45 C.F.R. Subpart B—Eligibility and Responsibilities of a Sponsor
Title 45 - Public Welfare
The Corporation awards grants to public agencies, including Indian tribes and non-profit private organizations, both secular and faith-based, in the United Sates that have authority to accept and the capability to administer an RSVP project. [69 FR 60095, Oct. 7, 2004] A sponsor is responsible for fulfilling all project management requirements necessary to accomplish the purposes of the RSVP program as specified in the Act. A sponsor shall not delegate or contract these responsibilities to another entity. A sponsor shall comply with all regulations contained in this part, policies, and grant provisions prescribed by the Corporation. A sponsor shall: (a) Focus RSVP resources to have a positive impact on critical human and social needs within the project service area. (b) Assess in collaboration with other community organizations or utilize existing assessments of the needs of the community or service area and develop strategies to respond to those needs using the resources of RSVP volunteers. (c) Develop and manage a system of volunteer stations to provide a wide range of placement opportunities that appeal to persons age 55 and over by: (1) Ensuring that a volunteer station is a public or non-profit private organization, whether secular or faith-based, or an eligible proprietary health care agency, capable of serving as a volunteer station for the placement of RSVP volunteers to meet locally identified needs; (2) Ensuring the placement of RSVP volunteers is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding: (i) That is negotiated prior to placement; (ii) That specifies the mutual responsibilities of the station and sponsor; (iii) That is renegotiated at least every three years; and (iv) That states the station assures it will not discriminate against RSVP volunteers or in the operation of its program on the basis of race; color; national origin, including individuals with limited English proficiency; sex; age; political affiliation; religion; or on the basis of disability, if the participant or member is a qualified individual with a disability; and (3) Annually assessing the placement of RSVP volunteers to ensure the safety of volunteers and their impact on meeting the needs of the community. (d) Consider the demographic make-up of the project service area in the enrollment of RSVP volunteers, taking special efforts to recruit eligible individuals from minority groups, persons with disabilities and under represented groups. (e) Encourage the most efficient and effective use of RSVP volunteers by coordinating project services and activities with related national, state and local programs, including other Corporation programs. (f) Develop, and annually update, a plan for promoting service by older adults within the project service area. (g) Conduct an annual assessment of the accomplishments and impact of the project and how they meet the identified needs and problems of the community. (h) Provide RSVP volunteers with cost reimbursements specified in §2553.43. [64 FR 14135, Mar. 24, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6875, Feb. 14, 2002; 69 FR 60095, Oct. 7, 2004] (a) A sponsor shall secure community participation in local project operation by establishing an Advisory Council or a similar organizational structure with a membership that includes people: (1) Knowledgeable about human and social needs of the community; (2) Competent in the field of community service and volunteerism; (3) Capable of helping the sponsor meet its administrative and program responsibilities including fund-raising, publicity and programming for impact; (4) With an interest in and knowledge of the capability of older adults; and (5) Of a diverse composition that reflects the demographics of the service area. (b) The sponsor determines how this participation shall be secured, consistent with the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section. A sponsor shall: (a) Assume full responsibility for securing maximum and continuing community financial and in-kind support to operate the project successfully. (b) Provide levels of staffing and resources appropriate to accomplish the purposes of the project and carry out its project management responsibilities. (c) Employ a full-time project director to accomplish program objectives and manage the functions and activities delegated to project staff for NSSC program(s) within its control. A full-time project director shall not serve concurrently in another capacity, paid or unpaid, during established working hours. The project director may participate in activities to coordinate program resources with those of related local agencies, boards or organizations. A sponsor may negotiate the employment of a part-time project director with the Corporation when it can be demonstrated that such an arrangement will not adversely affect the size, scope and quality of project operations. (d) Consider all project staff as sponsor employees subject to its personnel policies and procedures. (e) Compensate project staff at a level that is comparable with similar staff positions in the sponsor organization and/or project service area. (f) Establish risk management policies and procedures covering project and RSVP activities. This includes provision of appropriate insurance coverage for RSVP volunteers, vehicles and other properties used in the project. (g) Establish record keeping and reporting systems in compliance with Corporation requirements that ensure quality of program and fiscal operations, facilitate timely and accurate submission of required reports and cooperate with Corporation evaluation and data collection efforts. (h) Comply with and ensure that all volunteer stations comply with all applicable civil rights laws and regulations, including providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. A sponsor may administer more than one Corporation program grant.
Title 45: Public Welfare
PART 2553—THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Subpart B—Eligibility and Responsibilities of a Sponsor
§ 2553.21 Who is eligible to serve as a sponsor?
§ 2553.22 What are the responsibilities of a sponsor?
§ 2553.23 What are a sponsor's program responsibilities?
§ 2553.24 What are a sponsor's responsibilities for securing community participation?
§ 2553.25 What are a sponsor's administrative responsibilities?
§ 2553.26 May a sponsor administer more than one program grant from the Corporation?
