Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about being a RARE community are listed below. Please use the list of questions below to "jump" to a specific topic, or simply scroll through the listings.
Who administers RARE, and how is it funded?
RARE is administered through the University of Oregon’s Community Service Center. RARE is currently supported through grants from the Coporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the W.K. Fellogg Foundation, Oregon Department of Transportation and other agencies. In addition, each participating community provides $17,000 of the approximately $30,000 needed to place, train and support a full-time RARE participant.
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What benefits does a host community or agency receive by participating in RARE?
RARE host communities or agencies receive:
1. A RARE participant who will live in or near their community and provide 11 months (1,700 hours) of community service;
2. Support services from a team of six planning/policy analysts; and
3. Regular community site visits and evaluation by RARE staff.
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What are the commitments of a host community or agency?
RARE host communities or agencies provide:
1. A supervisor for the RARE participant;
2. A clear work program with specific project(s), tasks and products for which the RARE participant will be responsible;
3. Adequate office space, including a desk, phone, and e-mail access; and
4. Reimbursement of job-related expenses, such as office supplies, postage costs, and travel (not including travel to RARE-sponsored activities or trainings).
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What are the commitments of the RARE participant?
RARE participants commit to 11 months (1,700 hours) of community service. Participants are also required to attend periodic RARE-sponsored trainings. Training hours usually comprise between 5 and 10% of the total service period.
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How much will it cost my community or agency to host a RARE participant?
Each participating community or agency provides a $17,000 cash match towards the approximately $30,000 needed to place, train and support a full-time RARE participant. Communities are billed quarterly by the University of Oregon. The RARE Program administers the participant’s stipend, medical insurance, and educational award. The matching $17,000 must be confirmed before a placement is approved.
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How does the application and placement process work?
Community pre-applications for 2008-2009 are due in the RARE office by 5:00 PM, April 15, 2008, for October placement. If you submit a pre-application you will be required to meet with RARE staff to assess the appropriateness of your application. Not all communities who submit pre-applications will be invited to submit a full application.
RARE participants will interview with three to five communities. These interviews will take place the week of August 4-8, 2008. Once all placement decisions are finalized, the members will begin working in October. All placements are mutual decisions between the participant, community supervisor, and RARE staff. Not all communities and/or participants who are invited to interview find a suitable placement.
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What if I won’t know about my funding until after the pre-application is due?
We understand that some communities may not be able to commit funding until after the pre-application is due because of budgetary timelines. If this is the case, submit your pre-application by April 15, 2008 and indicate the earliest date at which you will be able to commit to the $17,000 matching funds. Matching funds must be identified before July 1, 2008.
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How will RARE community applications be evaluated?
Applications that demonstrate a clear need for a RARE participant, a high probability of developing and implementing successful community projects, a community which is supportive of the placement, a qualified and committed supervisor appointed who will work with the participant as a mentor, valuable learning experience, and a clear manageable work program are most likely to be invited to participate as RARE communities and generate the greatest interest with participants.
In addition, AmeriCorps has identified the following priority areas for 2008-2009: community capacity building, volunteer engagement and partnering with community and faith-based organizations. While not required, applications that indicate that the participant will be involved in one or more of these activities will receive special preference.
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What is the community supervisor’s role and responsibility?
The community supervisor can be a staff person, senior administrator or volunteer board member. In an administrative role, the supervisor is responsible for approving timesheets, conducting performance reviews, and maintaining contact with RARE staff on project progress. More importantly, the supervisor provides assistance, guidance, and feedback to the participant during their term of service. The most successful placements are those in which the supervisor serves as a mentor to the RARE participant.
The time commitment of a supervisor could be upwards of five hours a week in the beginning of the RARE participants term of service. As the learning curve reduces for the participants so will the time commitment of the supervisor.
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What kind of background and training do RARE members have?
RARE participants have a variety of backgrounds and bring to their communities a wide-range of experiences. About one-third of RARE participants are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, one-third are graduate students or recent graduates of planning, environmental science or related fields, and one-third are participating in RARE to clarify their graduate school goals. Prior to placement, participants attend an orientation and training that provides them with basic skills needed for a successful placement. In addition, participants attend trainings and meetings throughout the year to increase their skills and to share their experiences.
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What technical support does RARE provide?
RARE staff provide technical assistance and on-going supervision to participants, including regular site visits. In addition, participants have access to other faculty who work with the RARE Program at the University of Oregon and provide technical advice and project support to participants as needed.
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Who determines the members' work program?
All communities submit a preliminary program as part of the full application process. Upon placement, the participant and his/her supervisor work together to develop a more detailed work program based in part on the skills and interests of the participant. RARE staff also review and help refine participants' work programs.
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What about housing?
Participants in the RARE Program are responsible for finding housing. As much as possible, the community sponsor should assist by providing local housing leads and contacts. Availability and affordability of housing is often a key factor in participant’ preference for a RARE placement.
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What if I have more questions?
For more information, please contact us at:
RARE Opportunities
1209 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR,
97403-1209
Phone (541) 346-2879
Fax (541) 346-2040
e-mail RARE@uoregon.edu
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