Governor Appoints Commission on Community and National Service

Governor Timothy Kaine has announced the latest appointments to the Commission on Community and National Service. Governor Kaine established the Commission in 2006 and its members serve as an advisory board working toward Virginia's volunteerism and community service goals. More information on the role of the Commission.

2007-08 Governor's Commission on Community and National Service

• Rev. Anderson W. Clary Jr. (Hampton)
• Mary E. Dean (Chesapeake)
• Charles Firestone (Virginia Beach)
• Julie Grimes (Richmond)
• Margo Horner (Arlington County)
• R. Marc Johnson (Charlottesville)
• Margaret Lawrence (Richmond)
• Perry D. Martin (Newport)
• W. Kevin Massengill (Sutherland)
• Rumy Mohta (Midlothian)
• Hung Nguyen (Fairfax County)
• Gabriel G. Rojas (Arlington County)
• Bobby T. Shockley (Richmond)
• C. B. Sinclair (Hopewell)
• Jarris Taylor Jr. (Yorktown)
• Franklin R. Wallace (Richmond)
• Sarah L. Walsh (Fredericksburg)
• Lisë Chandler White (Virginia Beach)
• Fredaerick L. Wilkerson (Richmond)

2007-08 AmeriCorps Programs Launched

This year, 20 organizations across the Commonwealth are participating in national service programs through AmeriCorps. There are four new organizations serving in projects this year: Richmond Community Action Program (RCAP) Another Way Tutorial Program, Ms. Wheelchair Virginia - Helping Virginia with Disabilities, Petersburg Urban Ministries - Pathways AmeriCorps, and the Warren County Council on Domestic Violence. See the complete list of AmeriCorps programs in Virginia.

Virginia Church Reaches Out to the Community Every Week with Food Distribution

Unity of Faith Fellowship is proving that even a small group can make a big difference. The Henrico County church has made it their mission to feed those in need. What started as monthly food distribution out of a renovated house, has quickly become a weekly service after volunteers realized the pressing need in the community. The program feeds as many as 30 families each week with at least two church members volunteering to help distribute the food. Volunteers include everyone from students to single mothers pitching in. Some grateful clients have even come back to volunteer. Read the complete article from the Central Virginia Foodbank's Spring 2007 Newsletter.

Group Health Care Plan Available to Virginia Nonprofits

The Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations (VANNO) has partnered with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement to offer group health care benefits to nonprofits throughout the Commonwealth. The program is designed to provide group leveraged insurance coverage to small and mid-sized nonprofits. A wide selection of plans are available to nonprofits with two or more employees. Organizations are required to be members of VANNO or the Center for Nonprofit Advancement to participate. Details.

Faith-based Groups Can Utilize New Grant Writing Toolkit

The U.S. Census Bureau is now offering a comprehensive toolkit intended to provide faith-based organizations with a simple, easy way to obtain data for grant writing and community needs assessments. With the new toolkit, groups can quickly find information on population, household income levels, age demographics, education statistics and more. Community issue information, such as on housing and poverty, can also be found more easily. Take a look.

Richmond Unveils Innovative Emergency Response Tool

The City of Richmond is creating a voluntary database of people with special needs who live in the city in order to more effectively respond during times of emergencies. This will enable emergency response officials to anticipate where assistance will be needed before a crisis begins. The Richmond Ambulance Authority is working with city officials to create the registry by September 2007. Other jurisdictions in Virginia maintaining similar databases include Hanover and New Kent. The idea may become a regional initiative as more and more areas consider creating registries in their communities. Full story.

Financial Reporting Tips for AmeriCorps Programs

One of the most challenging responsibilities for a national service project is to meet the myriad of federal requirements regarding financial reporting. The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service has useful tools to help AmeriCorps programs with the process. View the complete manual of financial reporting advice.

Top 10 Rules of Financial Reporting

1. Know your regulatory requirements.
2. Document your policies and procedures.
3. Maintain adequate documentation to support expenditures.
4. Manage cash effectively.
5. Design an efficient accounting system.
6. Maintain effective budgetary controls.
7. Document and report employee' and member's activities accurately.
8. Meet matching requirements and document in-kind contributions appropriately.
9. Report timely and accurate financial information.
10. Maintain good internal controls.

Senior Corps Teams Up with VolunteerMatch

Senior Corps has joined together with VolunteerMatch to launch a cutting-edge web-based volunteer recruitment service. The service is designed to access volunteer opportunities tailored to the unique skills and needs of volunteers age 55 and older. The new volunteer search tool builds on research findings that show "baby boomers" are looking for substantive volunteer opportunities that make use of their personal or professional skills. Access the new search engine.

New Study Examines Civic Engagement in America

The Case Foundation, a private charitable organization, has released a study examining the current climate of civic engagement in the U.S. The report is based on interviews with researchers and experts in service/civic engagement, politics and marketing. Entitled "Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement," the study reveals that a growing number of Americans have shifted to an approach that puts citizens at the center of solving community issues. The report also offers specific recommendations for giving citizens the tools they need to identify problems and develop solutions. Full Report.

Free Legal Service for Richmond Area Nonprofits

The Pro Bono Clearinghouse, sponsored by the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation, will provide free legal services to nonprofit organizations in Richmond and the surrounding counties. Approximately 125 attorneys have agreed to donate time and services to help charitable organizations in the community. Nonprofits are encouraged to use these services to review employee handbooks, revise corporate documents, review contracts, assist with building or land acquisitions, handle mergers, answer legal questions, and more. For more information, contact Carol Deitrick at (804) 780-2600 or email cdeitrick@richmondbar.org.

2006 Value of Volunteer Time is Released

Independent Sector, a leadership forum for nonprofits, has released a report estimating the dollar value of volunteer time in America for 2006 as $18.77. Virginia's estimated volunteer time value is near the national average at $18.69. The value of volunteer time is based on the average hourly earnings of all production and nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls (as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Independent Sector adds 12 percent to estimate for fringe benefits. Charitable organizations frequently use the value of volunteer time for recognition events or communications to show the amount of community support an organization receives from its volunteers. The Financial Accounting Standards Board states that the value of volunteer services can also be used on financial statements, including statements for internal and external purposes, grant proposals, and annual reports (only if a volunteer is performing a specialized skill for a nonprofit.) View the complete report.