Abstract

Program directors face the challenge of facilitating activities or trainings focused on the importance of national service that incorporate history, evidence of need, and pride. They want these trainings to motivate and inspire members in an interactive and hands on way. The Generations Incorporated program in Boston, Massachusetts, has successfully hosted a panel discussion by former AmeriCorps members as an alternative to or in conjunction with more traditional trainings. Jane Hamel shared this effective practice on the AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list in May, 2008.

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Issue

Examples of trainings that are informative, inspirational, and unique — something beyond the usual videos and presentations — may be difficult to find.

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Action

The panel for the (training) discussion typically consists of about five people, usually a mix of members from the past two years, who have gone on to do a variety of things.  For example, individuals might include former members who:

• Work at an entry-level development job
• Manage a service program
• Attend graduate school
• Teach
• Are still looking for what to do next

According to Jane Hamel, Training Manager for Generations Incorporated, steps to take when planning the panel discussion include the following:

• Make sure the panelists are well-prepared, and that they’ve taken at least a few minutes to reflect on what they’re going to say.  Ask them to remember back to their first few weeks of service: what would have been helpful for them to hear?  Also make sure they are aware of any major programmatic changes.
• Conducting the training later in the day, rather than having it mid-day, enables more people to come.  Sometimes people can leave their job a little earlier or attend on their way home.
• If you have a quieter group of service members, help them to get ready by thinking of questions for the panelists in advance.  Questions show interest, and it’s nice to have some prepared to keep the discussion going.

The agenda is as follows:

• 4:30 p.m. — Welcome everyone and explain the purpose and agenda.
• 4:40 p.m. — Each panel member introduces themselves and shares a bit about their service year and what they’re currently doing.
• 4:50 p.m. — The facilitator asks a few questions, that some or all of the panel members can answer.  The nature of the questions will depend on goals of the particular training.  Possible questions that Generations Incorporated suggests include:
  • What was your most memorable experience?
  • What was your biggest lesson learned?
  • What were the greatest skills you developed?
  • What was most inspiring?
  • How does your year of service relate to what you're doing now?


• 5:15 p.m. — Q&A by the group
• 5:30 p.m. — Ice cream social for the panelists to connect with people one-on-one

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Context

Generations Incorporated engages active older adults in results-driven intergenerational programs that inspire students and improve schools in the Greater Boston area. The programs generate strong relationships between older adults and students that get results and make a difference in both of their lives. The program is an affiliate of Experience Corps.

Generations Incorporated hosts both an AmeriCorps State and anAmeriCorps *VISTA program, engaging over 40 full and part time volunteers in service in Greater Boston.  Our members, whether placed with Generations Incorporated or other organizations, all serve low-income populations in at least one of the following categories: services for older adults (organizations that engage older adults in volunteer roles or support older adults through a variety of services);children's literacy (organizations that help children to succeed as they are learning to read); and civic engagement.

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Posted On

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For More Information

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Resources

History of National Service in America (video)
Interviews of past participants in service programs with the message that even a small amount of people can make an impact on other people's lives. Chronicles the history of national service in America, beginning with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Depression of the 1930's to the AmeriCorps programs of today. 42 minutes.

History of National Service in America
Provides a general overview of government sponsored national service efforts in the U.S. Specific programs, including the CCC, the Peace Corps, VISTA, and National Senior Service, illustrate the history of national service. Includes photographs.

Source Documents

Related Practices

• Developing an AmeriCorps pre-service training program
• Instituting a day of service with new student orientation
• Implementing and moderating a professional panel or forum

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