Washington State University AmeriCorps CLEC Program Description:
Civic Leadership & Engagement Corps (CLEC) is an AmeriCorps program through Washington Campus Compact (WACC) that believes all students should be empowered with the skills and resources to thrive in school and beyond in order to become the compassionate leaders and engaged citizens of tomorrow. The program aims to recruit and mobilize AmeriCorps members and student volunteers to deliver direct service support in a variety of focus areas in Washington and Idaho.
CLEC fosters student leadership, campus-community partnerships, civic and community engagement, and knowledge networks focused on improving the retention and success of underrepresented students, increasing awareness and support for equity and inclusion, and building sustainable campus/community partnerships and resilient communities.
Project Summary:
Civic Leadership & Engagement Corps (CLEC) is an AmeriCorps program through Washington Campus Compact (WACC) that believes all students should be empowered with the skills and resources to thrive in school and beyond in order to become the compassionate leaders and engaged citizens of tomorrow. The program aims to recruit and mobilize AmeriCorps members and student volunteers to deliver direct service support in a variety of focus areas in Washington and Idaho. CLEC fosters student leadership, campus-community partnerships, civic and community engagement, and knowledge networks focused on improving the retention and success of underrepresented students, increasing awareness and support for equity and inclusion, and building sustainable campus/community partnerships and resilient communities.
Food insecurity is a prevalent issue facing many Washington State University students. Nearly 30% of students at four-year institutions have experienced food insecurity and 14% were affected by homelessness . In the spring of 2021, WSU students passed referendum 50-1 which added a $5 per semester fee for undergraduate students with the sole purpose of providing sustained funding for a campus food pantry to address student hunger. This fee that was passed by 75% of the student body has catapulted WSU's ability to address challenges associate with food insecurity in a systematic and sustained way. This amazing opportunity has allowed WSU to bring on an AmeriCorps member to hyper-focus on pantry operations, building out pantry policies and procedures, establishing food procurement systems, supporting and managing pantry staff and volunteers.
Position Description:
This member will work with campus and community partners to support pantry programming such as cooking demos, resource referrals, and workshops; energize meal plan card-swipe program outreach and management; coordinate campus Pantry food drives; and support campus gardening and composting efforts.
AmeriCorps/Washington Campus Compact:
- Abide by all AmeriCorps program guidelines, policies, and prohibited activities. For more information, refer to the Member Service Agreement.
- Generate awareness and leadership around social justice and equity through the sharing of ideas, information, and experiences.
- Be familiar with project logic model (if applicable) and collect and document program data using required tracking tools and progress reports.
- Participate in all WACC CLEC online & in-person trainings.
- Collaborate with other CLEC team members and national service members in your community on common projects.
- Correspond regularly with site supervisor and WACC staff.
- Record and track service hours.
- Participate in professional development opportunities.
Member Duties & Responsibilities:
- Work as part of a team to coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Coug Food Pantry.
- Support students as they navigate the Pantry.
- Provide appropriate assistance and guidance to students experiencing food insecurity, helping be a first-line response as students access resources on the WSU-Pullman campus.
- Assist the Food Pantry Coordinator in building community and campus relationships to bolster Pantry mission.
- Work with Cougs Feeding Cougs Advisory Committee to determine goals and strategies for the Pantry.
Required or Desired Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience or interest in food insecurity, human services, or community engagement.
- Ability to work well with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Strong organization, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
- Strong data management and social media skills.
- Strong initiative, self-starter, and enthusiasm for helping others succeed.
- Committed to promoting educational equity and inclusion.
- Ability to pass a national service criminal history check.
- 18 or older.
- AA/BA or some college.
- United States citizen, naturalized citizen, or lawful permanent resident.
- Committed to serving 100% of service hours.
Service Schedule:
- 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with flexible options and occasional evenings or weekend hours.
Notes:
- May require occasional evening or weekend service outside of scheduled hours.
- Hours taken for sick, vacation, and holiday leave cannot be counted toward the time needed to successfully complete the term of service.
- A maximum of 20% of service hours may be used for professional development.
AmeriCorps/Host Site Benefits:
- Education Award of $6,495.00 upon successful completion of term of service.
- Living Allowance of $22,000 ($2,200/month) ($24,000 or $2,400/month for returning members).
- Childcare, if eligible.
- Healthcare, if applicable.
- Forbearance for Federal Student Loans.
- Training and practical hands-on experience.
- Professional development and networking opportunities.
- A chance to make a difference in your community!
- Access to campus libraries.
- Free bus service in Pullman.
Steps to Apply: Email a cover letter, resume and three references to Heidi Hughes at heidi.hughes@wsu.edu
Washington Campus Compact is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action enroller of AmeriCorps service volunteers. Members of ethnic minorities, disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, recently separated veterans, persons of disability, and/or persons aged 40 and over are encouraged to apply. WACC only enrolls U.S. citizens, U.S. naturalized citizens, or lawful permanent residents of the United States. All new members must show service eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and must satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria by 45 CFR 2540.202.