Serve DC is seeking individuals to review grant proposals for available AmeriCorps*State funds. This is an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in the national service world, learn more about the grant-making process, develop your own grant-writing skills, learn about exciting things happening in national service programs, and contribute your knowledge and experience to our efforts to select high-quality programs for funding.

What does a grant reviewer do? A grant reviewer helps to evaluate funding applications for AmeriCorps members for program year 2008. Reviewers read, score and evaluate proposals, discuss their findings with a small group of fellow reviewers and a facilitator. The panel then comes to consensus to rank the proposals according to quality and recommend them for the next level of review.

What qualifications should reviewers have? We are looking for a diverse group of reviewers--male and female of all ages, races and ethnicities--that have experience in management of high quality national service or community based programs, and grant writing. For example, they may be community service practitioners, educators, students, youth participants, national service alumni, people working in foundations, or those working on public policy issues. 

We hope to recruit some reviewers with prior experience working with AmeriCorps programs. However, we are generally seeking people with a variety of experience who can review national service grant applications and determine quality.

Reviewers must be comfortable reading a large volume of material in a short period of time and providing analysis in a small group.

Can members currently serving in AmeriCorps or any other streams of service serve as reviewers? No, you must have completed service before being selected as a reviewer. Alumni of the AmeriCorps programs are strongly encouraged to apply to serve as reviewers. We are looking for AmeriCorps members who have completed service by May 1, 2007.

Can people who work for a Corporation for National and Community Service-funded program serve as a reviewer? Yes, people who work for organizations affiliated with other Learn and Serve, AmeriCorps or national service programs may serve as reviewers. For instance, an individual who works for an organization that hosts a VISTA volunteer may review AmeriCorps applications. However, people cannot serve as a reviewer for the AmeriCorps programs if they work for an organization that is being considered for funding in this competition.

What is the time commitment? Reviewers must be available on, Thursday, December 6, 2007, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Friday, December 14, 2007, 1:00 pm -5:00 pm. Reviewers will participate in a two hour training session on Thursday, December 6, 2007, and a consensus review session on Friday, December 14, 2007. The period between training and consensus session will be dedicated to reviewing and scoring the proposals.

How does one apply to become a reviewer? To apply, please forward your resume to: John Savage, AmeriCorps Program Officer, Serve DC, 441 4th Street, Suite 1140N, Washington, DC 20001or e-mail him at john.savage@dc.gov or call (202) 727-7972. Please share this announcement with others who are qualified reviewers. 

Is there a deadline to apply? We will begin reviewing resumes and contacting potential reviewers as the resumes arrive, so the earlier one applies, the more likely they are to be contacted and selected. Please submit resumes as soon as possible, but no later than 5pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, for consideration.

What are the next steps after submitting a resume? Serve DC will review resumes and begin contacting qualified applicants. We will check for conflicts of interest and confirm availability at that time. 

Thank you for your interest in serving as a reviewer and for sharing this announcement with others who may be interested. This is a very important part of our review process and our efforts to recommend high quality programs for funding.