Joining supervisory boards to improve relations with project sites
Abstract
When the AmeriCorps program director of Community College of Rhode Island joined the supervisory board of the project site his members served at, the result was a better understanding of the site's needs and greater networking resources.Issue
The program director of Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) AmeriCorps felt there could be a better working relationship with the site supervisor of the after-school project where his members were serving.Action
When a vacancy on the project site's supervisory board was announced, the AmeriCorps program director volunteered to sit on the board. The program director now meets with the board once a month. As a result he has a heightened awareness of community problems and other issues pertaining to the project site.Context
The CCRI AmeriCorps program matches part-time AmeriCorps members who are students at the Community College of Rhode Island with local agencies in undeserved communities adjacent to the college's three campuses in South Providence, Lincoln, and Warwick.Outcome
The project was originally housed in a room at a community police station that could only offer limited availability. In the process of strengthening their relationship, the AmeriCorps program director and the project site supervisor combined their networking skills to locate additional sources of support for the after-school project. Most notably the project expanded to include additional space made available by a church located next door to the site. This extra space enabled the after-school program to increase its hours of operation.The expanded facilities have generated greater community interest in site-sponsored events. This has led to an increase in volunteer recruits and has prompted the addition of services for adults.Posted On
November 13, 2001For More Information
Bill Cheney
CCRI AmeriCorps Program, Community College of Rhode Island
Phone: (401) 825-2258
Email: Lcheney@ccri.cc.ri.us