AmeriCorps Cape Cod

Group, Community Outreach, & FireCorp Project

Request for Proposals

Please read through the entire RFP as it has changed since the 2012-2013 corps year!

Program Introduction

AmeriCorps Cape Cod is a fulltime residential service program dedicated to addressing the natural resource management and disaster preparedness/response needs of the Cape Cod community. Each year the program recruits thirty-two educated and skilled members to participate in hands on projects with public, non-profit, and community based organizations. Members come to projects fully insured and coordinated by AmeriCorps Cape Cod staff. There is no cost to the community for AmeriCorps Cape Cod services.

Project Proposal Guidelines

While filling out the AmeriCorps Cape Cod Project Proposal, please use the guidelines below to ensure your project is eligible for consideration.

Contact Information:

  1. Provide the name and contact information for the designated project coordinator. This person will be contacted for additional information and scheduling.
  2. The agency submitting the proposal must be a public, non-profit, or community-based organization.

Project Description:

  1. Projects should be described briefly and put into a larger context. How is this project a part of your Town or Organization’s larger community plan?
  2. Projects should be broken out into individual tasks. These are the outlined tasks and goals members will be working towards on the service day(s). Tasks should be focused and tangible. Group projects can vary greatly in size and scope, allowing partnering organizations to utilize a small or large number of AmeriCorps Cape Cod members.
  3. Your project should demonstrate a natural resource management or disaster preparedness need within the community and be an opportunity for AmeriCorps Cape Cod members to meet that need.
  4. Is there an opportunity to involve additional community volunteers on this project? Projects that do allow for community volunteer involvement will be given special consideration.

Project Logistics:

  1. Indicate how many members you are requesting and how long you estimate needing them.
  2. Indicate the time of year, specific months, or season that best suit this project. Additionally, please list any conditions that may complicate project scheduling.
  3. Members come to projects with basic trainings related to their service and the Cape Cod community. Basic hand tools and chainsaws including safety equipment can be provided for projects. Indicate on your proposal if there is specialized training or tools needed for the project.

Group, Community Outreach (COD), & FireCorps

Service Project Criteria

Please read the following sections so you may later select the type of project best suited for your needs.

Group Service Projects

Group service projects must meet the following criteria:

·  Scheduled on a Monday or Friday (and/or potentially weekends).

·  Leverage the abilities/skills of a large group (7-14) of AmeriCorps Cape Cod members over the course of a single day.

v  Past project examples:

§  Trail construction and maintenance

§  Invasive species removal

§  Herring runs and inland waterway restoration

§  Support for local disaster simulations

§  Assistance with Town shellfish propagation and research

Community Outreach (COD) Projects

Community Outreach Day (COD) projects must meet the following criteria:

·  Scheduled on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (and/or potentially weekends).

·  Demonstrate a potential to include community volunteers and/or local students in proposed project

·  Leverage the abilities/skills of small groups (1-7) of AmeriCorps Cape Cod members over the course of a single day to a few days per month(s).

·  Allow AmeriCorps Cape Cod members to take ownership over proposed project (e.g. planning process, recruitment of community volunteers, organizing of other AmeriCorps Cape Cod members, writing of mini-grants to fund project components)

v  Past project examples:

§  Bench, fence, and boardwalk construction and installation on open space parcels

§  Wildlife species identification/monitoring

§  Educational Puppet Shows

§  Public education campaigns around environmental and disaster concepts

FireCorps Service Projects

FireCorps service projects must meet the following criteria:

·  The FireCorps serves primarily within the Fire Management Program at the Cape Cod National Seashore, but will serve the entire Barnstable County community from November 18 through January 24. Projects during this period may be scheduled Monday through Friday (and/or potentially weekends).

·  Leverage the abilities/skills of six FireCorps members over the course of a single day to a few days per week.

v  Past project examples:

§  Support for local disaster simulations

§  Public education campaigns around environmental, fire and disaster concepts

§  Trail construction and maintenance

§  Fire Road maintenance

§  Invasive species removal & fuel reduction

Prohibited Activities

By submitting a proposal, you agree to have read the following list of prohibited activities. AmeriCorps Cape Cod members and staff are prohibited from participating in the following activities:

  1. Engaging in any activity that is illegal under local, state or federal law
  2. Engaging in any activity that pose a significant safety risk to others
  3. Any activity involving attempting to influence legislation or an election or aid a partisan political organization
  4. Helping or hindering union activity
  5. Engaging in religious instruction
  6. Conducting worship services
  7. Providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship
  8. Constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship
  9. Maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship
  10. Engaging in any form of religious proselytization
  11. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes
  12. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements
  13. Participating in, or endorsing, events that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation or elected officials
  14. Providing a direct benefit to a for profit entity, a labor union, a partisan political organization, a religious organization, and a non-profit entity that fails to comply with the restriction contained in section 501c(3) of Title 26
  15. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the above activities on their own initiative and on non-AmeriCorps time. Neither the AmeriCorps logo nor uniform may be worn.

Dress Code

AmeriCorps Cape Cod member attire reflects directly upon the AmeriCorps member as well as the partnering organization. Members are directed to wear neat, clean clothes that are conducive to their working environment, and to follow the dress code of the partner site. Members are expected to look professional and be able to perform their duties proficiently and safely in their attire. Because we are role models to children and their families, it is important that members present themselves positively.

Member Coaching

An important part of our AmeriCorps program is the emphasis on member development. We provide members with a variety of service opportunities and trainings, as well as teambuilding sessions. We ask that each Service Partner also remembers to think of these members as adults-in-training, and use appropriate moments to teach, coach, mentor, or inspire. Their interactions with Service Partners are keenly noticed and some projects often become the highlight of their year. Please offer constructive feedback when appropriate and take time to reflect with members on their service with your organization.

Proposal Process, Selection, and Agreement

Proposal:

A.  Organizations or Departments must submit one Project Proposal per project to the AmeriCorps Cape Cod office to be considered for project selection. Project proposal forms can also be found at www.americorpscapecod.org. Proposals will be accepted and filled according to program availability.

B.  Once a proposal has been submitted to the AmeriCorps Cape Cod office, Service Partners will be contacted by AmeriCorps Cape Cod Staff for confirmation within two weeks. If you do not receive a follow up call from a Program Staff within two weeks please contact the office directly to make sure your proposal was received.

Selection:

A.  Proposals will be considered by the Program Staff and Advisory Board based on the “Project Guidelines” listed previously as well as time availability.

B.  Service Partners will be contacted regarding selection status.

C.  A site visit may be scheduled in order to gather more information. Service Partners will be asked to provide information regarding the purpose, importance, and history/background of the project as well as any specific site rules, safety hazards, and tool/equipment needs.

Agreement:

  1. Members must be supervised at all times in accordance with our grant and for their safety. Service Partners are required to provide supervision if AmeriCorps Cape Cod staff cannot be present at the project site. However, AmeriCorps Cape Cod staff will attempt to provide supervision.
  2. Members will be coordinated and supervised by program staff. Clear objectives and expectations must be laid out for program staff if Service Partners will not be present at the project for the entire service day.
  3. As a follow up, Service Partners must be prepared to discuss the Corps’ effectiveness and sign off on a “projects completed” form.
  4. Barnstable County AmeriCorps Cape Cod Program must be recognized accurately if published on Service Partner web sites, brochures and all other publications and press releases.
  5. As a Service Partner with the Barnstable County AmeriCorps Cape Cod program you agree to attend every meeting broadcasted to program Service Partners throughout the year. This includes: Service Partner Orientation, new member pledge ceremony, site visits and member graduation.

For more information or questions about service projects, please contact the respective staff member:

Group Projects – LeHac House Group Projects – Bourne House

Provincetown to Dennis Yarmouth to Falmouth

Brittany Quagleiri Adam DeVito
Program Supervisor Program Supervisor
AmeriCorps Cape Cod AmeriCorps Cape Cod

Phone: (508) 375-6905 Phone: (508) 375-6871

Email: Email:

COD Projects FireCorps Projects – Wells House

Barnstable County Barnstable County

Michael Sousa Erik Boyer
Program Specialist Program Supervisor
AmeriCorps Cape Cod AmeriCorps Cape Cod

Phone: (508) 375-6863 Phone: (508) 375-6975

Email: Email:

Please mail or fax your signed and completed application:

AmeriCorps Cape Cod, PO Box 427, Barnstable, MA 02630

Phone: (508) 375-6869 Fax: (508) 375-6887


Department/Organization:
Contact Person:
Address:
Primary Telephone: / Cell Phone:
Fax: / E-Mail:
Project Type (Select one): /
Project Title:
Project Site Location:
Project Description:
Please list and briefly describe SPECIFIC tasks to be completed
Task I.
Task II.
Task III.
How does this project meet an environmental or disaster preparedness need on Cape Cod?
May AmeriCorps Cape Cod recruit volunteers to assist with proposed project? /
How many Members are needed? / For how long? (assume 8 hrs/day)
Estimated monetary value of AmeriCorps service ($20.85/hr):
Window of time in which this project can/needs to be completed:
·  Is this project linked to a grant, or any other funding deadline? /
If “YES” please provide the project deadline and name of grant/type of funding
·  Specific timing restrictions (season, tide, weather, days of week)
Tools/Equipment to be provided by Service Partner:
Tools/Equipment needed by AmeriCorps Cape Cod:
Specific skills or training members need to complete project:
Are you able/willing to provide training?:
Safety Hazards (poison ivy, tick habitat, etc.):
Will members be asked to drive your organization’s vehicle(s)? /
(Note: In the event of an accident, Members are covered under the Barnstable County worker’s compensation plan. However, you and/or your insurance company will be responsible for vehicle damages.)

List any other departments, organizations or community groups involved in project

Potential future projects or “Go To” projects in the event that Corps members finish service quicker than expected?

Additional instructions or comments:

Proposal Submitted by: Date:

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