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Frequently Asked AmeriCorps Questions

Program Questions:

Member Questions:

Program Questions:

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. Find out more about AmeriCorps. 
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What is AmeriCorps' mission?
To improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. 
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How does Hands On work with AmeriCorps?
Hands On receives an AmeriCorps grant through Volunteer Tennessee, the state service commission, to engage students in year-long service placements with local nonprofits. 
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What are the benefits of serving in AmeriCorps?
During service, members receive a living allowance, skills training, and build a networking within the Nashville nonprofit community. Find out more about program perks here.

After completing the required number of hours, members receive an Education Award for student loans or future educational costs. Members can leverage their AmeriCorps experience to gain a job with an Employer of National Service, and they gain access to a large alumni network of previous AmeriCorps members who live all over the country.  
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When does the program start?
Members will start on September 20th. Member Orientation is September 20-22, 2024, and is required for all members to attend. 
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How long is the program?
The HON AmeriCorps program is 11 months or 48 weeks total. 
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What are the requirements to serve?
Members must be 18 years or older, have a valid driver’s license, be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident, pass the National Service Criminal History Check. Members must have reliable transportation that can be used at flexible times to get to multiple locations that may not be on public transit routes. Find out more about program requirements here.
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How much is the living allowance?
The living allowance is determined by how many hours you will serve. Half-time (900 hour) members receive $11,750 and reduced half-time (675 hour) members receive $8,550 for their total living allowance. Payments are dispersed twice a month over the course of the term. The living allowance is taxed, and the bi-monthly PRE-TAX amount is approximately $510.87 for half-time and $371.74 for reduced half-time. Click here to view the table breakdown for each hours track.
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What is the Education Award?
The Segal Education Award is earned when members complete the full hour requirements for their service term. This award can be used to pay current education expenses and repay qualified student loans. You can learn more about the Segal Education Award and how it can be used here.
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What is a service mentor?
We understand as college students, this may be your first foray into the professional world. Service mentors act as your supervisor and also provide support and advice that help you succeed throughout the program; guiding you on how to navigate the nonprofit industry, providing best practices, and encouraging you to expand your skills and experience.
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Member Questions:

How do I apply?
If you are interested in joining the program, you can apply here! You will need to create an account with hon.org and log in before you can access the application. The application will ask you to submit your resume with work experience, volunteer experience, and education, plus answer a few short questions. A good application should take about an hour to submit. 
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Will I receive training before I begin my service?
Members complete a required 3-day orientation before starting at their host sites. Members learn the basics of what they need to know to serve, meet their cohort and service mentor, and hear about strategies that will help them be successful for the service term. During the service year, members will also participate in a training program that includes 12 one-hour sessions and activities that help them apply what they are learning to the program where they serve. 
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What will I do?
Members have a wide variety of duties based largely on the host site they are placed with, and their needs. Some examples of duties are recruiting and managing volunteers; organizing and leading volunteer projects and community events; researching and proposing opportunities for engaging the community; developing resources for recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers; creating materials that display the impact of your organization to a variety of audiences; strategizing ways to enhance the experiences of volunteers; building relationships with volunteers to improve retention and engagement; actively and enthusiastically advocating for the organization you represent. 
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Where will I serve?
All members serve with a nonprofit in the Nashville area. Different nonprofits host members each year. Here is a list of current host sites. We have every applicant (both host sites and members) complete a placement survey. We ask questions based on availability, interests, how close/far you live from the host site, and more to determine where you are placed. We give priority to the interest/experience of the member, but it is not always possible to place members at their first choice.
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How many hours will I serve?
There are two hour options for members this term. You can apply for a half-time or reduced half-time role. To learn more about the difference between the two click here. 
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What will my schedule be?
Each members' schedule is determined between them and their service mentor. You are required to meet your total number of hours for your time slot before the end of your term. But you can adjust your schedule throughout the year as it changes due to classes, summer vacation, etc. Before your term begins, you will work with your service mentor to create a plan of how many hours you will serve each month of service. We advise members to serve on average 20 hours per week for half-time positions and 15 hours per week for reduced half-time positions. 
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