Growing an AmeriCorps Community

The one thing I hear consistently from AmeriCorp programs across the country is

HOW DO I KEEP MY AMERICORPS MEMBERS IN SERVICE?!?

This often comes in a whirl of frustration and exasperation. How do we make sure AmeriCorps members are starting and completing service at a steady pace, on time, without losing them to better opportunities? Easier said than done.

I think the thing to remember as we think about AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps service is what are the two things that make it so incredibly special?

1. Giving back to our community and;

2. The sense of community between AmeriCorps members.

When we think about what keeps people happy and satisfied going back to work day after day (besides well, bills) is the sense that we are doing something that is important and also that we enjoy the people we spend our time with away from our family. This is most true in the sense of AmeriCorps. This is the ticket.

Here are some key things as Program staff we can do to make sure that our members realize that what they are doing is making a difference while simultaneously creating a culture of togetherness:

1. Intensive onboarding training that sets the culture and tone of the program including team building activities, time to work together, intensive overview of the program structure and expectations, and time for fun and connection.

2. Consistent review of data and metrics that are being reported out on, AmeriCorps members often cannot see the forest through the trees and need to know the work they are doing is making a real difference.

3. Weekly or monthly gatherings with time to connect and talk about struggles, volunteer and AmeriCorps events, and social events.

While more work for overwhelmed Program staff, I know for a fact these things make a difference. As a program director for over 60 AmeriCorps members, my retention rate was over 95% for the service year.

I would be happy to meet and talk about how you can incorporate these tools into your program structure so that AmeriCorps members are happy and there is less concern about AmeriCorps members ghosting you!