§ 2556.300 Is a VISTA considered a Federal employee and is a VISTA considered an employee of the sponsor?
§ 2556.305 What is the duration and scope of service for a VISTA?
§ 2556.310 What are a VISTA sponsor’s and AmeriCorps’ supervisory responsibilities during a VISTA’s term of service?
§ 2556.315 What are terms and conditions for official travel for a VISTA?
§ 2556.320 What benefits may a VISTA receive during VISTA service?
§ 2556.325 May a VISTA be provided coverage for legal defense expenses related to VISTA service?
§ 2556.330 When may a VISTA be provided coverage for legal defense expenses related to criminal proceedings?
§ 2556.335 When may a VISTA be provided coverage for legal defense expenses related to civil or administrative proceedings?
§ 2556.340 What is non-competitive eligibility and who is eligible for it?
§ 2556.345 Who may present a grievance?
§ 2556.350 What matters are considered grievances?
§ 2556.355 May a VISTA have access to records as part of the VISTA grievance procedure?
§ 2556.360 How may a VISTA bring a grievance?
§ 2556.365 May a VISTA appeal a grievance?

Terms Used In CFR > Title 45 > Subtitle B > Chapter XXV > Part 2556 > Subpart D - Terms, Protections, and Benefits of Vista Members

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Arraignment: A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Beneficiary: A person who is entitled to receive the benefits or proceeds of a will, trust, insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity, or other contract. Source: OCC
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Forbearance: A means of handling a delinquent loan. A
  • Freedom of Information Act: A federal law that mandates that all the records created and kept by federal agencies in the executive branch of government must be open for public inspection and copying. The only exceptions are those records that fall into one of nine exempted categories listed in the statute. Source: OCC
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.