FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Where are VISTAs currently serving?
A: Our current year-long VISTAs are at the following agencies:
A: Our current year-long VISTAs are at the following agencies:
- City of Fairbanks
- Fairbanks Reentry Coalition
- Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District
- Northern Hope Center
- Thrivalaska
- Fairbanks North Star Borough Noel Wien Library
- United Way
- Fairbanks Youth Advocates: The Door
- Fairbanks Children's Museum
- Foundation Health Partners
- Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor's Center
Q: What is the difference between direct and indirect service?
A: Direct service provides immediate solutions to help people in need. Examples include manual labor, teaching, tutoring, cleaning, stocking shelves, delivering meals, and taking meeting minutes. Indirect service is building the capacity of the organization through associated projects and efforts. Examples include recruiting volunteers, organizing a fundraiser, writing curriculum, writing grants, and setting up community partnerships.
Full-year VISTAs must perform indirect service! If used inappropriately for direct service, a site could lose their current VISTA and future VISTA opportunities.Summer associates, members who serve for 10 weeks in May-August, are allowed to perform direct service work at their organization.
A: Direct service provides immediate solutions to help people in need. Examples include manual labor, teaching, tutoring, cleaning, stocking shelves, delivering meals, and taking meeting minutes. Indirect service is building the capacity of the organization through associated projects and efforts. Examples include recruiting volunteers, organizing a fundraiser, writing curriculum, writing grants, and setting up community partnerships.
Full-year VISTAs must perform indirect service! If used inappropriately for direct service, a site could lose their current VISTA and future VISTA opportunities.Summer associates, members who serve for 10 weeks in May-August, are allowed to perform direct service work at their organization.
Q: How do I apply to become a VISTA?
A: All applications must go through my.americorps.gov. Head over and create your profile - then apply for up to 20 positions at once!
A: All applications must go through my.americorps.gov. Head over and create your profile - then apply for up to 20 positions at once!
Q: Can my organization have a VISTA?
A: Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations as well as local or state agencies can become an AmeriCorps VISTA sponsoring organization. The application process is a two-phase process with concept paper and full application. Find out more about Sponsoring a VISTA Member.
For questions reach out to the VISTA Office at vistaleader@fairbanks.us.
A: Public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations as well as local or state agencies can become an AmeriCorps VISTA sponsoring organization. The application process is a two-phase process with concept paper and full application. Find out more about Sponsoring a VISTA Member.
For questions reach out to the VISTA Office at vistaleader@fairbanks.us.
Q: Can VISTAs volunteer at my upcoming community event?
A: No, VISTAs are committed to indirect service projects at their specific sites. However, there are other ways to recruit volunteers for your local Fairbanks event! 1) Join and post your volunteer needs on the Volunteer Fairbanks Facebook page. 2) Reach out to Hope Worldwide, a student organization at UAF dedicated to changing lives through volunteering.
A: No, VISTAs are committed to indirect service projects at their specific sites. However, there are other ways to recruit volunteers for your local Fairbanks event! 1) Join and post your volunteer needs on the Volunteer Fairbanks Facebook page. 2) Reach out to Hope Worldwide, a student organization at UAF dedicated to changing lives through volunteering.
