Resources

Hi everyone,

I'm working on creating a special workbook for you, and while I was doing it, I came across a some resources that I thought you would find very useful - and so I decided to post them here on the blog - but I'll also be putting them on the Activist Guide Website, so as time goes on, they'll always be available to you.

Here's my thought though...you might have some great resources too - that you've found, created or have been given. If you'd like to share them, here's a great place to post them!

You can also email me and if it's something that I can put up on the Website - with appropriate credit - I will!

Okay, here's the first one: It's a kind of Resource book for you to create for the next VISTA who serves at your project site - but it's also a great way for you to get organized and keep all the information you're gathering about your project and your community in one place!

Here's the Link:
Stone Soup Workbook

Let me know if you have any problems downloading it - and also, I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Make a Ripple

Quick Clarification: Please do not contact me about donating money!

Hi Everyone,

Listen things started getting TOO complicated - and the "Ripple Experiment" is designed to be simple!

So, I'm setting down some ground rules:

1. If you want to donate money - find a cause that you're passionate about - and contact the appropriate agency and just do it! (Don't forget to ask for a tax-deductible donation receipt.)

2. Please post something on this blog - even just to say Hi and say a word of encouragement for all these people who are spending a year of their lives working on poverty, social justice and environmental issues - they're making tangible ripples that are going to have an effect on our world.

3. If there is a project going on in your city, state or neighborhood and they need something that you have and are willing to give - please contact them and give it - make your own ripple.

Thank you!

The Activist's Guide Experiment - Do You Believe One Person Can Make A Difference?

If you do, then will you help with an experiment?

Here it is in a nutshell: On Tuesday, October 2nd, I'm teaching a free teleclass to 150 or so VISTA Volunteers and others who are working for nonprofit organizations. In case you don't know, VISTA is like the domestic branch of the Peace Corps. You can find out all about the Corporation for Community and National Service and what VISTA Volunteers and Americorps Members do, by clicking the link above.

What I can tell you is that these are very dedicated, hardworking people who believe that one person can make a difference - and they're willing to spend up to a year of their lives proving it.
VISTAs have been providing a tremendous amount of help to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. They work with Habitat for Humanity building houses. They feed the poor, help the homeless and work with latch-key kids in after-school programs. They also work on environmental issues - in short, they're taking action to make our neighborhoods a better place to live.

So while I was going through their answers to the questions I asked them in preparation for this first free teleseminar, I suddenly had an idea for a great experiment. And that's why you're here.

I also believe that one person can make a difference - and I'd be grateful if you could help me prove it. Whatever cause you're the most passionate about, I'm inviting you to check the posts on this blog from now until October 1. I've asked the participants of the seminar to write a little bit about their projects and three things they need to help them make those projects successful.
Read through the things they need - and if there's something there that you can provide - please either get in touch with the VISTA Volunteer or me, to say what you can do. Donations of cash and checks are always appreciated - and you can either designate that it goes into a pool which I'll make sure is distributed equally among all the organizations (I'm working on finding a fiscal agent with a 501(c)(3) - so that your donation is tax deductible), or send the check to a specific organization.

And if you don't find something that you're passionate about on this list - look around - give something in your own neighborhood, hometown or to your favorite cause. Just please leave a post on the blog about what you've done to contribute to the "Activist Guide Experiment."

And if the only thing you want to do is pass the word to someone else that's great too! Just leave a note that you've done that - who knows what results your action will have? Whatever it is, you're making a difference just by reading about this and participating.

And, okay, my VISTAs - my secret is out - this is why I've asked you to post your comments about your projects and what you need, and this is the big "experiment"! Lets see what happens, shall we?

Volunteers to help area seniors with yard work

By: Jodi Sheridan - Texarkana Gazette -

Published: 06/14/2007

Senior citizens who are unable to keep their yards clean will soon have some relief from volunteers happy to push a lawn mower. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program is beginning its third year of cleaning and mowing yards for disabled and low-income senior citizens in Bowie, Miller and Little River counties. Cecelia Cole, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, said a number of seniors cannot withstand the hot summer weather to maintain their yards. And there are many who can’t afford to hire someone. “We want to make sure their lawns are cleaned,” said Cole.

RSVP is recruiting volunteers from agencies, churches and individuals to adopt a yard or two for the summer and maintain it by doing regular yard work, like mowing, raking and weed trimming. Cole said each volunteer could adopt up to two yards, and would be required to work on them at least every other Saturday. They will not be required to spend more than two hours per week on any project. But she said they can work on the yards anytime they like.

“We want it flexible for them,” said Cole. RSVP also has several lawn mowers available as well as rakes. Cole said many volunteers provide their own equipment. “We’re just glad if anybody can help ... we’d be so grateful,” she said.

The program begins Saturday and goes through Sept. 1. In determining who is eligible, Cole said she conducts interviews over the phone with seniors interested. She said most who call qualify. “I really don’t turn down people too often,” she said.

Cole said there is a waiting list. There are liability forms to fill out, for both the seniors and volunteers. The service is free, but RSVP will take donations. For more information on the service or to become a volunteer, call the RSVP office at 870-779-4983.

VISTA Program Reaches 500,000 Members - President Bush Personally Welcomes Alivia Sturgill to White House

White House Meeting with West Virginia AmeriCorps Member Part of AmeriCorps
Week

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Bush welcomed
West Virginia AmeriCorps member Alivia Sturgill to the Oval Office this
morning as part of a nationwide recognition week for the AmeriCorps
national service program as it reaches a historic milestone of 500,000
members.
"AmeriCorps was founded to encourage citizens to strengthen their
communities through acts of service. Today, thousands of AmeriCorps
volunteers contribute to a culture of compassion by mentoring children,
providing shelter for the homeless and performing countless other acts of
kindness. This week is an opportunity to raise awareness about volunteerism
and honor those who are making a difference in the lives of others," the
President said in greetings to those observing the first-ever AmeriCorps
Week.
"I am grateful for all those involved with AmeriCorps for your
dedication to a cause greater than self. Your compassionate efforts
demonstrate the great character of our country and inspire others to build
a more hopeful society," the President said.
To read the full text of the President's message:
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/statements_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=698.
To view a photo of the President and AmeriCorps member Alivia Sturgill:
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/photos_press_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=69
9
Sturgill, 24, will mentor low-income elementary students in rural Mingo
County this summer as part of the Energy Express AmeriCorps program run by
West Virginia University. Sturgill graduated last week from Midway College
in Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and will
immediately put her training to work providing summer reading instruction
to students. AmeriCorps members in Energy Express have served more than
34,000 low-income and rural children across the state since 1996.
After meeting with the President, Sturgill joined 100 of her fellow
members from Washington, D.C. area AmeriCorps programs for a reception at
the Indian Treaty Room at the White House. They heard words of
congratulations from USA Freedom Corps Director Desiree Sayle and
Corporation for National and Community Service CEO David Eisner. AmeriCorps
Director Kristin McSwain led the members in taking the AmeriCorps pledge to
"get things done for America."
The President's recognition highlighted a series of more than 200
events for the first-ever AmeriCorps Week including service projects,
recruitment fairs, and recognition ceremonies. The U.S. House of
Representatives passed a resolution recognizing AmeriCorps for its
important contribution to our nation on Monday; and 19 Governors have
issued AmeriCorps Week proclamations.
"One of the President's major goals is building a national culture of
service and responsibility, and AmeriCorps is doing that every day in
profound and powerful ways in small towns and big cities all across
America," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and
Community Service. "AmeriCorps members tackle our toughest problems; make
our communities safer and healthier; and improve the lives of tens of
millions of our most vulnerable citizens. AmeriCorps Week is a time to
thank these local heroes and ask more Americans to answer the call."
AmeriCorps was created by President Clinton and Congress in 1993 as a
way for Americans to give back to their communities and country and earn
money for college in return. President Bush first championed AmeriCorps as
Governor of Texas, where AmeriCorps members were a key part of his
statewide literacy initiative to get more third-graders up to basic reading
levels. As President, he successfully pushed for a 50 percent expansion of
AmeriCorps to 75,000 members each year. His Administration has also enacted
reforms to reduce costs, increase efficiency, devolve more authority to the
state and local level, and strengthen AmeriCorps focus on recruiting and
managing community volunteers.
AmeriCorps members have provided more than 637 million hours of service
since the first members began serving in 1994. Using Independent Sector's
estimate of the dollar value of a volunteer's time, those hours equate to
more than $11.9 billion in value. In addition to their direct service,
AmeriCorps members have proved to be a powerful force multiplier for
volunteer efforts. In 2006 alone, members recruited and managed 1.4 million
community volunteers. Once they complete their service, AmeriCorps alums
remain highly engaged and active in their communities, volunteering and
entering public service careers at disproportionately high levels.
AmeriCorps Week kicked off on Monday, when the Corporation for National
and Community Service announced AmeriCorps grants and education awards
totaling $172 million for 167 organizations across the United States. On
Wednesday, the agency released a new study showing that serving in
AmeriCorps is a way for individuals to gain valuable career skills,
leadership abilities, civic connections and a lasting ethic of volunteering
and civic engagement. Yesterday, agency leaders were in New Orleans to
launch an initiative to engage 200 AmeriCorps VISTA members in helping city
children and youth have safe and productive summers. This initiative
complements the NCCC Summer of Service, which will engage 300 14-17
year-old youth in a three-week residential program to carry out community
service projects in New Orleans, Charleston and Denver.
AmeriCorps Week ends this Sunday in Biloxi, Miss. with a closing
ceremony that also serves as the kickoff of Habitat for Humanity's annual
AmeriCorps Build-A-Thon. During the following five days of the
Build-A-Thon, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast,
more than 500 AmeriCorps members and alumni from across the country will
blitz build 20 Habitat homes in Gulfport, Miss.
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and
Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve
America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to
build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For
more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.


SOURCE Corporation for National and Community Service

VISTA Volunteer Organizes Student Volunteers for Food Pantry and more...

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.

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!