Is your organization looking for assistance? The Center for Small Towns and the Office of Community Engagement at the University of Minnesota, Morris are collaborating with MN Campus Compact to provide the AmeriCorps “Students in Service” program to West Central Minnesota. The Students in Service (SIS) program is an AmeriCorps program that encourages and supports college and university students to enroll as part-time AmeriCorps members who provide valuable service in their communities. By participating in the SIS program, the member becomes a part of the AmeriCorps national service network, which improves lives and strengthens communities throughout the United States of America.
SIS’s goals are to get more college students involved in serving their community, and encourages members to develop their civic skills and attitudes as well as their transferable work skills while serving. SIS believes that if a student has a positive experience, in the future they will more likely continue to serve their community.
Local units of government, K-12 schools, or community-based organizations are eligible to apply for SIS assistance. SIS members can assist with services such as research, project administration, marketing, or with other needs of an organization. Projects may address issues such as senior housing, storefront design, healthcare research, program evaluation, document design, newsletter creation, economic analysis, Internet and Web training, data analysis, downtown revitalization, and more.
SIS requires students to devote 300 hours to their project. Students will be available to begin service at the start of fall semester, beginning August 26, 2011 with projects ending by May 2012. Students may work up to 10 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours during winter break. At the end of their service term, students receive an education award from AmeriCorps to help defray tuition costs. Communities/organizations are required to provide project oversight/supervision and financial support to offset costs, such as travel, printing, phone use, etc. In addition, communities/organizations providing students with a stipend for their service to offset housing/personal expenses will be given preference.
Community/Organization Financial Expectations
- community/organizations applying to SIS are expected to fund project expenses such as travel, printing, mailings, phone, etc.
- In addition to a $1,132 educational award from AmeriCorps, members are allowed to receive a stipend for their living expenses during their time of service. Preference will be given to applications from organizations/communities able to contribute up to $1,125. Communities and Organizations that are not able provide the stipend are eligible for limited grant support call Jessica 320-589-6467 for more information.
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 9, 2011.
Past projects within CST include: Bridget Billo, ’13, work with the Stevens County Resource Connections group; Tara Greiman, ’11, work with the Upper Minnesota River Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) on an Appleton research audit; Deon Haider, ’14, and Melissa Kloek, ’11, work with carbon neutrality within Steven’s FORWARD!; Zac Van Cleve, ’13, work with the City of Morris city manager’s office; Ayano Jiru, ’12, work with Pioneer Public T.V.; Rebecca Schaeppi, ’14, work with Extension Technology; Ashley Bisek, ’11, work with Extension Curriculum; Eugene Butler, ’11, work with the City of Hoffman on their website; and Heidi Eger, ’13, and Mike Sorenson, ’13, work with Clean Up our River Environment (CURE).
Projects through the Office of Community Engagement include: Lynn Bixler, ’12, and Teague Goodsky, ’13, work at the Pomme de Terre Food Co-op; Kali Dale, ’14, work with the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance; Megan Trumper, ’14, work with the Country Day Co-op; and Katia Vantries, ’12, work with the West Wind Village.
The SIS program is funded by UMM, Minnesota Campus Compact, Corporation for National and Community Service, and the AmeriCorps Education Award Program. For more information visit www.studentsinservice.org.
SIS Information »
2011 Fall Application »
Applications may be e-mailed to jbeyer@morris.umn.edu or mailed/delivered to:
Center for Small Towns
Attn: Jessica Beyer
Welcome Center, University of Minnesota, Morris
600 E 4th Street
Morris, MN 56267
