AmeriCorps Events Kick-off the New Program Year

Virginians ready to serve their communities will be sworn in for national service at two launch events in October. Ceremonies are held each fall to introduce new AmeriCorps members embarking on a year of service. This year, the events will be held at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Oct. 18, and at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Oct. 31. In addition to the swearing in ceremony, members will receive an orientation, training, and information on service projects. The first ever Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service (see below) will also be presented to an outstanding AmeriCorps member who exemplifies dedication and leadership. Find out more.

Robert Wone Award Honors Community Service Excellence

The recipient of the first ever Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service will be honored at a Virginia AmeriCorps Launch Event to be held at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on Oct. 18. The award was established in memory Robert Wone, who served on the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service, and recognizes an exemplary AmeriCorps member who has exhibited outstanding dedication to community service and civic engagement. Read more about the award.

Get to Know Reverend Anderson W. Clary, Jr.

Chairman, Governor's Commission on Community and National Service

Service was always a part of family life for Rev. Anderson Clary. "Going back to my early childhood . . . (my family) shoveled snow, cleared walkways, and raked leaves -- all for no pay but just to provide service to the community," says Rev. Clary.  As a teenager, Clary became a Big Brother for children in single family environments and also filled and delivered food baskets to needy families during the holidays. By the time he was a young adult, his church involvement afforded him opportunities to participate in numerous outreach ministries in education and public service. In 1998, Rev. Clary founded Beacon At The Crossroads, a faith-based organization providing volunteer services in the areas of housing, education, employment, computer literacy, food programs, grassroots economic development, and homeland security.  Rev. Clary's civic engagement and spirit of volunteerism has carried over into other organizations, including the Motion Project in Newport News and the Amachi mentoring program. Rev. Clary is currently the pastor at Queen Street Baptist Church in Hampton and a member of the Hampton City Council. He has served on the Governor's Commission for five years.

For Families in Need, "Hanover's Got You Covered"

The "Hanover County's Got You Covered" Clothing Event provided some relief for 451 individuals in need of wardrobe items. Mountains of donated clothing filled the meeting room of the Hanover County Department of Social Services (HDSS), Aug. 18. Kokouvi "Victor" Agle, Social Resource Development Specialist for HDSS, coordinated the event as his AmeriCorps member project. Agle, who is from West Africa, plans to organize a similar event for his community when he returns home. Along with HDSS, partners of the event included, Virginia Community Corps, the Doswell Ruritan Club, Goodwill, Ukrop's, the Town of Ashland and various local media. Remaining clothing items were donated to Goodwill in exchange for vouchers for others in need.

AmeriCorps Members Reach Out to Katrina Ravaged Town

This June, a small group of AmeriCorps members serving with Richmond-based SynerGeo, Inc., reached out to the tiny town of Port Sulphur, LA. The community, which had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, had changed very little since the tragedy two years earlier. Most homes and buildings were still absent -- their foundations the only sign of their previous existence. Phone service had just been restored days before the AmeriCorps members arrived. The group reports that although most people describe Port Sulphur as "ground zero," when community members tell their stories they usually say "we were first hit and last helped." AmeriCorps members went quickly to work constructing a utility building for residents. The group also assisted in building a swingset, assembling a playground for a school and helping out at a food distribution center. Read more about SynerGeo.

State Policy Encourages Service to Others

Most people would love to help others in their community -- if only they had the time. In Virginia, state employees are encouraged to serve without having to take valuable leave time. Since 2001, the Virginia School Assistance and Volunteer Service Leave Policy has granted state employees up to 16 hours of time off with pay per calendar year in order to volunteer. The policy supports the Governor's Commission on National and Community Service which encourages Virginians to dedicate service to others. Businesses and companies are highly encouraged to take a look at how Virginia supports community service with this policy. Private sector organizations can then emulate state practices to promote volunteerism to their own employees. Read Virginia's Policy on Volunteerism.

Nominate an Outstanding Mentor

The Virginia Mentoring Partnership is looking for outstanding mentors and mentoring organizations to honor at its 6th Annual Virginia Mentoring Awards, January 30. The awards are part of National Mentoring Month. Recipients of last year's awards include Norfolk Public Schools, Virginia Heroes Incorporated, and individual mentors Mark Searle and Fred Harmeling. Nomination deadline: November 9, 2007. Get information and download a nomination form.

New Online Resource for Volunteer Management

Volunteer managers are encouraged to check out the new Volunteer Management Resource Center on Idealist.org. The free comprehensive online source contains new tools and existing resources to support volunteer management professionals in nonprofit organizations. The new link allows access to best practices, including risk management, tracking and evaluation, training, finding and screening volunteers, financial management, communications and more. Take a look.

Virginia's Free Clinics Hold Annual Conference

Partners, volunteers and nonprofits connected to free medical clinics in Virginia are invited to attend the Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) annual conference, Nov. 11-13, in Chantilly. The event will offer educational workshops, guest speakers, exhibits, and networking opportunities. The mission of the VAFC is to support, strengthen, and advocate for free clinics to deliver quality health care to Virginia's low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 1 million Virginians were uninsured in 2004. Virginia ranks 49th in the U.S. in Medicaid coverage of low-income adults creating a great need for free clinics in the Commonwealth. Find out how you can help Virginia's free clinics.

Attracting Children's Ministry Volunteers

Christianity Today Magazine and the Willow Creek Association have compiled a strategy for recruiting new volunteers to faith-based children's programs. After surveying more than 800 organizations, the plan outlines step-by-step instructions on everything from recruitment pitches to follow-up. Download the free manual.

2008 Presidential Candidates and National Service

With growing attention on national service, candidates for the upcoming Presidential election are taking their positions. A recent full-page article in Time magazine, growing interest in a National Service Academy, and numerous references to volunteerism on the campaign trail, appear to be placing community service on the agenda table for many candidates. Find out where the candidates stand.