MemberHandbook

20122013ServiceYear

TableofContents

Welcome.......................................................................................................................................................2
A.WhatisAmeriCorps?...............................................................................................................................3
B.WheredoestheJusticeforMontanansprojectfit?.................................................................................4
C.DecipheringtheAmeriCorpsLingo..........................................................................................................5
D.Whatareyourrights?..............................................................................................................................5
E.Whatareyourresponsibilities?...............................................................................................................6
RequiredDocumentationandPaperwork..........................................................................................................6

F.AllowableMemberActivities...................................................................................................................7
AllowableActivities.............................................................................................................................................7
ProhibitedActivities............................................................................................................................................7

G.ServiceLogs.............................................................................................................................................8
H.BenefitsofService....................................................................................................................................9
I.GrievanceProcedures.............................................................................................................................10
J.CodeofEthics.........................................................................................................................................13
ProjectContactInformation.......................................................................................................................14

Welcome
CongratulationsonbecomingpartofthissignificantefforttoexpandaccesstojusticeinMontana.Asyou
mayknow,affordingaccesstojusticeisoftenchallenginginthissparselypopulatedstatewithsomewhat
unpredictableweather.Bothasanindividualandincollaborationwithothermembers,youwillhavea
significantimpactonthelivesoflowincomeMontanansthroughyourservice.
SomeofyouwillserveintheBillings,Missoula,andHelenaofficesoftheMontanaLegalServices
Association(MLSA),otherswillserveintheSelfHelpLawProgram(SHLP)oftheMontanaSupremeCourt
OfficeoftheCourtAdministratorinBillings,Bozeman,GreatFalls,Helena,orKalispell,stillanotherwill
serveinHelena,attheMontanaAttorneyGeneralOfficeofConsumerProtectionandVictimServices
(OCPVS),andfinally,oneofyouwillservewiththeStateBarofMontanasModestMeansprogramin
Helena.Allofyouwillprovidedirectservices,eitherinpersonoroverthephonewhichwillhelplow
incomeMontanansgetthelegalinformationandresourcestheyneed.Inaddition,allofyou,as
individualsorinteams,willconductoutreachandrecruitvolunteerstohelpcontinueonyourefforts.
Iencourageyoutokeepintouchwitheachother,bothtoprovidesupportandtoreinforcethatyouare
partofagreaterwhole.Ialsoencourageyoutocommunicateregularlywithyoursitesupervisor,your
coordinatingsupervisorifyouhaveone,andme.Pleaseaskquestions,andletusknowhowthingsare
goingfromyourperspective.
AllfourhostprogramsMLSA,theSHLP,theOCPVS,andtheStateBarofMontanaareexcitedthatyou
arehere.IspeakforallofthemwhenIwishyouamemorable,enjoyable,andrewardingyearofservice!

BrittanyWaiss
AmeriCorpsCoordinator
MontanaLegalServicesAssociation
JusticeforMontanansProject

A.WhatisAmeriCorps?

AmeriCorpsoffersover75,000opportunitieseachyearforadultsofallagesandbackgroundstoserve
throughanetworkofpartnershipswithlocalandnationalnonprofitgroups.AmeriCorpshasfourmain
goals:

GettingThingsDone
AmeriCorpsmembershelpcommunitiessolveproblemsintheareasofeducation,publicsafety,
theenvironment,andotherhumanneeds(likehealthandhousing)byservingdirectlyandby
gettingotherpeopletoserveasvolunteers.

StrengtheningCommunities
AmeriCorpsmembershelpuniteindividualsfromall
differentbackgroundsandorganizationsofall
kindsinacommonefforttoimprovecommunities.
AmeriCorpsmembersserve

EncouragingResponsibility
withmorethan3,000
AmeriCorpsmembersexploreandexercisetheir
nonprofits,publicagencies,
responsibilitiestotheircommunities,theirfamilies,
andothercommunity
andthemselvesduringtheirserviceexperienceand
throughouttheirlives.
organizations.

ExpandingOpportunity
AmeriCorpshelpsthosewhohelpAmerica.
AmeriCorpsmembersreceiveawardstofurthertheireducationortopaybackstudentloans.
Theyalsogainvaluablejobexperience,specializedtraining,andotherskills.

ThesegoalsareaccomplishesthosegoalsthroughthethreedifferentAmeriCorpsprograms:

AmeriCorpsStateandNational:AmeriCorpsStateandNationalsupportsabroadrangeoflocal
serviceprogramsthat
engagethousandsof
Americansinintensive
servicetomeetcritical
AmeriCorps
communityneeds.

AmeriCorpsVISTA:
AmeriCorpsVISTA
AmeriCorps
providesfulltime
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
Stateand
memberstocommunity
VISTA
NCCC
National
organizationsandpublic
agenciestocreateand
expandprogramsthatbuildcapacityandultimatelybringlowincomeindividualsand
communitiesoutofpoverty.

AmeriCorpsNCCC:TheAmeriCorpsNationalCivilianCommunityCorps(NCCC)isafulltime
residentialprogramformenandwomen,ages1824,thatstrengthenscommunitieswhile
developingleadersthroughdirect,teambasednationalandcommunityservice.

Inlightofthesegoals,AmeriCorpsrequiresthatyoudevotesomeofyourtimeandotherprogram
resourcestovolunteerrecruitmentandoutreachefforts.AmeriCorpsalsorequiresthatprojectsprovide
notonlyanopportunitytoserve,butalsosignificanttrainingandpersonaldevelopmentexercises.As
partofyourserviceyouwillconductoutreach,recruitvolunteers,andattendtrainingsandother
programsscheduledbytheJusticeforMontanansproject.

B.WheredoestheJusticeforMontanans
projectfit?
JusticeforMontanansisanAmeriCorpsStateprogramwheremembersservewithahostsitetohelp
empowerlowtomoderateincomeMontananstoadvocatefortheirlegalrights,andincreaseaccessto
justice.Theprojectplaces13membersthroughoutMontanatohelpprovideandexpandintake,legal
informationandreferralservicesforMontana'slowincomeresidentsseekinglegalassistance.

MontanaLegal
Services
Association

CourtHelp
Program

OfficeofConsumer
Protectionand
VictimsServices

StateBarof
MontanaModest
MeansProgram

C.DecipheringtheAmeriCorpsLingo
Aswithanyprogram,thereareuniqueacronymsandtermsthatareassociatedwiththeJusticefor
MontanansProject.Hereareafewofthemthatyouwillencounterthroughouttheserviceyear:

AmeriCorpsStateallmembersthatservewiththeJusticeforMontanansProjectareconsidered
AmeriCorpsStatemembers,oftenJusticeforMontanans(JFM)memberandAmeriCorpsState
memberareusedinterchangeably
CD(CentralDesktop)thisistheonlineintranet/collaborationapplicationusedbyMLSA.Itis
usedtohelpmaintainelectronicrecordsof
CNCS(CorporationforNational&CommunityService)theentitythatfundsallAmeriCorps
programs
OCS(MontanaGovernorsOfficeofCommunityService)OCSreceivesfundingfromCNCS
whichitdistributestovariousAmeriCorpsprogramsacrossthestateincludingtheJusticefor
MontanansProject.
QPR(quarterlyprogressreports)thesearecompletedbymembersduringtheirtermofservice

Therealsoexistspecifictermsthatyouaretousewhenreferringtoyourserviceandactivities.

Youarenotemployeesandshouldneverbereferredtoasemployeesorstaff.Youshouldalways
identifyyourselfasanAmeriCorpsmember.

Youractivitiesarenotconsideredjobduties.Youareservingwithyourorganization.Youshould
alwaysrefertothedutiesyouperformasserviceactivities.

Sinceyouarenotconsideredemployees,youdonotreceiveawageorpaycheck.Instead,you
receivealivingallowance.

D.Whatareyourrights?

Yourparticipationmustbebasedonmeritandequalopportunityforall,withoutregardto
factorssuchasrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,sexualorientation,religion,age,disability,
politicalaffiliation,maritalorparentalstatus,militaryservice,orreligious,communityorsocial
affiliations.TheJusticeforMontanansProjectwillcomplywithallfederalandstateanti
discriminationlaws,includingthoserequiringreasonableaccommodationsformemberswith
disabilities.

Membershavearighttoreasonableaccommodationfordisabilities.Programsmustfurnish
reasonableaccommodationsfortheknownphysicalandmentallimitationsofqualified
AmeriCorpsmembers.ContactRebeccaSteele,resteele@mt.gov4441384,withanyquestions.

Ifyoubelieveyourrightshavebeenviolated,youmayreportsuchviolationstoBrittanyWaiss,
JusticeforMontanansAmeriCorpsCoordinatorwhomustestablishandmaintainaprocedurefor
filingandadjudicatingcertaingrievances.SeetheGrievanceProcedurelistedbelow.Youmay
alsofilediscriminationrelatedgrievanceswiththeEqualOpportunityCounselorofthe
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CorporationforNationalandCommunityServiceat(202)6065000,ext.312(voice),or(202)
6065256(TTY).

E.Whatareyourresponsibilities?

Toearnyoureducationaward,youmustsatisfactorilycompletetheprogramrequirementsand
yourfulltermofservice(atleast1,700hoursduringaninetotwelvemonthperiodforthefull
timeawardandatleast900hoursoveraonetotwoyearperiodoftimefortheparttime
award).Satisfactoryserviceincludesattendance,compliancewithapplicablerules,apositive
attitude,qualityservice,andrespecttowardothersintheprogramandinthecommunity.

Inadditiontoprovidingdirectservice,JusticeforMontanansmembersengageinvolunteer
recruitmentandcommunityoutreachactivities.MLSAworkswitheachofthemembersto
developstrategiestorecruitvolunteersandengageincommunityoutreachinitiatives.Thereis
theexpectationthatyouparticipateincommunityoutreachandvolunteerrecruitmentactivities
aspartofyourserviceactivities.Youaretoincorporatetheseactivitiesintoyourweekly
activities.

Youarerequiredtoparticipateinmonthlywebinarsandvarioustrainingactivitiesthroughout
yourserviceyearincludingmidyeartrainingandwebinartrainingsofferedbytheProject.
Regularlyscheduledcallandtrainingdaysandtimeswillbesenttoyouandsupervisorsshortly
afteryoubeginservice.AllrequiredeventswillalsobepostedinthecalendaronCentral
Desktop.

Youarerequiredtoparticipateinnationalservicedayevents.Thenationalservicedaysare
designatedbyCNCSandincludeAmeriCorpsWeek,MakeaDifferenceDay,9/11Remembrance
DayandMartinLutherKingJr.Day.
Youareresponsibleforparticipatinginamidtermandendoftermevaluation.Thedeadlinefor
completionofevaluationsislistedbelow.

Youarerequiredtocompleteprogressreports.Itisyourresponsibilitytoworkwithyoursite
supervisoroncompletingandsubmittingtheprogressreports.

RequiredDocumentationandPaperwork

ProgressReports:
Duringyourtermofserviceyouwillcompletethreeprogressreports,acopyofwhichcanbefoundon
CentralDesktop.

ReportNumber
TimePeriodCovered
DueDate
ProgressReport#1

September10,2012December31,2012

January18,2013

ProgressReport#2

January1,2013March31,2013

April19,2013

ProgressReport#3
April1,2013July30th,2013
August5,2013
Evaluations:
Youandyouhostsitesupervisorwillcompletetwoevaluations,oneforthefirsthalfofyourtermandthe
secondfortheremainder.Eachevaluationusesadifferentform.FormscanbefoundonCentralDesktop.

Midtermevaluation:
DuetoAmeriCorpsCoordinatorbyMarch15,2013
DuetoAmeriCorpsCoordinatorbyAugust5,2013
Endoftermevaluation:

F.AllowableMemberActivities
AllowableActivities
BelowisalistofallowableactivitiesthatJusticeforMontanansmemberscanengagein.Ifyouhave
questionsabouttheseorotheractivities,pleasecontacttheJusticeforMontanansAmeriCorps
Coordinator.

Assistwithintake
Assistwithreferraltosocialservice
agency
Providedlegalinformationthrough
HelpLineIntake
Communityoutreachproject
development
Distributeselfhelpmaterialsto
customers
Prepareselfhelppackets
Selfhelpresourcedevelopment
Assistproselitigantwithfinding
legalinformation
Assistconsumerwithfindinglegal
information

Selfhelpresourceoutreach
Volunteerrecruitment
Volunteersupport
Communityoutreach
Providingremoteassistance
throughLiveHelp
Providelegalinformationto
consumers
Developingoutreachmaterials
Expandingevaluationtools
Trainingparticipation
Projectmeetings
Supervisormeeting
ProBonoattorneysupport

ProhibitedActivities
JusticeforMontanansmembersarerestrictedfromperformingcertainactivities.Thefollowingactivities
areprohibitedwhileyouareserving(orperceivedasserving)asanAmeriCorpsmember:

Attempttoinfluencelegislation
Organizeorengageinprotests,petitions,boycotts,orstrikes
Assist,promote,ordeterunionorganizing
Impairexistingcontractsforservicesorcollectivebargainingagreements
Engageinpartisanpoliticalactivities,orotheractivitiesdesignedtoinfluencetheoutcomeofan
electiontoanypublicoffice
Participatein,orendorse,eventsoractivitiesthatarelikelytoincludeadvocacyfororagainst
politicalparties,politicalplatforms,politicalcandidates,proposedlegislation,orelectedofficials;

Engageinreligiousinstruction,conductworshipservices,provideinstructionaspartofa
programthatincludesmandatoryreligiousinstructionorworship,constructoroperatefacilities
devotedtoreligiousinstructionorworship,maintainfacilitiesprimarilyorinherentlydevotedto
religiousinstructionorworship,orengageinanyformofreligiousproselytization
Provideadirectbenefittoabusinessorganizedforprofit,alaborunion,apartisanpolitical
organization,anonprofitorganizationthatdoesnotcomplywith501(c)(3)restrictions,oran
organizationengagedinthereligiousactivitiesdescribedinthepreviousbulletpoint(unless
Corporationassistanceisnotusedtosupportthosereligiousactivities)
ConductavoterregistrationdriveoruseCorporationfundstoconductavoterregistrationdrive

ItisthepolicyoftheCorporationforNationalandCommunityServiceandtheJusticeforMontanans
ProjectthatJusticeforMontanansmembers,includingTeamLeaders,areprohibitedfromprovidingany
levelofsupervisiontootherAmeriCorpsmembers.Mostimportantly,JusticeforMontanansmembers
CANNOTdisplaceemployees.Youmaynottakeontasksandactivitiesthatwerepreviouslycarriedoutby
agencyemployees.Forexample,youcannottakeovercoordinatinganeventortrainingthatwas
previouslycoordinatedbyastaffmember.

G.ServiceLogs
Youarerequiredtoserveasetnumberofhoursinordertocompleteyourtermofservice.Themajority
ofyouwillserve1700hoursin11months.Ofthosehours,80%ofyourtimemustbespentondirectlegal
servicesactivities.
Youwillrecordtimeinthreecategories:directservice,capacitybuilding,oreducationandtraining.

DirectService:Directserviceisanythingrelatedtoprovidinglegalresourcesorassistanceto
anindividualorgroupofpeople(ex.clientintake,documentdrafting,LiveHelp,community
presentations).

CapacityBuilding:Capacitybuildingisanactivitythathelpstobuildthecapacityofthe
agencytoservemoreclients(ex.creatingeducationalmaterials,volunteerrecruitment,
communityoutreacheventsandactivities).Approvedcommunityserviceactivitiescanalso
berecordedascapacitybuildingaslongastheactivityprovideslegalservicestolowincome
peopleorispartofAmeriCorpsWeek,MakeaDifferenceDay,9/11RemembranceDayor
MartinLutherKingJr.Day.Whileimportantcommunityservices,taskslikewalkingthedog
atthehumanesocietyorcleaningupthelocalhighwaydonotcountascapacitybuildingfor
thepurposeofthisprogram.Allcommunityserviceactivitiesthatmaytakeplaceduring
yourregularservicehoursneedpriorapprovalfromyoursitesupervisor.Ifatanytimeyou
havequestions,pleasecontactAmeriCorpsCoordinator,BrittanyWaiss.

EducationandTraining:Educationandtrainingisdefinedasanyeducationandtraininga
memberreceivesthatwillimprovetheirabilitytoperformtheirserviceactivities(ex.
orientation,annualmeetings,agencysponsoredtrainings,weeklystaffmeetings).Thereare
timeswheneducationandtrainingactivitiescouldalsobeconsideredcapacitybuilding.For
example,ifyouattendadomesticviolencesponsoredtrainingandthenproceedstoeducate
8

otherstaffaboutthematerial,youhaveincreasedthecapacityofyouragencytobetter
servetheneedsofdomesticviolencesurvivors.Ifyouareconfusedabouthowtocategorize
suchanactivity,contactBrittanyWaissforclarification.

Youwillpresentyourservicelogtoyoursupervisoreverytwoweeksforsignature.Itisimportantyour
servicelogsareanaccuratereflectionofyourserviceactivities.Thefinalservicelogistobesignedbyyou
andyoursupervisorandtheoriginalsenttotheMLSAHelenaofficeattn:MeagannReedSmith.

H.BenefitsofService
Youmayreceivecertainbenefitsduringyourtermofservice.Thissectiondescribesthosebenefits.

Livingallowance
Duringyourtermofservice,youwillreceiveabiweeklylivingallowancewhichissubjecttoFICA
withholding.Thelivingallowancealsomaybetaxabletoyou.

Healthcarecoverage
Inadditiontothelivingallowance,youareeligibletoreceivehealthcarecoverageinaccordance
withAmeriCorpsregulations

Childcarebenefits
Pursuanttotheregulationsin45C.F.R2522.2550youmaybeeligibletoreceivechildcare
benefitsthroughtheAmeriCorpsChildCareBenefitProgram(CCBP)administeredbyGAP
SolutionsInc.ifthebenefitisneededtoparticipateintheprogram.Membersinneedofthe
benefitareencouragedtoapplywithinthefirstweekofyourservice.Tobeeligibletoreceivea
childcaresubsidybenefit,youmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:
o MustbeanactivefulltimememberofAmeriCorpsState.
o MembermustneedchildcareservicesinordertoparticipateintheAmeriCorpsState
program.
o MembershouseholdincomemustnotexceedthemaximumamountundertheChild
Care&DevelopmentFundBlockGrantrulesestablishedbytheStateofMontana.
o Themembermustbeacustodialparentorlegalguardianofachildundertheageof13.
o Thechildmustbealivingwiththemember.
o OncetheMemberisapprovedforCCBPbenefits,themembermustnotbereceivinga
childcarebenefitforthesamechildfromanyothersource.

TheJusticeforMontanansprojectdoesnotdetermineeligibilityforchildcare.Formore
informationaboutthischildcarebenefit,visithttp://www.americorpschildcare.com/.

Educationaward
Ifyousuccessfullycompleteyourtermofservice,youwillbeeligiblefortheSegalEducation
Awardof$5,550.Withlimitedexceptions,youmayuseyourAmeriCorpseducationawardwithin
sevenyearsofthedateonwhichyousuccessfullycompletedyourtermofservice.45CFR
2526.40.Theeducationawardcanbeusedonlyforcurrenteducationalexpensesatan
institutionofhighereducation,torepayqualifiedstudentloans,ortopayexpensesincurredin
9

anapprovedschooltoworkprogram.Theeducationawardcannotbeusedtopayforexpenses
incurredinenrollinginaninstitutionortrainingestablishmentapprovedundertheG.I.bill.

TransferofEducationAward
TheServeAmericaActenablescertainmembersenrolledinanAmeriCorpsStateorNational
projectafterOctober1,2009totransferaneducationaward.Bystatute,totransferanaward,an
individualmust:(1)HavesuccessfullycompletedatermofserviceinanapprovedAmeriCorps
StateandNationalposition;and(2)havebeenage55orolderbeforebeginningthattermof
service.Toreceiveanaward,anindividualmust:(1)Bedesignatedbyaqualifyingtransferring
individual;(2)bethechild,grandchild,orfosterchildofthetransferringindividual;and(3)bea
citizen,national,orlawfulpermanentresidentalienoftheUnitedStates.Adesignatedindividual
whoreceivesatransferrededucationawardinaccordancewith45CFR2530.10mayusethe
transferrededucationawardwithintenyearsofthedateonwhichyousuccessfullycompleted
yourtermofservice.

Studentloanforbearance,andotherstudentloanrelatedmatters
Youmaybeeligibleforforbearanceofyourstudentloansduringyourtermofservice.Your
lender,nottheproject,decideswhethertograntforbearanceofstudentloans.However,before
youdecidewhethertorequestthatyourloansbeplacedintoforbearance,youmaywishto
reviewinformationaboutthefederalincomebasedrepayment(IBR)andpublicserviceloan
forgiveness(PSLF)programs.Informationisavailableatthefollowingwebsites:

www.ibrinfo.org
www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/ccraa.asp
www.americorps.gov/pdf/08_12210_ccraa_faqs.pdf
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/benefits_ed_award_repa
yment.asp

Ifyouplaceaqualifiedstudentloanintoforbearanceduringyourtermofserviceandyou
successfullycompleteyourtermofservice,theNationalServiceTrustwillrepayaportionofthe
interestthataccruedontheloan.Again,youareexpectedtoreviewrelevantmaterialsand
makedecisionsbestforyoursituation.Theprojectwillnotadviseyouaboutyourparticular
situation,andbearsnoresponsibilityifyoumakeadecisionthatultimatelyisnottoyourbenefit.

FringeandOtherBenefits
Theprojectalsopaysforworkerscompensation,unemploymentcompensation,SocialSecurity
andMedicarebenefitstobepaidbyanemployer,healthcarecoverage,andliabilitycoverage.

I.GrievanceProcedures
Theseproceduresareintendedtoapplytoservicerelatedissues,suchasassignments,evaluations,
suspensions,orreleasesforcause.Inaddition,individualswhoarenotselectedasAmeriCorpsmembers
orlaborunionsallegingdisplacementofemployeesorduplicationofactivitiesbyAmeriCorpsmayutilize
theseprocedures.

10

InformalProcedures
Insofaraspossible,everyeffortshallbemadetoresolveanyissuesthatmayariseatthelowest
possiblesupervisorylevel.Whenappropriatetoaparticularsituation,amember,hostsite,labor
unionorotherinterestedindividualwhowishestoraiseanissue(aggrievedparty)isencouraged
topresenttheissueattheleveloftheallegedoccurrence.Forexample,ifamemberis
dissatisfiedwithasitesupervisorsdirection,thememberisencouragedtopresenttheissueto
thesitesupervisorinarespectfulmanner,solongasitissafeandappropriateforthememberto
doso.Generally,thepersontowhomanissueispresentedshouldrespondwithin3working
daysaftertheissuewaspresented,unlesstheissueisexceptionallycomplexorcircumstances
precludethesupervisorfromrespondingwithinthattimeperiod.Ifthepersontowhomanissue
ispresentedisoutoftheofficewhentheissueispresented(byemail,forexample),theissue
willbedeemedraisedonthedaythepersonreturns.

AlternativeDisputeResolution(optional)
Ifinformaleffortstoresolvedisputesareunsuccessful,anaggrievedpartymayseekresolution
throughmediation,facilitation,oranothermeansofalternativedisputeresolution(ADR).The
aggrievedpartymustinitiateADRproceedingswithin45daysoftheallegedoccurrence.Atthe
initialsessionoftheADRproceedings,thepartymustbeadvisedinwritingofhisorherrightto
fileagrievanceandrighttoarbitration.Ifthematterisresolved,andawrittenagreementis
reached,thepartywillagreetoforegofilingagrievanceinthematterunderconsideration.Ifan
ADRprocessisselected,itmustbeaidedbyaneutralpartywho,withrespecttoanissuein
controversy,functionsspecificallytoaidthepartiesinresolvingthematterthroughamutually
achievedandacceptablewrittenagreement.Theneutralpartymaynotcompelaresolution.
Proceedingsbeforetheneutralpartymustbeinformal,andtherulesofevidencewillnotapply.
Withtheexceptionofawrittenandagreedupondisputeresolutionagreement,theproceeding
mustbeconfidential.See45CFR2540.230(a).

IfanaggrievedpartyinitiatesanADRproceedingandthematterisnotresolvedwithin30days
fromthedatetheADRprocessbegan,theneutralpartymustagaininformtheaggrievedpartyof
hisorherrighttofileaformalgrievance.Iftheaggrievedpartyfilesagrievance,theneutralmay
notparticipateintheformalcomplaintprocess.Inaddition,nocommunicationorproceedings
oftheADRprocessmaybereferredtoorintroducedintoevidenceatthegrievanceand
arbitrationhearing.Anydecisionbytheneutralpartyisadvisoryandisnotbindingunlessboth
partiesagree.45CFR2540.230(b).

FormalGrievance,Hearing,TimeLimitations
AnaggrievedpartymaymakeaformalgrievancewithoutparticipatinginADR,orifADRdoesnot
facilitateamutuallyagreeableresolution.Theformalgrievancemustbesubmittedinwritingto
theprojectdirector.Theformalgrievancemustidentifytheaggrievedparty,describethe
allegedoccurrenceincludingthedateandthepeopleinvolved,andlistanypotentialwitnesses
andotherevidence.Exceptforagrievancethatallegesfraudorcriminalactivity,aformal
grievancemustbemadenolaterthanoneyearaftertheallegedoccurrence.

Ifanaggrievedpartymakesaformalgrievance,theprojectdirectororanappointeddesignee
willconductahearingwithin30daysaftertheformalgrievanceismade.Theappointed
designeemaybeamemberoftheMontanaLegalServicesAssociationsseniormanagement,a
11

probonoattorney,orastaffmemberfromadifferentAmeriCorps*StateprograminMontana.
Anaggrievedpartymay,however,initiateADRproceedingsaftermakingaformalgrievance,so
longastheADRproceedingsareinitiatedwithin45calendardaysoftheallegedoccurrence.If
ADRproceedingsareinitiatedafteraformalgrievanceismade,the30and60daydeadlinesset
forthbelowforahearingandwrittendecisionontheformalgrievanceareheldinabeyanceuntil
theADRproceedingsconclude.

Thepersonconductingahearingonaformalgrievancemustnothaveparticipatedinany
previousdecisionsconcerningtheissueindispute.Thehearingmayoccuroverthetelephone.If
apersoninvolvedinthedisputewishestosubmitdocumentaryorotherevidenceatthehearing,
thepersonmustprovidetheevidencetootherpeopleinvolvedinthedisputenolaterthan5
daysbeforethehearing(unlesstheevidencewaspreviouslyandcommonlyknowntothose
involved).Ifthehearingoccursbytelephone,thepersonwhowishestosubmitevidenceatthe
hearingmustarrangetosubmittheevidencetotheprojectdirectorordesigneeatleastoneday
beforethehearingoccurs.Evidencenottimelyprovidedtootherpeopleandtotheproject
directorordesigneewillbeinadmissibleatthehearing.Thepersonwhoconductsthehearing
willproduceawrittendecisionnolaterthan60calendardaysafterthegrievancewasmade.See
45CFR2540.230(c).

Bindingarbitration
Ifthewrittendecisiononaformalgrievanceisadverseagainsttheaggrievedpartyornodecision
ismadewithin60daysafterthegrievancewasmade,theaggrievedpartymayrequestbinding
arbitrationbeforeaqualifiedarbitratorwhoisjointlyselectedandindependentoftheinterested
parties.Ifthepartiescannotagreeonanarbitratorwithin15calendardaysafterreceivinga
requestforarbitration,theChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheCorporationforNationaland
CommunityServicewillappointanarbitratorfromalistofqualifiedarbitrators.See45CFR
2540.230(d)(1).
Anarbitrationproceedingwillbeheldnolaterthan45calendardaysaftertherequestfor
arbitrationor,ifthearbitratorisappointedbytheChiefExecutiveOfficer,theproceedingmust
occurnolaterthan30calendardaysafterthearbitratorsappointment.Adecisionmustbe
madebythearbitratornolaterthan30calendardaysafterthearbitrationproceedingbegan.
See45CFR2540.230(d)(2).

Thecostofthearbitrationproceedingwillbedividedevenlyamongthepartiestothearbitration,
unlesstheaggrievedpartyprevails,inwhichcasetheprojectwillpaythetotalcostofthe
proceedingandtheprevailingpartysattorneyfees.See45CFR2540.230(d)(3).

RemediesforGrievances
Remediesforgrievancesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,reinstatementingoodstandingofa
memberwrongfullysuspendedordismissed,andprohibitionofplacementofaMember.If
reinstatementofthememberresultsinthemembernotbeingabletofullycompletetheirhours
withinthetermofservice,arrangementsmaybemadetoallowthememberreasonable
opportunitytocompletethehours.

12

J.CodeofEthics
WhileactingasaJusticeforMontanansmember,youareexpectedto:

Actrespectfully,politelyandprofessionallywithothers
Dressappropriately
Respectconfidentialityofinformation(oralorwritten)providedbycommunitymembers,project
staff,orassociatedstaff
Followanyrulesorpoliciessetbytheprojectorsite(suchasStateofMontanapolicies)
Bepresentandontimeforallserviceandservicerelatedevents
o Whenpossible,obtainpriorauthorizationfromtheprojectdirectorforabsencesfrom
requiredtrainings,meetingsorevents
Authorizationwillbedecidedonacasebycasebasis,dependingonthereason
foryourrequesttobeabsent,yourattendancehistory,andthenatureofthe
training,meetingorevent.
Ifyoucannotobtainpriorauthorizationforanabsencefromatraining,
meeting,orevent,youmaybeaskedtoprovideevidence(ex.,adoctorsnote)
supportingyourreasonfortheabsence.
Youmaybeaskedtomakeupatrainingifyouhavemissedmorethan10%of
alltrainingsorifthetrainingisnecessaryforyourservice.
o Bepreparedtoprovideevidence(ex.,adoctorsnote)foranyextendedillnessrelated
absenceifrequested.
o Developaplantomakeupanyabsencesormissedhours,tobeapprovedbyyoursite
supervisorand,ifyouhavemissedasignificantnumberofhours,bytheprojectdirector
Appropriatelycommunicatesuggestions,problems,concerns,andanycircumstancesrelatingto
servicetoprogramstaff
Followdirections
Completeassignmentsinasafe,competentandprofessionalmanner
Fulfillallresponsibilitiesinthememberagreement
Submittimesheetsandotherpaperworkasdirected
Notifytheprojectofanycriminalarrestorconvictionthatoccursduringthetermofservice,
exceptminortrafficoffensesresultinginafineof$100orless
Refrainfrom:
o repeateduseofinappropriatelanguage(profanity)whileengagedinservice
o acceptinggiftsorgratuitiesfromcommunitymemberswhenitisreasonabletoinfer
thatthegiverexpectsfavorableactionortreatmentinconnectionwithservices
provided
o destroying,damagingordefacingproperty
o consumingalcoholicbeverageswhileengagedinserviceactivities,possessingillegal
drugsduringthetermofservice,andbeingundertheinfluenceofalcoholoranillegal
drugwhileengagedinserviceactivities
o criminalconduct,stealing,lying,oranyotheractivitiesthatarelikelytocausephysical,
mentaloremotionalharmtoothers(projectmembers,staff,orcommunitymembers)
o providingfalseormisleadinginformationinordertosecureparticipationintheproject
o engaginginanyoftheprohibitedactivitieslistedintheprevioussection
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IfyouviolatetheCodeofEthics,theProjectwillnormallyissueanoralwarningforthefirstoffense,which
maybeaccompaniedbyawrittenwarningthatwillgointoyourfile.Ifyoucommitanotherviolationafter
receivingawrittenwarning,youmaybeimmediatelysuspendedorimmediatelyreleasedforcausefrom
service.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutanyoftheaboveinformationoranyotherquestionsrelatedtoyour
service,feelfreetocontactyourAmeriCorpsCoordinatorortheProjectDirector.

ProjectContactInformation

BrittanyWaiss
AmeriCorpsCoordinator
MontanaLegalServicesAssociation
211NorthHigginsAve.,Suite401
Missoula,MT59802
Phone:(406)5438343x206or
TollFree:(866)6864574x206
Fax:(406)5438314
bwaiss@mtlsa.org

EdHiggins
DirectorofCommunityEngagement
MontanaLegalServicesAssociation
211NorthHigginsAve.,Suite401
Missoula,MT59802
Phone:(406)5438343x210
TollFree:(866)6864574x210
Fax:(406)5438314
ehiggins@mtlsa.org

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