What will your project consist of?

How will your project operate?

What forms do volunteers fill out?

Where do you send forms and photos?

Organizing a Successful

AmeriCorps Service Project

Iowa DNR Keepers of the Land

Design a Project Develop a Plan

During the Event Post Project Tasks

1 2

3 4

Click the numbers to go to a step.

Quick Tips• Start the process early!• Submit pre-authorization forms.• Stay organized.• Share the responsibilities.• Pick something that interests you.

Design a ProjectAre you interested in teaching children about the outdoors?

Should invasive species be removed from a nearby park?

All successful service projects

begin with the same inspiration you

followed when you joined AmeriCorps.

However, your project cannot be directly related to the service you perform as an

AmeriCorps member.

Next >>

<< Home

• 3 AmeriCorps members organized the event, over 10 volunteers attended

• Included an educational component to teach children about Screech Owls

• Partnered with a local county conservation board and a local nature center

Constructing Screech Owl Boxes

• Partnered with a statewide non-profit for at-risk students• Constructed wire-fences for newly introduced trees• Photos were taken and sent to AmeriCorps office

Wire-Fencing Trees at a State Park

• Partnered with a local elementary school and the school’s “Outdoor Classroom”

• Volunteers signed waivers and wore safety gear• An inclement weather date was clearly set on the informational

flyers

Clearing Invasive Species

Design a ProjectHere are some

examples of past projects that

AmeriCorps members organized.

If you need more inspiration, you can

check out the AmeriCorps Flickr

website for photos of recent service projects.

Click here!

What to Include on Flyers: • - Where, when, time• - Project tasks• - What to bring

Quick Tips• Weekends and evenings

are easier for more families to attend.

• Be aware of any other big events in the area at the same time you plan to host your event.

Develop a Plan

You’ve thought of a concept. Now it’s time

to plan the details. When and where will

your event take place? Who or what

organizations will your project partner with? How will you make

sure people know that your event is happening?

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AmeriCorps members may count up to 8 hours

of service for pre and post project tasks.

Partner with at least 1 other AmeriCorps member

Partner with at least 1 other non-profit organization

Plan event to last at least 4 hours

Recruit at least 3 volunteers per AmeriCorps members

Event must be in Iowa and on public land

Event must be natural resource related

Develop a Plan

Does your project plan follow these guidelines? You can check off each item by clicking on the red bars to track your

progress.

Remember to submit communications

materials and publicity posters to the

AmeriCorps program office a minimum of 3

weeks prior to the event!

<< Home

Submit pre-project authorization forms

If you need help recruiting volunteers, contact Linda King at Linda.King@dnr.iowa.gov

Meet and greet with volunteers! Explain what you will be doing and why it will benefit the environment. Be sure to thank them for coming when the event is over.

During the Event

The day has come to host your event. What forms do volunteers need to fill

out? Should you bring snacks? Should you take

pictures?

Remember to also be prepared for the weather. Have a

inclement weather plan and stick to it. I think we

can all agree Iowa weather is anything but

predictable.

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Quick Tips• Show up early to prepare

forms and other activity materials.

• Make extra copies of all forms before the event to make sure every volunteer gets one.

• Have necessary tools for project ready to go

During the Event

Make sure these forms are filled out by each volunteer. Parents or

guardians must fill out a form on behalf of youth volunteers.

Click on each form to download the file to

your computer. These files are also available on the DNR’s Intranet

website.

Next >>

Volunteer Waiver Form Volunteer Log

These forms are very important!

A volunteer is not allowed to participate in your event without

signing both forms.

During the Event

Follow these flow charts to answer

some basic questions that you may have during

your event. Click the question to reveal

the answers.

Next >>

Yes!Should I

take pictures?

Always prepare

water and disposable

cups.

Snacks are a good idea if the event overlaps with common meal

times.

Individual size servings like granola bars are a simple, healthy snack.

.. And then send them to the AmeriCorps

program office!

Make sure you have enough for everyone!

Who pays for the snacks?

Unfortunately, the AmeriCorps program cannot pay for these

goods.

We you encourage you to reach out to local

businesses for donations.

Many AmeriCorps members have received donations from places like Walmart

and Target.

Should I bring

snacks?

During the Event

Here are some more notes about your service

project.

If you have any questions this presentation could

not answer, don’t hesitate to contact the program or

ask your supervisor!

Remember to thank your volunteers and encourage them to volunteer again!

<< Home

Other Notes• Volunteers must be actively engaged 75% of

the time; 25% of time can be used for educational purposes

• DNR employees on duty do not count as volunteers. However, if they participate on their own time (not paid status) they can count as a volunteer participant.

• AmeriCorps members do not count event hours as direct service.

• No reimbursement is available for service project travel.

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What to Submit• Volunteer Waiver Forms• Volunteer Log• Photos• Volunteer hours on monthly

report

You’re done!... Almost. The only

thing left to do is to submit the required documentation from

your event.

Post Project Tasks

Where to SubmitDNR AmeriCorps Program

Office502 E 9th St. Des Moines, IA

50319515.281.5918.

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But wait!

Organizing one service project does not fulfill all service

requirements for many AmeriCorps members. Refer to this chart to track

your progress.

Post Project Tasks Position

Number of Organizational

Volunteer Projects

Number ofParticipatory

Volunteer Projects

Full Time(1700 hours)

1 4

Half Time(900 hours)

1 2

Quarter Time(450 hours)

1 Or 2

Minimum Time(300 hours)

1 Or 2

Finish! >>

Here are a couple of notes on participatory

volunteer projects.

Our best tip for fulfilling all service requirements?

Start early and plan ahead. Warmer seasons

generally tend to provide more

opportunities for events as well.

Post Project Tasks

What to Submit• Volunteer Waiver Forms• Volunteer Log• Photos

• Must participate in at least 2 service project events• 1 must be natural resource related• 1 must be community volunteer events

For Half, Quarter, and Minimum Time Members:

• Must participate in at least 4 service project events• 1 must be natural resource related• 3 must be community volunteer events

For Full Time Members:

• Send an email to the Program Director containing your first and last name, date of the event, event location, and activity.

• Record volunteer hours in monthly service reports.

Documentation by All Members: