Member Duties : VISTA members will be doing some of the following: Recruiting volunteers; Providing public information about the project;
Organizing heritage tourism brainstorming sessions; Assisting in the development of a community heritage tourism planning document;
Assisting local volunteers in organizing fundraising events; Grant writing; Producing written material that describes the MHTI; Providing
outreach and educational opportunities; Working with local representatives of the Missouri River Regional Cuisines Project to identify
local producers of wine, food, crafts, artwork, cafes, lodging and other small businesses in the river valley; Assisting in the creation
and updating of the database of all participants, heritage sites, tourism related businesses, farmers' markets and other resources
in the MHTI Region; Assisting in the development and implementation of a region-wide marketing plan.
Program Benefits : Childcare
assistance if eligible , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, Relocation
Allowance, Training
Service Areas : Community and Economic Development, Community Outreach, Education,
Entrepreneur/Business, Environment, Neighborhood Revitalization
Skills : Communications, Community Organization,
Fund raising/Grant Writing, Writing/Editing, General Skills
Service Description: The Missouri River area in central
Missouri is rich in the history of American Indians, Lewis and Clark, the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, African-American heritage, the
Steamboat Era, the Civil War and the railroads. It is also a rural area which is currently economically challenged. The 225 mile Katy
Trail State Park bike trail brings visitors from all over the world to this area. The overall goal of the Missouri River Heritage
Tourism Initiative (MRHTI) is to help the river communities identify local historical resources and assist them in planning and developing
the infrastructure (sites, museums, parking, signage, restrooms, lodging, restaurants, amenities, trails, etc.) that will provide
these visitors with a seamless heritage experience from Washington to Lexington, Missouri. Positions are available in: Hermann, Jefferson
City, Hartsburg/Ashland, Columbia, Rocheport and Boonville. A primary outcome of this project is to create sustainable economic development
in these rural river communities. By developing local resources and creating businesses that arise out of the connections within their
own community, citizens become less dependent upon outside investment to create sustainable economic health. The project will work
on developing and promoting a regional food network in collaboration with the Missouri Regional Cuisines Project. The MRHTI will employ
community design brainstorming sessions in order to identify specific project outcomes as well as an implementation strategy (deadlines,
resources, responsibilities, timelines, performance measures). AmeriCorps*VISTA members will help communities establish and monitor
their own sustainability indicators, which should emerge from a deliberative, democratic process.
How to Apply: If this program looks like it is something that reflects your personality and ambitions, please email a cover letter and resume along
with two references to Steve Johnson at manitoubluffs@gmail.com. We would also like if you could include whether you are willing
to work at any of our Missouri locations, or if you had a specific location in mind, along with when you would be available to start.
AmeriCorps*VISTA members are selected on a rotational basis throughout the year, so we are always looking for new applicants.
Unfortunately,
we are currently unable to accept new applications for AmeriCorps*VISTA until further notice.
For more information about AmeriCorps*VISTA
and other AmeriCorps programs, please go to: www.americorps.gov
