AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 1

MEMBER HANDBOOK

JANUARY 2023

NATIONAL CIVILIAN COMMUNITY CORPS
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 2

JANUARY 2023

AmeriCorps NCCC

National Civilian Community Corps 

250 E St SW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20525 

AmeriCorps.gov

Upon request, this material will be made available in 

alternative formats for people with disabilities
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 3

Overview of AmeriCorps and NCCC ......................................................................................... 4 

AmeriCorps NCCC Policies

Rights & Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 7 

Reasonable Accommodations ................................................................................................... 8 

Core Expectations...................................................................................................................... 11

Code of Conduct & Professional Behavior ............................................................................. 12 

Disciplinary Standards................................................................................................................ 14

Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault ............................................................................................ 19

Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco ........................................................................................................ 21

Uniform & Grooming Standards................................................................................................ 24

Social Media Policy .................................................................................................................... 25

Telecommunication Policy ........................................................................................................ 26

Benefits

Living Allowance......................................................................................................................... 27

Health Benefits & FECA .............................................................................................................. 27

Education Award ....................................................................................................................... 28

Frequently Asked Questions...................................................................................................... 29

Child Care Benefits..................................................................................................................... 32

Member Assistance Program .................................................................................................... 32

Emergency Leave & Personal Absences................................................................................. 32

Travel to & from Campus........................................................................................................... 33

Campus Life

Residential Living ........................................................................................................................ 37

Inspections................................................................................................................................... 39

Privately Owned Vehicles .......................................................................................................... 40

Use of Government Vehicles ..................................................................................................... 40

Use of Sponsor Vehicles............................................................................................................. 42

Welfare of Members

Safety ........................................................................................................................................... 44

Hazardous Materials................................................................................................................... 46

Physical Training.......................................................................................................................... 46

Inclement Weather .................................................................................................................... 47

Spike Sites .................................................................................................................................... 48

Administration

Service Hours Policy.................................................................................................................... 50

Independent Service Project Hours .......................................................................................... 51

Service-Learning & Member Development ............................................................................ 52

Member Grievance Procedures............................................................................................... 53

Physical & Mental Health........................................................................................................... 55

This Year and Beyond................................................................................................................. 56

Glossary of Terms .........................................................................................................................59 

Director's Memo.......................................................................................................................................60 

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Overview of AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of 

all ages and backgrounds to serve our communities 

and country through two programs: AmeriCorps and 

AmeriCorps Seniors. Working with national and 

community nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, 

and local agencies, AmeriCorps engages more than 

5 million Americans each year in meeting critical 

needs in education, the environment, public safety, 

disaster services, and other areas. 

AmeriCorps is working to foster a culture of citizenship, 

service, and responsibility in America and to help all 

Americans answer the President’s call to service.

There are four branches of AmeriCorps:

• AmeriCorps State and National, a federal grant

program through which membersserve with national

nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity,

the American Red Cross, and Teach for America,

as well as with hundreds of smaller community

organizations, both secular and faith based;

• AmeriCorps NCCC, a team-based residential

program for adults age 18-24, who serve out of

one of four regional regions located in Vicksburg,

MS; Aurora, CO; Sacramento, CA; and Vinton, IA.,

and serve full-time for approximately 10 months,

living and serving together as a team; and

• AmeriCorps VISTA, a program focused on

fighting poverty.

• AmeriCorps Seniors, taps the skills, talents, and

experience of more than half a million Americans

age 55 and older to meet a wide range of

community needs. The Volunteer Generation

Fund and Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

are all designed to increase the capacity and

scale of impact for grantee organizations.

In exchange for a successful year of service, 

AmeriCorps members earn a modest living 

allowance and an education award, equal in value 

to the Federal Pell Grant, which can be used to pay 

for college or to pay back qualified student loans.

Overview of AmeriCorps NCCC

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community 

Corps) NCCC values diversity and emphasizes a spirit 

of inclusion. As we strive to serve different 

communities across the US, we cannot deliver on our 

mission without diversity amongst our Corps 

members, Team Leaders and staff.

In NCCC, as with the communities served, you will 

work alongside people with different social, 

economic, ethnic, political and religious 

backgrounds, as well as having different sexual 

orientations, gender expressions, educational 

experiences, and physical and mental abilities. There 

will be differing viewpoints, feelings, perspectives, 

and values. Corps members, Team Leaders and staff 

are expected to be respectful of others at all times, 

even when they disagree with one another. Corps 

members, Team Leaders and staff are expected to 

ensure that everyone entering the program feels 

welcome and is included in the NCCC community.

Program Description

AmeriCorps NCCC members work in teams of 

approximately 10 members on projects related to: 

natural and other disasters, infrastructure 

improvement, environmental stewardship and 

conservation, energy conservation, and urban and 

rural development. These AmeriCorps NCCC teams 

complete projects that typically last from six to 12 

weeks, infusing essential human resources and 

serving people in every state. Because members are 

trained and can be assigned new duties on short 

notice, they are particularly well-suited to meet the 

nation’s disaster needs.

Approximately 85 percent of projects require teams 

to live and serve in communities away from the

AmeriCorps NCCC campus. AmeriCorps NCCC’s 

flexible program structure allows both the 

opportunity to partner with non-profit or government 

organizations, and the ability to create strategic 

collaborations with other national service programs 

and federal agencies to magnify the impact on 

communities served.

Typical NCCC Service Activities:

• Leading youth development activities;

• Constructingand rehabilitating low-income housing;

• Trail building and environmental restoration;

• Assisting in disaster preparedness, relief, and

recovery effort; and

• Addressing other pressing local needs.

Project sponsors include national, community, and faith 

based nonprofit organizations; municipal and state 

governments; federal agencies; parks; and schools. 

National partners include the American Red Cross, 

Habitat for Humanity, and the U.S. Forest Service.

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 4 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FEMA Corps

In 2012, AmeriCorps NCCC collaborated with the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 

created a new AmeriCorps NCCC service track called 

the NCCC-FEMA Corps. FEMA Corps members are 

solely devoted to disaster preparedness, mitigation, 

response, and recovery, and promote an ethic of 

national service, strengthens the federal government’s 

disaster capabilities, and expands educational

and economic opportunities for young people. The 

partnership adds up to an additional 1,000 members 

annually within AmeriCorps NCCC. FEMA Corps 

members must be U.S. Citizens between the ages of 

18-24, with no upper age limit for Team Leaders.

Program Description:

FEMA Corps members engage in a variety of disaster 

work including supporting disaster services facilities, 

responding to helpline calls, and disseminating 

disaster preparedness and mitigation information to 

the public. FEMA Corps training and experience 

prepares members for careers in emergency 

management and related fields. Members learn

about community organizing, public speaking, 

customer service, and office management skills while 

positively impacting the lives of disaster victims.

Typical FEMA Corps Service Activities:

• helping survivors complete applications for 

disaster assistance;

• educating communities, assessing needs,

and collecting information;

• developing promotional public disaster 

preparedness materials;

• ordering materials, tracking inventory, loading 

supplies, and managing IT equipment;

• updating electronic files, managing data, 

and compiling reports;

• coordinating disaster survivor services by partnering 

with nonprofits and government agencies;

• assessing and reporting damage to public facilities; 

• setting up shelter operations and re-unification 

of families and pets

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 5 
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 6

Team Leaders

Team Leaders, under the leadership, direction, and 

guidance of the Unit Leader, are responsible for the 

general safety, well-being, performance, and 

personal development of the Corps members on 

the campus of origin. Team Leaders will:

• meet the Core Expectations for Corps members 

and Team Leaders;

• supervise, motivate and direct teams;

• act as liaison between the Corps member and

Unit Leader (or Unit Department);

• support adherence to, and ensure team 

compliance with, all AmeriCorps NCCC policies 

and procedures; 

• supervise team housing, meals and other activities;

• support residential life experience for teams 

through conflict mediation, and crisis intervention;

• maintain team order, develop team morale, 

foster team work, ensure safety, and monitor and 

report on the standards of performance and 

behavior of the team;

• assist and support team personal, professional 

and leadership development through regular 

assessments;

• conduct regular team meetings to provide 

feedback on service projects;

• manage all administrative, financial, reporting 

and personal matters for the team, to include 

issues related to illness and family emergencies;

• represent AmeriCorps NCCC to the media as 

appropriate;

• supervise members during project rounds and 

transitions; and

• coordinate deployment logistics with AmeriCorps 

NCCC Unit Leaders
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 7

To enter AmeriCorps NCCC is to become a member 

of a community. Choosing to become a member of 

this community implies a commitment to maintaining 

an environment in which both community and 

individual goals can be attained. Acceptance as a 

member of this community is a privilege; sharing in 

the maintenance of this community is a responsibility. 

As such, all members are expected to abide by the 

AmeriCorps NCCC Code of Conduct.

NCCC values diversity and emphasizes a spirit of 

inclusion. As we strive to serve different communities 

across the US, we cannot deliver on our mission 

without diversity amongst our Corps members, Team 

Leaders and staff. In NCCC, as with the communities 

served, you will work alongside people with different 

social, economic, ethnic, political and religious 

backgrounds, as well as having different sexual 

orientations, gender expressions, educational 

experiences, and physical and mental abilities. 

There will be differing viewpoints, feelings, perspectives, 

and values. Corps members, Team Leaders and staff 

are expected to be respectful of others at all times, 

even when they disagree with one another. Corps 

members, Team Leaders and staff are expected to 

ensure that everyone entering the program feels 

welcome and is included in the NCCC community.

About This Handbook

The policies in this handbook apply to all participants 

in the AmeriCorps NCCC program. As used in this 

handbook, the term “member” means “members and 

Team Leaders,” unless the context otherwise requires.

Rights and Responsibilities

A. Basic Rights

All members have the right to:

• serve, work, and learn in an atmosphere free

from disrespect, harassment, and discrimination

of any individual or group of individuals.

AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination

based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age,

religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender

identity or expression, marital or parental status,

military service, or political affiliation;

• be recognized and treated as responsible and

capable adults who are willing and able to

accept responsibility, both individually and as

team members;

• provide input to region staff concerning program

issues;

• have grievances and complaints heard and

answered in a consistent and timely manner;

• have reason(s) for transfers, terminations, and other

significant actions clearly stated in writing; and

• appeal inter-regional transfers and dismissal

decisions to the National Director of AmeriCorps

NCCC.

B. Voting, Electoral & Lobbying Activities

1. Local or Absentee Voting

NCCC region staff will facilitate AmeriCorps NCCC

members’ ability to vote, either locally or by

absentee ballot.

2. Voting Procedures

NCCC region staff will provide assistance on voting

procedures, including assisting eligible voters to request

absentee ballots, arranging for absentee ballots to

be marked in private, and arranging transportation

within a reasonable distance (in the local area) from

the campus to polls when necessary. AmeriCorps

Employees are subject to the Hatch Act, and are not

permitted to engage in partisan political activity.

3. Political Activities

Individuals may engage in political activities while off

duty. They may actively campaign for or against

candidates in partisan elections, participate in

political rallies and meetings, and hold office in

political clubs or parties. Members are prohibited

from engaging in political activities while wearing the

AmeriCorps NCCC uniform (or any part that identifies

the member as an AmeriCorps NCCC member).

Members may not use government vehicles for the

purpose of engaging in or travelling to or from any

partisan political activity, event, or political rally.

4. Prohibited Activities

Individuals may not use any authority to coerce,

attempt to direct, or advise another member to pay,

lend, or contribute anything of value to anyone for

political purposes. No member may display posters,

stickers, buttons, etc., that have a partisan theme

while serving, regardless of location, or while wearing

the AmeriCorps NCCC uniform. Individuals may not

represent themselves as speaking or writing on

behalf of AmeriCorps NCCC & AmeriCorps.

AMERICORPS NCCC POLICIES
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 8

Individuals may not participate in partisan political 

activity as part of service or duties, or when such 

activities would be perceived as part of the

member’s duties. AmeriCorps NCCC is a service 

program designed to address national and 

community needs. Our enabling legislation states 

that NCCC is a program of individuals from diverse 

backgrounds, and our NCCC oath states that 

members will find common ground. NCCC is a 

federal program, and, as such, is not affiliated with a 

political party or partisan politics. To be as effective 

as possible in pursuing our mission across a nation 

with a wide range of political opinions, NCCC 

members must ensure that they do not engage in 

partisan political politics in ways that might be 

attributed to the NCCC program.

AmeriCorps NCCC members are encouraged to 

hold and develop strong personal opinions in their 

personal capacity. However, while operating in an 

official capacity, NCCC members must refrain from 

advocating for and/or endorsing political

candidates and parties, positions, issues, and themes 

that may result in the NCCC program being viewed 

as one that holds or espouses a particular partisan or 

political position or perspective. To do so ensures that 

the NCCC program is sustainable across 

administrations and can reach all communities in 

need, regardless of political creed.

C. Rights Related to Religion

1. Opportunity to Worship

AmeriCorps NCCC members will be provided the 

opportunity to worship (or not to worship) as they 

choose. Every reasonable effort will be made to 

provide access to religious services for members serving 

in remote locations, including AmeriCorps NCCC 

campuses where public transportation is not readily 

available. Any requests for religious accommodation 

should be submitted to the Region Director

2. Religious Activities

Individuals will not give religious instruction, conduct 

worship services, or engage in any other religious 

activity as part of the member’s service or duties, or 

when such activities would be perceived as part of 

the member’s service or duties. This does not preclude 

members from engaging in religious activities (e.g., 

Bible studies) in the dormitories or other AmeriCorps 

NCCC buildings during non-service hours. 

No religious instruction, worship, proselytization, or 

other religious activity will be conducted as part of a 

project to which individuals are assigned. If members 

choose to participate in a sponsor-led religious 

activity (e.g. starting the day with a prayer), 

members may wear the AmeriCorps NCCC uniform.

D. Reasonable Accommodations

NCCC is required by law to provide reasonable 

accommodation to qualified members with 

disabilities or a sincerely held religious belief. A 

reasonable accommodation (RA) is any change in 

the NCCC service environment (or in the way things 

are usually done) to help a member in performing 

the duties or expectations of national service with 

AmeriCorps NCCC. Accommodation requests are 

considered on a case-by-case basis, appropriate 

requests are granted unless doing do would result in 

undue hardship to the agency.

Reasonable accommodations may include, but are 

not limited to:

• Making existing facilities readily accessible to 

individuals with disabilities.

• Acquisition or modification of equipment or 

devices, including computer software and 

hardware, appropriate adjustments or 

modifications of examinations, training materials 

or policies, the provision of qualified readers and/ 

or interpreters and other similar accommodations.

Ways to request reasonable accommodations:

• Complete the RA form on the Member Wellness

Resources Page. QR Code below.

• Verbally or in writing to any NCCC employee. 

A NCCC member may request a reasonable 

accommodation at any time during their 

service term.

• If known, include what type of reasonable 

accommodation is being requested.

• Provide as much information as possible to 

support the accommodation request.

• Additional information may be requested to certify 

accommodation needs of the requesting member.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 9

E. Rights to Privacy

1. Member Records

The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C.§552a), and AmeriCorps’ 

implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 2508, gives 

citizens the right of privacy regarding records 

maintained on them personally by AmeriCorps 

NCCC and/or AmeriCorps. It also gives them 

appropriate access to the member’s own records, 

including adequate opportunity to correct errors in

the member’s record. This right applies to systems of 

records that contain personal data, where an 

individual can be located by name or an assigned 

personal identifier. Each Region Director is ultimately 

responsible for the maintenance and safeguarding 

of AmeriCorps NCCC members' records but may 

delegate operational tasks to others.

2. Disclosure of Personal Information

The Privacy Act generally prohibits disclosure of 

personal information from these systems of records 

to an individual (other than the subject of the 

record) or to another agency without the express 

written consent of the subject of the record, or the 

person’s agent or attorney. However, there are 

exceptions to this prohibition. These exceptions 

include, but are not limited to

• disclosure to officers or employees of AmeriCorps 

who have a need for such information in the

official performance of the member’s duties; and

• disclosure to any agency of the federal or a state 

government for civil or criminal law enforcement 

purposes,inaccordance withestablishedprocedures 

(e.g., the Federal Bureau of Investigation). 

A complete list of routine uses is published with

AmeriCorps’s System of Records Notices.

3. Disclosure of Medical Information

Medical information may not be disclosed to 

anyone, including other AmeriCorps NCCC 

members, except under the following circumstances:

• Supervisors and managers within the AmeriCorps 

NCCC may be informed if the condition presents 

a threat to the safety or welfare of the individual 

or other members of AmeriCorps NCCC; 

• Supervisors and managers may be informed 

regarding necessary restrictions on the work 

or duties of the individual and any necessary 

accommodations;

• First aid and any relevant safety personnel may 

be informed, when appropriate, if the medical 

condition (or illness/injury) could affect 

emergency treatment;

• Government officials investigating compliance 

with the Rehabilitation Act shall be provided 

relevant information upon request; or

• In addition, some other laws and requirements 

authorize disclosure. For example, state and 

federal public health requirements include 

reporting recently diagnosed cases of certain 

contagious diseases, and the AmeriCorps 

NCCC health benefits plan may require 

medical information in order to resolve issues 

concerning pre-existing conditions.

The Region Director is ultimately responsible for the 

safeguarding of these records.

F. Searches & Seizures

1. Searches by AmeriCorps NCCC Staff

Region staff will comply with Fourth Amendment 

requirements when there is a need to search a

member’s room for evidence of a crime or for illegal 

items. Searches will be conducted pursuant to a 

search warrant issued by a judge, magistrate, or 

consistent with an established exception to the 

warrant requirement, such as a consent search, a 

search under urgent circumstances, a search 

incident to an arrest, or seizing evidence in plain 

view. Searches are to be distinguished from 

administrative inspections where AmeriCorps NCCC 

staff may enter rooms to inspect for health and safety 

purposes, including prohibited items, etc. Refusal to 

allow staff entry to conduct administrative inspections 

may be grounds for further disciplinary action.

2. Searches by Law Enforcement Officials

AmeriCorps NCCC staff and members do not

have the authority to consent, on any member’s 

behalf, to the search of that member’s room, 

vehicle, or other possessions by law enforcement 

officials. If law enforcement officials request 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff for permission to search a 

room, the staff member will advise them that they 

must comply with the requirements of the law of 

search and seizure. However, AmeriCorps NCCC 

staff will not attempt to physically prevent law 

enforcement personnel from searching a specific 

area. Whenever possible, the Region Director will 

be immediately notified of the request by law 

enforcement officials.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 10

3. Roommates

Roommates who allow or tolerate the evidence of a 

crime (including illegal drugs) in the member’s room, 

by roommates or others, subject themselves to the 

possibility that all of the member’s private possessions 

in that room may be searched, and they may be 

prosecuted for any stolen goods or illegal substances 

found in the member’s possession. Roommates may 

authorize law enforcement officers, official 

inspectors, or anyone else to enter rooms shared in 

common, and a successful prosecution may result 

from the observation and subsequent seizure of 

evidence of a crime that is in plain view. However,

a roommate may not consent to the search of, or 

waive a fellow member’s right to the privacy of, a 

desk, bureau, trunk, or other presumptively private 

container not shared in common.

G. Non-Discrimination

AmeriCorps is committed to the notion that all 

persons serving in the AmeriCorps NCCC program 

be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of 

non-merit factors such as race, color, national 

origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, 

disability, political affiliation, marital or parental 

status, or military service. 

To that end, AmeriCorps is committed to 

environments and service sites being free of all 

forms of harassment and discrimination. Slurs and 

other verbal or physical conduct relating to an 

individual's sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or any 

other protected basis constitute harassment under 

law when it has the purpose or effect of interfering 

with service performance or the conduct is severe 

or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, 

hostile, or abusive service environment.

H. Harassment

Slurs and other verbal or physical conduct relating 

to an individual's sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or 

any other non-merit basis constitute harassment 

when it has the purpose or effect of interfering with 

service performance or creating an intimidating,

hostile, or offensive service environment.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Explicit or implicit demands for sexual favors - 

Pressure for dates; deliberate touching, leaning 

over, or cornering; offensive teasing, jokes, 

remarks, or questions; 

• Letters, phone calls, social media content, or 

distribution or display of offensive materials;

• Offensive looks or gestures; gender, racial, 

ethnic, or religious baiting; physical assaults 

or other threatening behavior;

• Demeaning, debasing, and abusive comments 

or actions that intimidate; the comments or 

actions must be unwelcome

Harassment may be by persons of the same or 

different races, sexes, religions, or ethnic origins. It 

may be carried out by another service member, a 

sponsoring organization staff member, a project or 

site employee or supervisor, or another program 

beneficiary such as a client. Conduct directed at 

one member may create an offensive 

environment for other members.

It is also unlawful for a sponsoring organization to 

retaliate against an AmeriCorps member serving 

with NCCC who complains of harassment, 

regardless of whether or not the sponsoring 

organization believes the underlying complaint is 

valid. It is also unlawful for a sponsoring organization 

to retaliate against an AmeriCorps member who 

testifies or participates in any way in a harassment 

investigation, proceeding, or litigation.

An AmeriCorps member in the NCCC program 

who believes they have been subject to illegal 

discrimination may contact AmeriCorps Office of 

Civil Rights and Inclusiveness (OCRI), which offers 

an impartial discrimination complaint resolution 

process. It is unlawful to retaliate against an 

individual for making a complaint or participating 

in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or 

hearing related to illegal discrimination.

OCRI may be contacted by mail:

250 E St. SW, Suite 300,

Washington, DC 20525; 

by phone: (202) 606-7503; 

by fax: (202) 565-3465; or 

by e-mail to: eo@cns.gov
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 11

Core Expectations

NCCC is a rigorous national service program. Corps 

members and Team Leaders receive support from 

NCCC staff, one another, partners of sponsoring 

organizations, residents of the communities with 

whom they serve, as well as friends and family at 

home. While there is a strong support network in

place, as an NCCC participant, you will be fully 

responsible for your success in the program.

The Basics

Members will be expected to:

• Comply with the NCCC Member Handbook.

• Participate in all required elements of the NCCC

program including:

• Community service projects.

• NCCC and sponsor delivered trainings.

• Project debriefs.

• Physical training.

• Any other mandatory events as determined by

NCCC staff.

• Refrain from the illegal use of alcohol and drugs

(e.g. marijuana).

• Submit to random drug testing.

• Promote your safety and the safety of your

teammates.

• Take responsibility of your health and well-being

• Serve in high stress environments.

Service Related

Members will be expected to:

• Deploy to any approved location and/or project.

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to

sudden and unexpected changes to your

service and/or living environments.

• Complete service assignments that may vary

greatly, to include tasks completed in office

settings, as well as manual labor completed in

remote outdoor locations.

• Serve beyond traditional hours, possibly including

weekends, nights, and holidays.

• Operateequipmentandpropertyof NCCC and/or

sponsoring organization, with appropriate training

and supervision without endangering oneself

or others or causing any damage to property.

• Demonstrate professionalism with project sponsors,

community members, teammates, Team Leaders

and NCCC staff. Professionalism includes:

• Following lawful orders, direction, and instruction

from supervisory personnel.

• Communicating through the existing chain

of command.

• Serving cooperatively and collaboratively.

• Demonstrating patience, empathy and courtesy.

• Giving and receiving feedback constructively

and communicating effectively.

• Maintaining appropriate personal appearance

and hygiene.

• Being respectful in all forms of communication.

• Being on time.

• Giving a good-faith effort at all times.

Fitness to Serve:

Members will be expected to:

• Demonstrate basic self-management skills,

including, but not limited to, adequate sleep,

nutrition, and hydration, as well as maintaining

good fitness and hygiene.

• Independently manage and take all prescribed

medications.

• If serving in the Traditional Corps, perform physical

activities such as trail building, home construction,

treeplanting,andremovalofinvasiveplantspecies.

• If serving in the NCCC FEMA Corps, pass a

background security check from the Office

of Personnel Management (OPM).

Team Related:

Members will be expected to:

• Share a living space with other members that

may offer little to no privacy. This may include:

• Residing in rustic living conditions such as camping

or sleeping on the floor in close quarters.

• Sometimes sharing one bathroom with the entire

team for the length of the project.

• Participating in the upkeep of the shared

living space.

• Having no or very limited access to technology

(cell phones, computers, internet, etc.).

• Residing in accommodations where restrictions

such as a curfew may be in place based upon

the requirements of the facility.

• Adjusting to limited nutritional options that may

require Corps members and Team Leaders to

supplement their dietary requirements.

• Express your needs and preferences so your

teammates are aware of them, while at the

same time putting the team's best interests

ahead of your own.

• Develop respectful relationships with other

people from diverse backgrounds, respect

differing opinions, and contribute to a

welcoming, inclusive environment for all.

• Engage in effective conflict resolution and problem

solving with teammates, Team Leaders, NCCC

staff, community members, and project sponsors.

• Manage your emotions (e.g. frustration)

constructively and in a way that does not

impede the ability of other members to pursue

and accomplish the NCCC mission.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 12

Code of Conduct and 

Professional Behavior

A. Standards of Conduct

Standards of conduct are necessary for both morale 

and safety. As members of AmeriCorps NCCC,

members will be held responsible for the member’s 

actions; therefore, the member’s conduct should 

always be in the best interests of AmeriCorps NCCC. 

Standards of conduct apply when the member’s 

status is “in-service” in the member portal, including 

after activation and prior to arrival on campus for 

NCCC-FEMA Corps members. All AmeriCorps NCCC 

members will:

• model civic pride and responsibility in the member’s 

daily conduct and behavior, and, at all times, 

conduct themselves in a manner that reflects 

positively on them and on AmeriCorps NCCC;

• treat all persons with respect and courtesy and 

settle disputesin a non-violent, non-abusive manner, 

and show respect toward fellow Corps members, 

Team Leaders, and staff in AmeriCorps NCCC; 

• conduct themselves in such a manner so as to

avoid intentional or reckless harm to other persons;

• adhere to the rules and regulations of AmeriCorps 

NCCC, the host facility (if any), and all applicable 

city, state, and federal laws;

• bear a fair share of the workload and exhibit, 

at a minimum, satisfactory performance; 

• be punctual for scheduled activities and service 

assignments;

• use tools, government equipment, safety 

equipment safely and operate vehicles in 

a safe and proper manner ;

• refrain at all times from using profanity in 

professional settings;

• wear the AmeriCorps NCCC uniform with pride and 

in accordance with the uniform standards; and;

• maintain appropriate personal hygiene.

B. Prohibitions

1. Firearms & Other weapons

Possession of any firearm, ammunition, or other 

weapon (e.g., knives with blades longer that three 

inches, brass knuckles etc.) is strictly prohibited.

2. Illegal & Prescription Drugs

Possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs, or 

the improper possession, use, or distribution of 

prescription medication, is strictly prohibited.

As a federal program, the legality of any drug is 

determined under federal law, not state law.

In circumstances when an individual state applies a 

more restrictive law to Cannabidiol (CBD) possession 

and use, including for federally legal industrial hempbased CBD, NCCC follows the more restrictive state law. 

It is the responsibility of the AmeriCorps NCCC member 

to know the pertinent CBD laws in the state they are 

serving in should they elect to use CBD products.

3. Alcohol—Underage Individuals

Possession or use of alcohol by individuals under 21 

years of age is prohibited.

Knowingly serving or providing individuals under 21 

years of age with alcohol is prohibited.

4. Alcohol—Individuals 21 or Older

Possession or use of alcohol by individuals 21 years of 

age or older is prohibited during service and training 

hours, at projects sites, and on AmeriCorps NCCC 

property, in AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles, and at 

facilities, lodging, or vehicles used during a spike 

and/or provided by a sponsor organization. This does 

not preclude individuals who are of legal age from 

consuming alcohol during off duty hours and outside 

the confines of the AmeriCorps NCCC/sponsor 

organization provided facilities.

5. Sexual Contact

Members will refrain from all forms of sexual contact 

while on duty and while on, or in close proximity to, 

AmeriCorps NCCC property, in AmeriCorps NCCC 

vehicles, and at facilities, lodging, or vehicles used 

during a spike and/or provided by a sponsor 

organization.

6. Tobacco

Federal law prohibits retailers from selling any 

tobacco product to anyone under 21. The new 

federal minimum age of sale applies to all retail 

establishments and persons with no exceptions. 

Members are expected to comply with this law.

Except in designated areas, and with the Team

Leader’s approval, the use of all tobacco products 

and tobacco delivery methods, including, but not 

limited to, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah 

tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco, vaporizers, electronic 

nicotine delivery systems including e-cigarettes and

e-liquids, are prohibited on AmeriCorps NCCC 

property, in AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles, and at 

facilities, lodging, or vehicles used during a spike 

and/or provided by a sponsor organization.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 13

C. Professional Behavior

Members shall conduct themselves in a professional 

manner at all times. Each member’s actions reflect on 

both AmeriCorps NCCC and AmeriCorps as a whole. 

Members represent the national service program in 

the local community. Consequently, members will at 

no time act in such a manner that would bring 

discredit upon AmeriCorps NCCC or that, in the 

opinion of the Region Director, would be prejudicial 

to the good order and discipline of AmeriCorps 

NCCC. Such conduct is subject to appropriate 

disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

D. Outside Activities

A member shall not engage in any outside activity 

(e.g., employment, hobby, or personal volunteer 

opportunity) that either precludes, limits, or detracts 

from the member serving successfully as an 

AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader or Corps member. 

If it is determined by the Unit Leader, subject to 

approval of the Deputy Region Director for Unit 

Leadership, that such activity does either preclude, 

limit, or detract from a member meeting all of the 

member’s official AmeriCorps NCCC service 

responsibilities, that outside activity must cease

if the member desires to continue serving in the 

AmeriCorps NCCC.

E. Professional Courtesy

Courtesy and respect for the opinions of others are 

integral parts of professionalism. Civilized discussion 

and constructive criticism are encouraged, but 

decorum and a constructive atmosphere are to be 

maintained at all times. Under no circumstances will 

members be insubordinate to leaders, including, but 

not limited to, Team Leaders, AmeriCorps NCCC 

staff, project sponsors, or other supervisors. Another 

part of professionalism is acceptance of decisions. 

Input into most decisions will be sought and 

encouraged. Once a decision has been made, 

however, all members are expected to comply

with, implement, and support the decision.

F. Prohibited Relationships & Practices

Relationships that are exploitive or that have the 

appearance of partiality, preferential treatment, 

or the improper use of position for personal gain 

are prejudicial to the morale of AmeriCorps NCCC 

members and will not be tolerated. Relationships 

between Corps members and Team Leaders/

AmeriCorps NCCC staff/project sponsors (including 

volunteer and contract supervisors) or between 

Team Leaders and Corps members/staff/projects 

sponsors (including volunteer and contract 

supervisors) are strictly forbidden.

Any nonprofessional relationship between Corps 

members/ Team Leaders/AmeriCorps NCCC staff/ 

project supervisors (including volunteer and contract 

supervisors) will inherently cause the perception of 

partiality or preferential treatment. It may also lead 

to perceptions of exploitation. Therefore, such 

relationships are strictly forbidden and will not be 

tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary 

action, up to and including dismissal. For example, 

nonprofessional relationships include, but are not 

limited to:

• intimate/sexual relationships;

• borrowing or lending money, automobiles, or 

other personal property;

• engaging in financial or business dealings, or 

acting as an agent or sponsor with any 

commercial enterprise;

• soliciting contributions for gifts, services, or other 

gratuities that include the use of position to 

influence or coerce others into buying 

commodities, goods, or services;

• allowing services to be performed (compensated 

or uncompensated) that have no reasonable 

connection with AmeriCorps NCCC activities;

• gambling for goods, services, or money; and

• any activity and/or relationship that, in the 

judgment of the Region Director, may 

reasonably be perceived to undermine 

discipline, good order, or morale.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 14

Disciplinary Standards

AmeriCorps NCCC’s disciplinary standards assist in 

creating an environment where members not only 

are encouraged and empowered to complete the 

program successfully by performing national service but 

also are taught discipline, team building, and mission 

accomplishment. The disciplinary standards set forth 

the procedures used in disciplining, transferring, and 

dismissing members from AmeriCorps NCCC, as well as 

members’ appellate rights. The official sanctions set forth 

below may be used by a Region Director in establishing 

a methodology for the imposition of appropriate 

punishment. However, unless specifically noted, there 

is no requirement to follow a prescribed sequence in 

the imposition of a particular consequence.

An Acting Region Director has all the powers and 

authority of the Region Director, up to and including 

the right to dismiss a member.

A. Official Sanctions

1. Verbal Warnings

AmeriCorps Team Leaders and AmeriCorps NCCC 

staff in the member’s supervisory structure are 

authorized to administer formal verbal warnings to 

members. This is in addition to informal verbal 

warnings and other informal attempts to correct 

deficiencies, which may be documented in a Team 

Leader’s journal and support a finding of a pattern of 

misconduct. A formal verbal warning is an official

act in the disciplinary process. It will be documented 

through a formal incident report and reported to the 

member’s Unit Leader. Infractions identified by other 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff members will be reported to 

the appropriate individual in the member’s 

supervisory structure. The member will also be 

informed that if the member repeats the infraction, 

then further disciplinary action will be initiated.

2. Written Warnings

AmeriCorps Team Leaders and AmeriCorps NCCC 

staff in the member’s supervisory structure are 

authorized to administer written warnings to 

members. It will be documented through a formal 

incident report and reported to the member’s Unit 

Leader for inclusion in the member’s file. The 

member will acknowledge receipt of the written 

warning by signing the document. Rebuttals will be 

submitted to the member’s Unit Leader. By signing 

the document, the member is only acknowledging 

receipt of the document, retaining the right to 

submit member’s interpretation of the events. If a 

member refuses to sign the document, such refusal 

will be noted on the document. The incident report 

and the written warning will be placed in the

member’s file along with any rebuttal submitted by 

the member. The member has three duty days to 

submit any rebuttal in writing to member’s Unit Leader.

3. Extra Duties and Instructions

When a member has exhibited a deficiency in a 

specific area of conduct (e.g., not being on time for 

work, training, or meetings) or performance of duties 

(e.g., not cleaning the member’s room and

common areas), the Team Leader or an AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff person in the member’s supervisory 

structure may impose extra duties and/or instructions 

in order to correct the deficiency (Please see chart 

on next page). The maximum number of hours for 

extra duties and/or instructions is 12 hours for any one 

deficiency. The member cannot perform any work 

that a paid contractor or paid staff does. These limits 

apply to each person per occurrence. The 

assignment of extra duties or instruction must be 

documented in writing by the imposing individual, to 

include the parameters, and put in the member file.

Some examples include research projects related to 

the infraction, reflection papers on violation and 

implications for self and the program, campus/ 

residential hall activities that enhance the overall 

community living conditions on the campus. Extra 

duties and/or instructions will be assigned/ 

conducted after normal duty hours or on weekends 

and will not involve activities that are inherently 

dangerous, demeaning, or otherwise inappropriate. 

Extra duties and/or instructions will not count toward 

service hour credit. 

4. Letters of Reprimand

When a member has exhibited a deficiency in 

upholding policies and procedures or exhibited 

behavior that is of significant concern to the order 

and discipline of AmeriCorps NCCC, and after 

meeting either in person or by telephone with an 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff person in the member’s 

supervisory structure, a Letter of Reprimand may be 

drafted. This is a written documentation of an 

incident and a synopsis of the discussion with the 

member. The member will acknowledge receipt by 

signing the document. By signing the document, the

member is only acknowledging receipt, retaining the 

right to submit the member’s own interpretation of 

the incident(s) and/or violation(s).

If a member refuses to sign the document, such 

refusal will be noted on the document. The member 

has three duty days to submit any rebuttal.

If not withdrawn, the Letter of Reprimand will be put 

in member’s file along with any rebuttal submitted by 

the member. If the Letter of Reprimand is generated 

by a Unit Leader, a copy will be forwarded to the 

Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership and the 

Region Director.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 15

Summary Table of Disciplinary Actions

TEAM LEADERS UNIT LEADERS

DEPUTY REGION DIRECTOR 

FOR UNIT LEADERSHIP REGION DIRECTOR

VERBAL WARNINGS

WRITTEN WARNINGS

ASSIGNMENT OF EXTRA DUTY, PER INCIDENT, UP TO

4 HOURS 8 HOURS 12 HOURS 12 HOURS

Letter of Reprimand Letter of Reprimand Letter of Reprimand

Behavior Contract Behavior Contract Behavior Contract

Fines (up to $100/incident) Fines (up to $100/incident)

Suspension

(up to 5 days per incident

Suspension

(up to 5 days per incident

Intercampus Transfer 

or Dismissal

5. Behavior Contracts

In order to set forth clear expectations for a member 

to correct deficiencies in conduct or performance of 

duties, a Behavior Contract may be drafted. This is 

generated by an AmeriCorps NCCC staff person in

the member’s supervisory structure. This document 

will include content of the incident(s) and/or violation(s) 

and clearly indicate the behavior which the member 

is expected to change, as well as the consequences 

if the Behavior Contract is violated. The member will 

acknowledge receipt and agree to the expected 

behavior requirements by signing the document.

There will be no opportunity to submit a rebuttal to 

the decision to require a Behavior Contract, but the 

member will have input concerning the expectations 

set forth in the contract. If the member refuses to sign 

the contract, the member may be subject to further 

disciplinaryaction up to,and including, dismissal from the 

program. The Behavior Contract will be placed in the 

member’sfileand a copy willbe forwardedtothe Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership and Region Director.

Non-compliance with a behavior contract is not in 

and of itself a dismissible offence; however, noncompliance may be considered as a factor in further 

disciplinary proceedings.

6. Fines

At the discretion of the Deputy Region Director for 

Unit Leadership or Region Director, a member may 

be fined not more than $100 for each occurrence of 

misconduct, and the fine may be in combination 

with other disciplinary actions (e.g., extra instruction 

or duties, etc.) Fines may be imposed only after the 

member is informed of the reason for the fine and 

given an opportunity to rebut and an official

determination to impose the fine is made by the 

Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership or Region 

Director. Fines may not be deducted from the living 

allowance and must be paid within a certain time 

period, as specified by the Deputy Region Director 

for Unit Leadership or Region Director. Failure to pay 

may result in further disciplinary action up to, and 

including, dismissal. All fines must be paid in full in 

order to receive an education award and to 

successfully complete the program. The Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership or Region Director 

may suspend the imposition of a fine, or any portion 

thereof, for a specified period (not to exceed 90 

days). The Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership 

or Region Director may vacate the suspended 

portion of the fine based on subsequent appropriate 

behavior during the specified suspension period.

Before a suspended fine can be re-imposed, the 

Region Director must notify the member of the intent 

and the reasons for the decision.

All member fines must be paid online through 

pay.gov. No payments will be made directly to staff 

or other representatives of AmeriCorps NCCC. 
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 16

B. Suspension, Loss of Privileges, & Loss of 

Living Allowance

At the discretion of the Deputy Region Director for 

Unit Leadership or Region Director, a member may 

be officially suspended from all program activities for 

up to five days per incident. During suspension, 

members will not receive a living allowance or earn 

service credit toward the education award. While 

suspended, members may attend AmeriCorps 

NCCC meals; however, members could face 

additional administrative sanctions, including 

restriction to the dormitory or extra duties and/or 

instruction, which may be served during suspension. 

Members will not receive service credit for any duties 

and/or instruction performed during this period.

If the Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership or 

Region Director assigns suspension, the imposition of 

all or a portion of the suspension may be reduced for 

up to 60 days if the violation does not occur again.

Should the member be involved in an additional 

infraction of any kind during the period of the 

waived suspension, the Deputy Region Director for 

Unit Leadership or Region Director may immediately 

vacate the waiver requiring imposition of any

un-served portion of the waived suspension and

may impose additional punishment, as appropriate.

C. Dismissals

The Region Director is the final authority for 

suspension and dismissal. The National Program 

Director is the appellate authority.

1.Non-Discretionary Dismissals

The following alleged infractions will lead to a 

dismissal hearing:

• Possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs, 

including failing an AmeriCorps NCCC drug test, 

or the improper possession, use, or distribution of 

prescription medication. If a member claims that 

a failed drug test was due to a form of legal CBD, 

the failed drug screen will result in non-discretionary 

dismissal from the NCCC program, as it would for 

all other failed drug tests; or

• Serving or providing alcohol to individuals under 

21 years of age, with knowledge that the 

individual was underage.

If, after following the appropriate procedures 

(below), the Region Director finds that the member 

committed either (1) or (2) above, the Region 

Director must dismiss the member.

2. Discretionary Dismissal

A Region Director may hold a dismissal hearing for 

any alleged infraction of AmeriCorps NCCC policy or 

the Code of Conduct. Examples of infractions that 

are likely to result in a dismissal hearing include, but 

are not limited to:

a. incidents where the member is shown to be a 

current and direct threat to the member or 

others . The definition of direct threat is

“representing a significant risk of substantial harm 

to the health or safety of the individual or others”;

b. incidents in which a member is accused or 

convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. 

Consequently, all AmeriCorps NCCC members 

will notify the respective Region Director or 

designee whenever they are arrested, charged, 

and/or convicted of a crime. The notification will 

occur as soon as one of the above actions 

occurs. Failure to provide timely notification may 

result in dismissal proceedings;

c. possession or use of alcoholic beverages by 

underage individuals. Possession or use of alcohol 

by of-age members on, or in close proximity to, 

AmeriCorps NCCC property, in AmeriCorps 

NCCC vehicles, and at facilities, lodging, or 

vehicles used during a spike and/or provided by 

a sponsor organization;

d. improper physical contact; possession or use of 

firearms or other weapons, such as knives, clubs, 

brass knuckles; theft; intentional destruction of 

property; threatening behavior toward others;

e. consistent with AmeriCorps NCCC federal 

legislation, incidents that would, in the opinion 

of the Region Director, tend to jeopardize the 

enforcement of the standards of conduct or 

diminish the opportunities of other members.; and

f. irresponsible and disrespectful behavior that 

reflects negatively on themselves and 

AmeriCorps NCCC or that, in the opinion of the 

Region Director, would be prejudicial to the 

good order and discipline of AmeriCorps.

D. Criteria for Dismissal

1. Transfer for Cause

When, in the opinion of the Region Director, the

retention of a member in that member’s campus will 

jeopardize the enforcement of the standards of 

conduct set by the Region Director or diminish the

opportunities for other member’s in that campus, the 

Region Director may, with the approval of the National 

Director, transfer a member to another campus. 
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 17

2. Dismissal for Cause

When, in the opinion of the Region Director, the 

retention of an individual in AmeriCorps NCCC will 

jeopardize the enforcement of the standards of 

conduct or diminish the opportunities of other members, 

and the Region Director furtherdeterminesthattransferto 

another unit or campus is not appropriate, the Region 

Director may dismiss the individual from the program.

This is the most severe sanction that a Region Director 

may impose; therefore, dismissal should be used for the 

most serious infractions, for continuing patterns of 

misconduct, or when the Region Director determines 

that the member’s overall performance is such that it 

significantly diminishes opportunities of other members.

3. Arrests & Convictions

Upon being charged with an offense, a member may, 

during the time that charges are pending, and at the 

discretion of the Region Director or Deputy Region 

Director for Unit Leadership, have the member's service 

suspended without receiving a living allowance and 

without receiving credit for hours missed.

Alternatively, a Region Director may institute dismissal 

proceedings for misconduct that may be subject to 

future criminal proceedings. In other words, if a 

Region Director has sufficient facts upon which to 

base a decision, the Region Director may hold a 

dismissal hearing before any criminal action is taken, 

because a dismissal hearing is administrative, and

not criminal in nature.

An individual who has been charged with an offense 

and is later acquitted or has had the charge(s) 

dismissed, may be allowed to resume service, at the 

discretion of the Region Director. Further, if reinstated, 

the individual may be entitled, at the discretion of the 

Region Director, to any or part of the living allowance 

and service hours missed as a result of the suspension.

If an individual is convicted of an offense while serving, 

the individual will be given a dismissal hearing.

A conviction is considered to be final even though 

it may be in the appellate process.

E. Dismissal Procedures

1. During the Probationary Period

During the Probationary period Team Leaders will be in 

a probationary status during Team Leader Training (if 

applicable) and for the 60 calendar days following the 

change to "in-service" status in the member portal of 

the members in the same designated class. That is, 

Team Leaders and Corps members will complete the 

probationary period on the same day.

Members will be in a probationary status during the 

Corps Member Training Institute (if applicable) and 

for the 60 calendar days following the change to 

“in-service” status in the member portal. During this

probationary period, individuals who are being 

considered for involuntary dismissal will receive written 

notice of the Region Director’s intent, and be given a 

reasonable opportunity to respond (either orally or in 

writing). No hearing is required under these 

circumstances. If the Region Director decides to 

dismiss the member, the member has 10 days to 

appeal the decision to the National Director, in writing. 

Upon dismissal, the individual will be sent home.

2. Following the Probationary Period

After completion of the probationary period, 

individuals who are facing either transfer or dismissal 

from the program are entitled to a hearing before a 

decision to dismiss is made by the Region Director. 

The hearing may be conducted in person, virtually, 

or telephonically. An individual may waive the 

hearing, but must do so in writing.

These individuals shall be provided written notice of 

the Region Director’s intent and the date and time 

for a hearing. This notice shall state the reasons for 

the proposed action and shall provide the individual

sufficient opportunity (of at least 24 hours) to prepare 

to present the member’s case to the Region Director 

at a hearing, which includes reviewing the evidence 

that will be presented at the hearing (statements, 

documents, exhibits, etc.). Continuances requested 

by the individual will be granted for good cause.

This notice requirement may be waived by the 

individual, in writing.

During a hearing, the individual has the right to 

submit documents and call witnesses for the 

presentation of relevant testimony and the right to 

not make any statements. Additionally, the individual 

shall be afforded the opportunity to examine and 

cross-examine any witness. A member may also 

request a spokesperson to be present on behalf of 

the member. This may include an attorney who is 

hired by the member, at no expense to the 

government. This spokesperson will have the right to 

question the witnesses, and to speak on behalf of

the member. If the spokesperson is an AmeriCorps 

NCCC member, the spokesperson shall be given 

ample opportunity to assist the individual in

preparing for the hearing. The Region Director shall

have the discretion to deny the individual’s witness 

request(s) or specific questions desired by the member, 

if, in the opinion of the Region Director, the live testimony 

of that witness request(s), or specific questions desired 

by the member, is not relevant to the issue(s) under 

consideration,and willnotmake a substantialcontribution 

to the resolution ofthe case. The Region Director may also 

limit the number of witnesses to a reasonable

number when the testimony of the witnesses will be, 

in the opinion of the Region Director, cumulative in 

nature. A typed, summarized transcript will be taken 

of the proceedings, which will be made available to 

the appellate authority upon request.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 18

3. Suspensions Pending Dismissal Hearing

Depending on the nature of the misconduct, the 

Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership or Region

Director may, at the Region Director’s discretion,

either allow the individual to continue service or to 

suspend the individual (with no living allowance or 

service credit) during the time the disciplinary 

proceedings are ongoing. If a member is considered 

to be a current and direct threat either to the 

member themselves or to others, the Region Director 

may remove the member from the region or project 

location until a hearing can be held. If a suspended 

member is ultimately reinstated, the member may, at 

the Region Director’s discretion, receive all or part of 

the allowances and service credit forfeited during 

the period of suspension.

F. Changes within Regions

The transfer of members to other teams and units 

within the region is considered to be an internal 

region staff decision. Consequently, a member has 

no right to appeal this decision to the AmeriCorps 

NCCC National Director. Region Directors or 

designees shall have discretion in establishing 

appropriate procedures to assist them in the

day-to-day internal operation of the region, 

including criteria for intra-region transfers . 

AmeriCorps NCCC does not permit transfers 

into or out of the AmeriCorps NCCC program.

G. Appellate Procedures

1. Appeal to the National Director

An AmeriCorps NCCC member who desires to appeal 

a Region Director’s decision to either transfer the 

member to another region or dismiss that member 

from AmeriCorps NCCC shall have the right to appeal 

the decision to the National Director. However, as 

stated above, a decision to transfer an individual 

within the region to another unit is not reviewable. The 

Region Director’s final decision following a dismissal 

hearing shall be issued in writing. In this decision, the 

Region Director will inform the individual of the 

member’s right to appeal the decision, and that an 

individual’s appeal must be submitted to the National 

Director in writing within 10 days of the Region 

Director’s final decision. The written appeal should 

contain the member’s statement as to why the 

appeal should be granted, as well as any statements 

on behalf of the individual, either on the merits of the 

case, or in extenuation and/or mitigation.

Additionally, attorney fees are not authorized for any 

aspects of the hearing process or the appeal. The 

appeal shall normally be acted upon within 15 days 

from receipt by the appellate authority.

2. Standard of Review

The appeal does not constitute a de novo (new) 

hearing, but the standard will be whether or not the 

Region Director abused the Region Director's 

discretion in determining that a member should 

either be transferred or dismissed. The only exception 

is for those appeals where new evidence having a 

direct bearing on the facts of the case is discovered 

after the appeal has been submitted.

3. Status of Members During Appeal

Following appropriate due process procedures (see 

Disciplinary Standards, Section E, Dismissal 

Procedures) resulting in a decision to dismiss, 

individuals will be sent home. If the appeal is 

ultimately successful and the member is reinstated, 

the living allowance may, depending on the totality 

of the circumstances, be restored. However, by 

statute, service hours may not be restored. 

4. Authority to Mitigate Punishment

The National Director may decide to either reduce 

the punishment, or to transfer an individual who has 

been dismissed from the program by a Region 

Director, but may not increase the level of punishment 

by dismissing an individual who has appealed a 

transfer determination by a Region Director.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 19

Harassment

AmeriCorps NCCC is committed to the treatment of 

everyperson with dignityandrespect, regardless ofrace, 

color, national origin, sex (including gender identity, 

sexual orientation and pregnancy), religion,age,disability 

or genetic information, (including family medical 

history). AmeriCorps is committed to environments 

and service sites that are free from harassment.

Definition

Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct 

directed at an individual or group based on color, 

national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual 

orientation and pregnancy), religion, age, disability, 

political affiliation, military service, or genetic information 

(including family medical history) resulting in the 

interference with service performance and/or exposure 

to offensive, intimidating, or hostile environments.

Harassment can be carried out by:

• Persons of the same or different races, national 

origins, genders,sexual orientations,ages, or religions.

• An NCCC member or Team Leader.

• A staff member of our organization, sponsoring

organization, or affiliated group.

• A project site employee or supervisor.

• A program beneficiary such as a community 

member receiving services

Harassment may include, but is not limited to:

• Explicit or implicit demands for sexual favors such 

as pressure for dating or physical touch.

• Deliberate touching, leaning over, or cornering.

• Offensive looks or gestures.

• Offensive jokes, remarks, or questions.

• Offensive letters, email messages, text messages, 

phone calls, or social media content.

• Distribution or display of offensive material.

• Gender, racial, ethnic, or religious baiting.

• Unwelcome comments that are demeaning, 

debasing, and abusive.

• Threatening behavior.

Sexual Harassment/Assault

AmeriCorps NCCC is committed to preventing sexual 

harassment and sexual assault and providing a 

compassionate and supportive response to all 

members that have been harassed or assaulted. To 

that end, AmeriCorps NCCC makes the following 

commitment to our members:

• Members will receive appropriate training, 

guidance, and instruction on the prevention of 

sexual harassment & prevention of sexual assault.

• Members can reach out to any staff, at any time, 

to make a report of sexual harassment or sexual 

assault. Reports will always be taken seriously and 

investigated promptly.

• AmeriCorps NCCC will provide resources for members

for confidential sexual harassment/assault support.

Sexual Harassment

Definition

Sexual harassment is a form of sex-based discrimination. 

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual 

advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other 

verbal or physical conducts of a sexual nature, when 

submission to, or rejection of, such conduct, results in 

any of the following:

• A term or condition of an individual's employment 

or service.

• The basis for decisions affecting that individual.

• An unreasonable interference with an individual's 

work or service.

• An offensive, intimidating, or hostile environment.

Sexual harassment is not limited to behavior by a male 

directed at a female. Sexual harassment is not limited 

to behavior by a supervisor directed at a subordinate.

• Sexual harassment can be carried out by persons 

of the same, or different, gender identity or 

sexual orientation.

• The person causing harm could be a supervisor, peer, 

or from anothersection within the larger organization.

• The person causing harm could be a program 

affiliate, but not employed by the program.

• A person who is not the intended target of 

harassing behavior may be affected negatively 

by observing or witnessing such behavior.

Sexual harassment may include but is not limited to, 

the following conduct:

• Explicit or implicit demands for sexual favors in 

return for job or service benefits.

• Attempts to control, influence, or affect the life of 

an individual through behavior of a sexual nature.

• Pressure for sexual favors.

• Pressure to go out on dates.

• Favorable treatment of those who grant sexual

favors and/or go out on dates.

• Unwelcome letters, telephone calls, text 

messages, social media messages or posts.

• Distribution or display of materials of a sexual nature.

• Discussion ofsexually explicit materials or experiences.

• Unwelcome sexual teasing, jokes, remarks, 

questions, suggestive looks, or gestures.

• Unwelcome touching, deliberate touching, 

leaning over, hovering, or pinching.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 20

Prohibited Behaviors

Prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Acts of quid pro quo sexual harassment, when a 

person offers something in return if given sexual 

favors. The Latin phrase quid pro quo, translated, 

means “something for something” or “this for that”.

• Unwelcome sexual advances: requests for sexual 

favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a 

sexual nature with the purpose and effect of an 

intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

• Once an individual has indicated (verbally or in 

writing) that specific conduct is offensive, any 

continued offensive conduct is sexual harassment

Sexual Assault

Definition

Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior 

that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. 

Consent is clear, ongoing, freely given, and coherent.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Rape or attempted rape.

• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts.

• Physical assaults of a sexual nature.

• Unwanted touching of a sexual nature.

Reporting

A survivor hasthe option of reportingan incident ofsexual 

assault to any staff member and/or law enforcement.

In some cases, survivors may not want to, or are not 

ready to, report a sexual assault incident to staff. In 

those cases, the victim can choose confidential 

reporting. Critical and supportive resources are 

provided with no information released to staff or 

law enforcement.

Confidential Reporting

AmeriCorps NCCC members may reach out for 

confidential support, at any time and for any reason, 

by calling or texting the AmeriCorps NCCC Sexual 

Assault Hotline at 866-869-1176 or by going to 

https://hotline.rainn.org/.

The AmeriCorps NCCC Sexual Assault Hotline is 

administered by RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest 

National Network). Members will be speaking to a 

representative from their network when they call.

AmeriCorps NCCC staff and law enforcement are 

not notified of hotline contacts or access unless 

disclosure is required by law. Such disclosure is 

extremely rare and generally occurs only when 

there is an imminent safety concern.

AmeriCorps NCCC receives monthly utilization reports, 

meaning the number of calls received by the hotline. 

Names are not included in the utilization reports.

Nonconfidential Reporting

A survivor hasthe option of reportingan incident ofsexual 

assault to any staff member and/or law enforcement.

Staff respects privacy and will only discuss the case with 

another if that person has an official need to know.

Making a report to a Team Leader

When sexual harassment or sexual assault is reported 

to a Team Leader, the Team Leader is required to 

inform the Unit Leader. The Unit Leader takes action 

to investigate the situation and ensure safety for all.

Making a report to a Staff Member

• Members can reach out to any staff, at any time, to 

make a report of sexual harassment or sexual assault

• An investigation will be led by NCCC staff.

• Investigations include interviews of all parties 

involved and those who hold knowledge of 

the situation.

• The privacy of all will be respected during the

investigation.

• Staff will take steps to ensure the safety of all 

during the investigation.

During an Investigation

During an investigation staff will continue to support 

all those affected by the incident.

Investigations take time because it’s important that 

all of the facts and supporting evidence are properly 

collected and examined. We take the time to collect 

all available evidence before making a decision.

• Actions will be taken to provide for the member’s

ongoing safety.

• Member(s) will be treated with dignity and respect.

• Staff will be available to member(s) for support.

• Staff will work closely with you to make decisions 

regarding your continued service.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 21

Conclusion of an Investigation

At the conclusion of an investigation, the Unit Leader will 

recommend next steps, disciplinary action, or otherwise 

to the Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership.

The Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership will 

make a recommendation to the Region Director 

for final decision making.

Outcome of an investigation

• Allegations, investigations into those allegations, 

and the outcomes of those situations are kept 

strictly confidential, unless mandated by law.

• Corps members, Team Leaders, and staff are 

expected to maintain privacy.

• Information is not disclosed or discussed other 

than in an official capacity in direct relation to 

the investigation.

• Disciplinary action resulting from an investigation 

is only shared with the individual receiving the 

disciplinary action.

• Other parties are notified when action takes 

place, but not given specifics about the action.

Additional Resources

• AmeriCorps NCCC Sexual Assault Hotline 

https://hotline.rainn.org/americorps or 

866-869-1176.

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) 

www.NSVRC.org: provides search tool for anti-sexual 

assault organizations located across the US and 

educational materials for victims and advocates.

• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 

(RAINN) (Direct)

www.RAINN.org or 1-800-656-4673: provides 

educational resources and support opportunities.

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-8255: 

one-on-one, confidential, crisis support 24/7 with 

trained staff members.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know is struggling or in 

crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 

988lifeline.org.

The resources listed above, and more, can be found on

theNCCC Member Wellness Resources | AmeriCorpssite:

Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

Substance misuse and abuse adversely affects 

health and job performance, creates dangerous 

situations, and serves to undermine the community’s 

confidence in AmeriCorps NCCC. Therefore, 

AmeriCorps NCCC prohibits the possession, use, or 

distribution of illegal drugs; the improper possession, 

use, or distribution of prescription medication; the 

abuse of over the counter medication; and alcohol 

abuse on the part of its members.

Tobacco has also been shown to adversely affect a 

user’s health and, in some cases, the health of those 

who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Therefore, 

AmeriCorps NCCC will minimize exposure to such 

productsfor individuals who do not choose to use them.

Members who are dealing with addiction issues, such 

as drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc., may request 

assistance from AmeriCorps NCCC staff with locating 

services and transportation to nearby treatment 

programs. Prior to utilizing this assistance, members 

must disclose addiction issues to a UL, and/or DRDUL. 

Provided services will be documented in writing by 

the campus (UL, and/or DRDUL), along with outlined 

documentation of member’s expectations during 

service term and while utilizing treatment options.

A. Definition

Members who are dealing with addiction issues, such 

as drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc., may request 

assistance from NCCC region staff to identify support 

services and assistance with transportation to nearby 

support services.

Members must disclose their addiction issue to a NCCC 

staff member before receiving such assistance.

Utilization of support services will be documented in 

writing by the staff member along with a summary of 

the member’s expectations while utilizing support 

services and for the remainder of the service term.

Substances - medications, drugs of abuse, or toxins.

Alcohol - products containing ethyl alcohol or 

ethanol, such as beer, wine, or spirits.

Drugs - any substance taken into the body, other 

than alcohol, which may impair one’s mental 

faculties and/ or physical performance.

Tobacco - any tobacco products and tobacco 

delivery methods, including, but not limited to, 

cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah tobacco, 

cigars, pipe tobacco, vaporizers, electronic nicotine 

delivery systems including e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 22

Misuse - use of any substance where the use is 

continued and pathological, not in conformance 

with prescription requirements, or occurring in 

circumstances where use is not permitted.

Abuse - The use of a substance, particularly drugs or 

alcohol, that leads to problems or distress in work, 

relationships, social responsibilities or health.

B. Policy

1. Legal Drinking Age

The legal drinking age is 21 years of age. Consequently, 

possession or use of alcohol by individuals who are 

under the legal drinking age is prohibited at all times 

and may result in dismissal. If under the age of 21, 

and assigned to a project in a territory of the US that 

permits an individual to consume alcohol, members 

of AmeriCorps NCCC may still not possess or 

consume alcohol.

If it is determined by the Region Director that an 

individual who is 21 years or older serves or provides 

alcohol to individuals who are under the legal 

drinking age, with knowledge that the individuals are 

under the legal drinking age, the individual will be 

dismissed, subject to the appropriate due process 

procedures (see Disciplinary Standards, Section E, 

Dismissal Procedures).

2. Possession & Consumption of Alcohol

Members are responsible for any individual actions 

related to the possession and consumption of 

alcohol, to include the effects of the use of alcohol. 

Performance, attendance, or behavior problems 

resulting from the use or abuse of alcohol are 

actionable disciplinary matters, up to and dismissal.

Alcohol is prohibited during service or training hours 

and it shall not be used by or served to anyone, 

regardless of age, on AmeriCorps NCCC property, in 

AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles, and at facilities, lodging, 

anywhere within the spike boundary established by 

the Team Leader and Unit Leader. or vehicles used 

during a spike and/or provided by a sponsor 

organization. All members are responsible for road 

safety on travel days and no member may consume 

alcohol 24 hours before the day of deployment and 

during the day(s) of spike travel.

No member may consume alcohol while wearing

any AmeriCorps NCCC uniform item.

Additionally, AmeriCorps NCCC members are 

prohibited from possessing containers or packaging 

that originally was designed to hold alcoholic 

beverages while in AmeriCorps NCCC facilities, 

vehicles, spike facilities, or project locations.

A. AmeriCorps NCCC, Project, and Independent 

Service Projects (ISPs) Sponsored Events

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited for all members

during any AmeriCorps NCCC-sponsored event. 

Team dinners and recreational activities during 

which the entire team, including the Team Leader, is 

required to be present are considered AmeriCorps 

NCCC-sponsored events.

Members may be present at a project sponsor or ISP 

event where alcohol is present, but may not possess, 

serve, or consume alcohol.

B. Member Consumption of Alcohol at Unofficial 

Functions

Alcohol is permitted by those who are of legal 

drinking age when in mixed groups consisting of 

underage and of age Team Leaders and Corps 

members. However, Team Leaders and members are 

strongly cautioned against these activities for the 

following reasons:

• Doing so may undermine team cohesion and 

contribute to the perception of fraternization;

• Doing so exposes the Team Leader to situations 

that may undermine the Team Leader's 

leadership;

• Doing so may lead to negative team 

performance due to a culture that focuses 

excessively on drinking; and

• Alcohol is often a contributing factor to 

misconduct that could result in dismissal.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 23

Some examples of mixed group consumption of 

alcohol for Team Leaders and Corps members who 

are over 21 are going to a bowling alley, attending a 

sporting event or concert, or sharing a non-AmeriCorps 

NCCC-funded meal. Team Leaders may not consume 

alcohol with Corps members when the sole purpose 

of the event is to go out drinking together.

C. Intoxication

Consumption of alcohol must be in moderation and 

not to the point of intoxication, as members may be 

required to respond to a team issue at any time.

3. Alcohol Consumption & Operating Vehicles 

Members may not drive an AmeriCorps NCCC or 

sponsor organization vehicle within 24 hours of

consuming alcohol. Violations will result in loss of

driving privileges for the remainder of the term and 

could result in additional disciplinary actions.

A.Government Vehicles & Alcohol

Government vehicles will not be used to visit, pick 

up, and/or drop off members at establishments 

whose primary purpose is to serve alcohol, such as 

drinking establishments (bars, clubs, etc.) or liquor 

stores. Government vehicles will not be used to drop 

off or pick up person(s) at any places listed above. 

Additionally, government vehicles will not be used 

to transport any form of alcohol.

B. Teams Located in Rural Locations

In the event that a team is located in a community 

in which the only option to go out to eat is an 

establishment with the primary purpose to serve 

alcohol, a team may drive to this location to eat, 

subject to Unit Leader Approval.

4. Legal Medication & Operating Vehicles

Members may not operate AmeriCorps NCCC or 

sponsor organization vehicles when taking medications 

that may cause drowsiness or adversely impact a 

person’s ability to drive vehicles or heavy equipment.

5. Illegal Drugs & Controlled Substances

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and is 

considered an illegal drug in the NCCC program. In 

circumstances when an individual state applies a more 

restrictive law to Cannabidiol (CBD) possession and 

use, including for federally legal industrial hemp-based 

CBD, NCCC follows the more restrictive state law.

If it is determined by the Region Director that an 

individual has possessed, used, or distributed illegal 

drugs or paraphernalia, including failing an 

AmeriCorps NCCC drug test, or improperly 

possessed, used, or distributed prescription 

medication, that individual will be dismissed, subject 

to the appropriate due process procedures.

Generally within 14 days of being activated to an inservice status, all AmeriCorps NCCC members must 

pass an initial drug screening test in order to 

continue in the program. AmeriCorps NCCC staff 

conduct random drug screening among members 

throughout the service year and use the results to 

determine suitability for continued service. Members 

may also be required to submit to drug testing when 

there is reasonable suspicion of drug use. Members 

who test positive for illegal drugs will be given the 

opportunity to explain the positive results, subject to 

the appropriate due process procedures.

Additionally, AmeriCorps NCCC will take no 

disciplinary action against members who voluntarily 

admit to drug usage to the Region Director, Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership, or Unit Leader as 

long as all of the following conditions are met:

• The member voluntarily identifies as a user of 

illegal drugs prior to being identified (either 

officially or unofficially) for testing; and

• If required by AmeriCorps NCCC staff, the 

member agrees to participate in counseling or 

rehabilitation; and the member agrees to refrain 

from using illegal drugs thereafter (the member 

may be tested as often as necessary, at the 

discretion of the Region Director, in order to 

ensure compliance).

The above procedure will not apply to members who 

attempt to self-refer before they undergo initial drug 

testing. Therefore, the AmeriCorps NCCC self-referral 

policy will only apply to members who have 

successfully passed the initial drug screening and 

physical examination.

6. Problems Resulting from Substance Use 

Performance, attendance, or behavioral problems 

resulting from drug and/or alcohol abuse may lead

to dismissal procedures.

7. Reporting in a Fit Condition

Members may not operate AmeriCorps NCCC or 

sponsor organization vehicles when taking medications 

that may cause drowsiness or adversely impact a 

person’s ability to drive vehicles or heavy equipment.

Members will report to work in a fit condition to 

perform work duties. Reporting to work unfit for duty, 

under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or other 

mind-altering substances not used in conformance 

with prescription requirements is unacceptable and 

is grounds for dismissal proceedings.

When appropriate, individuals suspected of being 

unfit for duty will be referred for medical evaluation 

upon the Region Director’s approval.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 24

8. Prescription Medication

Members may not operate AmeriCorps NCCC or 

sponsor organization vehicles when taking medications 

that may cause drowsiness or adversely impact a 

person’s ability to drive vehicles or heavy equipment.

Individuals taking physician-prescribed medications 

must notify the Team Leader or Unit Leader if there is 

a likelihood that such medication could affect job 

performance and/or safety.

9. Arrest or Conviction

Members arrested or convicted for illegal drug or 

alcohol involvement during the term of service may 

be considered to be in violation of AmeriCorps

NCCC’s substance abuse policy and will be subject

to disciplinary action, up to, and including, dismissal.

10. Law Enforcement

When appropriate, AmeriCorps NCCC will bring 

matters of illegal drug or alcohol use to the attention 

of appropriate law enforcement authorities.

11. Alcohol Abuse

At the discretion of the Region Director, members 

who are of legal drinking age and are suspected

of alcohol abuse may be requested to enroll in 

and successfully complete an alcohol education/ 

treatment program as a condition of continuation 

in the AmeriCorps NCCC program.

12. Smoking Tobacco

NCCC staff will designate specific areas on the campus 

facility as smoking/tobacco use areas. These areas will 

have proper receptacles and ventilation. All classrooms, 

cafeterias, AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles, dormitories, and 

worksites will be smoke- and tobacco-free. This policy will 

be strictly enforced. Tobacco products and delivery 

methods, as defined earlier, are allowed only in 

designated areas. Sponsors and Team Leaders may 

determine worksite smoking/tobacco use areas. Except 

in designated areas and with supervisor approval, 

smoking/tobacco use is not permitted in facilities, 

lodging, or vehicles provided by a sponsor organization.

Federal law prohibits retailers from selling any 

tobacco product to anyone under 21.

Uniform & Grooming Standards

A. General

The AmeriCorps NCCC uniform enhances public 

recognition and perception of AmeriCorps NCCC. 

The uniform must be worn whenever representing 

AmeriCorps NCCC in an official capacity. Members 

must wear the uniform whenever they are visiting 

AmeriCorps NCCC Headquarters or a Sponsor Main 

Office. Uniforms may not be worn in establishments 

whose primary purpose is to serve alcohol.

B. Guidelines During Service & Training Periods

The normal duty day uniform is the issued (1) T-shirt, 

polo shirt, or sweatshirt; (2) issued pants or shorts; and

(3) black belt.

1. Positive Image

AmeriCorps NCCC members must maintain a 

positive and professional image in dress, 

appearance, and demeanor.

2. Uniform

Uniform items will be clean and in good repair at 

all times and will be worn when representing

AmeriCorps NCCC, including during training or while 

performing Independent Service Projects (ISP).

For travel to a project site where the team is en 

route, members are required to wear an AmeriCorps 

NCCC issued shirt or sweatshirt in a manner that 

identifies them as an AmeriCorps NCCC member.

On the day of arrival to the project or housing site, 

members must wear the full uniform.

The uniform may not be altered in anyway such as 

ripping, intentional paint, or cuffing. Collars on the 

polo shirts may not be “popped” and must be worn 

in the flat position. Members must tuck the uniform 

shirts in when interacting with the public and/or in 

the presence of non-NCCC members, and may not 

wear tank tops or tube tops or go shirtless while in 

uniform while on duty. Pants and shorts must be worn 

so the pants or shorts cover all undergarments.

Steel-toed boots are standard footwear for safety 

reasons. When boots are not needed, footwear must 

be closed toe/heel.

Team Leaders and Unit Leaders have the authority 

to require specific uniform items to be worn for 

unique circumstances for special occasions and 

ceremonial events.

3. Non-Issued Uniform Items

Members may wear personal rain gear outdoors 

during periods of inclement weather if rain gear is 

not available, or not suitable for the work members 

are performing. 

Members may not wear a uniform issued by a 

sponsor without prior review or approval. Members 

may wear sponsor-issued safety equipment.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 25

4. Jewelry

Due to safety concerns, piercings worn outside the 

member uniform, or while on duty, are to be no larger 

than a dime; multiple piercings complying with the 

policy are permitted. All tunnels in the ears must be 

solid. Necklaces and bracelets are permissible, but 

may need to be removed or tucked inside the uniform 

for safety purposes. Additionally, members will, when 

appropriate, adhere to more restrictive standards set 

by the Team Leader, Unit Leader, or (when approved 

by regional leadership) a project sponsor for safety or 

professional appearance reasons.

5. Hair

Hair, mustaches, and beards must be clean and neatly 

styled. Long hair can be a safety hazard; therefore, 

long hair must be pinned up or tied back when 

working near any power equipment or machinery.

6. Grooming Standards

All AmeriCorps NCCC members must comply with 

grooming standards, including laundry, proper 

showering and hygiene.

7. Federal Sponsors & Other Partners

If you are assigned to a federal agency, including 

FEMA or the US Forest Service, please anticipate 

more restrictive standards for hair color and jewelry 

and be ready to make the changes required for 

successful service with a Federal agency.

Non-Federal Sponsors may also request more restrictive 

standards, to be approved on a case- by- case basis 

by regional leadership.

C. Guidelines during Leisure Hours

During leisure hours, members may wear the clothing 

of choice that is appropriate, non-offensive, and in 

compliance with the standards of the host facility.

Members may wear full uniforms to supermarkets 

and other types of shopping venues. Additionally, 

uniform items may be worn during leisure hours in 

official AmeriCorps NCCC housing. Members may 

wear AmeriCorps NCCC cold weather gear during 

leisure hours. However, in no other leisure hours 

circumstances will the NCCC uniform be worn 

including while consuming alcohol or gambling

or at bars, casinos, or other similar establishments 

whose primary purpose is to serve alcohol.

Social Media Policy

Members must use common sense when using social 

media. Members should not post anything that they 

would not want employer, parents, or the general 

public to see.

While serving in AmeriCorps NCCC, the Code of 

Conduct and Professional Behavior, applies to all

activities and behavior, both online, and offline. 

AmeriCorps NCCC respects members’ rights 

concerning free speech, but may take disciplinary 

action if a member’s online comments violate any 

AmeriCorps NCCC policy, or indicate a violation of 

AmeriCorps NCCC policy, or are disrespectful, 

insubordinate, or disparaging (speaking 

inappropriately or negatively to, or about, specific

AmeriCorps NCCC staff members, Team Leaders, or 

fellow Corps members, by name).

Only AmeriCorps HQ officials may authorize the 

creation of an official AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps 

NCCC social media account. Members may not 

create nor operate an official AmeriCorps or 

AmeriCorps NCCC social media account or any 

account that has the appearance of being an 

official AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps NCCC account.

A. Use of National Service Insignia

AmeriCorps national service insignia, to include the 

AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps NCCC logos, belong to, 

and are controlled by AmeriCorps, a federal

agency. It may be used only when properly 

authorized by designated AmeriCorps officials.

The AmeriCorps national service insignia may be used 

on informational materials describing AmeriCorps and 

other AmeriCorps-supported programs and in 

connection with approved programmatic activities. 

However, any use must be properly authorized by 

designated AmeriCorps officials.

The AmeriCorps national service insignia may not be 

used in any of the following ways:

• Attempting to influence legislation;

• Organizing or engaging in protest, petitions, 

boycotts or strikes;

• Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;

• Impairing existing contracts for services or 

collective bargaining agreements;

• Engaging in partisan political activities, or other 

activities designed to influence the outcome of 

an election to any public office;

• Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that 

are likely to include advocacy for or against political 

parties, political platforms, political candidates, 

proposed legislation or elected officials;

• Engaging in religious instruction, conducting 

worship services, engaging in religious 

proselytization; or

• Supporting for-profit, commercial activities, a 

labor union, or a partisan political organization.
Telecommunications

A. Team Leader & Support Team

Leader Laptops

The Support Team Leader and Team Leader laptop 

computers are intended to serve several purposes, 

including, but not limited to, use by member for:

• facilitating e-communication with NCCC staff 

and/or sponsor;

• moving towards paperless reporting (weekly 

progress report and other Team Leader and 

campus paperwork);

• mobile information resource for team (through 

use of internet);

• facilitate, as needed, Life After AmeriCorps 

activities of members; and

• other uses, as deemed necessary, by 

appropriate staff.

B. Prohibitions

On or through any systems provided by AmeriCorps 

or a sponsor, members are prohibited from:

• interfering with or disabling programs intended

to protect government systems such as antivirus, 

monitoring, filtering, anti-adware, or anti-spyware 

programs;

• storing any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) 

on the laptop;

• visiting inappropriate sites, including but not 

limited to:

• pornography;

• hate group sites;

• gambling; or

• any other site inappropriate in a professional 

setting;

• using the laptop to engage in any unprofessional 

behavior.

Any member using telecommunications equipment 

issued by FEMA must comply with all AmeriCorps 

NCCC policies and procedures; the member must 

also adhere to more restrictive standards set by FEMA.

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 26
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 27

Living Allowance

During the term of service, members will receive a living 

allowance. The living allowance begins on the day the 

member is activated into service and terminates when 

the member leaves the program. The amount of this 

allowance is determined by AmeriCorps.

The living allowance is paid to participants biweekly. 

Payments cover a 14-day period and are paid ten 

days after the end of the pay period for which the 

allowance is earned. Funds will be deposited to the 

individual’s bank account. The member is 

responsible for entering and keeping personal bank 

account information updated in My AmeriCorps 

Portal. Members can view or print earnings

statements in My AmeriCorps Portal. Members’ 

allowance will continue while on program breaks 

unless otherwise stated. Members should report 

payroll errors to the Member Support Specialist.

All overpayments or unauthorized payments of living 

allowance will be repaid to NCCC. NCCC may 

offset amounts due against future living allowance 

payments without additional notice to the member.

A. Direct Deposit Program

All members must participate in the direct deposit 

program. Individuals who already have bank or 

credit union accounts may elect to have the living 

allowance deposited directly to that account or 

they may open new accounts at a local financial 

institution. Individuals who do not have accounts 

must open an account at a local financial institution 

within 14 days of the status changing to “in-service” 

in the member portal. Members must enter direct 

deposit information into the portal.

B. Federal & State Taxes

Federal and Social Security taxes will be withheld 

from the living allowance. There are no deductions 

for state tax. The member is personally responsible for 

filing and paying state taxes.

C. Unemployment Compensation

The loss of a living allowance at the end of the 

AmeriCorps NCCC program does not constitute a 

basis for claiming unemployment compensation.

Health Benefits & The Federal 

Employees Compensation Act

A. Health Benefits

Members are covered by the AmeriCorps NCCC 

Health Benefits Plan which provides 24 hour health 

care coverage effective upon entry into the program; 

this benefit plan will automatically terminate at 

midnight on the date you exit the program.

The AmeriCorps Health Benefit Plan is a limited benefit 

plan that covers medical office visits, most lab and

x-ray services, limited preventive care (e.g., an annual 

ob-gyn visit for women), emergency dental and vision, 

medical emergencies, surgical and hospitalization 

expenses, maternity care and most prescription drug 

costs. Specific benefit coverage and exclusion 

information as well as the procedures for obtaining 

care while you are serving are explained in detail in a 

member health benefit guide which is shared during 

in-processing and can be also be accessed through 

the My Resources tab in the portal.

B. Federal Employee Compensation

Under Section 12620(b) of the National and Community 

Service Act of 1990, as amended, members and Team 

Leaders are considered employees of the Federal 

Government for purposes of the Federal Employees 

Compensation Act (FECA), which is administered by 

the Office of Workers’ Compensation Program (OWCP) 

of the U.S. Department of Labor. This office is solely 

responsible for the adjudication of FECA claims.

1. Benefits

FECA provides workers’ compensation benefits for 

illness or injury if it is determined by OWCP to be 

service related - i.e., caused or aggravated by the 

performance of an assignment. However, participants 

may not be covered by FECA. if the injury or disability 

results from the member’s own misconduct, 

intoxication, or willful intent to bring about injury

or death to themselves or others. Claims will be 

submitted to OWCP via the Member Support 

Specialist only upon the member’s termination from 

AmeriCorps NCCC. Benefits approved under FECA 

begin after termination from AmeriCorps NCCC 

service and include payment for continuing medical 

care and compensation for wage loss and 

permanent impairment of certain member or 

functions of the body in the event of a service-related 

disability. FECA also contains provisions or payment of 

certain death benefits such as shipment of body, 

funeral, and burial costs, and survivor benefits if the 

participant’s death results from an injury or illness 

sustained in the performance of official duties.

BENEFITS
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 28

2. Claims Procedures

If a participant is injured or experiences an emergency 

illness related to a service assignment, the Unit Leader, 

the Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership, and 

the Region Director must be notified immediately.

Additionally, members should prepare documentation 

of the injury and the circumstances leading to the 

injury immediately after the accident. If a member 

chooses, they can file worker's compensation 

paperwork with the Member Support Specialist who will 

send the paperwork to the appropriate AmeriCorps 

staff member at the end of the member’s term of 

service. Members can also file a compensation claim 

after they have left the program. Members have 

three years from the date of injury or three years from 

the date they realized the illness to request for the 

Worker Compensation form.

3. AmeriCorps Staff Responsibilities

NCCC will:

• advise and assist individual claimants regarding 

the preparation, submission, and follow-up of the 

member’s respective FECA claims;

• provide appropriate assistance in compiling and 

submitting all pertinent information relating to 

FECA claims; and

• submit all FECA claims and relevant material 

to the AmeriCorps’ National Office, which is 

responsible for review, submission, and follow 

up with OWCP concerning all claims.

4. Appeals Procedures

A participant may appeal any claim rejected by 

OWCP by submitting a request for review within 90 

days from the date of the final decision by OWCP.

In filing an appeal, it is the participant’s responsibility 

to contact the U.S. Department of Labor,

Washington, D.C., and to comply with all established 

procedures. AmeriCorps NCCC cannot participate 

in any appeals but may assist the participant in 

providing information to the Department of Labor.

Education Award

To use an education award, each AmeriCorps 

NCCC member must comply with the National 

Service Trust. The education award is taxable in 

the year it is used.

The most current information about the Segal 

AmeriCorps Education Award is available at 

AmeriCorps.gov or by calling the National 

Service Hotline at 1-800-942-2677.

A. General

In general, to qualify for an education award, a 

member must successfully complete a term of service 

in an approved national service position and perform 

at least 1,700 hours of national service for a full award 

(including the required amount of ISP hours, if 

applicable). Members must complete the program

in good standing. Under special circumstances, 

members may receive a prorated award if members 

are unable to complete the full term.

B. Use of Education Award

The education awardcan be used in the following ways:

• To repay qualified federally-guaranteed existing 

or future student loans.

• To pay all or part of the cost (tuition, book, lab 

fees) of attending a qualified institution of higher 

education (including certain vocational schools). 

Information about qualified institutions is 

available at AmeriCorps.gov.

C. Amount of Award

The education award is adjusted based on the 

amount of the Pell Grant. AmeriCorps members are 

eligible to earn up to the equivalent of two full time 

education awards, and they have up to seven years 

to use the award. The amount of the two full time 

education awards may be distributed over multiple 

years of service if a member did not receive the full 

amount in any given year. Members can use the 

award only as noted above and may use all or any 

portion at any time after the completion of the term 

of service. For example, members may apply a 

portion of the award to existing qualified student 

loans and use the remainder to pay for authorized 

college costs.

Members may apply for an extension of the 

expiration date of the award if they make the 

request before the award expires. However, an 

extension is not automatic and is granted only under 

certain circumstances (e.g., a member served a 

second AmeriCorps term of service, served in the 

Peace Corps, served in the military, or was 

unavoidably prevented from using the award within 

the seven-year period the award was in effect). 

For further details about the education award, 

members should visit AmeriCorps.gov. 
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 29

D. Accessing & Making Payments from the 

Education Award

Near the completion of a member’s term of service, 

members will be asked to access the My AmeriCorps 

Portal and complete the exit survey and form. The 

Member Support Specialist notifies the Office of the 

National Service Trust that the member successfully 

completed the program through the approval of 

that form. Successful completion of the program 

includes having provided citizenship eligibility 

documentation at the beginning of the program 

and the payment of all fines and money owed as

a result of damage to, or loss of, government 

property or disciplinary fines. Failure to pay the fines 

and/or money owed may either delay or preclude 

the receipt of the education award. The amount 

owed is not offset against the education award.

Payments toward your qualified federal student 

loans and/or college costs must be made through 

the My AmeriCorps Portal account by accessing the 

education award tab. Members should click on the 

"Create an Education Payment Request" under the 

Education Award tab in the left sidebar; identify and 

select the institution; enter the service date; and 

click submit to send the request to the institution.

Members should follow-up with the school to ensure 

they received the money.

E. Loan & Interest Postponement while 

Serving in AmeriCorps

Members have the option of postponing repayment 

of the member’s qualified student loans while 

enrolled in an AmeriCorps program. The type of loan 

postponement for which AmeriCorps members can 

apply for is referred to as a forbearance, and it is 

based upon the member’s service with AmeriCorps.

Private loans are not eligible for forbearance.

In order to obtain this benefit, members must submit 

a Forbearance Request through the My AmeriCorps 

Portal at the beginning of the member’s service. If a 

member’s loan qualifies, the loan holder will process 

the request accordingly.

It is at the discretion of the member's lender to 

determine if the member's particular student loan is 

eligible to be placed in forbearance, or any other 

type of postponement, while in service.

F. Interest Payments

If a member has successfully completed a term of 

service and earned an education award, the 

National Service Trust will pay all or part of the 

interest that accrued on qualified student loans 

during the member’s period of service. The accrued 

interest paid from the Trust is an additional benefit to

the member and is not deducted from the

member’s education award balance.

Unless a member completes the agreed upon term 

of service or is released from service for compelling 

personal circumstances, the Trust, by law, cannot pay 

any interest that accrues on the member’s loan(s). 

Also, the Trust cannot pay any interest outside the 

period the member was earning an education award. 

Although the member may find that some loans may 

not qualify to have interest paid by the Trust, it may be 

paid under other programs or authorities. The member 

should check with the loan holders.

In order to request for the Trust to pay for the 

accrued interest, members must submit an Interest 

Payment Request through the My AmeriCorps Portal 

account at the completion of the term of service.

Members should click on the “Create Interest

Payment Request” under the My Education Award 

tab in the left sidebar; selecting the loan holder; and 

clicking submit to send it to the loan holder. If a 

member’s loan qualifies, the loan holder will process

the request accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The most current information and detailed, updated 

FAQs are available at AmeriCorps.gov. Some 

general information is provided below:

1. What do I need to do to get the education award? 

You must successfully complete a term of service as 

an AmeriCorps NCCC member and perform at least

1,700 hours of service to receive a full award,

inclusive of ISP hours.

2. What is the amount of the award I will receive?

The amount of your education award depends upon 

the term of service you complete. If you graduate 

from AmeriCorps NCCC and complete a full-time 

(1,700 hours) term of service, you will receive the full 

education award amount, which is based on the Pell 

Grant. Pro-rated awards may be available, 

depending on the circumstances under which you 

departed AmeriCorps NCCC.

3. How many education awards can I receive? 

You may receive up to the equivalent of two full 

education awards in your lifetime for service in any

national service position, including AmeriCorps

NCCC, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps State and 

National. The full amount of the two awards could 

be paid over multiple terms of service if you do not 

receive the full amount for each of the first two terms 

of service. You may serve additional terms in other 

national service positions, but will not be eligible for 

education awards once you receive the equivalent 

of two full education awards.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 30

4. How long do I have to use my education award? 

Unused education awards expire seven years after 

the member completed service with NCCC, unless

an extension is granted. There are a limited number

of bases for granting an extension, such as serious 

illness, service in the Peace Corps or service in 

another AmeriCorps term. The member must request 

an extension before the award has expired and may 

make the request online or by mail. Details of the 

requirements are sent to the member using the 

mailing or e-mail address on file in the My

AmeriCorps portal prior to the award’s expiration

date. An award may be extended only one time.

5. What happens if I do not complete my full term 

of service?

A member who has served at least 15 percent of the 

term of service and is released from service for 

compelling personal circumstances is eligible to 

receive a pro-rated award, based on the length of 

service. Members and Team Leaders who do not 

successfully complete the term (i.e. graduate), or 

who are released for cause, are not eligible for any 

portion of an award.

6. What are compelling personal circumstances? 

Compelling personal circumstances are those 

circumstances that are unforeseen or beyond an

individual’s control. Examples of circumstances that

might be considered to be compelling personal 

circumstances are serious illness/injury to the 

member or the death of an immediate member of 

the participant’s family (see Section G “Compelling 

and Personal Circumstances” on page 30.)

7. Will I have to pay taxes on my education award? 

Yes, your education award is taxable in the year it is 

used. If you use a portion of your award, you must 

include that portion as income when you file your

tax returns for the year in which you use it.

8. How can I get some more help figuring out how 

to save on my federal taxes?

AmeriCorps does not provide tax advice to individuals. 

If you have questions, you should contact a tax 

professional or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):

• The IRS TELETAX (1-800-829-4477) has recorded 

information on the new education credits 

(Topic #605) and student loan interest 

deduction (Topic #456).

• To order free publications and forms, call 1-800- 

TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). You can start with 

Publication 910, Guide to Free Tax Services, and 

Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education. 

These publications are also available on-line.

• The IRS’s phone number is 1-800-829-1040.

9. Is accrued interest paid on my student loans by 

the Trust taxable?

Yes, interest payments made by the Trust are

considered taxable and are reported to the IRS.

10. Should I include my service dates when I request 

forbearance?

Yes, you should include the dates of service in your 

request. When submitting your forbearance request 

in the portal, it will generate all service terms you 

have enrolled in and will allow you to select from 

those options.

11. How can I get my accrued interest paid?

In order for the Trust to pay the interest that has 

accrued on a qualified student loan during your 

term of service, you must go to the My AmeriCorps 

Portal and submit a request for accrued interest to 

be paid. When the Trust receives the completed 

request and it meets the Trust requirements, a 

payment will be sent to your loan holder.

12. Is my award transferable? For example, if I am 

unable to use it, can I transfer the award to another 

individual?

You must be 55 or older when you begin your term of 

service in order to be eligible to transfer your education 

award. Additional information on transfer eligibility 

and conditions is available at AmeriCorps.gov.

13. Who do I contact if I have other questions? 

You may call the National Service Hotline at 

AmeriCorps at 1-800-942-2677 or visit the “My 

Education Award” tab in the My AmeriCorps Portal

to have any questions answered.

14. How do I access the My AmeriCorps Portal? 

You can access your My AmeriCorps portal at 

my.AmeriCorps.gov
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 31

G. Effects of Leaving AmeriCorps NCCC 

before Completion of the Program: 

Compelling Personal Circumstances

1. Less than 1,700 Hours Completed

AmeriCorps has designated the Region Director to 

decide on a case-by-case basis whether a situation 

warrants that a member receive a pro-rated award. 

AmeriCorps’ position is that the situation must be 

beyond the member’s control. The following are 

examples of circumstances that could justify the 

early release of a member and entitle the member 

to a portion of an award:

• Sickness or critical illness of the member;

• Death or critical illness of a member’s immediate 

family (spouse, parent, sibling, child, or 

guardian); or

• Programmatic problems not under the control of 

the member, i.e., loss of funding.

If a member leaves AmeriCorps NCCC service for 

compelling personal circumstances and has served 

at least 15 percent of the member’s service, the 

member will be eligible for a portion of the 

education award corresponding to the period 

served. To determine the percentage of the award, 

the number of credible service hours is divided by 

1,700 hours. The resulting percentage is then 

multiplied by the education award to determine the 

amount of the pro-rated award.

Generally, a member would not be entitled to 

receive a pro-rated education award if terminating 

before graduation:

• in order to accept an offer of employment;

• because the member finds the work 

unenjoyable;

• because of the size of the living allowance; or

• in order to move to another area of the country 

or another country. 

While these reasons may seem justifiable to individual 

members, the service activity, campus, and the 

community will suffer when a member departs. Part 

of national service is based on a commitment to 

completing the agreed-upon term of service, as 

memorialized in the member agreement. If the member 

resignsfor any of these reasons or other reasons that are 

within the member’s control, the individual will 

receive no portion of the education award.

No pro-rated award is permitted without the approval 

of the Region Director. The Region Director will be 

required to make the determination of whether the 

reason for departure constitutes compelling personal 

circumstances. The determination will be made at the 

time of the member’s departure and the decision will 

be indicated on the end of service form that each 

member is required to complete. When forwarded to 

AmeriCorps, it will become the substantiating 

document used to issue awards. Each member who 

leaves, or wishes to leave, the AmeriCorps NCCC 

program early will be given the opportunity to apply 

for an award citing the reasons why the member 

believes that the award is justified. The Region Director 

will then determine the validity of the request and 

provide the documentation to justify the member’s 

recommendation on the end of term of service form.

SUMMARY TABLE OF EFFECTS OF EARLY DEPARTURE ON EDUCATION AWARD AMOUNT

IF THE MEMBER HAS 

SERVED...

SERVES THROUGH 

GRADUATION?

REGION DIRECTOR DETERMINES THAT EARLY 

DEPARTURE WAS FOR COMPELLING PERSONAL 

CIRCUMSTANCES?

AMOUNT OF 

EDUCATION AWARD

LESS THAN 

1,700 HOURS

YES N/A

Pro-rated, if Region Director 

determines that the hour 

deficiency resulted from 

circumstances beyond the

member’s control

NO YES Pro-rated

NO NO None

AT LEAST 

1,700 HOURS

YES N/A Full

NO YES Full

NO NO

None, unless Region Director finds 

that early departure is required to 

meet a “window of opportunity”.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 32

2. At least 1,700 Hours Completed

With Region Director approval, a member may be 

permitted to depart the program before graduation 

if the member has completed at least 1,700 hours of 

service and is departing in order to meet “a window of 

opportunity” to enterschool or to serve in a National 

Service position through AmeriCorps State & National, 

as a VISTA volunteer, a Peace Corps volunteer, or as a 

member of the Armed Forces. Individuals departing the

program may be approved to leave up to 7 days before 

the documented start date. Proof of acceptance by 

the institution or program and the institution’s/program’s 

requirement to report on a certain date must be 

documented in writing. If the Region Director does 

not make a determination that departure is to meet 

“a window of opportunity,” the member will not receive 

any portion of an education award.

3. Review of Region Director’s Decision

Members may appeal a Region Director’s decision 

concerning this section to the National Director, if 

submitted in writing and within ten days of the

Region Director’s decision.

Child Care Benefits

AmeriCorps NCCC offers a child care benefit to 

custodial or joint-custodial parents. The benefit is 

available to pay for eligible expenses related to child 

care while a member is in service. The maximum 

amount of child care assistance a member can 

receive is $400 per month per child. The benefit is 

paid directly to eligible child care providers, not to 

AmeriCorps NCCC members. To be eligible to 

receive the benefit:

• the member must be the parent or legal 

guardian of a child under the age of 13; 

• the guardian, or family member, the child is living 

with must also be either:

• the child care provider, or

• the party responsible for selecting a child care 

provider for the eligible child. However, the 

identified child care provider may not be the 

child’s biological, step, or adoptive parent;

• the member certifies that child care is needed in 

order to participate in the program.

To apply for the benefit, the member should contact 

the child care benefit provider through the website at 

AmeriCorpschildcare.com or by calling 855-886-0687. 

Member Assistance Program

AmeriCorps NCCC members have access to the 

AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program (MAP). This 

benefit is available to all members currently serving

in the AmeriCorps NCCC program. Through the MAP, 

members have access to mental health counseling, 

medical advocacy, life coaching, and work/life 

resources. The MAP is provided as a benefit to 

members for the ongoing self-management and 

care that is needed while serving in the program.

This benefit can be accessed through a mobile app 

titled "mylifeexpert.com" or by phone at 800-451-1834.

Emergency Leave & Personal Absences

A. Emergency Leave

Emergency leave may be granted in cases of death or 

under emergency conditions (a threat to life) where the 

member’s presence is mandated. Some documentation 

may be required to substantiate the request.

The relationship to the member must fall within the 

following familial relationships:

• Spouse;

• Children (including stepchildren, adopted 

children, and biological children);

• Parents or persons in loco parentis (acting in 

place of) to the member;

• Siblings; or

• Grandparents.

Members traveling on emergency leave are required 

to furnish the member’s own transportation both to 

and from the emergency site. Members granted 

emergency leave will be entitled to receive the 

normal living allowances for a period not to exceed 

seven calendar days. For absences in excess of seven 

days, members will be placed on administrative 

suspension and will be in a no-pay status. This status 

must be approved by the Region Director. Members 

will not be entitled to accrue creditable service hours 

during the member’s absence.

B. Absence for Minor Illness or Injury

It is recognized that there may be occasions when 

members have a minor illness or injury, such as a 

common cold, that may not require a medical 

appointment. Short periods of rest and recuperation 

may be the best method of treatment and is less 

costly to the member. A member may elect to take 

up to two consecutive service or training days as sick 

days in quarters. Members must report the need for 

sick days to the Team Leader prior to the scheduled 

start of the workday.

The Sick Day in Quarters (SIQ) is intended for rest and 

recuperation. As such, the member must remain in 

quarters that entire day, so that the member may 

return the next service day. If a member chooses to 

remain in quarters for the day, it is understood that
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 33

the member must remain in quarters throughout the 

evening as well. Transportation to and from local 

stores to procure across the counter drugs or other 

health and comfort items will be coordinated with the 

respective Unit leader or Team Leader in advance.

In the event the member is unable to return to service 

or training at the beginning of the third consecutive 

corps service day, the member must then go on sick 

call to seek professional medical advice. If, on the 

third day of SIQ, the member’s health is improving but 

the member is still unable to return to service, the Unit 

Leader may use discretion in allowing the member to 

remain in quarters a third day without seeking 

professional medical attention. Abuse of Sick Days in 

Quarters procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Members that take significant amounts of sick days 

may have difficulty in reaching the 1,700 service hours 

requirement. In these circumstances, members should 

speak with NCCC staff to understand available options.

C. Personal Absences

Members in both the NCCC-Traditional and the 

NCCC-FEMA Corps programs are authorized three 

personal days leave during the term of service. Living 

allowances will be paid during the approved 

personal leave. Service hours will not be earned 

during personal days. It should be noted that 

members do not accrue time off or vacation time 

except for those national holidays and authorized 

breaks, as established in the program calendar.

In no instance will paid personal absences exceed 

three days during the program duration. There may 

be extenuating circumstances where a member 

may request and receive unpaid personal leave 

beyond the three paid days. Members who do not 

meet the criteria for emergency leave, but who 

believe that the circumstances require the presence 

away from the campus, project site, or program, 

may submit a written request for personal leave 

through the Team Leader and unit staff to the 

Region Director at least five working days before

the start date of the requested personal absence. 

If approved, and at the discretion of the Region 

Director, members will be granted a personal 

absence for an approved period of time.

D. Life After AmeriCorps Days

All members in both the NCCC-Traditional and 

NCCC-FEMA programs are authorized two Life After 

AmeriCorps days leave during the term of service, 

subject to the approval of the member’s Unit Leader. 

Living allowances will be paid during and training 

hours will be earned for approved Life After 

AmeriCorps days. 

E. Absent Without Leave (AWOL)

Members AWOL from AmeriCorps NCCC will be 

subject to a dismissal hearing. Members who are 

AWOL for five consecutive calendar days may be 

dismissed from the program in absentia.

Travel To & From Campus

AmeriCorps NCCC will cover most forms of 

transportation to and from camps. These include:

• Travel from the member’s Home of Record (HOR)

to the campus;

• To and from an approved Medical Hold location;

• Member travel to HOR from the campus upon 

the end of service;

• Team Leader relocation allowance upon

beginning and completion of the Team Leader’s

service term; and

• Special Purpose Travel, e.g., conferences, special 

events, etc.

A. Travel Methods

The following outlines the options a member has 

when determining how to travel to/from campus.

1. Travel by Commercial Carrier 

Plane, Train, and Bus Tickets

Members authorized to travel via air or bus will be 

provided a ticket issued by the AmeriCorps NCCC. 

The electronic ticket will be sent to members 

electronically (proper government issued picture ID 

will be required at the airport). Departing members 

will be provided the itinerary for an e-ticket or actual 

ticket the day of departure from the campus. After 

the tickets are issued, any changes must be done 

through the Member Support Specialist. AmeriCorps 

NCCC will not pay for any changes to the ticket. The 

airline selected for use on specific routes is 

mandated (through pre-negotiated Government 

Services Agency contracts) and cannot be

changed by AmeriCorps NCCC. Airlines and travel 

agents will not issue cash refunds to members for 

common carrier tickets issued by AmeriCorps NCCC. 

Credits are issued to AmeriCorps NCCC. In the rare 

case where AmeriCorps NCCC is unable to provide

a pre-paid bus ticket, the member will be directed to 

purchase the bus ticket and then submit a Claim for 

Reimbursement during campus in-processing. If a 

member prefers not to travel by the method 

provided by AmeriCorps NCCC, the member should 

consider purchasing a bus/rail/air ticket using the

method described in the “Other Options” section.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 34

Plane

If the trip between the member's HOR and campus is 

over 50 miles, an airline ticket will be purchased by 

the Member Support Specialist and provided to the 

member. At the request of the member, a bus or rail 

ticket may be purchased, but only if it is less 

expensive to the government than a plane ticket.

Members are allowed reimbursement for transportation 

to the terminal when traveling over 50 miles between 

the HOR and the airport or bus for the one-way trip at 

the current authorized mileage rate, as determined 

by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). Mileage will 

be verified by a staff member.

Bus

The use of a bus requires authorization by the Region 

Director. This is due to increased cost, transportation 

time, and scheduling difficulty.

Airline Baggage

In order to be reimbursed for the one bag, the 

incoming members must provide the AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff an airline baggage fee receipt from the 

airline carrier or a Missing Receipt Form 403 (if the 

member does not have the receipt). The member 

Support Specialist will prepare the AmeriCorps NCCC 

Form 311, Obligating and Payment Voucher and 

provide it to the AmeriCorps NCCC staff for 

reimbursement to the member.

Outgoing members will be reimbursed to cover the 

expected baggage reimbursement costs. Debit card 

and baggage costs will be determined by the 

Member Support Specialist after receiving the flight 

itineraries from Travel Management Agency. No 

receipt from the member is necessary; after all, the 

members will be flying home and unable to show the 

receipt for baggage costs. The Member Support 

Specialist will prepare an AmeriCorps NCCC Form 

311, Obligating and Payment Voucher, which will be 

used as a receipt to account for the payment.

AmeriCorps NCCC only reimburses for the first 

checked bag at the standard rate with no 

additional fees for overages of size or weight.

2. Travel via Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) 

Members travelling by POV will be reimbursed at the 

standard federal mileage reimbursement rate. A

staff member will use an online mapping service to

determine the total number of miles authorized for 

reimbursement. This reimbursement is intended to 

cover transportation expenses (although it may not 

cover all costs associated with lodging/subsistence). 

The total amount claimed cannot exceed $275. The 

mileage rate usually changes from year to year.

Mileage is authorized for only one member per 

vehicle. If the member is a passenger traveling in 

another member’s POV, the passenger member is 

entitled to $0.10 per mile, with a maximum of $90. 

Mitigating circumstances, such as detours for road 

construction or adverse weather conditions, will be 

considered, provided written justification is submitted 

with the travel claim.

Rental vehicles, such as cars or moving vans, will be 

considered under the same policy as POVs.

3. Other Options

If approved in advance by the Region Director or 

designee, departing members may elect to purchase 

transportation tickets with personal funds and be 

reimbursed by submitting a receipt. The member will 

be reimbursed only up to either the actual cost of the 

ticket purchased or the cost of a similar government 

fare ticket, whichever is less based on the fare 

between the HOR and the campus.

If a member decides to stay within the area of the 

campus after graduation, the member has up to 14 

calendar days prior to the date of graduation to 

purchase a ticket for departure travel and receive 

reimbursement for a ticket purchased with personal 

funds. Documentation/proof of travel must be 

received prior to the member's completion of the 

program to be eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement requests will not be processed after 

the member is no longer active in the member portal. 

The member will be reimbursed only up to either the 

actual cost of the ticket purchased or the cost of a 

similar government fare ticket, whichever is less based 

on the fare between the HOR and the campus facility.

4. Miscellaneous Expenses

The shipment of personal belongings is a member 

responsibility. Members will not be reimbursed for 

the shipment of any items to or from the campus. 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff generally may not ship a 

member’s personal belongings without prior 

authorization from the Region Director.

B. Campus Arrival

AmeriCorps NCCC will assist members with 

transportation arrangements and expenses to the 

designated campus based upon the member’s HOR.

Upon acceptance into the program, Candidates 

will be required to complete the Travel Profile 

electronically on My AmeriCorps Portal account.

After the completion and submission of the Travel 

profile online form, it will be approved and locked by 

the Member Support Specialist. If you need to make 

updates on the form, inform the Member Support 

Specialist to unlock it and make the change.

Submission of this form by the requested date is 

critical for making travel arrangements in a timely 

manner, notifying the candidate of the travel 

arrangements, and subsequently permitting the 

candidate to plan the arrival accordingly.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 35

C. Campus Departure

1. Completion of Program Travel

During the final months of service, the Member Support 

Specialist will complete travel paperwork to provide 

information for departure travel. Based upon this 

information, the members will be prepaid any travel 

entitlement by debit card or receive an electronic 

ticket from the campus on the day of out-processing. 

Members will be reimbursed for one bag when traveling 

by commercial carrier or mileage up to $275 for driver 

reimbursement or $90 for passenger reimbursement.

In order for a member to make an official change to 

the member’s HOR for return travel, member must 

complete Change of HOR Request Form, but not 

later than one month prior to graduation from the 

program. The letter should request approval for a 

new HOR and include an explanation of the 

circumstances surrounding the requested change.

In addition to the explanation for the change in 

the HOR, the member may be required to provide 

additional documentation that substantiates the 

change in HOR.

A change of the member’s HOR from a location inside 

the continental U.S. to a location outside the United 

States or the Territories of the United States will result in 

the member receiving a travel reimbursement not to 

exceed the amount authorized for travel to the original 

HOR (see “Other Options” in Travel to & From Campus, 

Section A.3). Departing members receive the itineraries 

approximately two weeks before departure date.

2. Early Departure for Program/Termination Travel 

Members are authorized a one-way travel expenses 

for return to the HOR upon voluntary or involuntary

early termination from the program at the expense

of AmeriCorps NCCC. The entitlements are the same 

as those described in "Travel to & from Campus, 

Section A.3. Other Options".

D. Team Leader Relocation Allowance

The purpose of the Team Leader relocation 

allowance is to assist the Team Leaders in transferring 

personal items from the HOR to the designated 

campus. Each new Team Leader will be provided a 

relocation allowance of $250. The Team Leader will 

receive reimbursement via a debit card. If a Team 

Leader is transferred to another campus during the 

program year, the campus will ship the Team

Leader’s personal effects and provide transportation 

to the new campus. There will not be a relocation 

allowance for this transfer. If a member is promoted 

to Team Leader, the member is not entitled to 

receive the relocation allowance because the 

member is already on campus.

Team Leaders that are serving consecutive terms as 

Team Leaders will not receive a new relocation 

allowance for the new Team Leader term. Team 

Leaders that are serving another term as a Team 

Leader following break in service of more than three 

months will receive a new relocation allowance for 

this new Team Leader term.

Upon successful completion of the Team Leader service, 

the Team Leader will be entitled to a $250 relocation 

allowance. Early termination of the Team Leader’s 

service, whether voluntary or involuntary, will result in 

forfeiture of the second $250 relocation allowance.

E. Travel Not Covered by AmeriCorps NCCC

Personal, non-official travel will be neither arranged 

nor funded by AmeriCorps. This includes authorized 

emergency leave as defined in the handbook.

Members assume personal and financial responsibility 

for these trips. AmeriCorps NCCC cannot provide 

advances or loans to members for these expenses.

It is not permissible to use AmeriCorps’ travel agency, 

or to receive a government rate ticket, when 

traveling for personal reasons.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 36
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 37

Residential Living

A. General

1. Roommates

Residences are co-ed; Any member may opt-in for 

housing consistent with their gender expression and 

NCCC will make reasonable efforts to accommodate 

all individual requests for housing while on campus.

2. Assignment of Roommates

To fulfill NCCC’s statutory responsibility of bringing 

together young Americans from diverse backgrounds, 

roommates are assigned to encourage opportunities 

to learn about other cultures and backgrounds. Upon 

arrival, members will be assigned to a specific room in 

a residence hall. Requests for room changes are to be 

submitted in writing to the Residence Coordinator or 

other designated staff person and should include an 

explanation for the move request. While the overall 

well-being and morale of the members will always be 

held as top priority, occasions may arise when it is 

necessary that a member be required to move to 

another room. Any such action will be communicated 

in writing and will include an explanation for the 

required relocation and a timeline for completing

the move.

3. Bathroom Facilities

Members will use the bathroom assigned to them. 

Members should not use bathroom facilities not 

assigned to them.

4. Attire

During leisure hours, members may wear the clothing 

of choice that is appropriate, non-offensive, and in 

compliance with the standards of the host facility.

5. Firearms & Other Weapons

Possession of any firearm or other weapon (e.g., 

knives with blades longer than three inches, brass 

knuckles, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

6. Security

Residents are responsible for the security of personal 

possessions. Rooms should be locked and valuables 

secured when the room is unoccupied, and outside 

doors should be secured for the safety of residents.

7. Security Problems

Residents are responsible for reporting unescorted 

visitors and other security/safety problems to the 

Team Leader or Residence Coordinator.

8. Quiet Hours

Quiet hours will normally be from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

Sundays through Thursdays, and from midnight to 

9:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The term “quiet 

hours” means that the residence halls and campus 

complex will be free of loud noises. Complaints from 

other residents about excessive noise may result in 

appropriate disciplinary action. These hours may be 

modified at the discretion of the Region Director.

9. Visitation

In order to create a community that respects the 

rights and privacy of all members, no person will be 

allowed in another person’s dorm room (excluding 

roommate) from midnight to 7:00 a.m. This rule 

applies seven days a week and there are no 

exceptions; between 10 p.m. and midnight, a

member must have the roommate’s verbal consent 

for any other AmeriCorps NCCC member, regardless 

of gender, to be in the member’s room.

10. Sexual Contact

Individuals will refrain from all forms of sexual contact 

while on duty and while on, or in close proximity to, 

AmeriCorps NCCC property, in AmeriCorps NCCC 

vehicles, and in facilities, lodging, or vehicles 

provided by a sponsor organization.

B. Rooms

1. Cleanliness

Each member will be held responsible for the

cleanliness of the member’s assigned room. Beds are 

to be made daily, all clothing and personal items 

should be stored neatly, trash cans emptied, and 

floors free of debris.

2. Privacy

Dorm room privacy operates on the honor code; 

individual privacy is to be respected at all times. 

Members should knock before entering, ask before 

borrowing, and never enter someone else’s room 

without permission.

3. Inspections

There will be periodic room inspections to ensure the 

health, safety, and cleanliness of the member’s room 

(see “Inspections” in Residential Living, Section A. 

Staff Inspections). These inspections may be 

unannounced.

CAMPUS LIFE
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 38

4. Food Storage

Food must be properly stored or otherwise disposed 

of in a sanitary manner to prevent insect infestation. 

Food such as bread, crackers, cookies, and cereal 

must be kept in air-tight tins or plastic containers/bags.

5. Cooking Appliances

Storage or use of microwaves (unless approved by 

the Region Director or designee), hot plates, broilers, 

rice steamers, or cooking appliances in member 

rooms are prohibited. These items will be removed 

and stored until completion of the program.

6. Fire Hazards

To avoid fires, candles, incense, or open flames 

are prohibited.

7. Flammable Materials

Storage or use of flammable materials, such as 

gasoline, paint thinners, camping fuel, or any other 

explosive or highly flammable materials in individual 

rooms is prohibited.

8. Other Appliances

The use of radios, stereos, televisions, and coffee 

makers is authorized provided such equipment does 

not create a fire hazard and is compliant with local 

policies. Coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, curling 

irons, etc., should be unplugged when not in use.

9. Electrical Devices

Use of an electrical device that is not properly 

grounded is prohibited.

10. Noise

Excessive noise resulting in complaints from other 

residents will result in appropriate disciplinary action.

11. Personal Property

AmeriCorps NCCC is not responsible or liable for loss 

of, or damage to, a member’s personal property, 

including monies loaned between members. Highvalue items—such as high value electronic 

equipment, video systems, video games, expensive 

jewelry or other such items—are the sole responsibility 

of the member. AmeriCorps NCCC advises members 

not to bring any high value items. If members bring 

high value items to the program, the members do so 

at the member’s own risk. Rooms should be locked 

when no one is in the room.

12. Linens

Members will furnish personal linens.

C. Common Areas

All members are expected to carry out assigned 

dormitory cleaning duties. Common areas will be 

cleaned daily, and, at a minimum, the following 

tasks will be completed:

• Sweep hallways, porches, and stairways;

• Mop and disinfect bathroom floors and shower stalls;

• Scrub and disinfect sinks, toilets, and urinals;

• Empty trash;

• Take out recycling materials;

• Clean mirrors;

• Clean laundry room (if applicable); and

• Clean up after yourself.

If common area or room cleaning duties are not 

properly completed, the member may be subject 

to appropriate disciplinary action.

D. Fire Prevention/Safety

1. Fire Alarms & Exits

Each member shall be familiar with the location of 

fire alarms, exits, and extinguishers. Each member 

shall also be familiar with the contents of posted 

evacuation plans.

2. Activating Alarms

Each member shall be familiar with the location of 

fire alarms, exits, and extinguishers. Each member 

shall also be familiar with the contents of posted 

evacuation plans.

3. Evacuating the Building

Upon hearing or seeing the alarm, everyone will 

leave the residence hall by the nearest exit and 

assemble by teams in a predetermined location a 

sufficient distance from the dorm so that firefighting 

personnel can accomplish the member’s task. Team 

Leaders will account for all Corps members on the 

team and provide such information to the Unit 

Leader or appropriate staff member. 

4. Failure to Respond to Fire Alarms

Failure to respond appropriately to fire alarms

(including drills) may result in disciplinary action.

5. Fire Prevention & Safety Policies

All members must be familiar with the fire prevention and 

safety policies of the living quarters and service sites.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 39

E. Visitors & Visitation

1. Definition

Anyone who is not a member of the AmeriCorps 

NCCC assigned campus and is not assigned to 

the dorm (room or house) is considered a visitor.

2. Check in

All visitors must comply with AmeriCorps NCCC policies.

3. Rules & Regulations

Visitors will be accompanied by a member, who will 

advise the visitor of all rules and regulations.

4. Visitation Hours

Visitors are not authorized to remain in dormitories or 

on other campus or spike housing overnight and will 

not be allowed in rooms during quiet hours (see

“Quiet Hours” in Residential Living, Section A(8))

All visitors must follow local visitor check in 

procedures as determined by the region.

Inspections

A. Staff Inspections

1. Periodic Inspections

Health, safety, and sanitation inspections will be 

conducted periodically by AmeriCorps NCCC staff. 

Inspections will be conducted in pairs and may be 

announced or unannounced. Members do not have 

to be present during an inspection.

2. Purpose of Inspections

Inspections are limited to the purposes for which 

they are authorized and should not involve the 

examination of any desk, bureau, trunk, or other 

presumptively private container. Unlocked closets 

and refrigerators may be inspected to ensure that 

they are clean and orderly.

3. Evidence of Crime

If a staff member should see evidence of a crime in 

plain view, the staff member is responsible for reporting 

the observation to the Unit Leader, Deputy Region 

Director for Unit Leadership, or Region Director and 

ensuring that the evidence is safeguarded until it is 

turned over to the appropriate authorities.

4. Probable Cause

Inspections should not be used to search for illegal

items or evidence of a crime. Officials must base any

search under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. 

Constitution on probable cause and comply with 

search and seizure requirements.

B. Other Official Inspections

Public health, public safety, and fire officials may 

conduct routine inspections of residence hall rooms

and storage areas to promote the overall health and 

welfare of all residents. These inspections may result 

in disciplinary action for any individual who is 

responsible for violations of AmeriCorps NCCC policy.

Inspectors must be accompanied by AmeriCorps

NCCC staff inspecting a member’s room for health 

and safety purposes. These inspections can occur at 

any time and do not require the presence of the 

member. As stated above, inspections by public 

safety and fire officials are also limited to the 

purposes for which they are authorized and should 

not involve the examination of any desk, bureau, 

trunk, or other presumptively private container.

Unlocked closets and refrigerators may be inspected 

to ensure that they are safe and clean. If an 

inspector should see evidence of a crime in plain 

view, the inspector has the responsibility to report 

observation to law enforcement authorities.

All mail and packages sent to the campus facility 

are subject to inspection and mail and packages 

that appear suspicious may be opened.

C. Emergency Entries

1. Fire Officials

Fire officials may lawfully enter an individual’s room 

without permission to search for, or to confirm the 

presence of a fire or related dangers.

2. Law Enforcement & Other Officials

Any person, including law enforcement officials, may 

enter a member’s room without permission in order 

to search for, rescue, evacuate, or treat fire or 

disaster victims, or otherwise save lives or property 

from destruction.

3. Seizure of Evidence

In the course of assisting at a fire or disaster, police 

officers may lawfully seize any evidence of a crime 

they observe in plain view for purposes of prosecution. 

Since they are lawfully on the premises, they do not 

need to obtain a warrant.

4. Fire Officials/Evidence

Fire officials have a responsibility to report any 

evidence of a crime they have observed to law 

enforcement officials. However, a police officer who 

seeks to enter a member’s room solely to investigate 

such a report is under legal obligation to comply with 

search and seizure requirements.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 40

Privately Owned Vehicles (POV)

Personal vehicles kept on campus must meet the 

following conditions:

• The owner must have a valid operator’s license

and, if required, must obtain a local license.

Proof of a valid driver’s license must be provided 

to the designated AmeriCorps NCCC staff for 

verification. Motorcycle operators must show proof 

of completion of an appropriate training course;

• The vehicle must be properly titled and licensed. 

Proof of vehicle registration must be provided to 

the designated AmeriCorps NCCC staff person;

• If required by the state, the vehicle must bear a 

current valid inspection sticker at all times;

• All private vehicles and operators must be 

covered under the local minimum vehicle liability 

insurance requirement. Proof of current 

coverage must be provided to the designated 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff person;

• Personal vehicles will not be used for any 

AmeriCorps NCCC official business, except as 

approved by the Region Director for individual 

transportation to and from individual service projects 

or as otherwise authorized by the Region Director 

after consultation with the National Director;

• For purposes of safety and accountability, any 

member traveling over 100 miles from the 

AmeriCorps NCCC campus in a personal vehicle 

must notify in writing to the Unit Leader;

• Vehicles are parked and stored on campus at

the risk of the owner. AmeriCorps NCCC assumes 

no liability for theft or damage to privately owned 

vehicles. Vehicles will not remain on AmeriCorps 

NCCC premises after the end of the program year;

• Legal difficulties that may result from the use of 

private vehicles on or off campus are the 

responsibility of the owner. Local authorities may 

restrict/deny driving privileges to individuals who 

violate traffic laws on the campus compounds.

Use of Government Vehicles

A. Official Purposes for Use of Government 

Vehicles

AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles may be used only for 

official purposes. Official purposes for government 

vehicle use include:

• transportation to and from project sites;

• transporting authorized visitors, project sponsors, 

members, and others in the standard conduct of 

government business;

• vehicle maintenance;

• spike preparation;

• transporting members to and from sick call and

doctor appointments;

• obtaining other project support when authorized 

by the Unit Leader;

• official functions or training in support of the program;

• team or personal needs shopping, e.g. grocery 

shopping or other personal needs shopping; and

• structured Leisure Activities (SLA), ISPs, service 

learning activities, and specialty role activities.

B. Approval for Use of Government Vehicles 

during Local Projects

While on local projects, all government vehicle use 

for SLA activities must be approved by the Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership. With Unit Leader 

approval, a government vehicle can be used for ISPs.

Government vehicles may not be used for any other 

purpose not listed in Section A above without the 

express authorization of the Region Director.

C. Approval for Use of Government Vehicles 

during Spikes

While on spike, van usage approval for ISPs, service 

learning activities, specialty role activities, and 

Structured Leisure Activities (SLA) is as follows:

• With Team Leader approval, trips within a 25 

mile radius;

• With Unit Leader approval, trips in a 26-100 miles 

radius; and 

• With Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership 

approval, trips over a 100 mile radius. 

Van usage is expected to occur within hours that are 

consistent with work periods, meal times, or 

authorized team events. Vans must be parked at 

either spike housing or at the campus between the 

hours of 12:00am – 6:00am, unless the team received 

prior approval from the Unit Leader.

AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles cannot be provided to 

sponsors for personal use. They can be used as part of 

a team project but can only be driven by AmeriCorps 

NCCC certified members or Team Leaders.

Whenever possible, if local public transportation is 

available and appropriate, it may be utilized in lieu 

of government vehicles.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 41

1. Parking Garages

Van drivers will not enter or park in parking garages 

without Unit Leader approval because:

• parking garages are not designed for, and are 

difficult to navigate, in large vehicles such as 15 

passenger vans; and

• there have been a high number of accidents 

such as roof scrapes and turning damage to 

vehicle sides in parking garages.

Unit Leaders may approve teams using parking 

garages for parking at project locations with 

the following conditions:

• No other reasonable non-garage parking is 

available in the vicinity; and

• The Team Leader verifies the garage is of a 

sufficient layout to enable vans to safely 

navigate (clearance, parking space size, 

turning radius, etc.) 

D. Transport of Non AmeriCorps Members

The Region Director may approve the transport of 

approved visitors, project sponsors or training 

facilitators, AmeriCorps or other government 

employees (to include FEMA staff or reservists) in the 

conduct of the project or training session is authorized:

• when it is in the best interests of the project 

or the government; 

• during an immediate disaster response; or

• to consolidate the number of vehicles when there 

is a request to restrict vehicles in a disaster zone.

At no time will the vehicle be used to transport groups 

such as school children or similar groups. For example, 

transporting children at a camp site from one end of 

the camp site to the other is not permitted.

The Region Director can authorize the transportation 

of other people if extenuating circumstances exist.

E. Training & Certification Drivers

Members who drive government vehicles must first 

be trained and certified through classroom 

instruction and a road test. Additionally, driving 

records will be checked to ensure individuals are 

legally qualified to drive motor vehicles, that the 

driving histories are appropriate, and that they 

possess a current license.

Once certified as a driver, it is the member's 

responsibility to maintain a valid driver's license or 

inform staff it if expires. In addition, member driving 

is a privilege that can be suspended at any time.

Team Leaders and Unit Leaders may suspend/revoke

driver certifications and/or driving privileges based 

on accidents, safety concerns, concerning driver 

evaluations, etc.

F. Vehicle & Driving Safety

Travel speed for members must never exceed 65 

miles per hour, regardless of higher posted limits. 

Actual driving time must not exceed ten hours per 

day. Drivers, and Assistant Drivers, must rotate after 

each two hour interval, or shorter, as determined by 

fatigue and road or weather conditions. Night

driving shall only occur with Unit Leader authorization 

when necessary to meet program requirements, 

such as travel to and from the spike site or other 

required travel. 

Proper seat belt usage is mandatory in all government 

vehicles at all times. At least one AmeriCorps NCCC 

trained ground guide is required when backing up, or 

when navigating tight conditions. Drivers and Assistant 

Drivers are prohibited from operating cell phones, 

tablets, laptops, or using headphones while operating 

an AmeriCorps NCCC orsponsor-provided vehicle. They 

may only be used by Assistant Drivers for work-related 

functions (navigation, answering the TL phone, etc.).

If the use of trailers is necessary, the assigned vehicle 

driver must be trained and approved, by the Unit 

Leader, to operate a vehicle with a trailer. 

G. Emergencies

Only those members designated, trained, and 

certified as drivers may operate vans or other 

government vehicles. The only exception to this 

general rule is during an emergency. Emergencies 

are defined as those situations where the safety, 

health, or life of a member or other individual 

requires immediate movement of a vehicle and a 

certified driver is not available. Any driver with a

current driver’s license can operate a government

vehicle in case of emergency.

H. Responsibility of Authorizing Officials

Team Leaders shall exercise caution and discretion 

in authorizing the use of AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles. 

To allow the unofficial use of AmeriCorps NCCC 

vehicles may place the Team Leader in a legally 

precarious position, as that individual could be held 

personally liable should an accident occur and it is 

determined that the accident did not occur within

the scope of the driver’s official duties.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 42

I. Responsibility of Authorizing Officials

AmeriCorps NCCC drivers are responsible for all 

parking, speeding, or traffic tickets they receive while 

operating an AmeriCorps NCCC vehicle. The 

payment of all fines is the sole responsibility of the 

driver, not of AmeriCorps NCCC. AmeriCorps NCCC 

will not officially represent any member if the member 

is required to appear in court for traffic violations.

Incidents that result in points added to a member’s

driving record during the AmeriCorps NCCC 

program must be reported to the driver’s Unit 

Leader, no matter when or in what vehicle the 

incident occurred. This is because a member’s 

driving history influences whether the member is 

considered suitable, or remains suitable, to be an 

AmeriCorps NCCC certified driver. 

J. Accident Reporting Procedures

Collisions with other vehicles or objects must be

reported immediately to the driver’s Unit Leader.

The driver’s AmeriCorps NCCC driving privileges will 

be immediately suspended pending an investigation 

and reinstated at the discretion of the Unit Leader.

In the event of an accident, all drivers will follow

the GSA and AmeriCorps NCCC reporting and 

notification procedures. A GSA - SF91 Motor Vehicle 

Accident Report and GSA - SF94 Statement of 

Witness must be properly completed and submitted 

to the Unit Leader.

Photographs of both vehicles and the respective 

damages must be taken. Sufficient photographs 

should be taken to ensure proper visual 

documentation of all vehicles and the scene of the 

accident or incident. Accident reports and files for all 

accidents must be submitted to the Unit Leader 

within 24 hours of the accident. The witness 

statements must be legible and factually complete.

K. Ground Guide Exceptions

Team Leaders may be excused from using ground 

guides under specific circumstances such as 

conducting sick call, carrying out administrative 

and/or logistical duties and emergency situations 

when a Team leader is the only person available. The 

Team Leader must still walk around the vehicle to 

determine if it is safe to proceed. However, 

reasonable efforts should always be taken to locate 

a ground guide before backing up a vehicle without 

a ground guide.

Use of Sponsor Vehicles

Sponsor vehicles may be driven by AmeriCorps 

NCCC members only for official purposes and when 

AmeriCorps NCCC vehicles are unavailable, or when 

sponsor vehicles are required for a particular service 

task. Prior approval by the Unit Leader is required 

and only AmeriCorps NCCC approved drivers may 

operate sponsor vehicles. For traditional AmeriCorps 

NCCC, the sponsor agreement must indicate that 

the sponsor will assume liability for an AmeriCorps 

NCCC member driving its vehicles.

FEMA Corps members may drive FEMA fleet or rental 

vehicles under the following conditions:

1. Only AmeriCorps NCCC-approved drivers may 

drive FEMA vehicles; and

2. Driving the vehicle falls within the scope of driver’s

official duties.

An approved driver must receive appropriate 

training before using certain types of sponsor 

vehicles, such as bobcats, golf carts, backhoes, 

tractors, and forklifts.

Members are not authorized to use vehicles that 

are not officially affiliated with the sponsoring 

organization (i.e., a friend of the sponsor or another 

volunteer’s vehicle).

In addition to complying with the safety standards 

in this handbook, members must also adhere to 

any additional safety standards set by FEMA or 

sponsor organizations.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 43
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 44

Safety

A. Training & Certification

All members will be trained to operate any and all 

equipment assigned to them. Under no circumstances 

shall members operate any piece of equipment unless 

qualified to do so and authorized by the Team Leader 

or supervisor. Certification will be obtained when and 

where required. 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff will work with project 

sponsors to identify potential hazards and tools 

and equipment to be used; however, project

requirements often change and all members must be 

diligent to be aware of one’s own safety and avoid 

potential hazards. Any member can propose a work 

stoppage to the Team Leader or project sponsor if 

the member believes an act or situation is unsafe.

B. Use of Hand Tools

The following guidelines will be observed when using 

hand tools:

• Members must use and treat tools in a 

professional and appropriate manner. For 

example, handles should be tightly fitted, 

secured with a wedge, and inspected for 

splitting, warping, and absence of slivers;

• Always use sharp tools, as dull tools are dangerous;

• Keep tool guards in position on cutting edges 

during transportation to and from project sites 

and while not in use;

• Never throw or play with tools; and

• Inventory and clean all tools at the end of each 

day and return them to the appropriate storage 

areas. Report any discrepancies to the Unit 

Leader and Project Sponsor.

C. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Members shall be alert and apply common sense 

at all times when operating power equipment.

Inappropriate and unsafe behavior will not be 

tolerated. The mandatory use of PPE may be required 

by project sponsors, Team Leaders, or Unit Leaders.

1. Protective Clothing & Equipment

Protective clothing and equipment such as hard hats, 

gloves, safety boots, and foul weather gear, also 

known as personal protective equipment (PPE), will be 

issued to AmeriCorps NCCC members as necessary. 

Such clothing or equipment remains the property of 

the government and, except for expendable or wornout items, must be returned to the campus upon 

termination or when no longer needed. Members 

who lose this equipment may be required to replace 

items at the member’s own expense. Instruction in the 

proper use and maintenance of such clothing and 

equipment will be provided.

2. Eye Protection

Eye protection must be worn while using or operating 

grinders, chainsaws, chippers, stump cutters, 

hammers or sledge hammers; sawing stranded cable 

or wire rope; and while painting above one’s head. 

Under no circumstances will face shields be worn in 

place of safety glasses; they may be worn over the 

safety glasses.

3. Hard Hats & Steel-Toes Boots

Hard hats and steel-toed boots must be worn at all 

times at appropriate project sites, and when carrying 

or sharpening tools. Under no circumstances will soft 

caps or soft athletic shoes be worn in place of hard 

hats or proper work boots.

4. Hearing Protection

Hearing protection must be used when operating or 

working near: 

• routers, circular or table saws, or other power tools;

• wood chippers, jack hammers, or other 

mechanical equipment;

• tractors, back hoes, or other motorized 

equipment that has the potential of causing 

hearing damage, as determined by the Team 

Leader and/or Project Sponsor; and

• any other area where the Team Leader or 

Project Sponsor determines there is the potential 

for hearing damage.

WELFARE OF MEMBERS
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 45

5. Safety Gear with Chain Saw

Safety chaps, bibs, or pants must be worn any time 

a member uses a chain saw. Also, members must 

wear protective gloves, eye protection, hearing 

protection and a helmet with ear muffs and a face 

shield attached. Members must receive chainsaw

training from an AmeriCorps NCCC approved trainer 

before operating a chainsaw, even if the member 

has prior experience.

6. Gloves

Except in rare cases, members must wear gloves 

while working on project sites and when carrying 

or sharpening tools.

7. Dust Masks & Respirators

Properly fitted/fitting disposable dust masks or 

respirators must be worn when spraying paint, 

working with treated wood or plaster, or engaging 

in any other activity that results in dust, fumes, mists, 

or other possible harmful conditions.

D. Drinking Water

All teams will be supplied with a water container that 

is to be taken to project sites where potable running 

water is not readily available. Team Leaders will 

ensure that drinking water is available at all times.

E. Transportation Safety

During transportation to and from AmeriCorps NCCC 

activities, members will be seated inside the vehicle 

in which they are riding. No one will stand up, ride 

the tailgate, ride the running board, or ride outside

of any vehicle. Proper restraints (seat belts/shoulder 

restraints) must be worn at all times. Ground guides 

must be used when backing up, or pulling in or out

of tight spaces, in 15-passenger vans or in other 

vehicles with limited visibility. Individuals will not 

operate cell phones in any manner whatsoever, to 

include texting, or use headphones while operating 

an AmeriCorps NCCC or sponsor-provided vehicle.

F. Life Jackets

Members working in or around water must wear 

approved life jackets. This includes, but is not limited 

to, persons working in boats or barges and cleaning 

streams in deep areas (where members can no 

longer stand). When waders and/or hip boots are 

required, they must be equipped with steel toes.

Members working over ice-covered water will carry 

and secure a rope of at least 20 feet.

G. Tool Storage

Tools will be properly stowed at all times while in 

transport in vehicles.

H. Fuel Storage

Fuel will only be transported in approved containers.

At no time will fuel or other hazardous chemicals 

be transported in the passenger compartment of 

any vehicle.

I. Hunting-Related Hazards

Due to the extreme hazards associated with hunting 

seasons, AmeriCorps NCCC teams must exercise 

extreme caution in any area where it is reasonable 

to assume that hunters will be present. Team Leaders, 

staff, and project sponsors should be alert to any 

hunting-related hazards and work together to ensure 

team safety. In some cases, it may be necessary for 

members to wear blaze orange safety clothing.

J. Safety Responsibilities

1. Corps Members

Corps members will be monitored by Team Leaders 

and Unit Leaders to ensure that they are using safety 

equipment properly and responsibly. In cooperation 

with Deputy Region Director for Programming, they 

will ensure that project sponsors provide appropriate 

training in the use of unfamiliar equipment and will 

participate in planning and/or presenting such 

training instruction. Corps members have an 

obligation to state any concerns to Team Leaders 

and/ or site supervisors if they are engaged in a task 

they believe puts them in an unsafe situation.

2. Team Leaders

Team Leaders are responsible for the day-to-day 

safety of the teams and for maintaining a safe 

working environment. They will conduct a safety 

briefing prior to commencing work each day.

They will ensure that safety equipment, tools, and 

machinery are in good working order and in a good 

state of repair. Unsafe equipment will be reported 

and not used until repaired. This includes equipment 

borrowed from other entities.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 46

3. Corps Members & Team Leaders

Team Leaders will receive first aid/CPR/AED training. 

In addition, members receive training in accident 

prevention and will adhere to the following:

• Comply with state and federal safety regulations 

and laws (including highway laws), and the 

AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps NCCC, or host facility 

policies and/or directives; 

• Maintain and safeguard all equipment assigned 

to them. Corps members are also responsible for 

advising Team Leaders or supervisors of the 

condition of the equipment;

• Identify any medications they are using that could 

affect the safe operation of tools and vehicles;

• Ensure that all passengers riding in the vehicles 

wear appropriate restraining devices; and

• Not smoke, burn candles or incense, or create 

a fire safety hazard in the rooms.

K. Sanctions

Any violation of the above rules will be investigated and,

when appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken.

Hazardous Materials

AmeriCorps NCCC staff will ensure that hazards 

posed through the use of all chemicals both on 

campus and at work sites are evaluated, and that 

information concerning these hazards is provided 

during training sessions.

A. Container Labeling

Each container holding hazardous material must be 

clearly labeled according to its contents and must 

display the appropriate hazard warning. Removing 

or defacing such labels is strictly prohibited.

B. Project Hazardous Materials Awareness

Members should be aware of all hazardous materials 

on or around a project site. Awareness includes a site 

inspection by the Team Leader and the Vehicle, 

Safety, Transportation (VST) Specialty Team member 

and a briefing by the project sponsor.

Physical Training

Members will participate in team conditioning at 

least three times weekly. This conditioning will be 

team-based. The conditioning program is important 

because AmeriCorps NCCC undertakes hard, 

physical work and members need to be strong and 

limber enough to engage in it safely. During the

Corps Member Training Institute (CTI), which takes 

place during the first weeks of the program, physical 

conditioning will be conducted by units or the entire 

corps to the extent practicable.

A. Safety Considerations

1. Warm-Up Stretching

All exercises must be preceded by an appropriate 

warm-up and stretching period and followed by an 

appropriate cool-down period.

2. Road Guards

All jogging/running formations will be accompanied 

by road guards wearing reflective orange vests and 

carrying flashlights, if appropriate.

3. Weather Conditions

Weather conditions will be considered at all times to 

determine the safety and feasibility of conducting 

physical training. No outdoor activities will be 

conducted whenever thunder is audible or 

lightening is visible.

4. Health Concerns

No individual will be required to participate in any 

exercise that is reasonably beyond the individual’s 

physical capability or that would constitute a direct 

threat to the member’s health.

B. Prohibitions

Under no circumstances will physical training be 

assigned as a disciplinary measure. If members 

refuse to participate or do not participate in good 

faith, they may be subject to disciplinary action.

C. Standards of Physical Training

1. Physical Fitness

The AmeriCorps NCCC community subscribes to the 

principle of physical fitness for all members.

2. Exercise & Conditioning

Members will engage in a regular and routine fitness 

regimen for exercise and conditioning while 

recognizing physically limiting conditions that exist 

among members.

3. Fitness Goal

The regimen utilizes levels of fitness in order to 

accommodate the differences in the community, with 

the goal being to have the members reach beyond 

personal limits to new heights of physical stamina.

4. Continuity

Physical training will not be sacrificed in any manner. 

Provisions exist at each campus to provide for 

continuity in the fitness program regardless of 

weather, facilities, or program conflicts.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 47

5. Cohesiveness

Routine physical training provides the team with 

cohesiveness.

6. Benefits

Physical Training is a essential means of promoting 

personal development, physical fitness, and selfconfidence in the Corps while enhancing members’ 

overall wellbeing. Physical Training is intended to be 

a team- based conditioning program that supports 

the healthy sustainment, improvement, and overall 

quality level of physical fitness for members.

7. Responsibilities

All members are responsible for the weekly physical 

training program to ensure a safe and effective 

physical training program for the team.

Inclement Weather

Members should be prepared to spend a substantial 

amount of time outdoors. Light rain, cold weather, or 

snow on the ground will not stop AmeriCorps NCCC 

teams from completing service projects. Team 

leaders, Unit Leaders, and worksite supervisors should 

agree when working conditions are not appropriate 

for the team to continue working on the project.

AmeriCorps NCCC teams should receive training as 

to how to recognize and respond to conditions 

caused by severe weather. The following guidelines 

should be followed during periods of severe weather.

A. Cold Weather

Precautions must be taken, both outdoors and 

indoors, in extremely cold weather. The wind chill 

factor makes the body’s internal temperature 

regulating mechanisms feel as though it is much 

colder than the thermometer indicates.

The Wind Chill Index should be used in making a 

decision. A lower limit of 20 degrees Fahrenheit 

(when adjusted for wind chill) is the guideline for 

outside work. Outdoor activities may be authorized 

at colder temperatures for short periods of time, but 

only after the following safety precautions have 

been taken.

Members should be:

• trained to recognize the symptoms of frostbite

and hypothermia;

• properly clothed for the temperature – foul 

weather gear for rain and wool or synthetic 

fabrics for cold extremes;

• assigned to work in pairs;

• assigned outside for limited periods of time;

• able to access a readily available warm-up 

location; and

• regularly monitored by Team Leaders and/or

unit staff.

B. Hot Weather

Precautions must be taken, both outdoors and 

indoors, in extremely hot and humid weather. The 

Heat Index demonstrates how heat and humidity 

combine to create hazardous working conditions.

When working in hot weather, members will:

• have access to an adequate water supply;

• wear SPF-15, at a minimum, sunscreen/block to 

protect themselves from sunburn (not only be 

necessary in hot weather conditions);

• undertake less physically strenuous work tasks;

• take frequent breaks;

• avoid working outdoors at mid-day;

• be monitored frequently; and

• trained to recognize and be alert to symptoms

of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

C. All Inclement Weather Conditions

On days when there are thunderstorms, freezing rain, 

heavy precipitation, or poor air quality, region staff 

should rely on information available from local 

sources, such as law enforcement, highway 

department offices, weather bureau, and the radio, 

to determine whether teams should report to project 

sites, or, if already at a project site, whether they 

should end work early to avoid unsafe travel 

conditions. Teams required to work in inclement 

weather must also check the above referenced 

sources of weather information to ensure that 

working outdoors is safe. Whenever thunder is audible 

or lightening is visible, teams may not work outside.

D. Responsibility of the Team Leader

Subject to direction from the supervisor, the Team 

Leader, not the project sponsor, is responsible for 

determining whether or not a team will engage in 

service activities during inclement weather. The 

Team Leader should inform the Unit Leader of any 

weather-related service activity changes as soon 

as reasonably possible.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 48

Spike Sites

A “spike” occurs when a team undertakes a service 

project that requires an overnight stay away from 

the campus facility for one or more nights.

A. General

1. Length of Spikes

No team will be away from the campus for more 

than 90 continuous days unless approved by the 

National Office. FEMA Corps teams, however, can 

stay away from the campus more than 90 days 

without approval from the National Office. Teams 

may spend several months of the overall term of 

service on spike.

2. Support Services

Support services for members will be, to the extent 

practicable, commensurate with campus support 

services and will be assured for the life of the project.

B. Supervision & Accountability

All spike projects will be team-based. The following 

rules will apply to all teams on spike.

1. Team Leader Responsibilities

The Team Leader is in charge of the team from the 

time of departure until return and is responsible for 

the safety and well-being of the team. However, any 

unit staff member or project staff member may direct 

changes affecting the safety and well-being of the 

team, or the accomplishments of project objectives.

2. Delegation of Responsibilities

At the beginning of each day, the Team Leader will 

appoint one Corps member to assume responsibility 

for the safety and well-being of the team in the 

event that a Team Leader becomes incapacitated. 

If such a situation arises, the appropriate Unit Leader 

must be notified immediately.

3. Spike Housing

The housing facility and boundaries designated by 

the Team Leader, with Unit Leader approval, will be 

known as the spike housing. All rules specific to the 

regional campus will be enforced in this area. This 

includes no overnight guests, with the limited 

exception of personnel affiliated with AmeriCorps 

NCCC or the project sponsor.

If a team is staying at spike housing that has hosted 

previous teams, then the previous spike boundaries 

will apply. This information should be communicated 

prior to the team’s arrival at the spike housing site. If 

the spike housing site is a new project, the team will 

assign boundaries upon arrival at the site and make 

those boundaries clear to the team immediately. This 

will be accomplished in consultation with the Unit

Leader. If a team has a team charter, the spike 

boundaries should be included in the charter.

When multiple teams are at a project site and share 

the same living arrangement, Unit Leaders will solicit 

recommendations on what the spike housing 

boundaries should be from the Team Leaders. If 

teams from other campuses arrive within 72 hours 

thereafter, the Unit Leaders will coordinate to 

establish common boundaries. This will occur within 

72 hours of the first team arriving, or within 24 hours of 

the arrival of the final team expected to be housed 

at that particular site, whichever is shorter. Unit 

Leaders for the multiple teams are responsible for 

approving proposed boundaries.

Once a spike housing boundary is established and 

approved by the Unit Leader, it will remain in place 

for the time period where AmeriCorps NCCC 

continuously occupies the housing site and may only 

be adjusted if there is a compelling safety or 

programmatic interest to do so.

4. Code of Conduct

The AmeriCorps NCCC Code of Conduct will be 

enforced at all times during the spike, including free 

time both on and off the spike site.

5. Host Facilities Rules

To the extent reasonably possible, AmeriCorps NCCC 

teams will conform with rules specific to the host facility.

6. Additional Rules

The Team Leader may establish additional rules for 

the spike that are reasonable to ensure the health, 

safety, and morale of the team, as necessary.

7. Leaving Spike Housing

No one may enter (i.e., friends, visitors), nor may 

Corps members leave the spike housing without first 

notifying the Team Leader. Corps members who wish 

to leave the spike area should do so in groups of two 

or more. Those leaving should, whenever possible, 

inform the Team Leader as to the destination and 

expected time of return. Once back in the spike 

housing area, Corps members should check in with 

the Team Leader or designated Corps member if the 

Team Leader is offsite.
C. Team Leader Responsibilities

While a team is out on spike, the Team Leader is 

required to: 

• maintain a list of emergency contact phone

numbers for AmeriCorps NCCC personnel;

• locate the emergency medical facility upon 

arrival and familiarize the team on how to get 

there in case of an emergency;

• maintain a supply of Worker’s Compensation 

forms and other related injury and accident 

forms;

• provide main AmeriCorps NCCC staff and the 

project sponsor with a telephone number where 

the team can be reached;

• in consultation with the Unit Leader, assign 

boundaries to the spike lodging upon arrival 

and make those boundaries clear to the team;

• ensure that members and visitors are aware of 

spike lodging rules;

• check in with team’s assigned Unit Leader at the

campus regularly and provide a status report;

• prepare and submit Project Status and 

Accountability Reports (Weekly Progress Report) 

to the Unit Leader at least once a week, which 

will be forwarded to the Region Director;

• ensure no member consumes alcohol at the spike 

lodging or project work site at any time; and

• maintain a general awareness of the location of 

all members at all times and a general awareness 

of all events and occurrences at and around 

spike housing.

D. Sanctions

Any violation of spike rules may result in disciplinary 

action, up to, and including, dismissal.

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 49
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 50

Service Hours Policy

A. Direct Service

1. Service Requirement

In order to qualify for a full education award, 

members must (1) complete a minimum of 1,700 

hours of service, and (2) successfully complete the 

program. In general, eligible service activities are 

those service activities that directly relate to a 

program’s community service projects. Key criteria 

are outlined below—including, but not limited to 

work plans and inclement weather plans .

“Service” is community service that is a direct benefit 

to the community where it is performed (not including 

the AmeriCorps NCCC community). This includes both 

team service projects and individual service hours, as 

approved. Part of the service hours can be activities 

incidental to performing service (such as travel to and 

from the worksite, project preparation and research, 

project portfolio completion, and project debrief).

Not more than 10 percent of a member’s service

hours may be credited for this activity.

2. Prohibited Activities

AmeriCorps NCCC members while in uniform, while 

on duty, while representing AmeriCorps NCCC, or 

while using AmeriCorps NCCC resources may not 

engage in any of the following activities:

1. Attempting to influence legislation;

2. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, 

boycotts, or strikes;

3. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;

4. Impairing existing contracts for services or 

collective bargaining agreements;

5. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other 

activities designed to influence the outcome of 

an election to Federal office or the outcome of 

an election to a State or local public office;

6. Participating in, or endorsing events or activities 

that are likely to include advocacy for or 

against political parties, political platforms, 

political candidates, proposed legislation,

or elected officials;

7. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting 

worship services, providing instruction as part

of a program that includes mandatory religious

instruction or worship, constructing or operating 

facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, 

maintaining facilities primarily or inherently 

devoted to religious instruction or worship, or 

engaging in any form of proselytization;

8. Providing a direct benefit to any— (A) business 

organized for profit; (B) labor union; (C) partisan 

political organization; (D) nonprofit organization 

that fails to comply with the restrictions contained 

in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 

1986, except that nothing in this paragraph shall 

be construed to prevent participants from 

engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at

the member’s own initiative; and (E) organization 

engaged in the religious activities described in 

paragraph (7), unless the position is not used to 

support those religious activities;

9. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt

of such services; or

10. Conducting a voter registration drive or using 

AmeriCorps resources to conduct a voter 

registration drive. 

3. Duties Not Considered Service

• Service that supports the operation of the 

AmeriCorps NCCC campus, e.g., shopping, 

cleaning dorms, and night-watch duty; and

• Member involvement in committees and 

governance with the AmeriCorps NCCC 

community. While this fosters citizenship and 

contributes to the overall health of the 

AmeriCorps NCCC community, it does not fall 

within the intent of the legislation, which is, in 

part, to have service impact communities other 

than its own.

ADMINISTRATION
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 51

MINIMUM NUMBER OF ISP HOURS THAT MUST 

BE COMPLETED TO GRADUATE

MINIMUM NUMBER OF ISP HOURS THAT 

MUST BE COMPLETED TO GRADUATE

CORPS MEMBER TEAM LEADER CORPS MEMBER TEAM LEADER

TRADITIONAL CORPS 80

NO MINIMUM ISP 

HOURS NO UPPER LIMIT NO UPPER LIMIT

FEMA CORPS 10

NO MINIMUM ISP 

HOURS 80* 40

B. Independent Service Project Hours

All AmeriCorps NCCC members must earn a portion 

of the 1,700 hour requirement through Independent 

Service Project (ISP) hours. ISPs are different from the 

day to day team-based service. They are intended 

to allow Corps members to serve on issue areas in 

which they have an individual interest, to afford

them a broader variety of service experiences than 

what they accomplish as a team, and to give them 

an understanding of how they may continue to serve 

beyond the team-based experience.

Of the 1,700 service hours required for program 

completion, a certain number must be ISPs, 

according to the chart on the following page.

ISP requests must be submitted to the designated 

NCCC staff approver no later than three business 

days prior to the start of the ISP. ISPs must be 

approved by the designated NCCC staff approver 

and must be performed so as not to interfere with 

regular, team-based projects - mostly during 

evenings and weekends. Members may discuss ISP's 

that are not approved with the designated NCCC 

staff approver or Unit Leader for further clarification. 

These decisions have no appeal process.

AmeriCorps NCCC-FEMA Corps members may only 

earn hours for ISPs that are disaster-related. Corps 

members who fail to achieve the required hours of 

ISP service may be subject to having the member’s 

education awards withheld or pro-rated.

All ISP's will have a member designated as a point of 

contact to the hosting organization. The designated 

point of contact will take a coordinating role to 

contact the sponsoring organization, recruit other 

members, arrange logistics, communicate

cancellations, etc. If a member does not attend or 

find a replacement and does not have a legitimate 

reason for withdrawing then the member may be 

subject to disciplinary actions. Members are 

responsible for all documentation associated with 

the ISP. This includes paperwork as well as keeping 

track of the hours served on the ISP. The point of 

contact/lead member is required to complete and 

return the ISP documentation and completion 

reports to the Unit Leader or the designee via the 

Team Leader as soon as possible but not more than 

90 days following the completion of the ISP.

Team Leaders are exempt from ISP requirements 

although they are encouraged to participate. If a 

Team Leader chooses to perform ISP hours, the 

Team Leader will be held to the same requirements 

as Corps members regarding types of projects,

professional conduct, deadlines for submission, as well 

as transportation-, uniform-, and alcohol-guidelines.

Any ISP hours above the minimum hours requirement 

for TRAD, and the maximum hours allowed for FEMA 

Corps, may be applied towards the Presidential 

Volunteer Service awards (PVSA). *For FEMA Corps, 

while hours above 80 will be counted towards the 

PVSA for Corps members, they cannot be counted 

towards a member’s service requirements to 

graduate. For example, if a FEMA Corps CM 

completes 100 ISP hours, 80 of those hours would 

count towards graduation and 20 of those hours 

would count towards the PVSA. If a FEMA Corps 

Team Leader completes 100 ISP hours, 40 of those 

hours would count towards graduation and 60 hours 

would count towards the PVSA. Contact campus 

staff for more information on the PVSA.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 52

Initial orientation and training is provided within the first 

month of a member’s class year. While conducting 

ISPs, members are covered under the Federal Tort 

Claims Act and the Federal Employees Compensation 

Act. All relevant AmeriCorps NCCC rules, guidelines, 

and SOPs will be followed and all members, both 

Traditional and FEMA Corps, will wear the full 

Traditional uniform while performing this service. With 

approval, members may complete ISP’s during their 

breaks either in their hometown or local community.

FEMA Corps members will not be given time off 

during a FEMA service project to arrange for or serve 

on an ISP. ISP hours will be performed by individual 

FEMA Corps members outside the Team assignment, 

mostly during days off, evenings, and weekends.

All ISPs must be approved by AmeriCorps staff.

Service-Learning & Member 

Development

AmeriCorps NCCC strengthens communities and 

develops leaders through direct, team-based 

national and community service. Therefore, a solid 

educational program that complements the work 

projects and overall campus life is a critical element 

of AmeriCorps NCCC’s success. All training, service 

learning, and member development is included as 

part of AmeriCorps NCCC’s Service Leadership 

Program. Currently, service-learning and member 

development involve several components, including:

A. In-Processing & Orientation

This occurs during the first week of both Team Leader 

Training (TLT) and the Corps Training Institute (CTI) for 

both the AmeriCorps NCCC Traditional Program and 

FEMA Corps. Some of the items covered during this 

period include member benefits, uniform distribution, 

campus orientation, and ID badges.

B. Team Leader Training (TLT)

Team Leader Training (TLT) occurs during the first 

several weeks after Team Leaders arrive and is 

coordinated by AmeriCorps NCCC staff. Training 

is based on national training competencies and 

includes sessions on supervisory skills, diversity 

awareness, project preparation and management, 

policies and procedures, and management and 

administration. For FEMA Corps, an additional session 

is offered on FEMA Corps and the role of the Team 

Leader. Full participation in is required and essential 

for Team Leaders to be prepared to manage a team.

C. Corps Member Training Institute (CTI)

CTI is conducted during Corps members’ first several 

weeks on campus and is coordinated by NCCC 

staff. It is implemented with the full participation of 

NCCC staff. CTI is an intensive program designed to 

develop the AmeriCorps NCCC campus community. 

Full participation in CTI is expected and essential for 

Corps members to be prepared for service 

throughout the AmeriCorps NCCC year. For FEMA 

Corps, additional training modules are offered that 

cover FEMA specific topics.

NCCC-FEMA Corps members will be required to 

complete selected training courses the week prior 

to arrival. Corps members who fail to complete 

these trainings prior to arrival may be subject to 

disciplinary action.

D. Service Training & Preparation

AmeriCorps NCCC recognizes that quality community 

service has many components. Among these 

components is the cycle of learning where good 

preparation and training precedes the service project 

and thorough evaluation and reflection occurs 

throughout and after completion of the project. The 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff work in collaboration with the 

sponsoring agencies to ensure that required projectrelated training is provided to the team prior to or 

upon arrival on-site. Preparation can include use of 

equipment and safety procedures as appropriate 

and background information about community or 

natural environment of the project site.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 53

E. Service Learning

Members will be expected to learn from each other 

and the communities they are serving throughout the 

year and to reflect together about experiences on 

project sites. This is done through the incorporation of 

the PARC Service-Learning Model – Preparation, 

Action, Reflection, and Celebration. This kind of service

-learning is facilitated through the following activities:

• Preparation for each project by conducting 

research on the social issue being addressed 

and the community where the project will

be conducted. Part of preparation includes 

identifying service-learning activities that will 

be conducted on-site;

• Action, which refers to the actual service 

project activities;

• Reflection on the service activities, skills 

developed, and community impact. Each team 

assembles a service-learning project portfolio.

The project portfolio records the service-learning 

project experiences, challenges, and 

accomplishments; and is used for reflection, 

documentation, and presentation purposes. The 

completed portfolio can be used by members as 

background for resumes, job seeking, or 

educational applications. Finally, AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff members can use the finished service 

-learning project portfolio as documentation of 

members’ activities—a tangible account of 

program achievements; and

• Celebration includes project recognition efforts 

and achievements and is usually done through 

project debriefs

F. Personal & Professional Development

AmeriCorps NCCC is committed to enhancing the 

skills and education of all members. AmeriCorps 

NCCC will provide resources, strategies, and 

opportunities for individuals to make decisions and 

plans for the member’s future following AmeriCorps 

NCCC, including the following:

• Members will complete an Individual Learning 

Plan (ILP), identifying goals and skills to be 

developed over the course of the year;

• Members will be encouraged to work on the

goals/skills identified in the member’s ILP through 

community service, mini-courses, and other resources 

with support from training and service-learning 

staff and in the community where they serve;

• AmeriCorps NCCC expects members who have 

yet to obtain a high school diploma or GED to 

include this goal in the ILP; and

• Members will have the opportunity to pursue 

college credit, a Certificate in Non-Profit 

Management, and both the Presidential and 

Congressional Awards for service. Academic 

integrity will be strictly adhered to for all course 

and certificate requirements.

G. Other Activities

In order to provide a community environment that 

promotes the whole person concept, a number of 

campus traditions will be developed. A variety of 

optional Structured Leisure Activities (SLA), such as 

Affinity Groups, may be coordinated by the AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff in cooperation with members.

Member Grievance Procedures

These grievance procedures shall be used when a 

member believes that the member’s ability to 

participate in, or receive the full benefits of, the 

program has been diminished because of

disagreements with other members or staff personnel. 

This includes, but is not limited to, disagreements 

concerning service credit and amounts of education 

awards due at the termination of the individual’s 

participation in the program.

The procedures shall not be used in the following 

circumstances:

• To raise allegations of discrimination or disparate 

(unfair) treatment based upon discrimination. 

Equal Opportunity procedures are available for 

these types of complaints as outlined in the Rights 

and Responsibilities section of this handbook;

• To complain about AmeriCorps NCCC policies, 

operations, physical living conditions, size or 

locations of living quarters, or other similar 

matters. These types of concerns should be 

brought to the attention of the AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff through normal channels established 

for these purposes; or

• To challenge a proposal or decision by the 

AmeriCorps NCCC staff to transfer, terminate, 

suspend, fine, or otherwise discipline a member 

for conduct that, in the opinion of the Region 

Director, jeopardizes the enforcement of the 

standards of conduct established by AmeriCorps 

NCCC, or that may diminish the opportunities of 

other individuals. Additionally, these grievance 

procedures will not be used to appeal a 

disciplinary action.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 54

A. Grievances against Fellow Members

1. Conflict Resolution

If a Corps member has a grievance against another 

AmeriCorps NCCC Corps member, or a Team 

Leader has a grievance against another AmeriCorps 

NCCC Team Leader, the member should first try to 

resolve the matter by requesting a meeting with the 

other member and the appropriate Team Leader(s), 

or Unit Leader(s) within three duty days following the 

incident. If previous attempts to resolve the matter 

by the parties have resulted in an impasse, the time 

limit shall begin to run from the day of the impasse. 

The time limit may be waived by the Deputy Region 

Director for Unit Leadership for good cause.

2. Written Complaint

If the face-to-face meeting does not resolve the 

matter, the aggrieved member may submit a written 

complaint through the member’s Team Leader, if 

applicable, to the Unit Leader. The written complaint 

should include at a minimum the date and time of 

the incident, the names of the parties involved, 

witnesses to the incident, and a short statement as to 

how the member thinks the grievance should be 

resolved. The written complaint should be endorsed 

by the Team Leader with a recommendation, if 

applicable, and be presented to the grieving party’s 

Unit Leader within three duty days from receipt.

3. Unit Leader & Deputy Region Director for 

Unit Leadership

The Unit Leader will then attempt to resolve the 

complaint with the concerned parties. This shall 

take place within three duty days from receipt of 

the written complaint. If the matter cannot be 

resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, 

the Unit Leader will submit the matter within three 

duty days (with recommendations) to the Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership for a decision.

The Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership’s 

decision will be made within five duty days and

transmitted to the grieving party within five duty 

days from the date of the Deputy Region Director 

for Unit Leader’s decision.

4. Appeal of Decision

If the member chooses to appeal the Deputy 

Region Director for Unit Leadership’s decision, 

he or she may do so to the Region Director. The 

decision of the Region Director will be final and 

binding on all parties. There is no appeal of the

Region Director’s decision. Failure to comply with 

this decision may also be the basis for disciplinary 

action (including dismissal from AmeriCorps NCCC) 

against the offending party.

B. Grievances against Staff

1. Conflict Resolution

If a Corps member has a grievance against a Team 

Leader or staff member, the member should attempt 

to resolve the matter by meeting with the individual 

within three duty days following the incident. This also 

applies to Team Leaders who have complaints 

concerning AmeriCorps NCCC staff. If the complaint 

concerns a service issue or assignment, the individual 

will comply with the staff member’s instructions and 

then attempt to schedule a meeting with the staff 

member in order to resolve the conflict. If the staff 

member does not meet with the individual within 

three duty days or at the time mutually agreed upon 

by both parties, or if the meeting fails to produce an 

acceptable resolution to the grievance, the 

individual may submit a written complaint to the staff 

member’s immediate supervisor. The complaint should 

specifically describe the circumstances surrounding 

the complaint and the names of individuals who may 

have information surrounding the incident.

Finally, the complaint should contain a short statement 

as to how the member thinks the grievance should be 

resolved. The written complaint should be endorsed 

by the supervisor of the grieving party (with a 

recommendation) and be presented to the Region 

Director within three duty days from receipt.

2. Region Director

The Region Director will then attempt to resolve the 

complaint with the concerned parties. This shall take 

place within 10 duty days from receipt of the written 

complaint. The Region Director will make the final 

decision concerning the complaint and transmit this 

decision in writing within five duty days from the date 

that the final decision is made by the Region Director.

3. Appeal of Decision

The decision of the Region Director is final and 

binding on all parties except for those grievances 

that concern service hour credit and/or education 

award determinations. In these situations, a member 

may appeal the Region Director’s decision to the 

National Director, who will give the individual an 

opportunity to submit matters on their behalf.

Depending on the circumstances, an objective 

fact-finder may be appointed to ascertain the facts 

and make a recommendation to the AmeriCorps 

NCCC National Director, who will make the final 

decision concerning the grievance.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 55

For all other grievances, there is no appeal of the

Region Director’s decision. Failure to comply with 

this decision may be the basis for disciplinary action 

(including dismissal from AmeriCorps NCCC) against 

the offending party. Nothing in these procedures 

either mandates or precludes AmeriCorps NCCC 

from taking official disciplinary action against 

government employees who are involved in

duty-related misconduct.

Physical & Mental Health

• Health History

To be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps NCCC, the 

applicant must be free of any health condition 

(medical, mental, or emotional) that:

• represents a current and direct threat to other 

members of AmeriCorps NCCC or to the applicant;

• precludes participation in the AmeriCorps NCCC 

program with a reasonable expectation of 

successful completion; and

• requires prolonged inpatient medical care or 

special medical attention that AmeriCorps 

NCCC cannot reasonably accommodate.

• Definition of “Direct Threat”

“Direct threat” means a significant risk of substantial 

harm to the health or safety of the individual or

others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by 

reasonable accommodation. The determination that 

an individual poses a “direct threat” shall be based 

on an individualized assessment of the individual’s 

present ability to safely perform the essential 

functions of the service. This assessment shall be 

based on reasonable medical judgment that relies 

on the most current medical knowledge or on the 

best available objective evidence. In determining 

whether an individual would pose a direct threat,

the factors to be considered include:

• the duration of the risk;

• the nature and severity of the potential harm;

• the likelihood that the potential harm will

occur ;and

• whether reasonable modifications of policies, 

practices, or procedures will mitigate the risk.

All decisions as to whether an individual poses a 

direct threat are made by the Region Director.

C. Medical Incapacitation

If a member is incapacitated for a period of less than 

10 days as a result of illness, injury, or other health 

concern, the member will not be placed on medical 

hold and will be allowed to remain on campus, if 

reasonable accommodation can be made. All 

allowances and stipends will continue. However,

no service hours will be earned during this period.

D. Medical Hold

If, due to an injury, illness, or other health condition, a 

member is unable to train or serve for a period of 10 

to 30 days, the member will be placed in a medical 

hold status. The member is encouraged to provide 

documentation from a licensed provider regarding 

the medical condition, prognosis, recuperation time, 

and duty limitations. The decision to place the 

individual on medical hold will be made by the 

Region Director based on information provided by

the individual’s licensed provider.

The member will be informed in writing of the 

effective date of placement into medical hold. If 

determined by the Region Director that the member 

must be placed on medical hold, NCCC will provide 

transportation to the home of record of the member. 

If the Region Director determines that the member 

may return to active service, following a medical 

hold, NCCC will provide return transportation to the 

campus facility, project service site, or other location 

as determined by the Region Director.

During a medical hold, a member’s living allowance 

will continue; however, service hours will not be 

earned. An individual who has been, or who is, on 

medical hold at the completion of the program,

will graduate with the rest of the class.

E. Exiting AmeriCorps NCCC for Medical 

Reasons

If the member is unable to resume service within 

30 days after being placed on medical hold, the 

member may, at the discretion of the Region 

Director, be exited for medical reasons. However, 

if a Region Director decides to keep a member on 

medical hold after the member has been in that 

status for a 30-day period, the living allowance will 

not be paid for any time after the 30 days have 

elapsed. The living allowance will resume when,

and if, the member is reinstated. The member’s Unit 

Leader should notify the member through a written 

letter signed by the Region Director that the member 

will not receive a living allowance after the 30 days 

of medical-hold have elapsed.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 56

The decision to exit an individual for medical reasons 

will be made by the Region Director on the basis of 

information received from the individual’s licensed 

provider or other medical consultation obtained by 

AmeriCorps NCCC. Written notice of intent to exit the 

member from the program must precede the date on 

which the individual is proposed to be medically exited. 

If a member receives a medical exit, health benefits will 

be paid through the effective exit date. Education 

awards may be pro-rated in accordance with 

AmeriCorps NCCC policy.

An individual may appeal the medical exit decision 

on the basis of disagreement with the anticipated 

time of recovery from the illness or injury. If an 

individual chooses to appeal, the member must 

submit a written appeal, with supporting 

documentation, within 15 days of receipt of the 

written notice to the National Director of AmeriCorps 

NCCC, 250 E St SW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20525.

The Office of the Director of AmeriCorps NCCC will 

review all information submitted and may request 

additional medical information from the licensed 

provider. After review of all pertinent medical 

documentation, the National Director will render a 

final decision on the appeal. If the appeal is upheld, 

the individual will be reinstated into AmeriCorps 

NCCC service retroactive to the date of exit.

F. Medical Readmittance

If a former member wishes to re-enter service 

following medical dismissal, the former member 

should submit a written request to the National 

Director of AmeriCorps NCCC along with a 

statement from the licensed provider that the 

individual is fit to return to service. AmeriCorps NCCC 

may seek additional medical consultation in such

cases, as necessary. The National Director may 

admit the individual to the next class provided the 

individual meets the age restrictions, will not have 

completed more than two terms of service upon the 

new dismissal date, and is deemed to be physically 

and mentally able to participate with or without 

reasonable accommodation.

THIS YEAR AND BEYOND

The AmeriCorps NCCC experience is only part of a lifetime of service. Graduates may commit to another 

term as an AmeriCorps member, pursue service opportunities with local organizations, or even plan and 

execute the member’s own service projects in the member’s communities. Regardless of the path they

choose, AmeriCorps NCCC graduates have a unique opportunity to transform the member’s communities

and shape the future of America.

KEEP IN TOUCH!

Don’t forget to update your contact information in the My AmeriCorps Portal. In addition, please sign up 

for AmeriCorps Alums. By becoming a member of AmeriCorps Alums you will have access to the NCCC 

group pages. On these pages you will be able to access contact information for fellow AmeriCorps 

members, have the ability to post messages, and chat with other alums about other great benefits of 

being a part of the AmeriCorps Alums community. Join at AmeriCorpsalums.org.
Member Liability for 

Government Property

Members will be financially responsible for government 

and sponsor property under the member’s control that 

is either damaged or lost as a result of gross negligence 

or a deliberate willful destruction of the property. Gross 

negligence is defined asthe intentional failure toperform 

a duty in reckless disregard of the consequences, 

which directly affects the property of another.

When a Region Director makes a preliminary 

determination that government property was either 

lost or damaged as a result of gross negligence or 

deliberate destruction, the member will be presented 

a Statement of Charges, which will include a 

description of the property, the replacement value

of the property, a short narrative stating how the 

property was either lost or damaged, and a 

determination as to the member’s pecuniary liability. 

The member will either sign the Statement of Charges, 

agreeing to pay for or replace the item, or disagree 

with the conclusion and, within five duty days, present 

a rebuttal statement, together with witness statements 

and other evidence in support of the rebuttal.

The Region Director will then appoint a staff member 

to conduct an informal investigation to determine the 

validity of the rebuttal statement. The investigating 

officer will present all the findings to the Region 

Director, who will make a final decision. The Region 

Director may impose either the replacement value

or depreciated value (when appropriate), allow an 

acceptable replacement, or impose no liability at all 

in appropriate situations.

Appeals of the Region Director’s decision must be 

submitted in writing to the AmeriCorps NCCC National 

Director within seven days of the Region Director’s 

notification. The appeal should state the reasons for 

the appeal, and be accompanied by relevant 

witness statements and/or other documentation 

supporting the appeal. Once liability has finally been 

determined, the individual will be given a reasonable 

period to either replace or pay for the loss or damage 

(usually no more than one pay period). Deductions 

may not be made from the member’s living 

allowance; however, failure to pay may be the basis 

for disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal.

Additionally, if a member owes money at the end of 

the program, a Region Director may take this into 

consideration in determining whether or not the 

member has successfully completed the program. 

Successful completion of the program is required to 

be eligible for the education award. Consequently, 

the award may be withheld until such time that the 

member satisfies the debt to the government.

Federal Tort Claims Act

Under Title 42 U.S.C. Section 12620 (c), the National 

and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 

members are federal employees for purposes of the 

Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Under this act, the 

federal government assumes liability for any damage 

to property or injury to third persons caused by a 

federal employee that arises out of the employee’s 

official duties and for which the individual would be 

liable under local law. It should be noted that 

contract employees are not government employees 

and consequently are not covered by the FTCA.

A. Reporting a Claim

If any claim is made against an AmeriCorps NCCC 

participant or staff member with respect to an 

automobile accident or other damage (or in cases

of potential liability for damage) to property or injury 

to persons, the individual should report such claims to

the Unit Leader. The Unit Leader should then notify the 

Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership or Region 

Director. The Region Director must immediately notify 

the National Director of AmeriCorps NCCC, who will 

consult with the AmeriCorps Office of General 

Counsel, who will then advise the AmeriCorps NCCC 

Region Director as to the steps that should be taken.

B. Statement about Claims

Individuals should refrain from making any statements 

to other parties regarding accidents and the ultimate 

liability of the government on a particular claim. Such 

statements should only be made to government 

investigating officers. Depending on the amount of 

the claim in question, either the Office of General 

Counsel or the Department of Justice will make the 

final determination as to whether an accident

occurred within the scope of the individual’s servicerelated activities and the extent of the federal

government’s liability.

C. Full Cooperation

Individuals are expected to give full cooperation to 

the Office of General Counsel in obtaining necessary 

evidence and materials and to the United States 

Attorney in the event any legal action is initiated in 

connection with an accident.

D. Personal Liability

During off-duty hours, or in any situation in which 

AmeriCorps NCCC members are not engaged in 

service-related activities, they are as personally liable 

as any other citizen for any damage or injury they 

may cause.

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 57
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 58
Administrative Staff - refers collectively to the Region 

Director, Deputy Region Directors, Unit Leaders, and other 

support personnel located in the administrative office.

Affinity Groups - A group of people with similar interests who 

assemble for mutual support, activities, and/or enjoyment.

AmeriCorps - the national service initiative that 

engages nearly 80,000 individuals in full- and part-time 

service through the AmeriCorps NCCC, VISTA, and 

State and National programs.

AmeriCorps NCCC Members - refers to all members and 

Team Leaders serving in AmeriCorps NCCC.

Assistant Driver - the person in the front passenger seat 

when someone is operating a vehicle. This individual assists 

the driver navigation and observes the driver for signs of 

fatigue. The person may also be referred to as “Safety.”

CTI - Corps Member Training Institute. This is the training 

period between Corps member’s change to “in-service” 

in the member portals and Induction; it is a time of 

preparation and readiness for the months of service ahead.

Deputy Region Director for Operations - the AmeriCorps 

staff member who reports to the Region Director and is 

responsible for regional budget development and 

execution, financial management policy compliance 

and implementation, procurement and contract 

support, accounting requirements, travel management, 

member debit cards, other financial management 

operations, the campus facility, equipment, and 

required regional logistics.

Deputy Region Director for Programming - the AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff member who reports to the Region Director 

and is responsible for development of project proposals, 

training, selection of projects, initial planning for work 

sites, and confirming project accomplishment.

Deputy Region Director for Unit Leadership - the AmeriCorps 

NCCC staff member who reports to the Region Director 

and is responsible for project implementation, unit and 

team management, member discipline, and serving as 

the policy advisor to the Region Director on the

member handbook.

Financial Specialist - the AmeriCorps staff member that 

supports the Deputy Region Director for Operations in 

regional budget development and execution, financial 

management policy compliance and implementation, 

procurement and contract support, accounting 

requirements, travel management, member debit 

cards, and other financial management operations.

Headquarters - the primary office of AmeriCorps 

located in Washington, DC.

Headquarters Staff - the AmeriCorps staff supporting 

centralized program and agency requirements, 

generally working from the headquarters location

in Washington, DC.

IILP - Individual Learning Plan. All members and Team 

Leaders, with staff assistance, are required to develop 

and complete a learning plan.

Member Support Specialist - the AmeriCorps NCCC

staff member responsible for managing the member 

Information System (MIS) in the My AmeriCorps Portal for all 

enrollment/ exit information, supporting the administration 

of all human resource actions affecting members, and 

coordinating travel arrangements for members.

On-Site - refers to activities conducted at a project site.

POV - Privately Owned Vehicles (i.e., member’s

personal vehicles).

Region Director - the administrative head of the 

AmeriCorps NCCC region, reporting directly to the National 

Director of AmeriCorps NCCC in Washington, D.C.

Spikes - A “spike” occurs when a team undertakes a 

service project that requires an overnight stay away 

from the campus facility for one or more nights. The 

majority of projects served by AmeriCorps members in 

the NCCC program are considered a spike project.

Spike Housing - the housing facility and boundaries 

designated by the Team Leader when teams are on a 

service project away from campus.

Team - the primary entity for each member. Every 

member is assigned to a team with an assigned Team 

Leader. Teams train, travel, and work together.

Team Leader - the immediate supervisor of members. 

Team leaders are responsible for the safety, well-being, 

productivity, and personal development of each 

member assigned to the team.

TLT - Team Leader Training. This the training period 

between Team Leader arrival and Corps member 

arrival, during which Team Leaders are prepared to 

lead and support AmeriCorps NCCC teams.

Unit - usually five to seven teams compose one unit. At 

times, units will train for and travel to projects together. 

Much of the training during CTI will be accomplished 

within the unit structure.

Unit Leader - the AmeriCorps NCCC staff member 

responsible for the assigned members and the activities 

of the entire unit. The Unit Leader is involved in planning 

most of the details for work and how it is to be 

accomplished at individual project sites and is also the 

first-line supervisor of Team Leaders.

AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 59

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
To: All NCCC staff, NCCC Members, NCCC Team Leaders 

From: Ken Goodson, National Director

RE: Updates to 2023 Member Handbook

Date: March 20, 2023

NCCC is amending the 2023 Member Handbook to reflect changes made to several sections, 

as described below. These handbook revisions are effective March 20, 2023 and apply to all 

classes with Member Arrival dates on or after January 4, 2023.

Handbook Revisions

Two revisions have been made to the Physical and Mental Health section of the 2023 Member 

Handbook, located on page 55.

1. The first sentence in Section D: Medical Hold is revised to read as follows: If a member 

is unable to train or serve for a period of greater than 2 to no more than 30 days due to 

an injury, illness, or other health condition, the member may be placed on Medical 

Hold.

2. The first sentence in Section C: Medical Incapacitation is revised to read as follows: If a 

member is incapacitated for a period of less than 10 days as a result of injury, illness, or 

other health condition, the member will be allowed to remain on campus, if a 

reasonable accommodation can be made without an undue burden.

Starting with Class 29 in Vicksburg, MS, the service term for NCCC-FEMA Corps Members and 

Team Leaders will no longer be 12 months. The following revisions have been made to the 

2023 Member Handbook to reflect that change:

1. On page 12, the third sentence in the first paragraph in Section A: Standards of 

Conduct, has been revised to read as follows: Upon arrival at campus, all standards of 

conduct will apply.

2. On page 51, the fifth sentence in the third paragraph of the Independent Service 

Project section currently reads “AmeriCorps NCCC-FEMA Corps members may only 

earn hours for ISPs that are disaster related.” This sentence no longer applies to FEMA 

Corps members and will be removed from subsequent versions of the Member 

Handbook.
3. On page 52, the second paragraph under Section C: Corps Member Training Institute 

in the Service Learning and Member Development section currently reads “NCCCFEMA Corps members will be required to complete selected training courses the week 

prior to arrival. Corps members who fail to complete these trainings prior to arrival may 

be subject to disciplinary action.” FEMA Corps members are no longer required to 

complete training courses prior to arrival. This paragraph will be removed from 

subsequent versions of the Member Handbook.
AmeriCorps NCCC Member Handbook 60

THE AMERICORPS PLEDGE

I will get things done for America to make our people safer,

smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. 

Faced with apathy, I will take action.

Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. 

Faced with adversity, I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. 

I am an AmeriCorps Member and I will get things done!