Hello ENVS,
A RARE Opportunity for Professional Growth Through Service Learning
What is The RARE AmeriCorps Program?
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) is a unique AmeriCorps Program serving Oregon’s rural communities through economic and community development and natural resource planning. The mission of the RARE AmeriCorps Program is to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions, through the assistance of trained college graduate-level participants. Our members live in and serve rural communities for 11 months. The RARE AmeriCorps Program is now in our 23rd year of service and has placed more than 450 individuals and served every Oregon county. Join the team for a year of service that you will never forget!
Do I Qualify for The RARE AmeriCorps Program?
RARE AmeriCorps members are required to be either U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. In addition, you will need to hold a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate applied community experience as well as coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas: planning or statistical analysis, planning or economic theory, project management, community or economic development, environmental planning, geographic information systems and grant writing. Additional information can be found within the Member Application Process section of our website.
RARE AmeriCorps members work with organizations that have identified specific needs in rural areas. Each RARE AmeriCorps member focuses on community specific projects that fall within the following focus areas: land use planning, downtown development, community and economic development, regional tourism, renewable energy, food systems planning and natural resources planning. Additional information can be found within the Projects section of our website.
- Living Stipend/Monthly: $1,600.
- Medical Insurance: If eligible, we will provide medical insurance. At this time, we do not provide vision or dental insurance.
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: After the successful completion of the program in the amount of $5,815.
- Nine Graduate Credits: Each RARE Americorps member will be eligible for 9 graduate credits from the University of Oregon’s Master of Community & Regional Planning, Master of Public Administration, or Master of Nonprofit Management Program.
- In-state Tuition: If a member is moving to Oregon, after the successful completion of one year’s service they MAY be eligible for in-state tuition.
RARE AmeriCorps Program Application Process Timeline
April 14: Community Applications due
April 28: Member Applications due
May 8-31: Member Phone Interviews with RARE staff
June 30: Position Descriptions due
June 23: Members invited to participate
July 17-21: Members interview with potential communities
Aug 4: Final placement decisions made
September 6-8: Orientation
September 11: Placement in partner community begins
To learn more about the RARE AmeriCorps Program please visit our
Or…
Contact Titus Tomlinson, Program Coordinator, via email at: rare@uoregon.edu or via telephone at: 541-346-2879