Advice for new CTC VISTAs

The CTC VISTA Project's Pre- Service Orientations is the only time during the year when all of our new VISTAs will be in one place together. Passing on any knowledge the current CTC VISTAs have is important.

Please leave your additions in the comments or if you would like to remain anonymous, email them to me.

Don't immediately take on new responsibilities - Your workplan and job description are designed to be a 40 hour a week committment. Your year of service will often start of slow though and many VISTAs will take on additonal commitments ("Sure I can help answer the phones"). These commitments may later hinder your ability to complete your primary duties--and may not be capacity building. Take the time to learn about your organization and plan, you'll be swamped soon enough.

Take advantage of your "outsider" status - Most VISTAs are a fresh face at their organization and bring considerable outside experience. If you see something that can be improved, try to help.

Frame what you're doing - VISTAs are not "interns" or "work study students", and most people think of "volunteers" as part-timers with minimal responsibilities (VISTA even calls you "members" not volunteers). Let other staff know that you are consulting and are there with a specific contract that you must complete in the time allocated (your workplan). Don't sell yourself short.

Take advantage of your VISTA Leader - The VISTA Leaders are your #1, go to person for everything related to your VISTA service: successes, problems, questions. You probably won't see them face-to-face, but call them or send them an email. That's their job (err... service).

Comment from Laura Hanley on June 6, 2007 - 6:42pm

Find a doctor!! Seriously folks, I can't stress it enough. If you relocated for your project like I did, or even if not and you don't have a GP or a family doctor, find one you can go to should the need arise. http://americorps.sevencorners.com has a search tool (Provider Network link on the left navigation menu) that makes the process relatively simple, provided there are providers in your area. Always, ALWAYS call to double check any information listed...as I have found out - the hard way - is not always correct. Had I found a doctor when I got to San Diego, I wouldn't have spent 4 hours in a hospital for an ear infection, gone on a wild goose chase in search of an urgent care center that would accept our benefits (resulting in my going to said hospital), wasted precious gas, and saved myself tremendous amounts of frustration. (You can read about it here or here if you're interested in details.) But really, remember to eat, sleep, and take care of yourself so you don't have to see a doctor at all!