HELENA, Mont.–Most people come into credit unions with experience in financial field, and then learn the philosophical underpinnings once on board. For Carin McClain, it was the reverse, having worked in a philosophically similar field before coming to credit unions.
McClain, political advocacy director with the Montana Credit Union Network, worked in the Americorps VISTA program after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. AmeriCorps describes itself as a " a civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors engaging adults in public service work with a goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.”
Below, McClain responds to questions about her experience and the program.
CUToday.info: How did you come to be aware of the AmeriCorps Vista program, and what appealed to you about it? How does one enroll in the program, and can you provide a few details on AmeriCorps’ objectives and reason for being?
McClain: I learned about the AmeriCorps program from a graduate fair at UW Madison. I had heard of the Peace Corps, but not of its domestic equivalent, AmeriCorps VISTA. Working alongside like-minded people, working to advocate for communities, was very appealing to me.
CUToday.info: What was your major in college and were you looking to do something related to that with AmeriCorps?
McClain: I was an Art History major in college, which gave me a strong liberal arts background.
CUToday.info: Is it a volunteer program or are you paid?
McClain: It is a volunteer program, but you receive a modest living stipend to cover basic necessities.
CUToday.info: Tell us more about the AmeriCorps assignment you were given, and did you seek that specific assignment out? What were some of your other options? What were you/AmeriCorps seeking to do in Montana?
McClain: My AmeriCorps assignment was Asset Development, which included working on matched savings accounts (Individual Development Accounts, IDAs) and free tax preparation (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, VITA) programs. There were a variety of AmeriCorps positions available when I served, including openings at Montana Legal Services and various nonprofits. The AmeriCorps VISTA program is designed to build capacity in community-based organizations. Often, these organizations are focused on serving moderate to low income individuals, which was my main attraction to the program.
CUToday.info: Can you provide some details about what it was you were doing in Montana, the nature of the work, what the challenges were and how success was measured?
McClain: The focus of the VISTA program is to build capacity, versus direct service, so the majority of my time was spent at the Montana Credit Unions for Community Development (MCUCD) office. When I wasn’t in the office I traveled to do tax law trainings for volunteers and support our free tax clinics across the state. I was lucky to serve at an organization that treated me as a staff member in many ways, so my measure of success was closely tied to MCUCD’s.
CUToday.info: How did your perceptions change of the work AmeriCorps does and the challenges/realities that are faced?
McClain: Prior to serving with AmeriCorps I perceived volunteers as being on the periphery of an organization with little autonomy or impact. A couple months in to my time with MCUCD I learned that is not the case. I was given great autonomy and collaborated closely with staff on asset development programs. I’m extremely proud of the work that I did as an AmeriCorps member.
CUToday.info: Of the experiences you had, is there one that is most memorable or that first comes to mind?
McClain: Running a very busy VITA site in 20-below weather at a church in Butte, Montana. There is an incredible group of volunteers that make the program possible and it was a privilege working alon side of them.
CUToday.info: How long were you involved?
McClain: I served two one-year terms.
CUToday.info: How did you come to be aware of credit unions, and of this particular credit union position?
McClain: I’ve been a credit union member since birth, but it wasn’t until I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member that I understood the power of the cooperative model. After my service ended I was eager to get back to Montana and MCUCD. A job opening was posted in the spring of 2013 and I applied the same day. I was thrilled to get back to Montana.
CUToday.info: In what ways, if any, does the AmeriCorps experience/lessons contribute to your work at the credit union? Is there a challenge(s), for instance, you’ve faced in credit unions where you have been able to draw on the AmeriCorps’ experience.
McClain: My time with AmeriCorps really instilled the power of community. Many Montanans have a strong sense of pride and ownership of their communities. Perhaps more importantly, Montanans know how to get things done.
CUToday.info: For anyone else considering becoming involved in AmeriCorps, what advice do you have on the practical realties of the work and experience?
McClain: My time as an AmeriCorps member was transformative. AmeriCorps is a way to serve your community and often find a meaningful career. All different ages and types of people serve with the VISTA program. Don’t let preconceived notions about what it means to be a volunteer prevent you from an incredibly rewarding experiences. One of the best ways to learn about the program is to talk to an AmeriCorps alum- we’re a passionate bunch!
CUToday.info: How did your time in the AmeriCorps inform the work you do now at Montana’s credit unions? Please elaborate on your role as well.
McClain: I learned how to be an effective advocate, which serves me well in my current position as Political Advocacy Director. I do a variety of things, including serving as the primary lobbyist on state issues. I work to set priorities and influence the outcome of bills identified as being important to credit unions. Outside of state legislation, I work on programs that seek to engage credit unions and their members on issues impacting credit unions and consumers.