The MEO AmeriCorps Project uses community service “members” to assist in planning and implementing capacity-building efforts to enhance natural forest and oceans. Under the supervision and direction of the AmeriCorps Coordinator, the AmeriCorps Members assists in accomplishing four Project goals:

• To Respond to Disaster Relief Efforts.
• Wildlife, land and vegetation protection/restoration.
• Marine ecology protection and restoration.
• To created a volunteer network system.

The MEO AmeriCorps Environmental Program seeks interested undergraduate and graduate students, recent college graduates, active community volunteers, civic organization participants, and people dedicated to serving their communities. Positions are available on the islands of Maui and Molokai.

ABOUT AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage Americans in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, environment, and disaster relief assisting homeland security efforts. Created in 1993, AmeriCorps provides trained, dedicated Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to help nonprofits accomplish more and make more effective use of volunteers. Typically, Members tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters.

MEO AmeriCorps Environmental ACTIVITIES
AmeriCorps members will serve as volunteers to assist Conservation agencies in the protection, restoration and conservation of natural resources. Activities include:

• Recruit and manage volunteers to become a more active in conservation work. 
• Protect native plants and animals. Eradicate non-native plants and animals.
• Protect and restore the ecosystems and endangered mammals.
• Be certified Red Cross Disaster Relief responders. Trainings include: CPR/1st aid, mass care, shelters, disaster assessment, aviation basics, power tools basics and wilderness survival.

Eligibility and Benefits:
AmeriCorps is open to: U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents, age 17 or older, and high school graduates.

Terms of Service:
*Full-time members serve 1,700 hours (average of 32 hours/week) over a 10- to 12-month period and receive a living allowance of $11,475/year. After successfully completing a year of hours and service, they earn an education award of $4,725. They also are eligible for medical Insurance for themselves and may qualify for child care assistance if they meet requirements. *Part-time members serve 900 hours a year (averaging 25 hours/week), and receive a living allowance of $6,075/year and earn an education award of $2.362 after successfully completing a year of hours and service.

*Minimum-time members serve 300 hours (average of 35 hours/week) over a 8 week period and receive a livening allowance of $2,025/2-3 months and earn an education award of $1,000 after successfully completing all hours of service.

Education Award:
After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps Members are eligible to receive an education award, which can be used in the following ways, or in combination:
* to pay all or part of current education expenses to attend a qualified institution of higher education (i.e. tuition, fees, books, room/board, and other “costs of attendance”);
* to repay qualified existing or future student loans;
* or loan repayment forbearance.
A member has up to seven years to claim the maximum of two educational awards.

Costs:
AmeriCorps members serve and commit as volunteers of MEO AmeriCorps Environmental Program.

Location:
99 Mahalani Street
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793

Contact:
Donna Borge, MEO AmeriCorps Coordinator
Phone: (808) 873-3101
Email: donna.borge@meoinc.org 
Fax: (808) 873-3103

To apply click here, fill it out and return to address above.

For further background information:
See AmeriCorps national website:
http://www.americorps.org/joining/basics.html 
Or the Hawai’i State website:
http://www.hawaii.edu/americorpshawaii/

Funding: The project is funded by grants from The Hawai’i Commission for National and Community Service, County of Maui, Boeing Foundation, and partnering agencies.