Orientation tends to be most effective in a group context that emphasizes the sharing of information and ideas. Use this time with your site supervisors to review both the site supervisor and member handbooks and to discuss the regulations that apply to site supervisors and members. Other useful materials to discuss include the member agreement, the member time sheet and member orientation materials. Orientation is the best time to discuss expectations for communication between you and your site supervisors, as well as how to handle any problems that may arise. This may involve establishing a schedule for regular contact and exchanging information through e-mail, phone calls, meetings and reports.
Orientation can also be a great opportunity to build alliances in the greater service community.
Bringing in local professionals to assist you in the training sessions for your site supervisors will introduce your AmeriCorps program to other organizations in the community, increasing local awareness of the services that your members will be providing. The emphasis on the exchange of information that characterizes your site supervisor orientation should carry over into your working relationship with your site supervisors. Both you and the site supervisors will get most of your information about the progress of your AmeriCorps program from members, through written and informal exchanges. Information from members is valuable, but you will need more than that to manage your program effectively. Site visits Establish a schedule for regular site visits, the first one within the first month of the program.