This week’s tip is meant to be an overview of prohibited activities. It is important that you, your site supervisors, and members understand our policies around prohibited activities. If you have questions or are unsure about something, I encourage you to get in touch with your Program Officer.
You cannot supplement VISTAs’ living allowances via check, direct deposit, or cash. Members can’t receive additional compensation for their services (i.e a school pays additional money to a VISTA for coordinating a tutoring program that is part of the VISTA’s duties).
You cannot use VISTAs to supplant staff.
Members generally cannot provide direct service. Their service duties are outlined in their VADs (VISTA Assignment Descriptions).
Members are not allowed to work from home unless they have an approved teleservice agreement in place. Members are not allowed to work full-time jobs. They are allowed to work part-time jobs, but must submit an Outside Employment Request first. Members are allowed to take classes and courses, but must receive approval from the sponsor.
Members cannot endorse or promote, or appear to endorse or promote, religion or a specific religious belief. Members may not give religious instruction, conduct worship services, or engage in any other religious activity as part of their AmeriCorps VISTA duties. No religious instruction, worship, proselytizing, or other religious activity may be conducted as part of a project to which members are assigned or referred.
AmeriCorps VISTA members, as well as AmeriCorps VISTA programs and projects, are subject to certain restrictions related to their engagement in political activities. Such political activities are classified as either: (1) engaging in electoral activities; (2) engaging in lobbying; or (3) participating in demonstrations. Know that there are some political activities members are allowed to do while off-duty and other political activities that are never allowed regardless of whether they are on or off-duty.
CNCS funds must not be used, directly or indirectly, to finance labor or anti-labor organizations or related activities. Consequently, a VISTA member must not be assigned to activities or duties that assist, directly or indirectly, any labor or anti-labor organizing activity or related activity.
To avoid actual or apparent favoritism in the operation of a VISTA project, the VISTA program prohibits certain VISTA member placement and assignment arrangements. For specific placements and arrangements that are prohibited, see the link below on Member Terms and Conditions detailed in the Sponsor Handbook.
Relationships between AmeriCorps VISTA members and staff members (including volunteers and contracted personnel) of CNCS, sponsors, and sites that are exploitive or otherwise inappropriate, or that have the appearance of partiality, preferential treatment, or the improper use of position for personal gain, are prejudicial to the morale of VISTA members and will not be tolerated.
Members and supervisors receive training on these prohibited activities during their respective orientation sessions.
Here are additional links that provide more info:
Prohibited Activity Powerpoint - https://www.vistacampus.gov/resources/prohibited-activities
Permitted and Prohibited Activities exercise - https://www.vistacampus.gov/permitted-and-prohibited-activities
Hatch Act Summary detailing prohibitions on political activities: https://www.vistacampus.gov/resources/hatch-act-summaryVISTA
Member Terms and Conditions from the Sponsor Handbook: https://www.vistacampus.gov/member-terms-and-conditions
VISTA Member Policies from the Sponsor Handbook: https://www.vistacampus.gov/member-policies
VISTA Member Handbook Basic Laws and Federal Regulations: https://www.vistacampus.gov/chapter-15-basic-laws-federal-regulations
VISTA Member Handbook Terms and Conditions of Service: https://www.vistacampus.gov/chapter-14-terms-conditions-service