WHAT IS AMERICORPS?

What's in a name? When it comes to creating a job description for people working within the Americorps national service program, the name is everything.

There has been much public debate since Americorps' inception in 1994. People opposing the program claim it is wasteful bureaucracy and that participants are "paid volunteers" who are looking for an easy way to eat into taxpayers' money.

Supporters, on the other hand, believe the program has merit and say participants are being partially compensated for service just as PeaceCorps members and SeniorCorps members have been paid for years. These same supporters say Americorps participants aren't volunteers because they are compensated; neither should they be called employees because they do not receive a wage.

According to the Americorps Provisions handbook, people enrolled in the Americorps program are called members. Each member signs a contract agreement that states he will work a specified number of hours performing community service in return for a living allowance and an educational award once he completes the terms of the contract. Members also are eligible for child care assistance and health care benefits during their contract year.

Americorps officials say the living allowance members receive shouldn't be confused with a wage. The handbook states the living allowance is "designed to help members meet the necessary living expenses incurred while participating in the Americorps program." The book emphasizes the money is not issued as a wage and doesn't fluctuate based on the number of hours members serve in a given time period.

Although the compensation is clearly present, Americorps officials don't believe members receive enough to warrant the opposition the program has received. A full-time Americorps member beginning a contract after Sept. 1, 1997, is required to work 1,800 total hours within the contract period. In return for their service, local members receive an $8,340 living allowance, roughly $4.63 per hour worked.

The estimated wage amount is similar for part-time members, who are required to serve 950 hours in a contract year.

The AmeriCorps price tag isn't cheap. Federal allocations for the program have increased each year. Last year the local AmeriCorps program received $476,551. Of that amount, about 30 percent was spent on administrative, operational and staff salary expenditures, while about 49 percent was spent on member support costs (including living allowances, workers' compensation and health care), training and education.

AmeriCorps officials at every level say they are working to toughen their standards for membership and increase public visibility so that people understand why the money is needed by members. Project coordinator Bill Thompson said one of his main goals this year is to increase public awareness about the program in general and particularly about the jobs and purpose of its members.