Forum Minutes
10:30 am - April 8, 1998
1st Oklahoma VISTA Forum
I. What is your role as VISTA?
Each person on the call identified himself or herself and his or her
VISTA project.
Zeke Rodriguez - State Director and Area Supervisor Debra Hood - Citizens
League of Central Oklahoma Rebecca Ballenger - Citizens League of Central
Oklahoma Laura Jewett - Department of Education Laura Hailey-Butler
- Department of Education Rhonda - Pawhuska Literacy Council Martha
Allen - Pawhuska Literacy Council Michelle Bledsoe - Pawbuska Literacy
Council Michael Wagner - SW Society on Aging
2. What kinds of support can we as VISTAs offer one another?
a. In order to answer this question, the discussants felt they needed
to know what was going on statewide. To this end, the discussants felt
that an Oklahoma VISTA Directory would be helpful. Laura Hailey-Butler
will make a call for summaries of VISTA projects around the state and
forward them to Rebecca Ballenger who will compile the Directory.
b. A VISTA retreat would allow VISTAs to join together and discuss
resources face-to-face. This can be problematic for some VISTAs who
have trouble leaving the job site. VISTAs at Pawhuska Literacy Council
said that they would need a choice of appropriate meeting times. The
Forum was problematic as well. Zeke Rodriguez said that VISTAs shouldn't
be tied to the site. VISTAs should be working themselves out of their
job through capacity building. There will be a Streams of Service conference
this October in Oklahoma City that Nancy Devers is setting up with Program
Development and Training (PDAT) funds.
3. In your opinion, is this the best way to facilitate sustainable
statewide VISTA communication?
A website and/or a newsletter were discussed but sustainability was
shaky at this early date. There are no personnel at the office to coordinate
this and no VISTA said they would be responsible for doing it, maintaining
it, or finding a replacement for themselves when their year is out.
We agreed on the one time Directory in addition to continuing the conference
calls.
Other business included facilitation of the next "meet me"
conference call for the VISTA Forum. Debra Hood will! Facilitate the
next Forum. The date will be June 3. The preferred time seems to be
around 2 p.m. (or 10 a.m.). Kent Tucker, who volunteered to facilitate
in May, can still choose to do so with Debra Hood. The facilitator needs
to work on better dissemination of the agenda. This may be accomplished
through traditional mail rather than faxes.
VISTA Facts There are 1680 total VISTAs in the United
States
There are currently 56 in Oklahoma.
We earn $2.55 an hour
9:55 am - Wednesday
2nd Oklahoma VISTA Forum
1. "Role Call"
All participants identified themselves and provided a brief description
of their VISTA Project:
Zeke Rodriguez - State Director and SW Cluster supervisor
Rebecca Ballenger - Citizens League of Central Oklahoma
Debra Hood - Citizens League of Central Oklahoma
Kent Tucker - Ard more Habitat for Humanity
Gene Harper- Ardmore Habitat for Humanity
Carlie Lawson - Southeast Area Health Center
Michael Wagner - Southwest Society on Aging
Jerry Boatright - REST City Project for the Homeless
Dolly Miller - REST City Project for the Homeless
Michell Bledsoe - Pawhuska Literacy Council
Juanita Hamby - Pawhuska Literacy Council
Rhonda - Pawhuska Literacy Council
Angie - Pawhuska Literacy Council
Laura Jewett - Department of Education<
2. Follow-up on VISTA Directory:
No follow-up to collect data had occurred to date since the last Forum.
Participants agreed that a VISTA Directory is still a goal. Carlie Lawson
agreed to create an information form to be mailed with the minutes and
notice of the next Forum date, with Michael Wagner's return address
to be given, as he has created a web-site that can utilize the same
information for an online directory. Michael requested that any information
sent for the web-site should be of high quality print so it can be directly
scanned or via e-mail. Rebecca Ballenger will still compile the data
t¼r a hard copy of the directory.
3. Web-site:
Michael Wagner has created a site for VISTA use. The address is http://www.qeocities.com/soho/lofts/l282
It can be used to post and view VISTA information, chat online, and
schedule chats. Michael also discussed a national VISTA LISTSERV, which
is a service one can subscribe to through e-mail and communicate with
other VISTAs nationwide. You can get more information for that service
at the Americorps site:
www.cns.gov/americorps/ac_vista_ok.html
Rebecca Ballenger commented that while some individuals and/or proiects
may not have internet capabilities. all public libraries have access
to the internet - the web-site and other internet resources are available
if a person chooses to utilize them. Carlie Lawson offered her professional
web authoring skills to aid M. Wauner with the current site, and further
offered her help to any non-profit that would like to create a web-site.
All agreed that while a web-site is a helnful tool, for the VISTA Forum
purnoses it is not a renlacernent for other methods of communication.
Carlie Lawson shared a resource that she has found through the US Postal
Service pertaining to Direct Maling. A person can receive, free of charge,
a comprehensive guide to effective direct mailing techniques. The package
includes a binder with the information, a booklet, and software. Carlie
thought this could be useful to any organization that is currently using
or would like to use direct mail. Gene Harper and Kent Tucker said that
their organization has been successful in "piggy-backing"
their mailings with local businesses who have regular mailings, thereby
eliminating the cost of postage for Habitat for Humanity. One of the
Pawhuska participants told of a similar strategy that they have used.
4. VISTA supervisor Zeke Rodriquez Reported that
The summer America Reads initiative for K-3 children has kicked off successfully
with 25 volunteers training at seven sites across the state.
30 VISTAs have been placed with the Department of Education;
2 VISTAs placed in Bartlesville;
3 VISTAs placed in Stillwater;
10 VISTAs placed with Ardmore Cities and Schools; and
15 VISTAs placed in a shared program with the Department of Human Services.
Nationally, Congress may award large funds for America Reads K-3.
Zeke encouraged all VISTAs to help recruit new
volunteers as there are many slots to be filled - contact Zeke with
any new prospect so he can get them appilcations.
5. Other Issues:
Those VISTAs wrapping up thefr service year can expect termination
papers in the coming weeks. Such papers are sent from the local CNS
office.
Appreciation was expressed for the medcical prescription benefits that
VISTAs enjoy.
6. Date for next VISTA Forum:
The next conference call will take place
August 19, 1998 - 10:00 a.m.
Jerry Boatwrioht will facilitate. Previous Forum organizers will offer
guidance in the process to Jerry.
Americorps * VISTA
"Getting Things Done"
* Minutes compiled by Debra Hood any omissions or correct~ons
can be sent to dhood@iuno.com, fax 405-236-0590, or 225 R.S. Kerr, ste.
515, Okc OK 73069
9:55 a.m. - Wednesday
3rd Oklahoma VISTA Forum
November
16th, 1998 Minutes
9:55 a.m. - Wednesday
4th Oklahoma VISTA Forum
1. Introductions
This was the first VISTA Forum to be held in person during the Team Oklahoma
conference in Oklahoma City. Thus, fifty-three VISTAs from across Oklahoma
were in attendance! A copy of the sign-in sheet will be sent.
Also in attendance:
Zeke Rodriquez
Corporation for National Service
215 Dean A McGee, Suite 324
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 231-5201
Alissa Magrum
VISTA Recruiter for SW Cluster
SW Service Center
1999 Bryan St, Room 2050
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-7058
Jessica Spanglehour Former VISTA
Krista Schumacher VISTA leader
Tulsa Volunteer Center
America Reads Challenge
1430 S Boulder
Tulsa, OK74119
(9l8)585 -5551
II. Report from Zeke Rodriquez, State Program Director
A. Pre-Service Orientation Purpose
All of the VISTAs present have gone to their P50 or will go tomorrow.
P50 is designed to provide a meaningful, broad orientation about VISTA,
but it is not a training event for site-specific concerns. The goal
of PSO is for VISTAs to go to their sites with a better feel for VISTA
by providing information about how to be a VISTA. Early-Service Training
(EST) continues this training, but again is not designed to prepare
VISTAs for every day life at their sites Some people come to their
PSOs expecting that the Corporation for National Service will give
specialized training, but CNS can not do this because too many VISTAs
are doing too many things
B. VISTA Responsibilities
When VISTAs arrive on a site or are first recruited, an organization
or agency prepared an application stating a problem in that particular
community that needs to be addressed by a VISTA. Zeke then approves
these applications and inform the project, organization, or agency
that it can begin recruiting VISTAS. In Oklahoma last year, for every
.10 VISTAs coming in 3 dropped out These VISTAs were sent to training
which costs money, and we are obviously loosing money when VISTAs
drop out. Therefore, if
your project is recruiting soon, please encourage your project to make
sure the candidates stay the whole year. Zeke and CNS is asking for our
support in keeping VISTAs in service for the entire year because we need
them. Also, if a VISTA quits before the end of the year, the education
award is forfeited. Most VISTAs leaving stated they left because they
found better jobs, but VISTA is not a job. It is a service and will stay
with you for the rest of your life (over 150,000 VISTAs have served since
the program was created).
With the exception of cost sharing VISTAS, the VISTA program is not a
direct service provider (i.e., VISTAs arc not supposed to be teaching
a particular child how to read). If this is what you are doing you are
being used as cheap labor. VISTAs can not create sustainable programs
if they are doing hands-on service. Please do not confront your supervisor
if this is happening, but state that we need to re-examine what VISTA
is The program has been successful for the past 37 years because we focus
on three things:
capacity building (volunteer recruiting, training, and supervising),fundraising,
and public relations If you are doing something else, please contact Zeke's
office.
C. Re-enrollment and Extensions
If you serve as a VISTA for your required one year, 90 (1ays before the
end of your tour, a sponsor can extend your service or re-enroll you.
Additionally, you can approach your sponsor about these two privileges.
Re-enrollment is staying on at your project for a one more year, and an
extension is staying on at your project for a term shorter than one year.
VISTAs who extend their service do not get another educational award;
you must reenroll I to obtain this. You do, however, get your educational
award after completing the first year, regardless of re-enrollment or
extensions. You can also go to another organization or agency for another
year as a VISTA. Contact Zeke's office or look up the postings on the
internet if you are interested in serving another organization after finishing
your first VISTA year.
D. VISTA Leader, Krista Schumacher
We do now have a VISTA Leader for Oklahoma. Krista served in VISTA previously
in Oregon and wanted to come to Oklahoma. She is skilled in the America
Reads Initiative, but she can offer help and advice to everyone. Zeke
recommends that VISTAs in Oklahoma get with Krista if they need help because
she is a kind of peer and brings a level of maturity and expertise into
the Oklahoma VISTA projects
E. New Projects
Congress recently gave Oklahoma additional money, and we are subsequently
expanding projects. If someone in your community would like to start a
program for a minimum of 5 VISTAs, please contact Zeke. To begin the application
process, the organization interested in getting VISTAs writes Zeke for
an application. Zeke then calls back to find out exactly what tasks they
have in mind for the VISTAs. During the approval process, Zeke gauges
the needs and places VISTAs throughout the state.
F. Purpose of VISTA Forum
This was started through assistance of other VISTAs to develop a community
of all programs and VISTAs. At least once a quarter, the VISTAs in Oklahoma
get together by phone to exchange ideas and develop a VISTA network to
inform and problem solve We have had about 3 calls that have all been
very fruitful, but we need more participation, and the forums need to
be more formal.
III. Report from Alissa Magrum, VISTA Recruiter for SW Cluster
Alissa is a former VISTA who served in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She passed
out a survey on VISTA recruitment for all to fill out. There are 14 recruiters
through out the country and although VISTA can do some of its own recruiting,
current and past VISTAs are ambassadors for VISTA and other AmenCorps
programs. Therefore, the VISTA program really needs our help in recruiting
new VISTAs. Alissa can give anyone recruitment material (brochures and
applications) if you are interested in helping to recruit.
IV. Old Business
A. Approval of VlSTA Forum minutes from August 19, 1998
13 VISTA directory -- we still need more surveys for the directory.
Please contact Mike Wagner or check out our website at www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/1282
Mike Wagner
Oklahoma State University
Southwest Society on Aging
CHES Room 139
Stillwater, OK 74078-6118
Fax: 405-744-75I2
A copy of the VISTA sign-in sheet from this Forum will be sent to Mike
so that he cant add the information to the website.
V New Business
A. Suggestions on how to better advertise VISTA
program and recruit VISTAs
Problem:
Although most people have heard of the PeaceCorps, not many people
have ever heard of VISTA and it has been around for 37 years!
We need more recruits for the VISTA program as well as better advertisement
regarding VISTA.
There seems to be national confusion over the branches of AmeriCorps
(VISTA)
AmeriCorps, RSVP, and NCCC) because they all fall under AmeriCorps
The fact that recruits are both national and local is also confusing
(local AmeriCorps and local VISTAs exist).
Solutions:
· Alissa said there is a new national
ad campaign to address this confusion.
· A video just recruiting VISTAs would
also be helpful.
· Education of VISTAs and others to be
able to accurately explain Americorps and VISTA if necessary.
· Alumni organizations for Oklahoma and
local VISTAs can help to recruit new members
· Inter-personal contact and word of mouth
is key.
· We need current VISTAs to talk to applications
(contact Alissa if interested).
· Create organizations and LISTSERVs that
are specific to VISTA National service news needs to be promoted.
We talk about email a lot, but 70% of Habitats for Humanity can afford
computers, so there should not be as much emphasis on the internet.
We also need to contact and recruit people through faxes, etc.
· Basic advertising campaigns -- ads on
buses, billboards, signs, etc. (Washington DC does have ads on busses'
These should be nation-wide!).
· Adveitise in newspapers, 1)0th alternative
and conventional.
· School Counselors for college and high
school shoold be made aware of VlSTA opportunities to provide to graduating
students.
· Peolple working in and receiving help
From DHS offices can be recruited.
13. Comments on the taxation of the VISTA Education Award
Problem:
· Depending on how the $4700 Award is
used, VISTAs will have to pay up to $900 in taxes for the year the
award is used.
· We strongly feel that this is causing
a hardship on VISTAs and it is not in the spirit of service.
· A movement is currently being started
to make sure that the entire amount of the award is used entirely
for education
· There are here are complicated ways
to get around having to pay $900 in taxes, but none of us have the
noisy to hire an accountant or tax lawyer to do s0.
Solution:
· VISTAs must write their Senators and
Representatives to get this changed.
· The AmeriCorps National Alumni Association
is currently lobbying Congress -- give your support.
· We need to inform the public of this
hardship through the newspapers, etc
· The Corporation for National Service
attorney could possibly help us.
· We need everyone's voice to stop this
over taxation!
VL additional Comments
· In Oklahoma, we do not get state taxes withheld
from our educational awards or stipends, so we
have to fill out 1099
· Make sure you t4illed out a W4
correctly and submitted it to Martha. We also do not get state
taxes withheld from our subsistence allowance, but if you are not currently
getting federal takes
withheld from this allowance, contact Martha at Zeke's office immediately!
· We are going to Direct Deposit shortly --
you have no choice.
· VISTA and CNS will find a way to provide
you with direct deposit even if you don't currendy
have a bank account
VII. Next Forum Information
Facilitator: Deborah (2arr 918-582-8339
2456 N Boston Place dj1carr@aol.com
Tulsa, OK 74106-3611
Date &Time: Wednesday, January 27, 1998 at 10
January
27th, 1999 Minutes
10:30 a.m. - Wednesday
4th Oklahoma VISTA Forum
VISTA FORUM AGENDA
January 27, 1999
10:30 a.m.
Conference ID #M03805
Call 1-800-545-4387
Please call the 800 number at
10:15 am. for connection. Give them the conference ID number then hang
up. They will call you back and you will be connected. Note:
If you are in an office with access to a speaker
phone, it
is recommended that you call as a group due
to the limited number of phone lines.
I. Introductions
II. Old Business
A. Approval of Minutes
III. New Business
A. Networking: How to effectively network with
1. Vista members
2. Board members
3. Government officials at local, state and
federal levels
4. Community
IV. Report from Zeke Rodriguez, State Program Director
V. Additional Comments
A. Poverty and Democracy: An Evening with Earl
Shorris
Wednesday, Februaiy 3, 1999, 5:15 to 8:00 p.m.
Oklahoma City University Petree Recital Hall
VI. Set Date, Time, and Facilitator for next Forum
Please contact Deborah Carr, Vista Forum Facilitator,
at 918-5837324 or 918-582-8339 if you have any questions or additional
information.
April
14th, 1999 Minutes
10:30 a.m. - Wednesday
5th Oklahoma VISTA Forum
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