Using a service council to generate collaborations in a large state region

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Abstract

The Rio Grande Valley, located in the southern portion of Texas and partly along the Mexican border, encompasses four counties and covers over 4,200 square miles. AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America members with the Rio Grande Valley National Service Program serve a large part of this geographical region. Since 1995, these service organizations have collaborated, pooling resources and bringing together widely dispersed members and volunteers. This effective practice was submitted by Jennifer Jefts of AmeriCorps Youth Harvest at the Southwest Cluster AmeriCorps Program Directors Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico held in February 2002.

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Issue

Individuals serving with AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America are spread out in a large region, a 75-mile radius from the Brownsville area to the Mission area of the Rio Grande National Valley in South Texas. Consequently, resources and ideas are widely dispersed and members can be isolated from each other.

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Action

The Rio Grande Valley National Service Program began a cross-stream collaboration in South Texas in 1995. The collaboration involves AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve members. The Rio Grande Valley National Service Program Council meets monthly to plan four collaborative National Service Day projects, a mid-year member social, and a one-day member training conference. Effective practices include:
  • A council that consists of directors and select members from the four national service groups serving in the region.
  • Monthly council meetings that are held where programs share information, good ideas, and plan upcoming events and special activities. One recent strategy has been to pick a theme for each month's meeting, such as "How does your program recognize volunteers?" or "How does your program combat burnout?"
  • The council plans four joint National Service Day projects: Make A Difference Day, Martin Luther King Day, National Volunteer Week, and National Youth Service Day.
    • The Second Annual Martin Luther King Candlelight Rally (2002) included an essay contest with over 130 entrants. Over 200 community members attended the rally.
    • Members created an outdoor reading area at a local school for Make A Difference Day. The site was planted with a garden in the shape of Texas, using herbs and flowers to enhance the area and make it attractive for sitting and reading. The council received a $1,000 grant from Wal-Mart to assist with supplies and tools for this project.
    • Organized a One-for-All Youth Service Day and events for National Volunteer Week. Projects included beautification of eight local parks including painting of all playground equipment and picnic areas and trash clean up.
  • A National Service Training Conference. A daylong conference with concurrent workshops presented by local partners based on member needs assessment, with four sessions in the morning in English and then repeated in the afternoon in Spanish. Program elements include icebreakers, door prizes, and closing activities.
  • A mid-year member potluck to celebrate accomplishments and socialize.
  • Donations received from local businesses for service projects and community events.
  • Programs assist each other in on-going member training.

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Context

The Rio Grande Valley, located in the southern portion of Texas and partly along the Mexican border, encompasses four counties and covers over 4,200 square miles. AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve members with the Rio Grande Valley National Service Program serve a large part of this expansive geographical region, in a 75-mile radius from the Brownsville area to the Mission area. According to 1998 population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, approximately one million people live in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and many live in poverty. A majority of the population are Hispanic Mexican Americans, according to the University of Texas-Pan American (2000). Services provided by these national service organizations play a key role in the community.

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Outcome

  • The Rio Grande National Service Program cross-stream collaboration pools ideas and resources so that project directors and members are able to increase productivity and effectiveness.
  • The cross-stream collaboration is a strong member development tool, because it allows members to interact with individuals of various ages and from different programs while accomplishing a common goal.
  • The collaboration allows programs to assist each other in training, sharing resources, and developing program specific service projects.
  • The collaboration has made programs more inclusive and manageable for program directors.
    • Next steps planned include:
    • Branching out to include community organizations to allow for more collaboration
    • Writing joint grant applications to allow for more project funding
    • Developing a collaborative recruiting video showcasing all Rio Grande Valley Programs
    • Forming specific committees to address topics such as finances, member development, event planning, and media/public relations

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    Posted On

    May 21, 2002

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    For More Information

    Georgia Montoya
    AmeriCorps Youth Harvest
    Program Director
    P.O. Box 127
    Edcouch, TX 78538
    Phone: (956) 262-0160
    Fax: (956) 262-6061 (shared fax number with Rubén C. Rodríguez Elementary; please note ATTN: AmeriCorps)

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    Related Practices

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    Related sites

    AmeriCorps*VISTA

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