov)• Direct Deposit• Federal Tax Withholding• Unpaid Compensation Information• End of Service Benefit Selection

Dial: 866-609-4997Action Items

Forms (my.americorps.gov)• Direct Deposit• Federal Tax Withholding• Unpaid Compensation Information• End of Service Benefit Selection

Courses and Tutorials (vistacampus.gov)• VISTA Terms and Conditions of Service• VISTA Civil Rights and Responsibilities• Benefits of Service• Mission and Legacy of VISTA• VISTA Campus Overview• Test Your Knowledge!

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Dial: 866-609-4997

• How can we improve this session?

• Please take a few moments to complete a brief webinar evaluation form.

• Find the survey link by the Chat panel on your screen.

• Thank you for your feedback!

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1) Highlight or select

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Dial: 866-609-4997

What questions do you have?

Thank you for your service!