FAQ | vistaservicedays

What are “National Days of Service”?

National Days of Service are days that focus special attention on giving back to your community. They also serve as an opportunity for AmeriCorps VISTA members to perform direct service within their communities. You can also access a comprehensive list of potential service days on the Energize, Inc. website.

What if none of the outlined service projects fit my needs?

See our Resources page for some great websites that provide additional ideas for national days of service. You can also view the Additional Project Ideas page for brief synopses of other service day projects that might be better suited to your area or organization.

What’s the best way to get connected to other AmeriCorps branches in my area?

Try contacting your state office first for a comprehensive list of other AmeriCorps branches in your area. You may also want to reach out to any AmeriCorps Alums Associations in your area. They can be a great resource as many Alums have wealth of experience with event planning and volunteer management. Additionally, you might be able to recruit alums as volunteers for your event, or they might offer to help in recruiting volunteers.

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The project I want to do has a three month timeline, but I only have a month until my service day project. Can I still do that project?

You can! With a little extra dedication and time, you can make an event work on short notice. Choose a project that fits your tight deadline. For example, holding a park clean up may be a better option than creating military care packages, as that event requires more time and planning.

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What should I do if more volunteers come to the event than I have space or jobs for?

The best way to avoid this situation is to make sure that volunteers RSVP to your event. This way you can ensure that you have enough jobs for all volunteers that come to your event. In the case that you do not track volunteers, you can always create additional jobs. However, keep in mind that volunteers like to feel needed and that they are dedicating their free time to something that is meaningful.