Year 24 Members at Orientation

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about being a RARE AmeriCorps Host Organization are listed below.


Who administers RARE, and how is it funded?

RARE AmeriCorps is an AmeriCorps program administered through the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. The RARE AmeriCorps Program has been supported over the years by grants from AmeriCorps, The Ford Family Foundation, the University of Oregon, the Oregon Food Bank, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and other agencies. In addition, each participating host organization provides $26,000 of the approximately $50,000 needed to place, train, and support a full-time RARE AmeriCorps member.

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Which organizations are eligible to host RARE members?

“RARE AmeriCorps Host Organization” refers to the organization that sponsors a RARE AmeriCorps member. Eligible organizations include public agencies (including city, county, and regional governments); special districts (such as soil and water conservation districts, park and transportation districts); and not-for-profit organizations. Types of organizations include watershed councils, housing authorities, and economic development districts.

RARE AmeriCorps Host Organizations are organizations that have identified specific needs in underserved rural areas that can be addressed through the service of a RARE AmeriCorps member. No specific definition for rural fits all RARE AmeriCorps projects; what is most critical is that the project would not be done without the assistance of a RARE AmeriCorps member and that it serve an organization with limited capacity.

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What benefits does a host organization receive by participating in RARE?

RARE AmeriCorps Host Organizations receive:

  • 11 months/1700 hours of service from a graduate-level RARE member
  • Quarterly trainings for member and supervisor in Community Development, Grant Writing, Communication, Land Use, Economic Development, Facilitation, Leadership, Etc.
  • Tools, resources, and expertise available to all members via the University of Oregon
  • Member and Host Organization support from RARE staff
  • Project support and topically focused expertise from the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement
  • Member and Host Organization support from our statewide partners: Energy Trust of Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Main Street Program, and Travel Oregon

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What are the commitments of a host organization?

RARE AmeriCorps Host Organizations provide:

  • An on-site supervisor and mentor for the RARE AmeriCorps member;
  • A clear work program with specific project(s), tasks, and products for which the RARE AmeriCorps member will be responsible, without replacing regular staff work;
  • Adequate office space, including a desk, phone, computer and e-mail access; and
  • Reimbursement of job-related expenses, such as office supplies, postage costs, and travel (not including travel to RARE AmeriCorps-sponsored activities or trainings).

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What are the commitments of the RARE AmeriCorps member?

As an AmeriCorps program, RARE AmeriCorps members commit to 11 months (1,700 hours) of community service. Members are also required to attend periodic RARE AmeriCorps-sponsored trainings. Training hours usually comprise between 10% and 15% of the total service period.

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How much will it cost my organization to host a RARE AmeriCorps member?

Each participating community or agency provides a $26,000 cash match towards the approximately $50,000 needed to place, train, and support a full-time RARE AmeriCorps member. Communities are billed quarterly by the University of Oregon. The RARE AmeriCorps Program administers the member’s living allowance, medical insurance, and educational award. The matching $26,000 must be confirmed before a placement is approved.

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Are there ways to offset the cost of a RARE AmeriCorps member?

Yes. The Ford Family Foundation provides financial support to offset the cost of partnering with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Visit our Funding Opportunities page for more information.

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How does the application and placement process work?

RARE Host Organization Interview: RARE AmeriCorps staff will review completed applications of prospective host organizations. They will then select potential host communities and conduct interviews (by telephone or Zoom) with those selected. Chosen communities will be invited to participate in virtual Placement Interviews directly with prospective members, to determine if a successful match can be made.

RARE Member Interview: RARE AmeriCorps staff will review completed applications of prospective members. They will then select potential members and conduct interviews (by telephone or Zoom) with those selected. If moved onto the next stage, references will then be checked.

Placement Interviews: A preliminary pool of potential members will be selected and will be given information on roughly 3-5 host organizations that have successfully applied for a RARE AmeriCorps member. Selected host organizations will receive the application materials for roughly 3-7 prospective RARE members who have been carefully vetted by RARE staff. Host organizations will schedule and conduct virtual interviews with these prospective candidates.

Matchmaking: Following the completion of all interviews, both host organizations and prospective members rank their top choices and share with RARE AmeriCorps staff. Every effort is made to match both the host organization’s and the member’s first or second preference, if possible. All placements are mutual decisions made by host organization supervisor, member, and RARE AmeriCorps staff. We cannot ensure that every candidate who interviews with host organizations will find an appropriate placement, or that every community organization will receive a member match.

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What if I won’t know about my funding until after the application is due?

We understand that some host organizations may not be able to commit funding until after the pre-application is due because of budgetary timelines. If this is the case, submit your host organization application by the deadline and indicate the earliest date at which you will be able to commit to the $26,000 matching funds. Matching funds must be identified before you submit the position description.

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How will RARE AmeriCorps Host Organization applications be evaluated?

Applications that demonstrate a clear need for a RARE AmeriCorps member, a high probability of developing and implementing successful community projects, a host organization which is supportive of the placement, a qualified and committed supervisor appointed who will work with the member as a mentor, a valuable learning experience, and a clear manageable work program are most likely to be invited to participate as RARE AmeriCorps Host Organizations and will generate the greatest interest with prospective members.

We consider each of the following as part of the application evaluation process:

  • Project Quality
  • Supervisor Readiness
  • Community Support & Capacity
  • Commitment to Social Justice
  • Rural
  • Ability to match

For greater detail on these categories, please refer to our Host Organization Opportunity Description.

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What is the host organization supervisor’s role and responsibility?

The host organization supervisor can be a staff person, senior administrator, or volunteer board member. In an administrative role, the supervisor is responsible for approving timesheets, conducting performance reviews, and maintaining contact with RARE AmeriCorps staff on project progress. More importantly, the supervisor provides assistance, guidance, and feedback to the member during their term of service. The most successful placements are those in which the supervisor serves as a mentor to the RARE AmeriCorps member.

The time commitment of a supervisor could be upwards of five hours a week in the beginning of the RARE AmeriCorps member’s term of service. As the learning curve reduces for the members, so will the time commitment of the supervisor. We expect heavy supervisor involvement in the first three months as the member gets up to speed in the community and organization.

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What kind of background and training do RARE AmeriCorps members have?

RARE AmeriCorps members have a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide-range of experiences. Some RARE AmeriCorps members are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers; some are graduate students or recent graduates of planning, environmental science, or related fields; some are coming to the RARE AmeriCorps Program with a few (or several) years of work experience; and some are participating in the RARE AmeriCorps Program to clarify their future career or educational goals. Members come from Oregon and all over the country, and may or may not have familiarity with rural communities. Prior to placement, members attend an orientation and training that provides them with basic skills needed for a successful placement. In addition, members attend trainings and meetings throughout the year to increase their skills and to share their experiences.

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What technical support does the RARE AmeriCorps Program provide?

RARE AmeriCorps staff provides technical assistance and on-going support to members and host organizations, including at least one in-person site visit. In addition, members have access to other faculty who work with the RARE AmeriCorps Program at the University of Oregon and provide technical advice and project support to members as needed.

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Who determines the member’s work plan?

All host organizations submit a preliminary position description as part of the full application process. Upon placement, the member and their supervisor work together to develop a more detailed work plan based in part on the skills and interests of the member. RARE AmeriCorps staff also review and help refine member work plans.

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What about housing?

Members in the RARE AmeriCorps Program are responsible for finding their own housing. That said, we all know finding housing in rural Oregon is a challenge. As much as possible, the host organization should assist by providing local housing leads and contacts. Availability and affordability of housing is often a key factor in members’ preference for a RARE AmeriCorps placement.

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What if I have more questions?

For additional questions, contact our Program Director:

Titus Tomlinson
541-513-9989
titust@uoregon.edu