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 Sec. 2553.43.
(i) Minimize any disruption to RSVP volunteers when one sponsor is replaced by another as a result of relinquishment, denial of refunding, or recompetition of a grant.
(j) Make every effort to meet such performance measures as may be established for the RSVP project by mutual agreement. [64 FR 14135, Mar. 24, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 6875, Feb. 14, 2002; 69 FR 60095, Oct. 7, 2004; 76 FR 20246, Apr. 12, 2011]