Students in Service Americorps

Earn a $1,175 education award for completing a 300 hour term of service in one calendar year. A term of service includes both direct service (at least 240 hours) and member development/education (up to 60 hours).

Nine awards are still available for St. Olaf students!

By enrolling in SIS, you are recognizing yourself as a member of a larger social fabric, committed to working with others in the community to solve social problems, improve lives, and strengthen communities.

How Does it Work?

  1. Learn about the program (read this site including relevant links)
    • Attend a SIS Informational Session -
      Tuesday, November 29th, 7-7:30 p.m., Tomson Hall 200
    • If you cannot attend the Information Session, please thoroughly read the information and links on this site and review this Power Point.
  2. Submit a brief application (see instructions below) by Sunday, December 4, 2011
  3. Learn if you have been accepted into the program by Tuesday, December 6, 2011
  4. Attend Mandatory SIS Orientation Session on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 7:00-8:00 p.m., Tomson Hall 200
  5. Enroll in program
  6. Complete 300 hours of direct service and membership development hours in one calendar year (starting with the date you enroll)
  7. Attend monthly Civic Engagement seminars (offered during community time)
  8. Complete monthly reporting requirements
  9. Receive $1,175 education award that you can apply towards current educational expenses; (will not impact your financial aid package)

Program Requirements

Please note there will likely be minor changes to the program starting November 28th.
Please attend the information session on November 29th to find out about the changes.

A 300-hour term of service includes direct service (at least 240 hours) and member development (up to 60 hours). See Sample Term of Service for an example of how hypothetical student might fulfill the term of service.

Direct Service

  • Service in the areas of education, public safety, environmental initiatives, community development and human services
  • You are encouraged to participate in multiple qualifying service projects to reach 240 hours - assuming you earn 60 Member Development Hours (see SIS Service Scenarios below)
  • Qualifying activities include:
  • At least 51% of your direct service hours must be providing service, with no more than 49% of your time serving in administrative support
  • No more than 10% of your total hours can be devoted to fundraising
  • Service activities must take place in Minnesota or one of the other states where SIS is administered
  • Activities that do not qualify as direct service:
    • Any service that is purely administrative such as a research position, clerical work, etc.
    • An internships with a for-profit organization
    • International volunteer work
  • Please see the Local Service & Internship Opportunities web resource for specific service & internship opportunties
  • The CEL is interested in helping you identify potential service and internship opportunities that would allow you to earn this scholarship. Please stop by the CEL to meet with a Peer Advisor for assistance in identifying opportunities.

Member Development

  • Up to 60 hours can be allocated to member development
  • Member development includes any activities that help you develop something in yourself that will help you better do your direct service
  • Examples of member development:
    • Participating in SIS Seminars
    • Participating in CEL Workshops
    • Taking a course or attending a conference that relates directly to the service work you will be doing
    • Learning a language to better serve the community you are working with

Civic Engagement Seminars

  • Attend at least two SIS Seminars offered monthly during community time during the academic year
  • Meet with a CEL professional at least once each semester

Reporting

  • SIS members will be required to report service and membership development activities on a monthly basis

Eligibility

  • All students who are committed to fulfilling a 300 hour term of service in one calendar year (student teachers and those completing practium hours will be excused)
  • Seniors will only be considered if they have specific plan for fulfilling their term of service before they graduate

Benefits

  • $1,175 educational award
  • Develop practical skills that will complement your liberal arts education and prepare you to make a difference
    • community leadership skills through direct involvement with the community
    • critical thinking skills through the synthesis of experiential learning and academic interests
    • communication skills
  • Gain valuable experience in the nonprofit and service sector
  • Reflect and learn from other engaged peers
  • Explore vocational and career interests
  • Utilize the resources and expertise of the Center for Experiential Learning staff to identify experiential learning opportunities and plan for your future career and vocation
Application Process
This process will be available after the information session!

1.) Save a copy of your resume to a common location (please highlight relevant community service experiences).
2.) Save a copy of your application to a common location.
3.) Apply via OleRecruiting - login via the directions on the screen.
4.) Click on "Documents" on the blue bar, click on "Add New" - name your resume "SIS Americorps" and upload it as a "resume". Upload your "Application" as an "Other Document" titled "SIS Americorps Application".
5.) Click on "Employers" on the blue bar, type in "St. Olaf College" on the "Keywords" box, click "Search".
6.) Scroll down and select "St. Olaf College" - click on "Available Positions" in the center of the screen. Select "Students in Service - AmeriCorps Program".
7.) On the right hand side, click on "Apply". Select your "Resume" & application "Other Document" - click on "Submit".

More Information

After you have familiarized yourself with the basics of the program, please contact any of the SIS Program Coordinators with additional questions: