NC Campus Compact VISTA

Current Issue - January 2008

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2008-2009 VISTA Host Site Applications – AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Would you like a VISTA to work on program development and sustainability efforts for civicengagement at your campus for the 2008-2009 academic year?  The 2008-2009 VISTA Host Site applications are now available online!   Click here to be directed to the VISTA-Host Campuses section of our website and download the application.

We anticipate several campuses to apply for the upcoming year, so please be sure to submit your application by the deadline of February 15, 2008.  All selected NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA members will serve at a host campus from July 21, 2008 to July 20, 2009.

An overview of the application process and important changes to the application will be given at each Regional Meeting January 22-24, 2008.  Please download and print a copy of the application to bring to the meeting if you would like to reference it during the discussion.

Please note the following important changes to this year’s VISTA host site guidelines and application:

• Inclusion of two NC Campus Compact state-wide goals common to all VISTAs’ work plans
• Increased annual administration fee for those campuses hosting a VISTA for four or more years
• North Carolina Campus Compact will be facilitating two cost shares per our arrangement with the AmeriCorps state office, as we increase the number of NC Campus Compact VISTAs

If you have any questions or concerns during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact VISTA Leader Kristen Carter (kcarter12@elon.edu or 336-278-7197).

*Please note: You must be an NC Campus Compact member institution as of January 15, 2008 to be eligible to host a VISTA for the 2008-09 year. 

Farewell Emily 

A very special Thank You to Emily Tokarski, the 2006-07 VISTA at Peace College, for dedicating a year of service to the NC Campus Compact program.  During her VISTA year (January 2007-January 2008), Emily served as the Director for Peace’s REACH Office of Community Involvement, where she coordinated service events and alternative break trips, assisted faculty with developing and managing service-learning opportunities, sustained the NC-ACTS! program, and established community service work study opportunities. 

Through her service, Emily made significant contributions to the institutionalization of volunteer service at Peace College. “My favorite part about being a North Carolina Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA was gaining experience and developing my professional skills, all while doing something that actually gives back

to the community.  What I will remember most from my experiences [is] working with such a wonderful, diverse group of people, both within the VISTA groups and my co-workers on campus,” Emily shares as she reflects on her year of service.

As her VISTA year comes to an end, Emily plans to stay and work in the Raleigh area during the next six months, and intends to apply for a 2008-09 NC Campus Compact VISTA position, with hopes of serving in the western part of the state.  Best wishes on you future endeavors, Emily!  You have been a valued member of the NC Campus Compact VISTA team!

Photo:  Emily's Impact Capstone (Jan. '08). L-R: Leslie Garvin, Kristen Carter, Emily Tokarski, Joy Messinger (UNC VISTA)

Welcome Jamarl! 

We would like to welcome the newest member of our VISTA team, Jamarl Clark.  Jamarl will serve as Project Coordinator for the NC Campus Compact state office.  As Project Coordinator, Jamarl will:

• coordinate collaborative service opportunities for member campuses
• assist the Student Advisory Board in organizing a state-wide alternative spring break
• serve as a member of the Next Generation North Carolina task force
• manage the Community Impact Student Award process
• create the VISTA newsletter
• assist with NC Campus Compact conferences and other special projects and events

Jamarl is a December 2007 graduate from Appalachian State University.  There he was an active member of ACT (Appalachian and the Community Together), where he served as a Peer Counselor, participated in the MLK Challenge, and served on the Raise Your Voice committee.

We are excited to have Jamarl join the NC Campus Compact team in February, and look forward to introducing him at the Service-Learning Conference!

Seeking VISTA Alumni!

NC Campus Compact is in the process of creating its AmeriCorps*VISTA Alumni Network.  We would like to maintain contact with alumni about their post-VISTA endeavors, as well as provide opportunities to stay connected with the Compact and other VISTAs, and create a forum for the exchange of professional and volunteer information.  It is our hope to have several of our alums attend the VISTA Recognition Banquet in June 2008.  NC Campus Compact VISTA Alumni can join the network by visiting our website:  www.nccampuscompact.org/VISTA and going the “VISTA Alumni” section.

We are asking you to help spread the word and encourage any VISTA alums you are in contact with to sign up!

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