Creating a yearbook for graduating AmeriCorps members
Abstract
Finding unique and innovative ways to recognize AmeriCorps members can be a challenge for program directors. The program director for Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps at Lewis-Clark State College makes yearbooks to honor members at the completion of their service term. The yearbook is also a useful recruitment tool. This effective practice, submitted by Debi Fitzgerald, Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps, in July 2002, offers tips on how to create a yearbook for service members.Issue
Honoring members at the end of their service term is a good idea because it adds closure and leaves them with an overall positive feeling.Action
The program director at Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps creates yearbooks each year for AmeriCorps members to take with them at the end of their service term. The program director organizes the yearbook as follows:The first 2-4 pages of the yearbook include:
- Vision and mission statements for the program
- Pictures of staff (with a statement of congratulations)
- A letter from the program director reflecting on the program year
- A picture of corps cluster members (these can be taken at pre-service orientation or other service activity throughout the year)
- Statistics on what the cluster has achieved for the year to date (yearbooks are sent to the printer in late April in order to be ready for the end of the service term, sometimes as early as June for part-time members)
- Their name (second-year members are indicated with an asterisk next to their name)
- The name of their supervisor
- Host site and community
- A one-line description of what their activity was for the year (For example, "Mentored junior high school students in an after-school program.")
- Each event is accompanied by a short paragraph explaining the activity and any significant outcomes.
- Pictures taken by staff and members throughout the service year are included.
- These are given titles such as "Special Memories," "Autographs," or "E-mail addresses," and are accompanied by clipart or inspirational quotes.
- A heavy cardboard cover with the program logo on the front that includes the program year
- Pages printed on glossy paper
- Black and white photos
- A plastic spiral binding
- Ads are offered in different sizes (1/4 page, 1/2 page and whole page) and vary in cost.
- The Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps program, which has 36 host sites, is typically able to solicit approximately 15 ads.
- The Department of Student Affairs (which houses Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps at Lewis-Clark State College) has been very generous in helping with the cost of printing.
- Copies of the yearbook are provided for sites that placed ads.
Context
Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, is a statewide AmeriCorps program with six corps cluster teams of members who work together throughout the year on their service projects (with members generally placed at single placement sites). Service projects for Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps members include: pre-service orientation, Make a Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, mid-service training, and National Day of Service.
Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps operates as an outreach program, providing tutoring and mentoring to targeted Idaho schools and other institutions, helping students to successfully deal with the challenge of staying in or returning to school and planning for their future. AmeriCorps members provide academic tutoring (through America Reads), teacher support, career counseling, academic advising, support services to targeted populations (such as literacy services for community residents, including family literacy programs) and opportunities for students to participate in community service activities (through service-learning), allowing both students and members to learn about strengthening communities.
Since its inception in 1994, Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps members at Lewis-Clark State College have helped 15,239 students improve their academic performance, 851 students receive their GEDs, 9,321 students receive career advising, and 2,160 Idaho teachers in the classroom. (Statistics from the Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps website as of July 2002.)
Host sites include two- and four-year institutions of higher education, nonprofit agencies, K-12 public school districts, including special education programs, remedial programs, and those targeting at-risk students, Head Start, Even Start, and other not-for-profit community organizations.
Outcome
The Idaho TRIO AmeriCorps program director began creating yearbooks for members in 2000 and reports that members love receiving them at the end of their service term. The yearbook serves as a useful recruitment tool.Posted On
July 23, 2002For More Information