Welcome to The Florida Institute for Community Studies

FICS Orientation

1. What is FICS?

FICS is the acronym or “nickname” we use for the Florida Institute for Community Studies, which we translate as el Instituto de Estudios Comunitarios de la Florida.

Executive Director: Alayne Unterberger 813.249.8100.

For volunteers and staff: FICS is NOT “Alayne Unterberger’s Institute” or simply a “non-profit” - please do not say this! (And, above all, do not let Alayne hear you!)

2. What does FICS do?

Good question. FICS has on-going research, social service and educational projects that work with different communities across Florida.

We are:

statewide, we can operate all over Florida
committed to working as partners with community groups
researchers
educators
students
community members
youth
adults

Our projects vary, but all have two things in common:

All start with a research component and have an evaluation/research component built into them so we can gage our effectiveness.
All have a community advisory board that helps guide and assess how the project is working throughout the process.

3. Why does FICS do that?

Because it is our mission: The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) is to partner with communities across Florida to achieve their goals through research, service and education/training.

Our model reflects our mission –> community advisory boards direct, plan and evaluate our activities.

FICS takes our commitment to community very seriously. That means that we welcome the community to tell us what they need, how they want their situations to be and how we can help them BUT we never promise them we can accomplish these “wish lists.”

Our philosophy and vision is to work together with these community members, give them new skills, make contacts and most importantly, find ways we can collaborate so that everyone gets what they need. Misleading or over-promising them would be harmful.

We do not do things FOR the community, we accomplish what we have accomplished WITH the communities and they take their credit when it is due. (And that’s a quote from Alayne Unterberger)

4. Why should I work or volunteer at FICS?

Excellent question.

First of all, a disclaimer: You won’t get rich if you are staff! Not in monetary terms, anyway.

Staff and volunteers will get the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. FICS programs, including the research trials, are conducted with respect and positive energy toward the community, to which people generally respond very positively.

Do you want to make a difference? We think FICS can and does. Also, you will meet amazing people, who will in turn impress you—guaranteed!



Orientation Positions	Volunteers FICS Orientation 1. What is FICS? FICS is the acronym or “nickname” we use for the Florida Institute for Community Studies, which we translate as el Instituto de Estudios Comunitarios de la Florida. Executive Director: Alayne Unterberger 813.249.8100. For volunteers and staff: FICS is NOT “Alayne Unterberger’s Institute” or simply a “non-profit” - please do not say this! (And, above all, do not let Alayne hear you!) 2. What does FICS do? Good question. FICS has on-going research, social service and educational projects that work with different communities across Florida. We are: statewide, we can operate all over Florida committed to working as partners with community groups researchers educators students community members youth adults Our projects vary, but all have two things in common: All start with a research component and have an evaluation/research component built into them so we can gage our effectiveness. All have a community advisory board that helps guide and assess how the project is working throughout the process. 3. Why does FICS do that? Because it is our mission: The Florida Institute for Community Studies (FICS) is to partner with communities across Florida to achieve their goals through research, service and education/training. Our model reflects our mission –> community advisory boards direct, plan and evaluate our activities. FICS takes our commitment to community very seriously. That means that we welcome the community to tell us what they need, how they want their situations to be and how we can help them BUT we never promise them we can accomplish these “wish lists.” Our philosophy and vision is to work together with these community members, give them new skills, make contacts and most importantly, find ways we can collaborate so that everyone gets what they need. Misleading or over-promising them would be harmful. We do not do things FOR the community, we accomplish what we have accomplished WITH the communities and they take their credit when it is due. (And that’s a quote from Alayne Unterberger) 4. Why should I work or volunteer at FICS? Excellent question. First of all, a disclaimer: You won’t get rich if you are staff! Not in monetary terms, anyway. Staff and volunteers will get the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference in someone’s life. FICS programs, including the research trials, are conducted with respect and positive energy toward the community, to which people generally respond very positively. Do you want to make a difference? We think FICS can and does. Also, you will meet amazing people, who will in turn impress you—guaranteed!
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