Community groups support pantry
By Cathy Gilbertie Knipper
Friday, December 15, 2006 - Updated: 09:33 AM EST
They are businesses and community organizations. They are individuals and groups. Some, like the recipients who frequent the doors Cupboard of Kindness, Norton’s food pantry, come only for a short time, some are regulars, but all have a common goal — to support those in need.
Valerie Goddard, director of Cupboard of Kindness, says there are so many in town who help out, it is difficult to identify only a few groups. From Selectman Robert Kimball who found a permanent site for the pantry to the schools who run many food drives to individual businesses like Roche Brothers and Norton Car Wash which provide continual monthly support, Goddard said she welcomes all donations from the community.
“People ask, ‘What can we do to make a difference?’” Goddard said. “If every business had a food drive, that would make an enormous difference.”
For Ryan Henke, director of the Wheaton College Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility office, the food pantry is part of the school’s mission.
“We like to show students there’s a need in your local community and you can make a difference where you are,” Henke said.
Henke , an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, began work at Wheaton in July, and reinstituted the freshman orientation community service program, where incoming students volunteer in the community. Four freshmen spent an afternoon cleaning and stocking the pantry during the first week of September.
During homecoming weekend, Wheaton’s Class of 1956 donated $1,500 to the food pantry and Henke challenged students, staff and alumni to meet the donation in a cans-to-dollars match. The three-week food drive netted 1,587 non-perishable items for the pantry.
Henke said students enjoy volunteering in the community, but for many students, transportation is an issue, which makes the pantry a perfect match. The pantry is a short walk from campus and he knows students are safe and welcome there.
To read the rest of this article that can give you some good ideas for volunteer projects, click the link.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Low Income Families in Houston to Bridge the Digital Divide thanks to Habitat for Humanity and AT&T
Houston Habitat for Humanity Connects Low-Income Residents with Vital Technology Resources
Saturday December 16, 10:00 am ET
Through Nation's Largest In-Home Technology Access Initiative, AT&T AccessAll Will Provide Computers, Internet Access, Training to 300 Houston Families
HOUSTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Habitat for Humanity announced today that it has teamed with AT&T to bring technology resources to 300 low-income Houston families under the three-year, $100 million AT&T AccessAll signature initiative. AT&T AccessAll is the nation's largest-ever program designed to provide in-home Internet and technology access, benefiting 50,000 low-income families across the country through a unique collaboration with One Economy Corporation, Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other low-income housing providers.
To read more about the technology resources and the AT&T initiative click the link.
Saturday December 16, 10:00 am ET
Through Nation's Largest In-Home Technology Access Initiative, AT&T AccessAll Will Provide Computers, Internet Access, Training to 300 Houston Families
HOUSTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Habitat for Humanity announced today that it has teamed with AT&T to bring technology resources to 300 low-income Houston families under the three-year, $100 million AT&T AccessAll signature initiative. AT&T AccessAll is the nation's largest-ever program designed to provide in-home Internet and technology access, benefiting 50,000 low-income families across the country through a unique collaboration with One Economy Corporation, Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other low-income housing providers.
To read more about the technology resources and the AT&T initiative click the link.
Friday, December 15, 2006
The White House Summit On Malaria
On December 14, 2006, The President And Mrs. Bush Will Host The First-Ever White House Summit On Malaria In Washington, D.C. The White House Summit on Malaria will bring together international experts; corporations and foundations; African civic leaders; and voluntary, faith-based and non-profit organizations. The Summit's goals are to raise awareness of malaria and to mobilize a grassroots effort to save millions of lives in Africa. One American with just $10 can help save a life in Africa. A school, a church, or a team can help save a village. Together, Americans can help protect an entire continent.
The President’s Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005. A five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria’s mortality rate by 50 percent in these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens from the grip of debilitating disease.
* Through Partnerships Working In The First Three Target Countries – Angola, Tanzania And Uganda – Aid From The American People Has Already Reached About Six Million Africans. In 2007, 30 million more will receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands. Other target countries include: Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.
* PMI Has Helped Deliver Bed Nets In Zanzibar In Tanzania Where Malaria Is The Leading Cause Of Death. In early 2006, PMI and the Global Fund collaborated to distribute more than 230,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to the people of Zanzibar. Zanzibar has seen a startling decrease in its reported malaria cases and quicker recovery for those infected:
o The number of confirmed malaria cases on Pemba Island dropped 87% from January to September in 2006 to 1,570 down from 12,531 over the same period last year, according to local health reports.
o In Zanzibar, malaria was greatly reduced among children under age five after new U.S. and other assistance began, according to local health officials. The success in Zanzibar shows that malaria can be controlled in larger regions.
The White House Summit On Malaria Will:
* Announce Eight New PMI Target Countries. The President will announce eight additional countries designated as PMI target countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.
* Launch The Malaria Communities Program. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) will launch the Malaria Communities Program, a $30 million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of their own health.
* Create “Volunteers For Prosperity” Program For Malaria. Many groups fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through the President’s Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations involved in the President’s Malaria Initiative can receive grants for highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating malaria in Africa.
* Designate April 25, 2007 As “Malaria Awareness Day.” The more people know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as “Malaria Awareness Day.” African countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.
White House Summit On Malaria Themes
* The Challenge Of Malaria In Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.
* The Power Of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When governments partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations, faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S. government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and support a comprehensive approach to control malaria.Organizations at the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.
* Growing The Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other organizations, America’s corporations and foundations, NGOs and non-profit organizations, individuals and America’s young people are being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.
Partnering Together To Fight Malaria
No Single Organization Or Entity Can Solve Global Health Issues Facing Africa. Groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Global Fund, Malaria No More and Saddleback Church are rising to President Bush’s challenge and mobilizing private sector support to defeat malaria in Africa.
White House Summit On Malaria Partners Include:
* The Office of the Coordinator for the President’s Malaria Initiative at the U.S. Agency For International Development
* The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department
* Malaria No More
The President’s Malaria Initiative Is Saving Lives. President Bush announced the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in June 2005. A five-year, $1.2 billion program, PMI challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combating malaria in 15 of the hardest-hit African countries. PMI's goal is to cut malaria’s mortality rate by 50 percent in these target countries, freeing these African nations and their citizens from the grip of debilitating disease.
* Through Partnerships Working In The First Three Target Countries – Angola, Tanzania And Uganda – Aid From The American People Has Already Reached About Six Million Africans. In 2007, 30 million more will receive life-saving medicines, sprays, and nets as the program expands. Other target countries include: Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal.
* PMI Has Helped Deliver Bed Nets In Zanzibar In Tanzania Where Malaria Is The Leading Cause Of Death. In early 2006, PMI and the Global Fund collaborated to distribute more than 230,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to the people of Zanzibar. Zanzibar has seen a startling decrease in its reported malaria cases and quicker recovery for those infected:
o The number of confirmed malaria cases on Pemba Island dropped 87% from January to September in 2006 to 1,570 down from 12,531 over the same period last year, according to local health reports.
o In Zanzibar, malaria was greatly reduced among children under age five after new U.S. and other assistance began, according to local health officials. The success in Zanzibar shows that malaria can be controlled in larger regions.
The White House Summit On Malaria Will:
* Announce Eight New PMI Target Countries. The President will announce eight additional countries designated as PMI target countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia Madagascar, Mali and Zambia.
* Launch The Malaria Communities Program. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) will launch the Malaria Communities Program, a $30 million initiative to build independent, sustainable malaria-control projects in Africa by providing grants to African NGOs and religious groups to support their malaria-control work. These initiatives will protect children and families and will help citizens take charge of their own health.
* Create “Volunteers For Prosperity” Program For Malaria. Many groups fighting malaria depend on the generosity of skilled professionals like doctors and nurses, who volunteer their services far from home. Through the President’s Volunteers for Prosperity program, organizations involved in the President’s Malaria Initiative can receive grants for highly skilled volunteers to contribute their efforts to combating malaria in Africa.
* Designate April 25, 2007 As “Malaria Awareness Day.” The more people know about this disease, the more quickly we can defeat it. President Bush will designate April 25, 2007, as “Malaria Awareness Day.” African countries and other nations commemorate April 25 to raise global awareness of malaria, and to reaffirm their commitment to fighting this disease. The United States is proud to stand with them.
White House Summit On Malaria Themes
* The Challenge Of Malaria In Africa. One child dies in Africa every 30 seconds from malaria. At least one million infants and children under five in sub-Saharan Africa die each year from the mosquito-borne disease. Older children and adults who do get malaria lose an average of six weeks at school or work from illness. This disrupts business and leaves poor families short of income, food, and medicine.
* The Power Of Public-Private Partnerships. Mobilizing private sector support is a key component in controlling malaria in Africa. When governments partner with NGOs, corporations and foundations, faith-based and service organizations and private citizens, the combined effort can save lives, educate the public about malaria, and send a global message. Public-private partnerships enable the U.S. government and its other partners to maximize their effectiveness and support a comprehensive approach to control malaria.Organizations at the summit announced commitments to dedicate additional resources to put thousands of new boots on the ground and to help defeat malaria.
* Growing The Grassroots. Powerful grassroots movements can raise awareness of malaria, and highlight ways that organizations and individuals can get involved in combating this preventable disease in Africa. With new enthusiastic efforts from Malaria No More and other organizations, America’s corporations and foundations, NGOs and non-profit organizations, individuals and America’s young people are being challenged to save lives and build a bridge between peoples.
Partnering Together To Fight Malaria
No Single Organization Or Entity Can Solve Global Health Issues Facing Africa. Groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Global Fund, Malaria No More and Saddleback Church are rising to President Bush’s challenge and mobilizing private sector support to defeat malaria in Africa.
White House Summit On Malaria Partners Include:
* The Office of the Coordinator for the President’s Malaria Initiative at the U.S. Agency For International Development
* The Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the U.S. State Department
* Malaria No More
President Bush Recognizes Cairo Woman for Dedication to Volunteer Service
President George W. Bush will present the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Holly Theis when he arrives at the airport in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Sunday, November, 5, 2006. Theis is a volunteer with Grand Island Habitat for Humanity. To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, President Bush honors a local volunteer, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States. President Bush has met with more than 550 individuals around the country, like Theis, since March 2002.
Theis has been a volunteer for two years with Grand Island Habitat for Humanity. She is currently assisting with the construction on her fourth Habitat for Humanity home. Theis also serves as the Family Support Volunteer who helps the Partner Family feel welcome in their new home and neighborhood. In addition, she participates in fundraising activities, serves on the Finance Committee and is the Habitat for Humanity liaison to the Central Nebraska Home Builders Association.
In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.
The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
Theis has been a volunteer for two years with Grand Island Habitat for Humanity. She is currently assisting with the construction on her fourth Habitat for Humanity home. Theis also serves as the Family Support Volunteer who helps the Partner Family feel welcome in their new home and neighborhood. In addition, she participates in fundraising activities, serves on the Finance Committee and is the Habitat for Humanity liaison to the Central Nebraska Home Builders Association.
In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to strengthen and expand volunteer service. Americans are responding to the President’s Call to Service. Go to www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity in your area or to find more information about service programs, including national service programs such as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps is also highlighting youth volunteer service. Visit www.volunteerkids.gov for games and ideas designed to show how America's youth are making a difference.
The President's Volunteer Service Award was created at the President’s direction by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Award is available to youth ages 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. For more information about the Award, please visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
Intake Survey for Volunteer Managers
As you recruit for volunteers of all ages and abilities for your organization, you can conduct an intake survey focused on interests and experiences of volunteers to best determine if someone is a qualified individual for a service position. The Independent Sector, a non-profit organization created a survey to assist organizations in the recruitment and placement process of service members with and without disabilities. You can view this survey at http://www.independentsector.org/GandV/volunteer.htm.
The Independent Sector is the leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world. This coalition of approximately 550 organizations leads, strengthens, and mobilizes the charitable community in order to fulfill the vision of a just and inclusive society and a healthy democracy of active citizens, effective institutions, and vibrant communities.
As always, the team at the National Service Inclusion Project are here to answer any questions you might have concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities in national service. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-491-0326 voice/TTY or email us at nsip@umb.edu.
Lucy Bayard
Training Specialist
National Service Inclusion Project
www.serviceandinclusion.org
The Independent Sector is the leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world. This coalition of approximately 550 organizations leads, strengthens, and mobilizes the charitable community in order to fulfill the vision of a just and inclusive society and a healthy democracy of active citizens, effective institutions, and vibrant communities.
As always, the team at the National Service Inclusion Project are here to answer any questions you might have concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities in national service. Please contact us toll-free at 1-888-491-0326 voice/TTY or email us at nsip@umb.edu.
Lucy Bayard
Training Specialist
National Service Inclusion Project
www.serviceandinclusion.org
Saturday, December 02, 2006
The Activist Guide Website
Well, I've been making some changes and updating the Activistguide.com Website. If you're looking for more information about "Life After VISTA" check out some of the related articles on building a resume, interviewing tips and creating the career of your dreams.
If you need more information about protecting your computer, getting rid of spam or updating your Website, check out the computer resources.
And as always, please feel free to leave your comments, drop me an email or submit an article or fact sheet.
If you need more information about protecting your computer, getting rid of spam or updating your Website, check out the computer resources.
And as always, please feel free to leave your comments, drop me an email or submit an article or fact sheet.
Friday, October 06, 2006
What a waste - food being thrown away
I just read this article in the Burlington Free Press written by staff writer
John Briggs about how $600 worth of food - expensive cheeses, marinated meatballs, tortilleni and a bunch of other yummy sounding goodies - got thrown in the trash because the local emergency food services progams in the area don't have a program in place to be able to accept food donations at night.
For want of staff members and a refrigerated truck, low-income people in the area are missing out on having enough food to eat.
You can read the article by clicking here:
This sounds like a perfect job for a VISTA Volunteer...
What about you? Do you work with an emergency food program? Do you have a program in place for picking up food at night from restaurants, caterers and the like? How is the program structured?
What are the pitfalls someone wanting to start such a program should look for?
Enquiring minds want to know!
John Briggs about how $600 worth of food - expensive cheeses, marinated meatballs, tortilleni and a bunch of other yummy sounding goodies - got thrown in the trash because the local emergency food services progams in the area don't have a program in place to be able to accept food donations at night.
For want of staff members and a refrigerated truck, low-income people in the area are missing out on having enough food to eat.
You can read the article by clicking here:
This sounds like a perfect job for a VISTA Volunteer...
What about you? Do you work with an emergency food program? Do you have a program in place for picking up food at night from restaurants, caterers and the like? How is the program structured?
What are the pitfalls someone wanting to start such a program should look for?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Americorps VISTA Leader Opportunity in Monteray County CA
This just in from Sara:
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Opening in Monterey County, CA
When:
Open November 2, 2006/ Application Deadline Oct. 13
Who:
~Anyone who has previous VISTA or Peace Corps experience.
~Bachelor Degree highly preferred
~Must have reliable transportation
~Bilingual skills helpful, but not required
Why:
~You get excellent Leadership experience and a chance to grow personally as well as professionally.
~Live on California's beautiful Monterey Bay coastline (2hr South of San Francisco.).
~Option for $4,725 Educational Award or $1,200 cash upon completion of one year term.
~Housing provided for $250/month
~Living Allowance of $1020/month
~Professional Training Opportunities
~Student Loan Deferment
~Health Insurance
~Mileage Reimbursement
~Possible $300 Child Care Reimbursement
~Option to apply for Food Stamps
What:
VISTA H.O.P.E . (Homelessness Overcome by Personal Empowerment). The project works to improve services to homeless and very low-income families and individuals in Monterey County. The result is the improvement of the services that reduce and prevent homelessness and the hardships associated with poverty.
How:
Glorietta Rowland or Sara Brown
call: 831.883.3080 fax: 831.883.3085
email: mbvistaleader@gmail.com or chspmontry@aol.comAmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Opening in Monterey County, CA
Want to see what the area looks like first? Take a "virtual tour" by clicking here: http://www.inetours.com/CA-Coast/Monterey.html
It's beautiful - reminds me a bit of the French Riviera - and trust me, it's great to live in a place like this - sun, sea, scenery - it makes getting up to go to work a lot more fun!
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Opening in Monterey County, CA
When:
Open November 2, 2006/ Application Deadline Oct. 13
Who:
~Anyone who has previous VISTA or Peace Corps experience.
~Bachelor Degree highly preferred
~Must have reliable transportation
~Bilingual skills helpful, but not required
Why:
~You get excellent Leadership experience and a chance to grow personally as well as professionally.
~Live on California's beautiful Monterey Bay coastline (2hr South of San Francisco.).
~Option for $4,725 Educational Award or $1,200 cash upon completion of one year term.
~Housing provided for $250/month
~Living Allowance of $1020/month
~Professional Training Opportunities
~Student Loan Deferment
~Health Insurance
~Mileage Reimbursement
~Possible $300 Child Care Reimbursement
~Option to apply for Food Stamps
What:
VISTA H.O.P.E . (Homelessness Overcome by Personal Empowerment). The project works to improve services to homeless and very low-income families and individuals in Monterey County. The result is the improvement of the services that reduce and prevent homelessness and the hardships associated with poverty.
How:
Glorietta Rowland or Sara Brown
call: 831.883.3080 fax: 831.883.3085
email: mbvistaleader@gmail.com or chspmontry@aol.comAmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Opening in Monterey County, CA
Want to see what the area looks like first? Take a "virtual tour" by clicking here: http://www.inetours.com/CA-Coast/Monterey.html
It's beautiful - reminds me a bit of the French Riviera - and trust me, it's great to live in a place like this - sun, sea, scenery - it makes getting up to go to work a lot more fun!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Free Saturday
This is the first "free" Saturday we've had in a while. We don't have to go anywhere, do anything, see anybody...oops! There went the buzzer. Okay, AFTER the guy fixes the washing machine we've got a free Saturday. I'd forgotten about him. One thing I have to say is that repairmen in France are incredibly reliable and on time. Last week he said he'd be here on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and he rang the buzzer at - 8:00 a.m.
So, this morning I'm going to check the press releases to see what you guys are all up to, and then I'm going to add a few training modules to the Activist's Guide Website, and then I think we're going to take off and go exploring.
In the meantime, I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!
So, this morning I'm going to check the press releases to see what you guys are all up to, and then I'm going to add a few training modules to the Activist's Guide Website, and then I think we're going to take off and go exploring.
In the meantime, I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!
Book is on sale, life is hectic - I love it!
Wow! I really meant to post the last few days - but the book went on sale, the shopping cart was messing up big time and didn't want to integrate with Paypal, I had some technical difficulties with the Website - basically, Murphy (of Murphy's Law) moved into my life and decided to stick around!
Anyway, tonight I've finally got time to catch my breath and feel like I can sit down without buzzers going off.
So, first things first: The Website still doesn't have a google rank, although now when you search for "Activist's Guide" on Google, we were number 3 when I last checked! Not too bad.
I've been posting some articles, training tools and resources as fast as I can get them up. Trust me - in two or three weeks, the Website is going to be amazing!
And I've been back in touch with some old friends. Like Ben Sheldon, who is putting together a "social networking site" for Americorps and VISTA members that I think you're going to love! Here's the announcement:
http://meetamericorps.com
MeetAmericorps.com allows anyone involved with national service to
easily create a profile and search for other people in their community
or across the country.
You can find service members:
* By location
* By organization
* By interest or service area
Once you've found someone, maybe a fellow alum, a volunteer doing
similar service, or even a neighbor you didn't know about, you can
easily contact them and start a conversation privately through email.
The goal of this website is to encourage interaction between
AmeriCorps and VISTA members beyond organizations and geography. A
well-connected volunteer is an effective volunteer. To learn more
visit http://meetamericorps.com/about
This is first official announcement of MeetAmeriCorps.com and we
encourage you to visit the website, register, and provide us feedback
on how we can improve the website and better meet your needs.
If you like the website and would be willing to promote it in your
organization or community, we have provided some simple outreach
materials: http://meetamericorps.com/outreach
Way to go Ben! I'm on my way over there now to check it out - I hope I'll see you there too!
Anyway, tonight I've finally got time to catch my breath and feel like I can sit down without buzzers going off.
So, first things first: The Website still doesn't have a google rank, although now when you search for "Activist's Guide" on Google, we were number 3 when I last checked! Not too bad.
I've been posting some articles, training tools and resources as fast as I can get them up. Trust me - in two or three weeks, the Website is going to be amazing!
And I've been back in touch with some old friends. Like Ben Sheldon, who is putting together a "social networking site" for Americorps and VISTA members that I think you're going to love! Here's the announcement:
http://meetamericorps.com
MeetAmericorps.com allows anyone involved with national service to
easily create a profile and search for other people in their community
or across the country.
You can find service members:
* By location
* By organization
* By interest or service area
Once you've found someone, maybe a fellow alum, a volunteer doing
similar service, or even a neighbor you didn't know about, you can
easily contact them and start a conversation privately through email.
The goal of this website is to encourage interaction between
AmeriCorps and VISTA members beyond organizations and geography. A
well-connected volunteer is an effective volunteer. To learn more
visit http://meetamericorps.com/about
This is first official announcement of MeetAmeriCorps.com and we
encourage you to visit the website, register, and provide us feedback
on how we can improve the website and better meet your needs.
If you like the website and would be willing to promote it in your
organization or community, we have provided some simple outreach
materials: http://meetamericorps.com/outreach
Way to go Ben! I'm on my way over there now to check it out - I hope I'll see you there too!
Monday, September 18, 2006
The book goes on sale tomorrow!
Wow! I'm really excited - I couldn't sleep at all last night. The book, "The Activist's Guide to Changing the World" goes on sale tomorrow. I'd read somewhere that having a book published is like giving birth - you do all this hard work, and your life changes while you're writing it - and then - it gets here - and you wonder if it's going to be an ugly baby...
Well, okay, that wasn't exactly what was said. I can't help it. I admit it, I'm nervous. I really want you to like the book. But, it's amazing to be done with it, and to know that it's finished and it's time for me to move on to something else.
Well, let me know what you think, okay? (But be gentle!)
Well, okay, that wasn't exactly what was said. I can't help it. I admit it, I'm nervous. I really want you to like the book. But, it's amazing to be done with it, and to know that it's finished and it's time for me to move on to something else.
Well, let me know what you think, okay? (But be gentle!)
Monday, September 11, 2006
Check This Out!
If you haven't used blogger lately, then you haven't used blogger! If you've been reading this blog over the weekend, you will have noticed that it's been a couple of different colors, it's been a couple of different styles - and now there are new labels added, to make it easier for you to find what you're looking for!
Blogger has gone Beta!
So far, I LOVE it! It's easy to use, it works great and, after going back in and adding labels to my posts, (I'm glad I only had 40 and not 400), I can say that I'm even more of a fan!
For the time being, I'm sticking with this one - these colors and this format. Let me know what you think. And if you don't already have a blogger account, get one!
Blogger has gone Beta!
So far, I LOVE it! It's easy to use, it works great and, after going back in and adding labels to my posts, (I'm glad I only had 40 and not 400), I can say that I'm even more of a fan!
For the time being, I'm sticking with this one - these colors and this format. Let me know what you think. And if you don't already have a blogger account, get one!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Did you ever play a game called "telephone" when you were little?
Do you remember that game? It was usually played at parties when I was growing up. Everybody would sit or stand in a circle, and one person would whisper a "secret message" in the person's ear who was standing next to them...and that person would whisper to the next person, and so on and so on...
Today we have a new version of the game - it's called social networking. Places like "myspace", You Tube, even the badly maligned "friendster."
But it works on the same concept - I tell you something, you tell someone else who tells someone else, and so on and so on.
Does it work? I'm going to try an experiment to find out. Here's how: I've created a very unscientific poll on the Activist Guide Website. (You can find it here: http://www.activistguide.com/sept11.html ).
I ask the question - Did 9/11 have an effect on your life in terms of you wanting to make your mark or make a difference? Do you volunteer more now?
So, I'm inviting you to play the new version of telephone with me...go take the poll, and then tell just one person about it.
Pass it on...
Today we have a new version of the game - it's called social networking. Places like "myspace", You Tube, even the badly maligned "friendster."
But it works on the same concept - I tell you something, you tell someone else who tells someone else, and so on and so on.
Does it work? I'm going to try an experiment to find out. Here's how: I've created a very unscientific poll on the Activist Guide Website. (You can find it here: http://www.activistguide.com/sept11.html ).
I ask the question - Did 9/11 have an effect on your life in terms of you wanting to make your mark or make a difference? Do you volunteer more now?
So, I'm inviting you to play the new version of telephone with me...go take the poll, and then tell just one person about it.
Pass it on...
Progress - the blogs are listed
Well, that was fast - which proves these methods work, I guess! The blogs - even the wordpress one that I quit posting on a month or so ago - have both been indexed in the search engines.
Not the Website yet, and neither blog has a google pagerank. Plus, I haven't optimized for my keywords. But - still, not bad for 24 hours.
So - why is it important that you get started blogging and working on a content Website for your nonprofit organization?
Because you want people - and not just any people - you want the RIGHT people to find your site and take action.
It all goes back to strategy. (Or at least, the chapter in the book on "Harnessing the Power of the Internet" goes back to strategy). What are the top 3 reasons you want to drive "targeted" traffic to your Website?
For example, you might want to:
Then, every word you write needs to accomplish one of those three purposes.
And your next step is to begin optimizing your keywords - based on your strategy. That way, once people start doing a search for your keywords - they find you.
Pretty simple, right?
Well, guess what? There's a catch. If you do it wrong, one of two things could happen.
1. Nothing. Nobody notices, nobody comes, nobody does anything.
2. You could get banned from the search engines. It's called "black hat" SEO (remember SEO stands for "Search Engine Optimization"), and it's not only wrong, it's stupid. Why go to all that work, and take chances on getting your Website banned, when you can use "white hat" SEO, and go after the "long tail" searchers.
Well, more about that later. I'm going to go and start doing my keyword searching. And this afternoon, I've got to write my first press release. Wanna watch?
Not the Website yet, and neither blog has a google pagerank. Plus, I haven't optimized for my keywords. But - still, not bad for 24 hours.
So - why is it important that you get started blogging and working on a content Website for your nonprofit organization?
Because you want people - and not just any people - you want the RIGHT people to find your site and take action.
It all goes back to strategy. (Or at least, the chapter in the book on "Harnessing the Power of the Internet" goes back to strategy). What are the top 3 reasons you want to drive "targeted" traffic to your Website?
For example, you might want to:
- Inform your local community about your issues
- Recruit volunteers for an upcoming event
- Publicize your program, or attract donors
Then, every word you write needs to accomplish one of those three purposes.
And your next step is to begin optimizing your keywords - based on your strategy. That way, once people start doing a search for your keywords - they find you.
Pretty simple, right?
Well, guess what? There's a catch. If you do it wrong, one of two things could happen.
1. Nothing. Nobody notices, nobody comes, nobody does anything.
2. You could get banned from the search engines. It's called "black hat" SEO (remember SEO stands for "Search Engine Optimization"), and it's not only wrong, it's stupid. Why go to all that work, and take chances on getting your Website banned, when you can use "white hat" SEO, and go after the "long tail" searchers.
Well, more about that later. I'm going to go and start doing my keyword searching. And this afternoon, I've got to write my first press release. Wanna watch?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
So, where do you start getting traffic to your Website?
Okay, basically, there are some pretty simple things you can do. First of course, is getting links to your site. So, for example, if my blog was ranked or getting traffic, I'd put a link to the Website - http://www.activistguide.com
Or, vice versa - put a link to the blog from the Website. Unluckily, neither of them are known.
So, what I started doing instead is posting on some sites that are ranked. For example, I have a blog (okay, tonight was my first post) on "My Space". I added a link from there to here and to the Website.
Why "My Space"? If you remember from a post I did a while back, social bookmarking sites - myspace, U Tube and the like, are the places where people go to hang out, talk about their lives, their loves and (on U Tube right now) Lonelygirl 15...
So...if you've got an event, get somebody to tape it - and post the "movie" on U Tube. Create your own blog on My Space. Start getting the word out about your program, and your organization.
Or, vice versa - put a link to the blog from the Website. Unluckily, neither of them are known.
So, what I started doing instead is posting on some sites that are ranked. For example, I have a blog (okay, tonight was my first post) on "My Space". I added a link from there to here and to the Website.
Why "My Space"? If you remember from a post I did a while back, social bookmarking sites - myspace, U Tube and the like, are the places where people go to hang out, talk about their lives, their loves and (on U Tube right now) Lonelygirl 15...
So...if you've got an event, get somebody to tape it - and post the "movie" on U Tube. Create your own blog on My Space. Start getting the word out about your program, and your organization.
How To Get Your Blog or Website Listed on the Search Engines
Okay folks. In my book, "The Activist's Guide to Changing the World - for VISTA Volunteers" there's a chapter on "Harnessing the Power of the Internet". I give you some basic information about using blogs, RSS feeds and "white hat" SEO tools, to help you publicize your Websites, gain exposure for your programs and get the word out about what you're doing.
I've had some great teachers. And I've learned a lot. (I hope.) Why? Because it's time to put my money where my mouth is.
I'm in what is called the "prelaunch" stage of promoting the Website, and my book. Neither the blog or the Website are ranked yet, and they're not bringing any traffic.
So, I'm going to use the tactics I teach you in the book (and in some cases the book bonuses, written by experts in their fields), to see if I can get listed in the search engines and also, get the information out to the people I'm trying to reach - namely YOU.
And, I'm going to tell you what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. And together, we'll see if it works!
So if you want to get publicity for your program, your projects or your organization - stay tuned!
I've had some great teachers. And I've learned a lot. (I hope.) Why? Because it's time to put my money where my mouth is.
I'm in what is called the "prelaunch" stage of promoting the Website, and my book. Neither the blog or the Website are ranked yet, and they're not bringing any traffic.
So, I'm going to use the tactics I teach you in the book (and in some cases the book bonuses, written by experts in their fields), to see if I can get listed in the search engines and also, get the information out to the people I'm trying to reach - namely YOU.
And, I'm going to tell you what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. And together, we'll see if it works!
So if you want to get publicity for your program, your projects or your organization - stay tuned!
Whoo Hoo! Website is up!
Hi all,
I'm so excited about this I had to share! The Website is up and looking good. There are already some free resources you can download.
The name of the newsletter has been decided (Spotlight Ezine) and I've got the basic logo!
Plus, I'm going to do a ferature every month called "Spotlight On" - and I'll be featuring you and your organizations in it! That's right - you get all of this:
Yep, it's not going to cost you anything. Lots of great publicity, 0 cost.
Well, I've got lots of work to do - but hey, if you're just surfing and want to check out the site and give me your feedback, I'd appreciate it! Click here to go there~
I'm so excited about this I had to share! The Website is up and looking good. There are already some free resources you can download.
The name of the newsletter has been decided (Spotlight Ezine) and I've got the basic logo!
Plus, I'm going to do a ferature every month called "Spotlight On" - and I'll be featuring you and your organizations in it! That's right - you get all of this:
- A press release talking about you, your organization and your projects
- A page on my Website, linking to yours
- A "call to action"
- Entries in the "What's Happening" Event Calendar
- A 15 minute audio interview with a MP3 audio file for you to post on your Website, use as a recruiting tool or for just about anything else you can think of
- Publish an article in the newsletter which will also be posted in our RSS feed and stay online forever
- Be featured as the monthly expert on your issues in our blog and on our forum
- Plus lots more!
Yep, it's not going to cost you anything. Lots of great publicity, 0 cost.
Well, I've got lots of work to do - but hey, if you're just surfing and want to check out the site and give me your feedback, I'd appreciate it! Click here to go there~
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Share your story, gain publicity, make a difference!
from now through September 11th, we will be promoting a series of activities under the theme, “Serve to Remember. Remember to Serve.” We encourage you to join in this national call to service by finding ways to tie planned activities and events to this theme. Visit http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/katrina_project_toolkit.pdf to access the “Serve to Remember” toolkit, which contains a variety of tips, ideas, and templates to help you generate awareness and media interest at the state and local level.
Below is a list of the activities taking place at the national level:
- Gulf Coast Tour, August 28-30: Members of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, along with members of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, will tour a series of national service projects in Louisiana and Mississippi to gain a better understanding of our programs’ unique role and impact, and the continued need for volunteers in the region.
- National Service Anniversary Report: On Monday, August 28, the Corporation will release its one-year report on the contributions of national service programs to relief and recovery efforts. To date, more than 36,000 national service participants have contributed more than 1.6 million hours of service to relief and recovery efforts, and leveraged an additional 92,000 community volunteers.
- Media Outreach: The Office of Public Affairs is reaching out to national print and broadcast media to help ensure that the “volunteer story” is told within the media coverage of these two anniversaries. To help garner coverage, we are promoting the following:
- Service Projects – Through our earlier request for information, we have identified nearly 100 service projects or commemorative events that you have planned around the Katrina or 9/11 anniversary. We have been promoting these events through media advisories as part of a nationwide serve-a-thon that pays tribute to the compassionate response that took place in the wake of both Katrina and 9/11. You can promote your local service project as part of this national effort.
- Research – Several pieces of research examine the effects disasters have on Americans’ civic behaviors. A compendium of related research is included in the toolkit mentioned above.
- Compelling Stories of Service – Through your earlier submissions, we have been identifying unique perspectives and spokespeople to help demonstrate national services’ role in disaster response and community rebuilding. While we have identified several volunteer stories related to Katrina, we are still looking for stories related to 9/11. If you know of an individual who decided to volunteer or join a national service program as a result or 9/11, please send their name, contact information, and a brief description of their compelling story to smaynard@cns.gov.
If you have specific questions related to these “Serve to Remember” ideas, please feel free to contact one of the following Corporation staff:
- Siobhan Dugan at sdugan@cns.gov
- Sandy Scott at sscott@cns.gov
- Shannon Maynard at smaynard@cns.gov
Monday, August 28, 2006
Want more publicity for your organization? Let me help!
Well, I feel like I've been away forever - and actually we were on vacation for most of 8 weeks, which was really great! (Of course, I had withdrawals from my computer - and only managed to find an internet cafe twice - but I guess it just goes to show you can get used to anything!)
Seriously, the vacation was great - we were in the high French Alps, visited Mont. Blanc (the highest mountain in Europe - and an incredible and imposing sight - even for a girl from the Rockie mountains), went to Switzerland and visited Italy by way of the very long tunnel that goes under Mont Blanc.
But, it's great to be back! I've rolled up my sleeves an have finally gotten the Website going. The nameservers haven't propegated yet, but you can find it tomorrow or the next day here:
http://www.activistguide.com
Also, now that I've got the Website up, I'm ready to start getting your press releases and information about what's going on. In fact, I'm hoping to be able to use the site to help you get extra publicity for your program!
Here's how: I've set up a media room on the Website, and I've listed the issues that I believe are the most critical to the work you're doing. Now I'm looking for "experts" on those issues.
(Um - that would be you!) Here's what it involves...you fill out a form, telling me a little bit about you, your organization and the issue(s) you're working on. You give me contact information and a little bit of background information and also answer some basic questions about how you're interested in working with the press...for example, personal stories from your members, photographs, the results of any studies, surveys, etc. that you're doing. Then, as I get requests from the media that matches your profile, I'll give them your contact information, and you'll take it from there.
Also, I want your press releases, information about what you're doing and anything that might be of interest - to other VISTAs or to the media. I'll be posting them on the Website and on the blog - to help you get free publicity, and to let people know about the wonderful job you're doing.
If you're interested and can't find the Website, just drop me an email or post a comment and I'll get back to you asap!
Seriously, the vacation was great - we were in the high French Alps, visited Mont. Blanc (the highest mountain in Europe - and an incredible and imposing sight - even for a girl from the Rockie mountains), went to Switzerland and visited Italy by way of the very long tunnel that goes under Mont Blanc.
But, it's great to be back! I've rolled up my sleeves an have finally gotten the Website going. The nameservers haven't propegated yet, but you can find it tomorrow or the next day here:
http://www.activistguide.com
Also, now that I've got the Website up, I'm ready to start getting your press releases and information about what's going on. In fact, I'm hoping to be able to use the site to help you get extra publicity for your program!
Here's how: I've set up a media room on the Website, and I've listed the issues that I believe are the most critical to the work you're doing. Now I'm looking for "experts" on those issues.
(Um - that would be you!) Here's what it involves...you fill out a form, telling me a little bit about you, your organization and the issue(s) you're working on. You give me contact information and a little bit of background information and also answer some basic questions about how you're interested in working with the press...for example, personal stories from your members, photographs, the results of any studies, surveys, etc. that you're doing. Then, as I get requests from the media that matches your profile, I'll give them your contact information, and you'll take it from there.
Also, I want your press releases, information about what you're doing and anything that might be of interest - to other VISTAs or to the media. I'll be posting them on the Website and on the blog - to help you get free publicity, and to let people know about the wonderful job you're doing.
If you're interested and can't find the Website, just drop me an email or post a comment and I'll get back to you asap!
Nominate your members, give literacy a helping hand!
Thanks to Steve Soskin for this announcement:
Opportunity to nominate your volunteers, members or partners for
Patterson PageTurner Award (www.pattersonpageturner.org<http://www.pattersonpageturner
In 2005, author James Patterson launched the Patterson PageTurner Awards
to recognize individuals, organizations and companies that are
creatively spreading the excitement of books and reading. In honor of
the selected winners, First Book also distributed 1,000 books to
literacy programs serving disadvantaged children selected by each
finalist.
This year, the PageTurner Awards will provide $500,000 to various groups
or individuals to help support their tremendous efforts in the field of
literacy, and First Book will continue to donate books as well.
Please nominate your members, volunteers, organizations and corporate
whose commitment and dedication to reading and education helps shape the
literacy landscape.
For information on the Awards, and to apply on-line, visit
www.pattersonpageturner.org <http://www.pattersonpageturner
application deadline is October 16, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Ooops! My mistake!
I just wanted to say "Thanks" to beggs909, for letting me know that it actually WASN'T a power point presentation that was used to create the movie you can see here...it was microsoft movie maker, and if you don't have it, you can download it by clicking on this link:
So now you don't have an excuse not to get out there and create something wonderful about your project - and when you've got it done, upload it onto "You Tube" and then make sure you post about it here, so we can all check it out!
So now you don't have an excuse not to get out there and create something wonderful about your project - and when you've got it done, upload it onto "You Tube" and then make sure you post about it here, so we can all check it out!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Update - Link Fixed for VISTA Recruiting Webinar
Hi all,
This seems to be the day for updates. A few days ago I posted about a training video that you could view to get some ideas not only for using video but also for webinars, and training ;-0 - but it turned out the link didn't work.
So I contacted Drew Carberry, and he sent me a new link with instructions:
First, click here for the link, and then read below for instructions:
Step 1: On the left side of your screen, click on the “play recording” button
Step 2: Enter Name and Email if prompted
Step 3: Enter Password: vista2
Step 4: Click the “play" button/arrow on the top left-hand side of the new window that opens up.
For this recorded session, you will get audio and visual content at the same time, so please do not use the 800 number referenced on the recordin.
Note from me: by the way, you may have to download a plug-in in order to view the Webinar! Good luck and let me know what you think!
This seems to be the day for updates. A few days ago I posted about a training video that you could view to get some ideas not only for using video but also for webinars, and training ;-0 - but it turned out the link didn't work.
So I contacted Drew Carberry, and he sent me a new link with instructions:
First, click here for the link, and then read below for instructions:
Step 1: On the left side of your screen, click on the “play recording” button
Step 2: Enter Name and Email if prompted
Step 3: Enter Password: vista2
Step 4: Click the “play" button/arrow on the top left-hand side of the new window that opens up.
For this recorded session, you will get audio and visual content at the same time, so please do not use the 800 number referenced on the recordin.
Note from me: by the way, you may have to download a plug-in in order to view the Webinar! Good luck and let me know what you think!
Update - Conference Date Changed!
Resources Now! National Institute
NOTICE- Dates changed to October 10-12, 2006!
You are invited to attend the Resources Now! National Institute in
Providence, Rhode Island from October 10 to 12, 2006 to learn skills and
strategies for advancing national and community service initiatives.
During the three day training, each participant selects 4 out of 16
comprehensive workshops and coaching sessions related to: Individual
Giving, Corporate Giving/Partnership, Uncovering the Resources in Your
Community and Asking Clinics. Every participant walks away with
practical materials from all workshops.
For more information, call Campaign Consultation, Inc. toll free
1.877.243.2253 x37, email Cook@CampaignConsultation.com or register
online at http://www.regonline.com/99765.
Registration deadline is now September 15, 2006
Sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS),
the Resources Now! National Institute is designed, developed, and
facilitated by Campaign Consultation, Inc. - the training and technical
assistance provider for CNCS and its Resource & Fund Development
Initiative.
Laura Cook
Project Coordinator
Campaign Consultation, Inc.
2819 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218 USA
T. 410.243.7979 X37
Toll Free 877.243.2253
Cook@CampaignConsultation.com
NOTICE- Dates changed to October 10-12, 2006!
You are invited to attend the Resources Now! National Institute in
Providence, Rhode Island from October 10 to 12, 2006 to learn skills and
strategies for advancing national and community service initiatives.
During the three day training, each participant selects 4 out of 16
comprehensive workshops and coaching sessions related to: Individual
Giving, Corporate Giving/Partnership, Uncovering the Resources in Your
Community and Asking Clinics. Every participant walks away with
practical materials from all workshops.
For more information, call Campaign Consultation, Inc. toll free
1.877.243.2253 x37, email Cook@CampaignConsultation.com or register
online at http://www.regonline.com/99765.
Registration deadline is now September 15, 2006
Sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS),
the Resources Now! National Institute is designed, developed, and
facilitated by Campaign Consultation, Inc. - the training and technical
assistance provider for CNCS and its Resource & Fund Development
Initiative.
Laura Cook
Project Coordinator
Campaign Consultation, Inc.
2819 Saint Paul Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21218 USA
T. 410.243.7979 X37
Toll Free 877.243.2253
Cook@CampaignConsultation.com
Life After VISTA - former VISTA Turned Writer (And it's not me!)
Hi all,
One thing that I really liked about the Wordpress blog was its "categories". I miss having categories to put different blog posts into, you know?
Anyway, I just read a press release about another former VISTA Volunteer turned writer, who's doing some great things, and I wanted to pass this along to you.
His name is John C. Redfern and he's an ecconomist an author who did three years in VISTA. Right now he's touring the "main streets" of the USA for his book. Here's an excerpt of the press release I read:
7 Palmyras existed at one time in Illinois including his present hometown in Macoupin County and the extinct Palmyra in Wabash County. In September, John is the guest speaker about his Palmyras USA tour at the historical society in Bedford KY.
Also, he will appear in the "Old Pioneer Days" parade this year that focuses upon Palmyra Iowa in Warren. Redfern has traveled throughout the country touring mainstreet communities from Maine to California. The historic grand tour has included 20 of the Palmyras with a future southern Palmyras tour planned. He is gathering the additional final research info for “PALMYRAS USA.”
The author describes the book as a microcosm of mainstreet America. The chapters include the toured Palmyras and the toured mainstreet communities giving a narrative history and future. The conclusion details the truths about modern development and the reform recommendations. John's web sites detail his French-American autobiography, his popular small-press publications, the mainstream media news grand tour stories, and the mainstreet U.S.A. slideshow.
Redfern has traveled throughout the country touring mainstreet communities from Maine to California. The historic grand tour has included 20 of the Palmyras with a future southern Palmyras tour planned. He is gathering the additional final research info for “PALMYRAS USA" The author describes the book as a microcosm of mainstreet America."
If you'd like to check out his Website, you can find it here:
http://mainstreetusa.bravehost.com
And to get in touch with John yourself, to congratulate him or ask him questions, you can reach him at this email addres (to save him from spam, make sure that you put in the appropriate symbols):
JCRedfernataoldotcom
Sounds like a great idea for a book - I may be showing my age, but one of the "cool" things to do when I was a teenager was to "drag" Main street...those of us with cars and driver's licenses would pick up our friends, and we'd drive back and forth along main street - honking and waving at all the people who were walking or sitting on cars. (This of course was in the days before computers and play stations and dvd movie rentals. I spent most of time outside from early morning until it was right up against my curfew.)
And thinking about Main Streets brings back other childhood memories, too. When I was a kid and visited my grandparents for the summer, we always went shopping on Fridays, when gramps got off work - first we'd go to the "5 and Dime" (an early version of Walmart) - a store that had an amazing variety of just about everything, then we'd go to the drug store ( they even had a counter where we could sit and enjoy a "cherry coke" while we sat and waited for the pharmacist to fill gram's heart medicine prescription. After that, we went to the grocery store and then a quick stop at the drive in, for a special treat of fish and chips...
John, thanks for the trip down memory lane that just reading the title of your book gave me...
One thing that I really liked about the Wordpress blog was its "categories". I miss having categories to put different blog posts into, you know?
Anyway, I just read a press release about another former VISTA Volunteer turned writer, who's doing some great things, and I wanted to pass this along to you.
His name is John C. Redfern and he's an ecconomist an author who did three years in VISTA. Right now he's touring the "main streets" of the USA for his book. Here's an excerpt of the press release I read:
7 Palmyras existed at one time in Illinois including his present hometown in Macoupin County and the extinct Palmyra in Wabash County. In September, John is the guest speaker about his Palmyras USA tour at the historical society in Bedford KY.
Also, he will appear in the "Old Pioneer Days" parade this year that focuses upon Palmyra Iowa in Warren. Redfern has traveled throughout the country touring mainstreet communities from Maine to California. The historic grand tour has included 20 of the Palmyras with a future southern Palmyras tour planned. He is gathering the additional final research info for “PALMYRAS USA.”
The author describes the book as a microcosm of mainstreet America. The chapters include the toured Palmyras and the toured mainstreet communities giving a narrative history and future. The conclusion details the truths about modern development and the reform recommendations. John's web sites detail his French-American autobiography, his popular small-press publications, the mainstream media news grand tour stories, and the mainstreet U.S.A. slideshow.
Redfern has traveled throughout the country touring mainstreet communities from Maine to California. The historic grand tour has included 20 of the Palmyras with a future southern Palmyras tour planned. He is gathering the additional final research info for “PALMYRAS USA" The author describes the book as a microcosm of mainstreet America."
If you'd like to check out his Website, you can find it here:
http://mainstreetusa.bravehost
And to get in touch with John yourself, to congratulate him or ask him questions, you can reach him at this email addres (to save him from spam, make sure that you put in the appropriate symbols):
JCRedfernataoldotcom
Sounds like a great idea for a book - I may be showing my age, but one of the "cool" things to do when I was a teenager was to "drag" Main street...those of us with cars and driver's licenses would pick up our friends, and we'd drive back and forth along main street - honking and waving at all the people who were walking or sitting on cars. (This of course was in the days before computers and play stations and dvd movie rentals. I spent most of time outside from early morning until it was right up against my curfew.)
And thinking about Main Streets brings back other childhood memories, too. When I was a kid and visited my grandparents for the summer, we always went shopping on Fridays, when gramps got off work - first we'd go to the "5 and Dime" (an early version of Walmart) - a store that had an amazing variety of just about everything, then we'd go to the drug store ( they even had a counter where we could sit and enjoy a "cherry coke" while we sat and waited for the pharmacist to fill gram's heart medicine prescription. After that, we went to the grocery store and then a quick stop at the drive in, for a special treat of fish and chips...
John, thanks for the trip down memory lane that just reading the title of your book gave me...
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Is the "Milllenial Generation" Going to Change the World?
I just read an expiring article in the Arizona Republic about younger kids - dubbed the "Millennial Generation" (remember, you heard it here first - well, okay, second!) that are willing to get their hands dirty and volunteer, to make the world a better place.
Remember my post a few days ago about "social capital" and how Americans are becoming increasingly disconnected from our friends, our family, our neighbors and society as a whole? (By the way, to those of you who took the initiative and asked to join my network on LinkedIn and Plaxo, thanks! Glad to meet you!)
Anyway, according to this article, kids are starting a new trend - they're beginning to volunteer in record numbers at younger ages than ever before.
Part of this could be because most colleges and universities now require community service hours for graduation and so volunteerism is becoming a part of our every day lives again - but I'd also like to believe it's because this generation believes that one person can make a difference, and they're willing to make an effort to do something about the problems they see.
Anyway, it's a great article, and well-worth reading whether you work with kids or not at your project site. You can find it by clicking on this link:
Remember my post a few days ago about "social capital" and how Americans are becoming increasingly disconnected from our friends, our family, our neighbors and society as a whole? (By the way, to those of you who took the initiative and asked to join my network on LinkedIn and Plaxo, thanks! Glad to meet you!)
Anyway, according to this article, kids are starting a new trend - they're beginning to volunteer in record numbers at younger ages than ever before.
Part of this could be because most colleges and universities now require community service hours for graduation and so volunteerism is becoming a part of our every day lives again - but I'd also like to believe it's because this generation believes that one person can make a difference, and they're willing to make an effort to do something about the problems they see.
Anyway, it's a great article, and well-worth reading whether you work with kids or not at your project site. You can find it by clicking on this link:
Monday, July 24, 2006
How to Write a Letter to the Editor
In my chapter on grant writing, I ask you to imagine the man who is reading all of the grants submitted to his foundation. I always imagine him sitting in a tiny, windowless room, where the only light is coming from an uncovered bulb dangling on bare wires from the ceiling. There are piles of grants on his small desk, tilting dangerously into each other, that threaten, with the slightest breeze or brush against them, to tumble to the floor - where are are more stacks of grants piled on top of each other. The garbage can is too full and it's tipped over from the weight of all the discarded grants, and...well, you get the idea.
Now I want you to imagine that you're the editor for a major newspaper...you're sitting in a tiny windowless room...
Okay. So how do you decide which letters (out of all the hundreds of letters you receive - and have to read each and every day) you're going to publish?
Actually, the answer is pretty simple, according to an editor friend of mine who left a big city paper and moved to a small town to run a newspaper there. According to Ken, you choose the ones that are short, to the point and "punchy" and that are the first to discuss the issue.
So if you want to write a letter to the editor, what are the 7 Best "Insider's Tips" you should know?
1. Write and send your letter the same day - or don't bother.
When you're reading an article that grabs your attention, try and write your reponse right then, while you're still sputtering into your coffee. Keep your letter about two paragraphs long. Don't wait and try editing or re-editing your letter - because the odds are, once you've cooled down, your "inner editor" will talk you out of sending the letter, or edit it to death. If you're in the same town as the paper, why not hand-deliver it, or have someone else do it for you? (By the way, check with the paper to see what their rules are for faxing or emailing - some editors actually prefer emailing, because they can cut and paste without having to retype your letter - but ask first!)
2. Unless your name is Zorro and you routinely wear a mask to hide your true identity, make sure you identify yourself, and if you've got specific credentials that make you especially qualified to comment on the issue, list them. (By the way, when I say credentials, I don't mean you need a Ph.D. behind your name. Being a VISTA Volunteer working on poverty issues is a great credential!) So put something like, "I am A VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) and I've been working with 40 homeless families over the last 6 months" or
"As a volunteer youth coordinator working with teen mentors..." Also, make sure that besides incuding the fact that you're a VISTA Volunteer, that you get your project's name in your letter as well. (If for some reason you can't work them into the body of the letter, include them after your signature.)
3. Make your opening sentence "pithy" (as my fourth grade English teacher used to say), to grab the attention of the editor and compel him read the rest of your letter.
4. KISS (Keep IS Short and Simple) your letter. Ken gave me some very valuable advice that I want to share with you. First of all, just because the piece that ticked you off is long, doesn't mean your response has to be. In fact, a short, two-paragraph letter shows confidence and mastery of your subject. (Plus, think about it - would you rather read a l-o-n-g, letter that wastes time pointing out every minute error - or something short and slightly sacastic that makes your point quickly? (Plus, long letter make you sound whiny and nit-picky, and no one likes a whiner!) Also, newspaper editors do their editing from the bottom up - so put your best stuff at the top!
5. When writing, try to make your point with humor, wit and (whenever possible) brilliance. To get some ideas, check out some of the political or current event blogs. When you see something that catches your eye, try to figure out why - chances are, it's because the other person proved their point with caustic humor, or dry wit.
6. Pay attention to the style and format of the paper you're sending your letter to, and try to mimic that as closely as possible. You want your letter to match the flow of what readers are used to seeing.
7. Check and recheck your spelling and grammar. And then have someone else check them too.
Here's a general template for letters (adapt it to fit the situation):
To the editor:
Your July 15 editorial article (give brief description of the article), was completely off base (or missed the point, or was one-sided - you get the idea.)
Second Paragraph: Now explain why - make sure you back up your reasons with facts or short examples.
Close with a pithy one-liner or tag line. "Every child deserves a home." "Quality health insurance shouldn't just be for the rich."
Make sure you put your name, your title and your direct telephone number - or cell phone number - at the end of your letter. If they decide to run your letter, someone will usually call you with questions, to verify your facts or discuss proposed changes.
Timely Tip: Make sure that you've got the paper's submission deadlines listed on your media contact card in your rolodex. And check a couple of previous issues, to make sure you're not rehashing the same information. And sometimes, no matter how great your letter is, it won't get published for a variety of reasons - too many comments on the same issue, not enough room, something else happened that took precedence. The main thing is, don't give up!
Now I want you to imagine that you're the editor for a major newspaper...you're sitting in a tiny windowless room...
Okay. So how do you decide which letters (out of all the hundreds of letters you receive - and have to read each and every day) you're going to publish?
Actually, the answer is pretty simple, according to an editor friend of mine who left a big city paper and moved to a small town to run a newspaper there. According to Ken, you choose the ones that are short, to the point and "punchy" and that are the first to discuss the issue.
So if you want to write a letter to the editor, what are the 7 Best "Insider's Tips" you should know?
1. Write and send your letter the same day - or don't bother.
When you're reading an article that grabs your attention, try and write your reponse right then, while you're still sputtering into your coffee. Keep your letter about two paragraphs long. Don't wait and try editing or re-editing your letter - because the odds are, once you've cooled down, your "inner editor" will talk you out of sending the letter, or edit it to death. If you're in the same town as the paper, why not hand-deliver it, or have someone else do it for you? (By the way, check with the paper to see what their rules are for faxing or emailing - some editors actually prefer emailing, because they can cut and paste without having to retype your letter - but ask first!)
2. Unless your name is Zorro and you routinely wear a mask to hide your true identity, make sure you identify yourself, and if you've got specific credentials that make you especially qualified to comment on the issue, list them. (By the way, when I say credentials, I don't mean you need a Ph.D. behind your name. Being a VISTA Volunteer working on poverty issues is a great credential!) So put something like, "I am A VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) and I've been working with 40 homeless families over the last 6 months" or
"As a volunteer youth coordinator working with teen mentors..." Also, make sure that besides incuding the fact that you're a VISTA Volunteer, that you get your project's name in your letter as well. (If for some reason you can't work them into the body of the letter, include them after your signature.)
3. Make your opening sentence "pithy" (as my fourth grade English teacher used to say), to grab the attention of the editor and compel him read the rest of your letter.
4. KISS (Keep IS Short and Simple) your letter. Ken gave me some very valuable advice that I want to share with you. First of all, just because the piece that ticked you off is long, doesn't mean your response has to be. In fact, a short, two-paragraph letter shows confidence and mastery of your subject. (Plus, think about it - would you rather read a l-o-n-g, letter that wastes time pointing out every minute error - or something short and slightly sacastic that makes your point quickly? (Plus, long letter make you sound whiny and nit-picky, and no one likes a whiner!) Also, newspaper editors do their editing from the bottom up - so put your best stuff at the top!
5. When writing, try to make your point with humor, wit and (whenever possible) brilliance. To get some ideas, check out some of the political or current event blogs. When you see something that catches your eye, try to figure out why - chances are, it's because the other person proved their point with caustic humor, or dry wit.
6. Pay attention to the style and format of the paper you're sending your letter to, and try to mimic that as closely as possible. You want your letter to match the flow of what readers are used to seeing.
7. Check and recheck your spelling and grammar. And then have someone else check them too.
Here's a general template for letters (adapt it to fit the situation):
To the editor:
Your July 15 editorial article (give brief description of the article), was completely off base (or missed the point, or was one-sided - you get the idea.)
Second Paragraph: Now explain why - make sure you back up your reasons with facts or short examples.
Close with a pithy one-liner or tag line. "Every child deserves a home." "Quality health insurance shouldn't just be for the rich."
Make sure you put your name, your title and your direct telephone number - or cell phone number - at the end of your letter. If they decide to run your letter, someone will usually call you with questions, to verify your facts or discuss proposed changes.
Timely Tip: Make sure that you've got the paper's submission deadlines listed on your media contact card in your rolodex. And check a couple of previous issues, to make sure you're not rehashing the same information. And sometimes, no matter how great your letter is, it won't get published for a variety of reasons - too many comments on the same issue, not enough room, something else happened that took precedence. The main thing is, don't give up!
Ideas for Using Video
Hi all,
In the chapter on media relations, I touch on some of the different ways you can use multi-media to get the word out about your program.
The ideas are really endless - and chances are, even if you're using multi-media in your program, you've probably only touched the tip of the iceburg...
In this post, I want to talk about using your own homemade videos. With all the tools available on the internet today, it's amazing what you can do - and it doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, with just a little creativity, you can come up with some really great, professonial looking stuff.
Here are just a few ideas:
1. Create a video to recruit volunteers. Think about your target market - who are you trying to reach? If you're trying to reach kids, what about using a popular song in the background, and show pictures of some of your other volunteers working on projects? (You could even get your volunteers together and create your own rap song...)
2. Create a video to showcase your community. Take a video tour of some of the neighborhoodds, pictures of kids (get parents permission first, or only shoot from the back and fuzz out faces), your local food bank or homeless shelter.
3. Create a video for training purposes. This can be anything from teaching people how to use a computer, learn a new software, fill out forms or paint a wall.
After you've created and edited your video, what do you do with it?
One of the best resources today is called "UTube" ( http://www.utube.com ) Post the video on utube, and share it with others. Put it up on your Website. Email the video to others - community members, funders, potential partners or volunteers. Send the video to your state office and post it on member's pages or blogs (Like this one for example!)
I found a video on utube that I'm going to share with you in a minute, as an example of what you can do! Watch for it!
technorati tags:VISTA, Volunteers, Americorps, Utube, multi-media, videos, recruiting
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Links You Should Know About!
Every now and then, I'm going to post some links to Websites that you should know about and use. (Okay, this is one of the things I liked about having the wordpress blog - there was a place for links and categories that this blog just doesn't have.) Oh well.
So, here is a list of some links just to get things started. If you have others that VISTAs need to know about, feel free to post them here as well!
There are others, I know, so I'll keep trying to post them for you! I've got a bunch of great links in my book as well, so stay tuned!
So, here is a list of some links just to get things started. If you have others that VISTAs need to know about, feel free to post them here as well!
There are others, I know, so I'll keep trying to post them for you! I've got a bunch of great links in my book as well, so stay tuned!
I'm having a "Whine and Cheese" Party - and you're invited!
Hi everyone,
As I write this, it's 11:00 p.m. at night - and guess what? It's hot! I've been waking up at 6 in the morning, so that I can do a little housework, because by 9:00 a.m. it's too hot to do anything except go to the beach and wallow in the Med. (It's still hot, but at least it's bearable). We come home in the afternoon, (when it's even hotter) have a cold lunch and then go take a nap (because it's too hot to do anything else!) And right now, I'm working from about 11:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. or so. (It's still hot, but at least I can feel like I'm breathing again!)
So I'm indulging myself by "whining" about it. So, yes, I'd like a little cheese with my whine - and now it's your turn! What do you want to whine about?
(Oh, and before you post to tell me that my life doesn't sound so bad - life in the French Riviera is not exactly a torture. And you're right...it's not. I'm not complaining about life in general - I'm just complaining about the heat! As for living here - what can I say? It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it!)
As I write this, it's 11:00 p.m. at night - and guess what? It's hot! I've been waking up at 6 in the morning, so that I can do a little housework, because by 9:00 a.m. it's too hot to do anything except go to the beach and wallow in the Med. (It's still hot, but at least it's bearable). We come home in the afternoon, (when it's even hotter) have a cold lunch and then go take a nap (because it's too hot to do anything else!) And right now, I'm working from about 11:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. or so. (It's still hot, but at least I can feel like I'm breathing again!)
So I'm indulging myself by "whining" about it. So, yes, I'd like a little cheese with my whine - and now it's your turn! What do you want to whine about?
(Oh, and before you post to tell me that my life doesn't sound so bad - life in the French Riviera is not exactly a torture. And you're right...it's not. I'm not complaining about life in general - I'm just complaining about the heat! As for living here - what can I say? It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it!)
Upcoming Training/Conferences in August
| Click the links to get more information about each workshop or conference! 1st Annual Mentor Center of Palm Beach County Mentoring Conference 2006 | ||
| Date(s): | August 2, 2006 - August 2, 2006 | |
| Location: | West Palm Beach, FL | |
| Third Annual Urban Service-Learning Institute: Enriching Urban Education Through Service-Learning | ||
| Date(s): | August 2, 2006 - August 3, 2006 | |
| Location: | Nashville, TN | |
| The Commission Café | ||
| Date(s): | August 8, 2006 - August 10, 2006 | |
| Location: | Omaha, NE | |
| Getting Started with Service-Learning | ||
| Date(s): | August 14, 2006 - August 15, 2006 | |
| Location: | South Portland, ME | |
| Law Enforcement Conference | ||
| Date(s): | August 14, 2006 - August 17, 2006 | |
| Location: | Phoenix, AZ | |
| Summer Service Learning Institute: Preparing Communities through Service Learning | ||
| Date(s): | August 14, 2006 - August 15, 2006 | |
| Location: | East Stroudsburg, PA | |
| Approaching Donors in an ABCD Way | ||
| Date(s): | August 16, 2006 - August 16, 2006 | |
| Location: | National | |
| AmeriCorps Program Start-Up Institute | ||
| Date(s): | August 21, 2006 - August 23, 2006 | |
| Location: | Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, TX | |
| Five-State Cross-Stream Conference | ||
| Date(s): | August 28, 2006 - August 31, 2006 | |
| Location: | Plainsboro, NJ | |
Event Calendar
Hi all -
As we all know, getting the word out about your upcoming events can be tricky - you've got a lot of balls to balance, many tasks to juggle and a bunch of people, places and things to keep track of.
Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be sharing some secrets about special event management that helped me to successfully plan and manage 30 plus special events - event that brought in over $200,000 on in-kind donations, volunteer hours, donations, prizes and funding.
In the meantime, I'm also going to try and keep you updated on all the training events, conferences, workshops and teleconferences that I think you might be interested in.
If you have such a conference coming up, and you'd like to post it here, you can do that too! Or if you want me to do it, please just send me an email and I'll take care of it. You can include links to Websites for registrations or more information, or contact information if you'd like - just be careful of spam!Saturday, July 22, 2006
Job Post
This in from Shannon Skye...
The Washington Service Corps (WSC) is offering a leadership opportunity for AmeriCorps members interested in developing their service leadership skills. During the 2006-2007 service year, the WSC AmeriCorps Leader will focus on member development assistance, planning, training and systemic improvements for the civic engagement initiative and the Washington Reading Corps (WRC). The WSC operates a statewide, multi-site AmeriCorps program with over 700 members. As the AmeriCorps Leader, you will have an opportunity to:
• Facilitate networking and collaborative opportunities with WSC members, community service providers, and the Washington Leader Corps.
• Support WSC’s goal to train and coach members in the concepts of civic engagement, facilitation of civic activities and implementation of curriculum to youth.
• Promote WSC civic engagement efforts by assisting sites and partners in the development of projects that target youth citizenship.
• Support WRC members, school supervisors, and project coordinators in understanding and improving program objectives and evaluation processes.
• Provide resources and recognition to members and WRC programs through marketing, including the WRC newsletter.
Required Qualifications
• Completion of a term of service as an AmeriCorps or VISTA member
• Commitment to serve the full term of service, September 2006-July 2007
Desired Qualifications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong public speaking, facilitation and public relations abilities
• Familiarity with facilitating civic engagement concepts to youth
• Completion of the WSC “Roadmap to Civic Engagement” or similar civic engagement curriculum
• Experience with reading tutor programs for young children in public schools
• Computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, publishing programs and database management
Benefits
• A monthly living allowance of $1,600
• Health care benefits
• A $4,725 post-service education award
• Attendance at one out-of-state National Service training event
• WSC will develop goals and activities that will allow the Leader to build from his/her formal and informal training through attendance at AmeriCorps Leader service-leadership training.
To Apply
Complete a letter of interest describing your qualifications as they relate to the Leader position and an AmeriCorps application. To request an AmeriCorps application, or for further information contact Sandie Peterson at 1-888-713-6080, or download the AmeriCorps application at http://www.wa.gov/esd/wsc.. Completed applications and letters of interest may be sent to Washington Service Corps, PO Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046 on or before August 18, 2006.
The Washington Service Corps (WSC) is offering a leadership opportunity for AmeriCorps members interested in developing their service leadership skills. During the 2006-2007 service year, the WSC AmeriCorps Leader will focus on member development assistance, planning, training and systemic improvements for the civic engagement initiative and the Washington Reading Corps (WRC). The WSC operates a statewide, multi-site AmeriCorps program with over 700 members. As the AmeriCorps Leader, you will have an opportunity to:
• Facilitate networking and collaborative opportunities with WSC members, community service providers, and the Washington Leader Corps.
• Support WSC’s goal to train and coach members in the concepts of civic engagement, facilitation of civic activities and implementation of curriculum to youth.
• Promote WSC civic engagement efforts by assisting sites and partners in the development of projects that target youth citizenship.
• Support WRC members, school supervisors, and project coordinators in understanding and improving program objectives and evaluation processes.
• Provide resources and recognition to members and WRC programs through marketing, including the WRC newsletter.
Required Qualifications
• Completion of a term of service as an AmeriCorps or VISTA member
• Commitment to serve the full term of service, September 2006-July 2007
Desired Qualifications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong public speaking, facilitation and public relations abilities
• Familiarity with facilitating civic engagement concepts to youth
• Completion of the WSC “Roadmap to Civic Engagement” or similar civic engagement curriculum
• Experience with reading tutor programs for young children in public schools
• Computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, publishing programs and database management
Benefits
• A monthly living allowance of $1,600
• Health care benefits
• A $4,725 post-service education award
• Attendance at one out-of-state National Service training event
• WSC will develop goals and activities that will allow the Leader to build from his/her formal and informal training through attendance at AmeriCorps Leader service-leadership training.
To Apply
Complete a letter of interest describing your qualifications as they relate to the Leader position and an AmeriCorps application. To request an AmeriCorps application, or for further information contact Sandie Peterson at 1-888-713-6080, or download the AmeriCorps application at http://www.wa.gov/esd/wsc.. Completed applications and letters of interest may be sent to Washington Service Corps, PO Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046 on or before August 18, 2006.
Employment Opportunities (Job Posts)
Hi again,
I get a lot of job announcements - sometimes for VISTA Leader positions, sometimes for state office employment opportunities and sometimes for regular VISTA or Americorps openings.
Although I won't post all of them (you can go to the CNS Website to look for positions), I will from time to time post a few.
If you've got a position open (only positions for VISTA Volunteers, Americorps, Learn and Serve or USA Freedom Corps please), feel free to post it as well.
I'm working on getting the Website up and running, and may (if there's enough interest) put up a forum that will have a specific post for Websites. Also, check out the VISTAOLinc that I mentioned in a previous post - I don't remember if they have job announcements there or not, but if you're looking for a position or have a position, that could be a great place to post it too!
I get a lot of job announcements - sometimes for VISTA Leader positions, sometimes for state office employment opportunities and sometimes for regular VISTA or Americorps openings.
Although I won't post all of them (you can go to the CNS Website to look for positions), I will from time to time post a few.
If you've got a position open (only positions for VISTA Volunteers, Americorps, Learn and Serve or USA Freedom Corps please), feel free to post it as well.
I'm working on getting the Website up and running, and may (if there's enough interest) put up a forum that will have a specific post for Websites. Also, check out the VISTAOLinc that I mentioned in a previous post - I don't remember if they have job announcements there or not, but if you're looking for a position or have a position, that could be a great place to post it too!
Recruitment Video - More Ideas
This in from Drew Carberry:
The National Crime Prevention Council’s Faith and Communities Engaged in Service T&TA project has a webinar available for free download on the topic of recruiting VISTAS for Ex-offender Reentry projects. Donna Palandro of AmeriCorps*VISTA and Martha Fleming of the Texas CNCS State Office are featured. The information is relevant to any AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps*VISTA recruiting effort. Thanks to Donna and Martha for their expertise and to NCPC’s Jeanne Cure for her facilitation
The recorded version of the Recruiting VISTA Members for Reentry Projects webinar can now be accessed on demand by clicking on the following hyperlink.
http://meetings.picturetalk.com/picturetalk/meetingattend.jsp?ptkkey=bkhs20705&a=229
Instructions for viewing:
Note: The recording will have all audio and visual content, please do not use the 800 number referenced on the recording.
Thank you.
(I'm trying to watch it now, so if I've got any comments, I'll post them later!)
The National Crime Prevention Council’s Faith and Communities Engaged in Service T&TA project has a webinar available for free download on the topic of recruiting VISTAS for Ex-offender Reentry projects. Donna Palandro of AmeriCorps*VISTA and Martha Fleming of the Texas CNCS State Office are featured. The information is relevant to any AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps*VISTA recruiting effort. Thanks to Donna and Martha for their expertise and to NCPC’s Jeanne Cure for her facilitation
The recorded version of the Recruiting VISTA Members for Reentry Projects webinar can now be accessed on demand by clicking on the following hyperlink.
http://meetings.picturetalk.com/picturetalk/meetingattend.jsp?ptkkey=bkhs20705&a=229
Instructions for viewing:
- Step 1: On the left side of your screen, click on the “play recording” button
- Step 2: Enter Name and Email if prompted
- Step 3: Enter Password: vista2
- Step 4: Click the “play” button/arrow on the top left-hand side of the new window that opens up.
Note: The recording will have all audio and visual content, please do not use the 800 number referenced on the recording.
Thank you.
(I'm trying to watch it now, so if I've got any comments, I'll post them later!)
Got Volunteers? Here are a few ideas!
Hi all,
I just found this article, and it made me remember some of the ways that I used to use to recruit new volunteers...If you need some ideas for recruiting volunteers, read the article, and then my comments below!
This in from "The Daily Item"
SELINSGROVE — Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Central Susquehanna Valley is looking for a few good non-profit agencies. BBBS is organizing the first Central Susquehanna Valley Recruitment Fair for Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event will host a wide range of non-profit organizations, such as Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. Each group would display materials about their agency to raise awareness and interest in the work that they do.
"As a non-profit agency, we are always looking for ways to recruit new volunteers, board members, and other helpers for various projects," BBBS Executive Director Peggy Reichenbach noted. "Our livelihood depends on the kindness of others, and the generosity of their time. We thought that other non-profits might be feeling the same way. So why not get all of them together in one place to network with each other and the community?" Deadline to register your agency is Aug. 4. For more information, or to register for the Volunteer Recruitment Fair, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 286-3127.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Susquehanna Valley is a United Way agency that provides mentors to children who need an adult presence in their lives. (end of article)
Me:
If your organization is too small to run a volunteer fair, check with your local United Way or Volunteer Center, to see if they have one. When I worked in a rural area, our local Volunteer Center worked in conjunction with the local college - and they sponsored an annual Volunteer Fair each year, which we participated in.
Other Ideas:
- Run Public Service Announcements or (free) announcements in the community page of your local paper, advertising your need for volunteers
- Put PSAs out to your local radio, television and even local cable television stations
- Think about your project - what target market would be a good fit for your volunteer projects? Where do these people hang out? What do they do? How are some unique or unusual ways you could reach out to them that would be fast and effective?
- Partner with other organizations - such as the United Way, Volunteer Center, Information and Referral Center or partner with organizations that are working on similar issues
- Get flyers, brochures and posters out in the places where volunteers are (local colleges, Community Action Program, high schools, etc.)
- Start a corporate volunteer program, and recruit businesses in your community to set up volunteer groups of employees. (Many corporations already have such programs in place, it's just a matter of letting them know about your project)
What ideas, resources and hints do you have to share? (By the way, when you post, please feel free to leave your name, your project's name and Website address if you'd like!) I'd love to learn more about where you're at and what you're doing!)
Still "Got Questions?" Post them too, and let's see if we can give you some answers!
technorati tags:volunteer, recruitment, ideas, VISTA, Volunteers, Volunteer, Fair, United, Way, Volunteer, Center, Activist's, Guide
Friday, July 21, 2006
Life After VISTA
Speaking of Career Ideas and Life After VISTA, this just in from Lynette Murphy: If you're not able to attend the workshop, get in touch with your own state office, and see if they've got similar workshops or ideas. And again, talk to your Project Supervisor or VISTA Leader.
The Central Campus of AmeriCorps*NCCC is preparing to host a Life After AmeriCorps Networking on August 30 in Denver Colorado. The Life After AmeriCorps Networking Fair encourages our Corps Members to explore career and volunteer opportunities following graduation this fall, such as serving in other AmeriCorps programs or locating placements in nonprofit organizations across the country. We encourage you to send information on your program or organization that we will display during the fair. Any brochures, posters, pamphlets or applications that you have are welcome and can be mailed to me at the address below.
If you have questions about the Fair, please contact me at 303-844-7442 or email lmurphy@cns.gov.
Thanks!
Lynette Murphy
AmeriCorps*NCCC Denver Campus
3001 S. Federal Blvd., Walsh Hall, Rm. 136, Denver CO, 80236-2711
PH: 303-844-7442 FX: 303-844-7410
Ever Wonder What to do After Your Term of Service Ends?
This just in from Michelle Spevak:
AmeriCorps Program Director -- The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy seeks a program director for AmeriCorps Project Conserve, a conservation service project which places twenty AmeriCorps members each year at local organizations and agencies in Western North Carolina for ten-month terms of service to meet the conservation needs of our region. Outstanding administrative skills and AmeriCorps or other volunteer management experience desired. Refer to complete job description at http://carolinamountain.org. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume and cover letter to: P.O. Box 2822, Hendersonville, NC 28793 or info@carolinamountain.org. Resumes will be accepted until July 28.
Working for the service isn't your only choice, of course. But it's definitely something to think about. In fact, perhaps you should consider a government job...only want a piece of advice? Don't wait until your term ends. If you're going to start looking for a job when you're done with your project, start thinking about what you want now.
If you're going to use your non-competitive award status and look for goverment jobs, what type of job do you want? What are your interests? Talents? Abilities? Where do you want to live? Keep notes of what you accomplish during the next year. Think about how to translate what you've done into language that will be understood and admired on your resume.
Don't be afraid to talk to your project supervisor or VISTA Leader about your goals. They might even be able to give you some pointers, or introduce you to the right people.
I've devoted an entire chapter to continuing your careeer after you leave VISTA in the book, but over the next couple of days, I'm going to be adding some additional resources on the blog, so watch for it.
And if you're a former VISTA, VISTA leader or Project Supervisor with comments, ideas and resources, please post them here!
AmeriCorps Program Director -- The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy seeks a program director for AmeriCorps Project Conserve, a conservation service project which places twenty AmeriCorps members each year at local organizations and agencies in Western North Carolina for ten-month terms of service to meet the conservation needs of our region. Outstanding administrative skills and AmeriCorps or other volunteer management experience desired. Refer to complete job description at http://carolinamountain.org. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume and cover letter to: P.O. Box 2822, Hendersonville, NC 28793 or info@carolinamountain.org. Resumes will be accepted until July 28.
Working for the service isn't your only choice, of course. But it's definitely something to think about. In fact, perhaps you should consider a government job...only want a piece of advice? Don't wait until your term ends. If you're going to start looking for a job when you're done with your project, start thinking about what you want now.
If you're going to use your non-competitive award status and look for goverment jobs, what type of job do you want? What are your interests? Talents? Abilities? Where do you want to live? Keep notes of what you accomplish during the next year. Think about how to translate what you've done into language that will be understood and admired on your resume.
Don't be afraid to talk to your project supervisor or VISTA Leader about your goals. They might even be able to give you some pointers, or introduce you to the right people.
I've devoted an entire chapter to continuing your careeer after you leave VISTA in the book, but over the next couple of days, I'm going to be adding some additional resources on the blog, so watch for it.
And if you're a former VISTA, VISTA leader or Project Supervisor with comments, ideas and resources, please post them here!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Thanks to all the contributing authors!
Here's the list of former VISTA Volunteers who were kind enough to share their advice, tips and hints for this book.
Each person was asked three questions:
1. What is the one thing you wish you'd known BEFORE you became a VISTA?
2. What is the one thing you learned from your experience as a VISTA that helped you later on in life?
3. What advice would you give to a new VISTA Volunteer.
Although the answers are as unique as the people who wrote them (funny, sad, thought-provoking and awe-inspiring), the one thing they each had in common was that the year they spent as a VISTA changed them forever. I'm deeply grateful for their input.
- Saul Baizman
- Rebecca Banning
- Geoffrey Becker
- Carolyn Cain
- Briana Frenzel
- Stacy Golden
- Leah Murray
- Dan MacNeil
- Ray and Monique Magliozzi
- State Representative Elliott Naishtat
- Krista Clements Orlan
- Danielle Ricard
- Ben Sheldon
- "Shilo27"
- Shaneeka Thomas
Percentage of Book Sales Going Towards the Creation of a Small Business Grant Fund!
A few weeks ago - at about 2 in the morning, I had one of those “ah ha!” moments - and then I got so excited that I just couldn’t go back to sleep!
Quick background first…My first year of service as a VISTA was in the early 90s, and I worked for a small women’s organization that no one had ever heard of. We worked on a lot of women’s and family issues and poverty issues. What I loved about this organization was that the real experts on the issues - the women who were experiencing them - were the ones who figured out that they had power - and could change the system! We rocked a lot of worlds back in those days…
Anyway, one of my assignments was to put together research about microenteprise programs in the U.S. and interview people who were running successful programs, and then create a program from the “best practices”. I quickly became passionately committed to the idea that the best way to defeat poverty was to teach women how to become economically self-sufficient. And the best way to do that was through entrepreneurship. I created one heck of a program (if I do say so myself!)
Unluckily, my project never did anything with it, because then the fight moved to Bill Clinton’s welfare reform. But the idea stuck in my head. And in 2005, I created MAPS (Microenterprise Answers to your Personal Success) - my first Website. It took 8 months of research to find the programs, information and free resources that are on that site. And it was the first step in my long-term plan - which is to (someday) create a program that provides small business grants and microenterprise loans to entrepreneurs.
And that’s when I had my “ah ha!” moment! Last night I realized that I don’t have to wait until “someday” - when I’m rich enough or successful enough, to start working on the rest of my dream! I just sat down with the publishing company of my book, to get down to brass tacks and see how much everything’s going to cost, for creating a paperback version of the book. (Based on the feedback and pre-orders, it’s also going to be available in an instantly available, pdf. downloadable version). Using that estimate, I decided that I’m going to make “someday” happen now!
I’m going to take a percentage from every book I sell, and put it into a special account - and set up the first annual “MAPS Small Business Grant!” (Woo hoo!) I want to start the program right now, and make some money available for an entrepreneur who needs a hand up.
What do you think?! (By the way, if you’ve got ideas, suggestions or feedback, I’d love to hear it!)
Record Numbers of People Volunteering
According to Beth Walton, writer at USA Today, incredible numbers of college graduates are volunteering to help those less fortunate than themselves. Events such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the devastation, despair and destruction they have caused are playing a big part in the reason why.
Applications to Teach for America, which recruits graduates for underserved urban and rural areas, hit almost 19,000 this year, nearly triple the number in 2000.
• This year, the Peace Corps took 7,810 volunteers — the largest number in 30 years — from more than 11,500 applicants in 2005, up more than 20% over the year 2000.
• AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), which pairs recruits with non-profit organizations, has had a 50% jump in applicants since 2004.
Many of the people who are joining say they are doing it because they want to put their activism into practice - by getting directly involved, not just through politics.
But they’re also helping themselves while helping others, because employers view such time spent in service programs - whether overseas or at home - with increasing favorability, and see candidates as more motivated, mature and resourceful.
To read the entire article, click this link.
There are many ways that you can improve your chances of getting the perfect job after your term of service. What are your career goals? What do you see as the “perfect” job? Note to VISTA Alumni: If you were able to leverage the skills you learned as a VISTA into getting a great job, please post here about it, and share any tips with current VISTA members.
The Activist's Guide to Changing the World Going Interactive!
Hi all,
I’ve decided to make this blog more interactive! I’m going to start posting details about what’s going on with you - press releases, media write ups and your thoughts, comments and questions!
If you need a resource - post your question here. If you want to know “how to” do something - write a press release, organize a project, write your quarterly report - ask.
If I don’t know the answer, then chances are, one of the other readers of the blog will!
Something else that I’ll be implementing at the end of August will be a series of podcasts. I’m putting together a schedule of interviews, teleclasses and updates which I’ll be podcasting and posting here on a regular basis. Most of the podcasts will be free, and they’ll be chock full of interesting information, the latest news and helpful resources just for you!
Let me know what you think, what you want, what you need! I’m looking forward to hearing from you…
Great Idea for Recognizing Volunteers
I recently ran across a great article, published in the “Shreveporttimes” and written by Raechal Leone. It talks about a couple who run a nonprofit organization for kids and adults who suffer from ADHD. You can read the entire article here:
When you read the article, notice that they were nominated for the award by Neecee Blackwell, a faith-based and family strengthening specialist with the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
Why am I telling you about this? For three reasons:
- This is a great way to thank your volunteers, program site or partners for the work they are doing in the community. (And it’s usually free, which helps if your program is looking for creative, inexpensive ways to recognize volunteers.)
- It’s a good way of getting the word out about your project, the VISTA program and the work that you’re doing.
- It’s also a way to build credibility, community awareness and the name recognition.
When’s the last time you checked into the award or recognition programs in your community, your state or your region? Have you got someone who deserves to be recognized for their contribution? Look into what progams are available, and what the eligibility rules are. Come up with a short list of nominations, and take it to your project supervisor or VISTA Leader, and get their approval to do it!
Another good tip is to put the list of recognition programs on your calendar, including deadlines and create a file with eligibility rules. Plan on nominating at least one person a quarter, more if possible.
Don’t forget to share your tips, hints or ideas for recognizing your volunteers by posting here - and check out all the great resources I’ve made available for you in the chapter on Volunteer Management in the “Activist’s Guide to Changing the World - for VISTA Volunteers”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
