Staff

EnCorps: Tried and true resources for member development

lauran — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:23:11 -0500

Find the field-tested resources you need to recruit and train AmeriCorps and VISTA members. This site assists program staff in finding and sharing proven practices for recruiting and developing successful national service participants.

Project STAR: Performance Measurement

lauran — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:20:38 -0500

Welcome to Project STAR Online!

Project STAR is a Corporation for National and Community Service sponsored technical assistance provider in performance measurement. We help set up national service program performance measurement systems and analyze the outputs and outcomes for program improvement.

For more information, please contact Project Star at 800-548-3656 or star@JBSinternational.com

Click on your national service program icon to access performance measurement assistance now!

Webinar: Fundraising for Community Technology

Angelaw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:32:21 -0600

Don’t miss this myth-busting and informative session on where money really comes from for Community Technology programs and activities.

*Offered by Susan Howlett, an expert in nonprofit fundraising.
*Learn eye-opening facts about the best sources of funding, and how to approach donors and funders to set up a win-win situation.

Mentoring In Bloom Cultivate | Expand | Succeed: National School-Based Mentoring Conference - 4th Edition

Angelaw — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:50:34 -0600

The mentoring movement is coming to full bloom through the growth of school-based mentoring. Today more than 30% of mentoring programs in the United States are in local schools.

With mounting evidence that school-based mentoring works – students with mentors in school show increased rates of attendance, academic achievement and school connectedness – more and more school districts see the value of volunteer mentors in their classrooms.

Professional Media Relations

Angelaw — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:45:21 -0600

Participants in this intensive five Friday half-day training designed specifically for nonprofit communicators plan media campaigns around one of their own stories, while learning basic public relations skills. Participants in the course also get the opportunity to develop a story and pitch it to journalists. The course includes one copy per organizations of Spin Works, the nonprofit pR handbook, and one copy of Getting on the Air, Online & into Print 2009, our indispensible directory of area media contacts plus many valuable handouts.

Trainers: Thom Clark and Gordon Mayer

The Institute on Global Service-Learning at Cornell University

Angelaw — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:11:01 -0600

The Institute on Global Service-Learning offers faculty, administrators and practitioners an unique opportunity to learn about global service-learning pedagogy, theory, program models, institutional support and scholarship. The Institute seeks to foster greater collaboration and dialogue among participants who are interested in advancing global service-learning theory and practice.

Registration is limited to 80 participants. Institutional teams are encouraged.

This year, the Institute is organized into three topical modules:

* Pedagogy, Program Models, Tools and Design

Through a Civic Lens: Strengthening Higher Education from Classroom to Community

Angelaw — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:33:06 -0600

On April 1, 2009, faculty, staff, administrators, students and community partners will gather in Burlington, Vermont to examine the ways campuses can use service, service-learning and civic engagement to enhance various outcomes in higher education regarding such topics as student learning, diversity, residential life, retention, global citizenship, community building, sustainability, alcohol use, student engagement and more.

Featuring:

Second International Conference on Service-Learning in Teacher Education

Angelaw — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:35:33 -0500

The International Center on Service-Learning in Teacher Education will bring together teacher educators from around the world to revisit the Brussels conference outcomes, to clarify service-learning language, share professional work, and explore possibilities for future collaboration on issues of research, policy, and practice. The conference will also feature research, citizenship education, student and faculty exchange, and technological connections through the special interest groups.

Writing inclusive service descriptions

magdalenam — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:22:31 -0500

An important step in creating an inclusive national service program is to review your program's current service descriptions. Prior to any recruiting outreach efforts, it is critical to clearly define the tasks that need to be accomplished, the environment where the participant will serve, and other important details of the position. This effective practice, provided by the National Service Inclusion Project in March of 2007, outlines this strategy as part of an overall plan for making your program inclusive.

Facilitating volunteering benefits for people with disabilities

magdalenam — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:49:02 -0500

People with disabilities volunteer for many of the same reasons as those without disabilities — to forge new relationships, gain personal satisfaction and social status, hone marketable skills, and for networking opportunities. This effective practice, excerpted with permission from an article by Angela Novak Amado, and published in the online edition of Impact: Feature Issue on Volunteerism by Persons with Developmental Disabilities, addresses how program directors and supervisors can enhance the volunteer experience for people with disabilities, allowing them to gain the most from their efforts, and subsequently reaping the ultimate benefits for the communities in which they serve. Elesheva Soloff with the National Service Inclusion Project submitted this effective practice in June 2008.

Serve Nebraska's Online Resource Library

lauran — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:24:57 -0500

This resource library from the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission contains select quality links on the topics of program development, financial management, marketing, resource development, volunteer management, and more.

Accommodations and Supports for Including Special Populations in Leadership and Decision Making Activities

stevep — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:12:15 -0500

The Guide: NASDDDS Handbook on Inclusive Meetings and Presentations

stevep — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:06:40 -0500

AmeriCorps Week

Angelaw — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:22:38 -0500

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.

AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country—and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

Visit the event website for more details @ www.americorpsweek.gov.

Interviewing potential applicants using an inclusive process

magdalenam — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:34:51 -0500

The interview and selection process for applicants with disabilities has many legal considerations that can be intimidating for program staff. In most cases when an error is made, it is not because of the intent to discriminate, but because the interviewer wants to help, desires more information, or wants to clarify information. This effective practice offers some basic guidelines to help programs conduct successful interviews and was submitted by the National Service Inclusion Project in August 2008.

2009 Foster Grandparent Conference/Jamboree

Angelaw — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:01:46 -0500

We're Rollin" Down The River is the theme of the 2009 Foster Grandparent Conference/Jamboree to be held in Jackson, Mississippi June 12th - 15, 2009. This is an educational and fun time for the grandparents to receive training that will help them in their volunteer service and to meet and network with grandparents from across the United States.

For more information you can go to the event website listed below or email Mary Lynn Smith at fgp@c-gate.net.

National Service-Learning Conference: Growing Hope, Cultivating Change

Angelaw — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:24:05 -0500

This conference is the largest gathering of youths and practitioners involved in the service-learning movement, drawing approximately 2,700 attendees from across the United States and at least 20 other countries each year. Through three days of general sessions, featured forums, and service-learning projects, the conference engages participants in local, national, and global issues that service-learning addresses. It provides networking opportunities with service-learning leaders through more than 200 experiential workshops, receptions, and informal meetings.

National/Global Youth Service Day

Angelaw — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:59:05 -0500

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is organized by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner and a consortium of international organizations and over 120 national coordinating committees in participating countries. GYSD is an annual global event that highlights and celebrates the contributions of youth to their communities through volunteer service.

Overcoming barriers and creating opportunities for people with developmental disabilities in national service programs

magdalenam — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:13:57 -0500

People with disabilities are actively engaged in volunteering and providing services in their communities. However, this hasn’t always been the case, and individuals with disabilities have had to overcome historical and cultural barriers to achieve participation. This effective practice is excerpted, with permission, from the article by Bonnie Shoultz and K. Charlie Lakin, “Volunteer and Service Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities.” The practice identifies some of the difficulties that may still be encountered as this population pursues a variety of service options, and poses some questions to ask when deciding on the right volunteer “fit.” Submitted by Elesheva Soloff, with the National Service Inclusion Project, in June 2008.

Monthly Feature February 2006: New Online Tool! Use My Improvement Plan to Enrich Your Program

corik — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:18:40 -0500

The Corporation for National and Community Service and The Resource Center are pleased to announce My Improvement Plan, an online tool that helps you identify the resources you most need to improve your service or volunteer program. Experts in the field helped develop this new way of connecting your program to training and technical assistance. Answer questions about your program, and receive a personalized resource plan that you can access at any time, with any internet connection. To use this helpful tool, click the red box titled My Improvement Plan on this page.

Training Tips and Resources

lauran — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:47:19 -0500

Check out these classic resources on various aspects of training.

The Resource Connection v5, n3: Training (PDF)
Starting Strong: A Guide to Pre-Service Training (HTML to PDF)
The Tutor: The Verdict Is In: Trained Tutors Equals Increased Student Learning ( PDF)

Training Busy Staff to Succeed with Volunteers: The 55-Minute Staff Training Series (Complete Set)

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:19 -0500

Contains 12 ready-to-deliver training sessions for teaching paid staff the fundamentals of working with volunteers. Each module is designed for delivery in 55 minutes and comes with a timed script for highlighting the key concepts on each topic, suggestions for expandable group activities, handout masters, and more. Topics include designing positions for volunteers, volunteer recruitment, interviewing and screening volunteers, volunteer motivation, and supervising volunteers.

(Help!) I-Don't-Have-Enough-Time Guide to Volunteer Management

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:19 -0500

Presents a step-by-step framework for creating a team approach to volunteer management. Learn how to map the boundaries of the job and clarify expectations, find administrative volunteers and put them to work in vital ways, and share the work and ownership of the volunteer program with everyone in an organization. Includes a revised appendix of resources and updated information regarding work tools like e-mail and the Internet.

Afterschool Style in Practice: 25 Skill-Building Meetings for Staff

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:19 -0500

Offers 25 ready-to-use trainings designed specifically for the time-pressed, resource-strapped world of afterschool programs. Use the meetings singly, repeat them as new staff come on board, or create a yearlong program of staff development. Contains meeting plans, handouts, and activities that provide training in core concepts and techniques. Includes a template to help plan and conduct sessions that meet individual needs and put best practices into action.

Tribal Director's Manual: Learn and Serve America

pingv — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:18 -0500

A manual developed to serve as a resource for tribal Learn and Serve grantees. Contains chapters on program requirements, financial management, start up and planning, training, site supervision and site management, and project reporting. Includes a service-learning toolkit, an overview of Learn and Serve America, a performance measurement toolkit, examples of model programs, and contact information of people who have experience with service-learning and tribal communities.