The Corporation’s Office of Leadership Development and Training is pleased to announce the first offering of the AmeriCorps Program Start-Up Institute. The target audience is staff of new AC*State and National grantees and their sub-grantees/sites, as well as, new staff to existing programs. We know that some of you have plans for training new programs that may be similar. We are not asking you to change your plans. Just know this training and the materials developed to support it may be useful to you in the future. For those looking for a unique opportunity to provide comprehensive training for new programs and staff - this is it!

The content of the Institute is built on the primary aspects of developing an AmeriCorps program as outlined in the field-based: "Building a High Quality AmeriCorps Program: From Blueprint to Implementation: New Program Start-Up Guide". If you haven’t already taken a look at it, please go to the Resource Center at www.nationalservice.gov/resources/training and enter AmeriCorps Program Start-up Guide in the search box and click on "GO".

In addition to this Institute, we intend to create a series of materials and resources that support this guide. Short and long range plans include: post institute webinars to delve further into specific topics covered during the institute and affinity groups to support continued learning and sharing; a training curriculum with a companion trainer’s guide; along with eCourses on specific topics. We will keep you posted as these tools are developed.

Below is additional information about the AmeriCorps Program Start-Up Institute and how to register. Please pass this information on to your sub-grantees. We look forward to seeing you and your grantees August 21-23, in San Antonio, Texas!!

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Greetings! Your new grantees/sites are invited to participate in the Corporation for National and Community Service sponsored AmeriCorps Program Start-Up Institute. The Program Start-Up Institute provides new AmeriCorps State and National grantees and new staff of existing AmeriCorps programs with the tools to build high-quality AmeriCorps programs. The Institute will focus on the work of the first year of your grant, with particular attention to the tasks of the first six months, providing an overview of the cornerstones which are essential to effective programs:

• Program Development and Management
• Financial Management
• Community and Site Partnerships
• Member Development

Participants will leave the Institute with a clear understanding of grant expectations and requirements and an expansive sourcebook to help them build their program's success.

The Institute will be held Monday, August 21st - Wednesday, August 23rd in San Antonio, Texas. On Wednesday afternoon, following the Institute from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., we will host two optional affinity group meetings: one for programs that focus on tutoring and mentoring and the other for programs that focus on disaster services. The purpose of these group meetings is to delve deeper into program specific issues related to starting such an AmeriCorps program.

Please contact your new grantees and sites with the following information:

What:

AmeriCorps Program Start-Up Institute

When:

Monday, August 21st beginning at 1:00 p.m. - Wednesday, August 23rd ending at 12:00 noon

AND

What:

Optional: Post Institute Affinity Group Meetings for Tutoring and Mentoring Programs and Programs Providing Disaster Services

When:

Wednesday, August 23rd 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Where:

Hotel Contessa
306 W. Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205-2971
Toll Free: 1-866-435-0900
Direct: 210-229-9222
Fax: 210-229-9228

Use Group name Program Start-Up Institute to get $96.00 +tax /night room rate

Registration Fee:

$190 (includes all breaks, lunch on Tuesday and continental breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday).

Register online:

http://www.regonline.com/100081

Registration Deadline:

July 28, 2006

Questions? Contact:

Lauren Franzoni
Project Coordinator
Campaign Consultation, Inc.
T. 877.243.2253 x 42
F. 410.243.1024
Franzoni@CampaignConsultation.com
www.CampaignConsultation.com