Volunteers to be peer reviewers for AmeriCorps Program

Oregon Volunteers, the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Service and Action, is in need of individuals to assist in reviewing and scoring applications for AmeriCorps funding. The first round of reviewers will score concept papers, which will determine which applicants are invited to submit a full application. This is an important assignment in the sense that it will help to ultimately determine which AmeriCorps programs receive funding for the next three years (2012-2015).

Time commitments for peer reviewers are twofold:

1.Attend a training phone call on AmeriCorps grant requirements, what to look for and how to score a concept paper. (Training calls are scheduled for October 5 at 10:00 and October 6 at 2:00 - reviewers may chose which one fits their schedule.)

2.Read and score 3 or 4 applications (typically no more than 2 to 3 hours per concept paper) during the period October 10-19. Applications will be sent electronically and scores and comments will be due electronically on the 19th.

Peer reviewers should have some basic knowledge of AmeriCorps, national service, grant proposals, community involvement, or non-profits. Volunteering to be a peer reviewer is a great way to be a part of important AmeriCorps funding decisions and also to gain valuable experience that is relevant across the non-profit and government sectors.

Please contact Tim Foley - tfoley@pdx.edu if you have questions or are interested in participating.