Many programs find AmeriCorps members to be particularly helpful in their efforts to recruit volunteers. Ensuring that volunteers maintain a consistent commitment to their efforts is one of the great challenges faced by all local community initiatives. Maintaining such commitments is particularly critical for tutoring programs, as their effectiveness depends in large part on the duration and consistency of the service provided. We advocate that local reading programs recruit and screen volunteers in part on the basis of their ability to make a regular tutoring commitment. The America Reads initiative is built on existing literacy efforts that stress these elements, and it is critical for new programs to similarly aim to provide a durable and consistent service.
Programs use different methods to ensure that volunteers are committed and reliable.
Many programs benefit from AmeriCorps members working full-time at the recruitment, placement, coordination, monitoring and support of tutors. Some programs require a minimum time commitment from their tutors. Federal Work Study students, for example, work an average of 10 hours per week while Foster Grandparents serve for 20 hours per week. These tutors also receive stipends. Yet other programs partner two volunteer tutors with each child to ensure that he or she is always matched with a tutor.