Policy – AmeriCorps : Allowable & Prohibited Activities
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Members must spend at least 80% of their total term hours on direct service. They may spend upto 20% onindirect service i.e.education and/or training. Members may spend up to 10% onfundraising.
Direct serviceis work that addresses human needs, the environment and environmental education,conservation, public safety, and/or disaster relief/emergency response and on the job training for servicerelated activities. It is working directly with people or for a communityto makechange ordoing work thatis involved in making that direct change. It can be outreach, case management, training, teaching, tutoring,mediating, cleaning, counseling, recruiting volunteers, preparing for class, coaching, listening, cooking,serving, providing health care, food, clothing, and on and on… Direct service hours should constitute 80%or more of an AmeriCorps member’s total hours served. The remainder will beindirectservice hours.
Indirect service hours, or education and training,hours are only applicable when they reflect theAmeriCorps service that the member credits to the education awardtheywill receive. All orientations,including the AmeriCorps orientation, would be included if they are given after the member’s actual startdate. State or regional trainings, seminars, GED or other education classes, life skills and job skills training,etc. also may count. Only up to 20% of the entire member’s credited service hours can be dedicated toeducation and training. If a memberspends more hours on this, it cannot count on towards their term ofservice.
Fundraising-AmeriCorps members may spend up to 10% of their hours on fundraising activities. This timeshould come out of the Direct Service Hours
Servicein general
- All AmeriCorps serviceactivities will take place in the United States or U.S. territories only.
- Hours must be logged on a timesheet, signed/dated by the member and staff.•Any activities that are not applicable to a member’s education award hours are listed on theProhibitedActivities sheet.
- If members are in residential programsor on spikes, theymay notcount activities such as preparingmeals or cleaning residential areas, or outside activities that are not part of their direct service oreducation as AmeriCorps hours.
- The 20% education and training hours are for your entire TCN AmeriCorps grant so if some membersneed to log more than 20% and some less that is fine as long as, as a whole,your program doesn’texceedthe 20%
Prohibited Activities
Subgrantees must consider the allowableand prohibited activities when creating the Member PositionDescriptions. All AmeriCorps staff, host agency staff and project partners/sponsors must be educated inthese as well.
During one of the CNCS audits of Member Position Descriptions they found thefollowingunacceptable/prohibited activities listed:
“Oneposition description outlined a member’s service as conducting policy work in the office of a Memberof Congress. Serving in a congressional office is a prohibited activity. The AmeriCorps member inquestiondid not receive any credit for any of the hours spent working in the congressional office..
..We also noticed some activities that merited discussion and clarification with grantees. We found:
- Clerical duties assigned to AmeriCorps members.This is not allowable.
- Lack of clarity related to AmeriCorps member role that raised concerns about staff displacement.
- Lack of clarity about what people recruited as volunteers by AmeriCorps members would be doing.-Some activities that wereallowable but were unclear about the community impact or benefit that servicewould produce.”
Remember, you must be specific in the position descriptions–do not include“other duties as assigned”.
Members may not engage in any of the activitiesabove and below. See sampleposition description in Section V Pre-Enrollment of the Manual.
Blue Box | 2022 Terms and Conditions |
Green Box | Directly from the Regulations |
2022 Terms & Conditions
V. SUPERVISION AND SUPPORT
C.Prohibited Activities
While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwiseperforming activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or CNCS, staff and members may not engage inthe following activities (see 45 CFR § 2520.65)
- Attempting to influence legislation
- Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;
- Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
- Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
- Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of anelection to any public office;
- Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or againstpoliticalparties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or electedofficials;
- Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of aprogram that includes mandatory religious instruction orworship, constructing or operatingfacilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherentlydevoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;
- Providinga direct benefit to—
- a. A business organized for profit;
- b. A labor union;
- c. A partisanpolitical organization;
- d. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to engaging in political activities orsubstantial amount of lobbying except that nothing in these provisions shall be construed toprevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; ande.
- e.An organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph C. 7. above,unlessCNCS assistance is not used to support those religious activities
- Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive;10.
- Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and11.
- Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit
In addition to the above activities, the below activities are additionally prohibited:
Census Activities.AmeriCorps members and volunteers associated with AmeriCorps grants may notengage in census activities during service hours. Being a census taker during service hours iscategorically prohibited. Census-related activities (e.g., promotion of the Census, education about theimportance of the Census) do not align with AmeriCorps State and National objectives. What membersand volunteers do on their own time is up to them, consistent with program policies about outsideemployment and activities.
Election and Polling Activities.AmeriCorps member may not provide services for election or pollinglocations or in support of such activities
AmeriCorps members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting,training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed above.Individuals mayexercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities listed aboveon their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. Individuals should not wear theAmeriCorps logo while doing engaging in any of the above activities on their personal time.
All locations where members serve should post a list of the prohibited activities, when possible
Clarification from our Program Officer(2016)on administrative and other duties:
Basically for administrative and clerical duties, members should never spend significant amounts of timeengaged in these types of activities.
- If a Position Description has what appears to be administrative task, the Subgrantee must provide TheCorps Network with a better sense of how much time is being spent on a particular activity.However, thisis appropriate for members on “lite duty” due to injury instead of suspension.
- If a member’s service cannot besolelyto the organization, it must meet an identifiable community need.
- If a member is engaged in capacity building, the Subgrantee must demonstrate to The Corps Networkhow the capacity building activity allowed the program to serve more people or provide more effective orefficient service delivery to the community.
§ 2533.10Eligible activities.
The Corporation may support–either directly or through a grant, contract or agreement–any activity designed to meet the purposes described in part 2531 of this chapter. These activities include, but are not limited to, the following: (a)Community-based agencies .The Corporation may provide training and technical assistance and other assistance to project sponsors and other community-based agencies that provide volunteer placements in order to improve the ability of such agencies to use participants and other volunteers in a manner that results in high-quality service and a positive service experience for the participants and volunteers.
(b)Improve ability to apply for assistance. The Corporation will provide training and technical assistance, where necessary, to individuals, programs, local labor organizations, State educational agencies, State Commissions, local educational agencies, local governments, community-based agencies, and other entities to enable them to apply for funding under one of the national service laws, to conduct high-quality programs, to evaluate such programs, and for other purposes.
(c)Conferences and materials. The Corporation may organize and hold conferences, and prepare and publish materials, to disseminate information and promote the sharing of information among programs for the purpose of improving the quality of programs and projects.
(d)Peace Corps and VISTA training. The Corporation may provide training assistance to selected individuals who volunteer to serve in the Peace Corps or a program authorized under title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4951et seq.). The training will be provided as part of the course of study of the individual at an institution of higher education, involve service-learning, and cover appropriate skills that the individual will use in the Peace Corps or VISTA.
(e)Promotion and recruitment. The Corporation may conduct a campaign to solicit funds for the National Service Trust and other programs and activities authorized under the national service laws and to promote and recruit participants for programs that receive assistance under the national service laws.
(f) Training. The Corporation may support national and regional participant and supervisor training, including leadership training and training in specific types of service and in building the ethic of civic responsibility.
(g) Research. The Corporation may support research on national service, including service-learning.
(h) Intergenerational support. The Corporation may assist programs in developing a service component that combines students, out-of-school youths, and older adults as participants to provide needed community services.
(i) Planning coordination. The Corporation may coordinate community-wide planning among programs and projects.
(j) Youth leadership. The Corporation may support activities to enhance the ability of youth and young adults to play leadership roles in national service.
(k) National program identity. The Corporation may support the development and dissemination of materials, including training materials, and arrange for uniforms and insignia, designed to promote unity and shared features among programs that receive assistance under the national service laws.
(l) Service-learning. The Corporation will support innovative programs and activities that promote servicelearning. (m) National youth service day — (1) Designation. April 19, 1994, and April 18, 1995 are each designated as “National Youth Service Day”. The President is authorized and directed to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(2) Federal activities. In order to observe National Youth Service Day at the Federal level, the Corporation may organize and carry out appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(3) Activities. The Corporation may make grants to public or private nonprofit organizations with demonstrated ability to carry out appropriate activities, in order to support such activities on National Youth Service Day.
(n) Clearinghouses — (1) Authority. The Corporation may establish clearinghouses, either directly or through a grant or contract. Any service-learning clearinghouse to be established pursuant to part 2518 of this chapter is eligible to apply for a grant under this section. In addition, public or private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for clearinghouse grants.
(2) Function. A Clearinghouse may perform the following activities:
- Assist entities carrying out State or local community service programs with needs assessments and planning;
- Conduct research and evaluations concerning community service;
- Provide leadership development and training to State and local community service program administrators, supervisors, and participants; and provide training to persons who can provide such leadership development and training;
- Facilitate communication among entities carrying out community service programs and participants;
- Provide information, curriculum materials, and technical assistance relating to planning and operation of community service programs, to States and local entities eligible to receive funds under this chapter;
- Gather and disseminate information on successful community service programs, components of such successful programs, innovative youth skills curriculum, and community service projects;
- Coordinate the activities of the clearinghouse with appropriate entities to avoid duplication of effort;
- Make recommendations to State and local entities on quality controls to improve the delivery of community service programs and on changes in the programs under this chapter; and
- Carry out such other activities as the Chief Executive Officer determines to be appropriate.
(o) Assistance for Head Start. The Corporation may make grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, public or nonprofit private agencies and organizations that receive grants or contracts under the Foster Grandparent Program (part B of title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 5011 et seq.)), for projects of the type described in section 211(a) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 5011) operating under memoranda of agreement with the ACTION Agency, for the purpose of increasing the number of low-income individuals who provide services under such program to children who participate in Head Start programs under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).
(p) Other assistance. The Corporation may support other activities that are consistent with the purposes described in part 2531 of this chapter.
59 FR 13807, Mar. 23, 1994. Re-designated and amended at 75 FR 51413 and 51415, Aug. 20, 2010]
§ 2520.25 What direct service activities may AmeriCorps members perform?
(a) The AmeriCorps members you support under your grant may perform direct service activities that will advance the goals of your program, that will result in a specific identifiable service or improvement that otherwise would not be provided, and that are included in, or consistent with, your Corporation-approved grant application.
(b) Your members’ direct service activities must address local environmental, educational, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), or other human needs.
(c) Direct service activities generally refer to activities that provide a direct, measurable benefit to an individual, a group, or a community.
(d) Examples of the types of direct service activities AmeriCorps members may perform include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Tutoring children in reading;
- Helping to run an after-school program;
- Engaging in community clean-up projects;
- Providing health information to a vulnerable population;
- Teaching as part of a professional corps;
- Providing relief services to a community affected by a disaster; and
- Conducting a neighborhood watch program as part of a public safety effort. [70 FR 39597, July 8, 2005]
§ 2520.30 What capacity-building activities may AmeriCorps members perform?
Capacity-building activities that AmeriCorps members perform should enhance the mission, strategy, skills, and culture, as well as systems, infrastructure, and human resources of an organization that is meeting unmet community needs. Capacity-building activities help an organization gain greater independence and sustainability.
(a) The AmeriCorps members you support under your grant may perform capacity-building activities that advance your program’s goals and that are included in, or consistent with, your Corporation-approved grant application.
(b) Examples of capacity-building activities your members may perform include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Strengthening volunteer management and recruitment, including:
- Enlisting, training, or coordinating volunteers;
- Helping an organization develop an effective volunteer management system;
- Organizing service days and other events in the community to increase citizen engagement;
- Promoting retention of volunteers by planning recognition events or providing ongoing support and follow-up to ensure that volunteers have a high-quality experience; and
- Assisting an organization in reaching out to individuals and communities of different backgrounds when encouraging volunteering to ensure that a breadth of experiences and expertise is represented in service activities.
(2) Conducting outreach and securing resources in support of service activities that meet specific needs in the community;
(3) Helping build the infrastructure of the sponsoring organization, including:
- Conducting research, mapping community assets, or gathering other information that will strengthen the sponsoring organization’s ability to meet community needs;
- Developing new programs or services in a sponsoring organization seeking to expand;
- Developing organizational systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness;
- Automating organizational operations to improve efficiency and effectiveness;
- Initiating or expanding revenue-generating operations directly in support of service activities; and
- Supporting staff and board education.
(4) Developing collaborative relationships with other organizations working to achieve similar goals in the community, such as:
- Community organizations, including faith-based organizations;
- Foundations;
- Local government agencies;
- Institutions of higher education; and
- Local education agencies or organizations.
§ 2520.35 Must my program recruit or support volunteers?
(a) Unless the Corporation or the State commission, as appropriate, approves otherwise, some component of your program that is supported through the grant awarded by the Corporation must involve recruiting or supporting volunteers.
(b) If you demonstrate that requiring your program to recruit or support volunteers would constitute a fundamental alteration to your program structure, the Corporation (or the State commission for formula programs) may waive the requirement in response to your written request for such a waiver in the grant application.
§ 2520.40 Under what circumstances may AmeriCorps members in my program raise resources?
(a) AmeriCorps members may raise resources directly in support of your program’s service activities.
(b) Examples of fundraising activities AmeriCorps members may perform include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Seeking donations of books from companies and individuals for a program in which volunteers teach children to read;
- Writing a grant proposal to a foundation to secure resources to support the training of volunteers;
- Securing supplies and equipment from the community to enable volunteers to help build houses for low-income individuals;
- Securing financial resources from the community to assist in launching or expanding a program that provides social services to the members of the community and is delivered, in whole or in part, through the members of a community-based organization;
- Seeking donations from alumni of the program for specific service projects being performed by current members.
(c) AmeriCorps members may not:
- Raise funds for living allowances or for an organization’s general (as opposed to project) operating expenses or endowment;
- Write a grant application to the Corporation or to any other Federal agency.
[70 FR 39597, July 8, 2005]
§ 2520.45 How much time may an AmeriCorps member spend fundraising?
An AmeriCorps member may spend no more than ten percent of his or her originally agreed-upon term of service, as reflected in the member enrollment in the National Service Trust, performing fundraising
activities, as described in §2520.40.
[70 FR 39597, July 8, 2005]
§ 2520.50 How much time may AmeriCorps members in my program spend in education and training activities?
(a) No more than 20 percent of the aggregate of all AmeriCorps member service hours in your program, as reflected in the member enrollments in the National Service Trust, may be spent in education and training activities.
(b) Capacity-building activities and direct service activities do not count towards the 20 percent cap on education and training activities. [70 FR 39597, July 8, 2005]