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Is Your Organization Right for AmeriCorps?
The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service and the Corporation for National and Community Service Virginia State Office are sponsoring a series of orientation sessions for organizations interested in acquiring AmeriCorps members and administering an AmeriCorps State or VISTA program. In-depth informational sessions will be held in Abingdon, Oct. 16; Charlottesville, Oct. 23; Falls Church, Nov. 6; Hampton Roads, Nov. 20; Danville, Dec. 4; and Richmond, Dec. 5. Register for a session and take our assessment to find out if your organization has the capacity for successfully competing for an AmeriCorps grant.
- Published on Friday, October 3, 2008
Spread the Word: It’s Time to Vote!
With record numbers of Americans volunteering and serving their communities, this November's election is vitally important to the programs and issues affecting America's underserved. Local, state, and national elections will impact legislation on many key issues, including education, healthcare, the environment, and poverty. It is up to Virginia's community service organizations to encourage their constituents, members, volunteers, and administrators to vote in the general election this fall. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Voting Resources
- The Virginia Board of Elections is your source for voter registration instructions and locations, absentee ballot information, polling place locations, and more.
- Complete list of candidates throughout Virginia.
- Find your polling place.
- Get informed: NonprofitVote.org, Chronicle of Philanthropy, PEW Forum (faith-based election information), NPR 2008 Election News.
- Get energized and spread the word: Voter Contact Magazine, Rock the Vote, ServiceVote, VoteSmart, AARP's Divided We Fail, League of Women Voters, Project Vote, Kids Voting USA.
- More resources on civic engagement.
- Published on Thursday, October 2, 2008
Make a Difference Day in Virginia
Make A Difference Day, created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, is an annual celebration of neighbors helping neighbors in which anyone can participate. This year's event is Oct. 25 (fourth Thursday of October each year). Projects may be as large or as small as you wish! Look around your community and see what needs to be done. For ideas and inspiration, Make a Difference Day's Idea Generator can help you find a project to help your community. Find out more.
Make a Difference Day Events in Virginia
- Mountain Empire Community College - MECC AmeriCorps members will be conducting a canned food drive the week before Make a Difference Day and then delivering the collected goods to local food banks and children's group homes in the area that Saturday.
- Shenandoah Area Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Program Coat Drive - The Shenandoah Area RSVP and VFW Post 1860 and its Ladies Auxiliary are jointly sponsoring a service project to collect warm winter coats for the homeless veterans who live in the rehabilitation pod at the VA Hospital in Martinsburg. Coats need to be donated by Oct. 8 and will be delivered on Oct. 25, in observance of National Make A Difference Day. For more information contact the RSVP Office, 635-7141, or 800-883-4122, Ext. 303.
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Americorps and America Reads members will participate in VCU's 40th anniversary activities throughout the week. On Make a Difference Day, members will be a part of a "Community Village" which will explore inter-community and university-community partnerships and relationships through booths and displays.
- Carroll County Schools Reading for Life will be assisting with a special event to raise money for the Free Clinic of Carroll, Grayson, and Galax City so that they may offer medical services to more area citizens in need. AmeriCorps members will be helping to prepare and serve food at the auction and music event.
- Published on Wednesday, October 1, 2008
2-1-1 VIRGINIA Makes It Easy for You
The 2-1-1 VIRGINIA Web site has recently been updated to make searching for services even easier. A new feature now incorporates an e-mail option to receive services information. 2-1-1 VIRGINIA now operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Check it out.
- Published on Monday, September 29, 2008
Economic Impact of Viginia’s Nonprofits
A new report from the Cameron Foundatin shows that Virginia's nonprofit sector is the second largest employer among Virginia industries. "Virginia's Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Force" reveals that there are nearly 350,000 nonprofit workers in the Commonwealth. -- both paid and volunteer. Nonprofits generate $30.7 billion in revenues. Find out more.
- Published on Monday, September 22, 2008
Presidental Candidates Address Civic Engagement
Both leading presidential candidates addressed the ServiceNation Summit last week to present their views on national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement, Sept 11 at Columbia University in New York. The interviews of John McCain and Barack Obama were moderated by PBS' Judy Woodruff and Time managing editor Rick Stengel. The discussion was aired on CNN, MSNBC and other news outlets nationally. ServiceNation is a coalition of 110 organizations dedicated to solving problems through civic engagement and service. Read a complete transcript of this event.
- Published on Friday, September 19, 2008
Governor Appoints Advisory Board on National and Community Service
Governor Kaine has announced the latest appointments to the Advisory Board on National and Community Service. Governor Kaine established the Board in 2006 and its members work to advance Virginia's volunteerism and community service goals. Read the official announcement.
2008-09 Governor's Advisory Board on National and Community Service
- Nana Akyeampong-Ghartey (Charlottesville)*
- Mary E. Dean (Chesapeake)
- Charles Firestone (Virginia Beach)
- Tonyia Carter Gibson (Carroll County)
- Julie Grimes (Richmond)
- Holly Hatcher (Charlottesville)*
- Lucy Hutchinson (Fairfax County)*
- Perry D. Martin (Newport)
- W. Kevin Massengill (Sutherland)
- Rumy Mohta (Midlothian)
- Hung Nguyen (Fairfax County)
- Gabriel G. Rojas (Arlington County)
- Erick M. Sanchez (Fairfax County)*
- Pastor Herbert Scott (Russell County)
- Bobby T. Shockley (Henrico County)
- C. B. Sinclair (Hopewell)
- Jarris Taylor Jr. (Yorktown)
- Sarah L. Walsh (Fredericksburg)*
- Lisë Chandler White (Virginia Beach)
*Denotes new appointment.
- Published on Monday, September 15, 2008
Anniversary of 9/11 is a Call to Service
With this Thursday marking the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, America's leadership is calling on a renewed commitment to service across the country. Members of the service community, political leaders and individuals are gathering in New York to participate in a Service Summit organized by ServiceNation. First Lady Laura Bush, the 2008 presidential candidates, members of congress, and representatives from across the U.S. are expected to attend. Sept. 11 is also being recognized as a national day of service by the organization My Good Deed and others. Earlier this week, President Bush renewed his post 9/11 Call to Service in a speech which encouraged widescale volunteerism saying that every American should give 4,000 hours of service over their lifetime. Find volunteer opportunities now.
- Published on Thursday, September 11, 2008
Disability Board Needs Feedback
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is asking individuals with disabilities, their families, service providers, policymakers, and advocates to complete its annual Consumer Satisfaction & Stakeholder Feedback Survey. Public comments guides the development of the Board's State Plan and significantly influences its future plans and activities. In addition to the online survey, printed and other accessible formats are available by contacting the Board at 800-846-4464. Take the survey now.
- Published on Monday, September 8, 2008
Nominate an Individual with a Disability Who’s Making a Difference
Nominations for the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' annual Community Service Awards are being accepted until October 17. Awards include the Jackie Crews Award for Excellence in Leadership, which offers a $1,000 stipend, and the Outstanding Achievement Award. Visit the Board's Web site for detailed information and nomination forms.
- Published on Thursday, September 4, 2008