The Final Chapter--Sarah Spunt's VISTA Experience

I Will Inspire Change

Toward the end of year, your options are open, you can search for another job or continue your education (remember you have to use the education award within 5 years).

No matter what path you chose, your life will be changed by your VISTA experience.

You will enter all careers wondering how your work and life will impact society as a whole, and that is truly the legacy of serving as VISTA.

See, some people call it naive, others call it motivational.

But I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society with the right passion and support. Listen to your critics, but do not surround yourself with them.

If you are frustrated or discouraged, talk to another VISTA in your network, and don’t forget, your VISTA leader is there to support, and is always good for a free counseling session.

Love/ Hate relationship with volunteers

Non-profits need volunteers; some even function primarily on volunteers, which is awesome and that’s why we love volunteers. But everyone once in awhile, or maybe, we get that volunteer that drives you crazy. One particular volunteer might come to mind, and that’s fine, but remember,

not all volunteer work is glamorous

so put a smile on your face and make the best of a not-so-good volunteer.

The anti-non-profit

Now this one sounds awful, but it is has some truth to it. You won’t go on a crusade to end non-profits, I can promise you that, but you will get sick of fundraising and frustrated about the fact there are a billion non-profits in the same area that have similar missions, and yet refuse to collaborate with each other.

Point being, work on networking and collaborated projects and eventually you will leave this stage and want to start your own non-profit so you can run things your way.

An idealist’s worst nightmare

Most people do not like change, particularly if an organization has been operating the same way for 20+ years.

You will face critics and feel discouraged, capacity building is not easy.

It is extremely frustrating when everyone in the organization is not on the same page, and heck, a lot of time they are not even in the same book.

When they say 24/7…sometimes, it actually happens

Yes, sometimes you will work a ton, and I mean a ton in one week. Every VISTA has been there, and feel free to complain (not too much!) about it to other VISTAs. But don’t make a habit of it, and

use your comp time so you don’t get burned out.

The Stages of Being a VISTA--by Sarah Spunt, Current AmeriCorps Member

A call to fight poverty with a passion—as VISTAs, we choose to dedicate a year of our lives to national service. I became a VISTA because I believe in the idea of national service, and since I frantically jump any time I hear a loud, sudden noise, joining the armed forces was out of the question…and, let’s be honest, I am any drill sergeant’s worst nightmare. So after college I embarked on my VISTA adventure. And, while sharing my experience with other VISTAs in the Lexington network and my fellow PSOers, I came to the realization that

there are many stages of being a VISTA

—some fantastic, others that make you wonder why you decided to work for blank amount money per hour (we all know it’s unhealthy the calculate that amount, but we do it anyways, so feel free to insert your wage if necessary).

An idealist’s dream come true

Fresh off the plane from PSO (or starting a new task on your VAD) developing, restructuring and implementing programs is exciting and gives VISTA a sense of purpose. To help those in need and to change the way society thinks about poverty are driving forces that lead most of us to our year of service.

Be encouraged by your creativity and motivated by the fact that you, as an individual and collaborative whole, can make a difference in the community you serve.

Thus began my 2-month (turned 29-month & counting) commitment to the AmeriCorps VISTA program…

“After 4 years of undergraduate work, I want take a year giving back fully to the community.”

“I think I want to go into nonprofits, but I want to get a feel for it before diving into a lifelong career.”

“VISTA is another way for me to stay involved with this organization and the people it serves, as I’ve already been volunteering here for the past few years.”

“I’ve waited my whole life to do VISTA. It just didn’t fit into my plans earlier in life.”

Everyone has his/her own reason for joining the VISTA program. For me, it was the organization itself – the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning – that originally drew my interest. After researching the VISTA program, however, I realized this was the perfect way to spend my summer and year after graduation from Centre College. Aside from an internship at a small “community driven economic development initiative” in Danville during my senior year in college, I knew very little about the true administrative workings of the nonprofit world. I couldn’t wait to learn and to see what other doors this experience would open for me in the world of nonprofits. Thus began my 2-month (turned 29-month & counting) commitment to the AmeriCorps VISTA program…

Door #1: I began as a Summer Associate in the Summer of 2007. If you’ve stumbled upon this blog because you’re interested in learning more about VISTA, I recommend the Summer Associate program if it’s available. It’s an 8 or 10 week commitment, you are able to do more direct service than yearlong VISTA members, and you still receive a living allowance and reduced end-of-service award. Basically, it’s a wonderful way to get a feel for the VISTA program, and it’s a great opportunity for the organization to get a feel for you, too! {Word to the wise: Do NOT elect to receive the reduce education award if you even think you may do one or two years of VISTA after your summer. You are only allowed 2 education awards in your lifetime, no matter the size. This was a mistake both Hannah and I made during the summer of 2007 (oops). I elected to receive the $1,000 summer ed award and the $4,725 yearlong ed award… if I decide to do another full year of VISTA, I am required to choose the smaller cash stipend and lose out on another big ed award. Oh well, live and learn.} More info about the Summer Associate program: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/08_0609_ac_vista_summer.pdf

Door #2: After my summer of service ended, I stayed on for a full year of VISTA (August 2007-August 1008). While I had the same title as I did in the summer, it seemed a bit more “real” – and a bit more of a commitment! I felt lucky to know the Carnegie Center before beginning my year, and I definitely understand that most VISTA members don’t have the same opportunity to serve the summer before their year. Summer VISTA is in no way a requirement, and in most cases, it may not be available at your site or the timing may not line up for a smooth transition, anyways. During my year, I recruited volunteers, I wrote and received several grants, and I even started a new program with one of my fellow VISTA members – a Young People’s Poetry Contest. It was rewarding. It was informative. It was eye-opening. It was a whirlwind. It was everything a VISTA position should be.

A few months before the end of my service, my supervisor announced her plans to head to graduate school that fall. Open Door #3: The Carnegie Center offered me the opportunity to stay on as a staff member, taking over my supervisor’s position when she left. In August 2008, I began as the Carnegie Center’s Program Specialist and the Supervisor of the Carnegie Center VISTA network. For this, I am especially grateful to my VISTA experience – it led me to a full-time job at a nonprofit. And, it’s practically my dream job.

So this isn’t quite where I thought my first guest blog entry would take me, but alas, here we are. Now it’s time for me to head out for my Thanksgiving weekend festivities. Hopefully this served as a professional background for those of you who know me, and as a brief outline of program opportunities for those of you who might be interested in joining the VISTA program. I’ll try to blog again soon on my specific experiences, duties, and feelings as a VISTA. And much, much more advice!

Throughout your life, there is a voice only you can hear. A voice which mythologists label "the call." A call to the value of your life. The choice of risk and individual bliss over the known and secure.

You may choose not to hear your spirit. You may prefer to build a life within the compound, to avoid risk. It is possible to find happiness within a familiar box, a life of comfort and control.

Or, you may choose to be open to new experiences, to leave the limits of your conditioning, to hear the call. Then you must act.

If you never hear it, perhaps nothing is lost. If you hear it and ignore it, your life is lost.

--Jennifer James

Though this is the first entry in our VISTA blog, and I plan on making this a space for general notes, news & information, I thought that, on some level, it may help to begin with a space for reflection, even if it's from me (I'm looking forward to your thoughts, comments & guest blogs in future days)--

Hello & Reflection

Throughout your life, there is a voice only you can hear. A voice which mythologists label "the call." A call to the value of your life. The choice of risk and individual bliss over the known and secure.

You may choose not to hear your spirit. You may prefer to build a life within the compound, to avoid risk. It is possible to find happiness within a familiar box, a life of comfort and control.

Or, you may choose to be open to new experiences, to leave the limits of your conditioning, to hear the call. Then you must act.

If you never hear it, perhaps nothing is lost. If you hear it and ignore it, your life is lost.

--Jennifer James

Though this is the first entry in our VISTA blog, and I plan on making this a space for general notes, news & information, I thought that, on some level, it may help to begin with a space for reflection, even if it's from me (I'm looking forward to your thoughts, comments & guest blogs in future days)--