Call for Grant Reviewers

The Office on Volunteerism and Community Service is searching for representatives from nonprofits, local/state government agencies, volunteer organizations, community-based or faith-based organizations, and for-profit corporations to review AmeriCorps grant applications. We are seeking a mix of individuals with experience and/or knowledge of national or community service, faith-based and community-based organizations, grant writing, grant review, education, public safety, environment, homeland security, and/or other human needs. Take advantage of this opportunity to obtain valuable grant reviewing experience while showing your support of community service in Virginia. Apply now.

Virginia Kicks Off AmeriCorps Program Year

Nearly 300 enthusiastic AmeriCorps members pledged their commitment to a year of service at two ceremonies last month. Virginia's AmeriCorps programs kicked off the new year at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Oct. 18, and at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Oct. 31. The new and returning AmeriCorps grantee programs and members were joined by public officials, members of the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service, and representatives from the Corporation for National and Community Service. At this year's ceremonies, Cheryl Jennings was honored with the first-ever Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service (see below). View more photos from these events.

2008 Robert Wone Award Winner is Cheryl Jennings

The first-ever Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service was awarded Oct. 18 to Cheryl Jennings of Hampton. Ms. Jennings is a returning AmeriCorps member who has served with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - AmeriCorp and America Reads program since September 2006. As a single mother of three, she has continued to work full time for the last five years while attending college to obtain a bachelor's degree in social work. As an AmeriCorps member, she has completed more than 1,700 hours of service and was selected as "Team Leader of the Year 2006-2007" for providing a high level of service to her community as a team leader, reading coach, and student mentor at Richmond's Woodville Elementary School. Despite a serious ongoing physical condition, Ms. Jennings led five team members to successfully complete their service terms and earn education awards. She led her team to help increase state literacy test scores while also serving to plan events and recruit new members. The Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service has been established in honor of Robert Wone, a member of the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service from 2002-2006. Wone was a tireless activist and volunteer who actively advanced the interests of many charitable organizations and provided many hours of pro bono legal services to help others. Read more about this year's winner.

Get to Know Franklin R. Wallace, Jr.

Virginia Governor's Commission on Community and National Service

Franklin Wallace has always been dedicated to serving his community-from founding a nationally-recognized nonprofit to serving on the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service (GCCNS). His career in community service began in 1995 when he co-founded a nonprofit small business incubator and training facility. During this period Wallace also completed two AmeriCorps service terms with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) AmeriCorps. As an AmeriCorps team leader, he coordinated member service activities at several nonprofit community service sites throughout Richmond. After his AmeriCorps service, Wallace returned to VCU's Office of Community Programs as Director of Project Tutor, an academic partnership for court-referred juvenile offenders between VCU and the City of Richmond's 13th District Juvenile Court. Soon afterward, Wallace became Field Coordinator for the VCU AmeriCorps and America Reads programs. In 2001, he became Director for these programs, helping to establish the program's successful legacy (VCU AmeriCorps received the Governor's Community Service and Volunteerism Award for Outstanding National Service Program in 2002). Wallace was also honored in 2002 for his outstanding commitment to service receiving special recognition by Governor Mark Warner for his coordinating efforts as the Director of Volunteer Liaisons for the Governor's Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools (PASS) Program for Richmond Public Schools. Today, Wallace remains a senior administrator in VCU's Division of Community Engagement, serves as the first two-term President of the VCU African American Alumni Council. He is also the inaugural Chairman of the Virginia Service Foundation, and this year, began his fourth term with the GCCNS, serving as Vice Chairman, and chair of its Resource Committee.

Training for Faith-based and Community Organizations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is looking for grassroots organizations that help struggling people prepare for, obtain, and retain employment. If your organization qualifies, two staff representatives will be eligible to attend one of four, three-day Results Management Training sessions (Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 7-9; Dallas, TX, Dec. 11-13; Chapel Hill, NC, Jan. 15-17; and Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 5-7). Sessions are designed to improve an organization's ability to measure, manage, improve, and communicate their results; and develop partnerships with federal programs, including the One-Stop Career Center system. Find out more.

New Resource Available to Churches on the Web

FastenNetwork.org, a networking Web site for faith-based organizations, private philanthropic groups, and public administrators, has compiled a comprehensive list of resources specifically for church leaders under a new "Congregations" banner. The Web site now includes information and tools related to church mobilization, assessing the community, developing vision and leadership for church-based transformational community ministry, fund-raising tips for ministry leaders, and more. Take a look.

GED Instruction Now Available "On Demand"

Governor Timothy Kaine has announced a partnership between the Virginia Department of Education, Comcast Cable, and Cox Communications that will make it easier and more convenient for Virginians to prepare for General Educational Development (GED)® Tests. Governor Kaine explains, "With GED® ON DEMAND, adult learners can view instructional videos at home that will help them prepare for the GED® at times that fit their busy schedules." The GED® ON DEMAND initiative integrates GED®-preparation videos into "ON DEMAND" programming which companies offer free to their digital cable customers. The GED® ON DEMAND initiative will help adult learners overcome the most common obstacles to receiving instruction that adult learners cite -- transportation to and from classes, lack of availability or inability to pay for child care, and scheduling problems. Find out more.

National Family Week Events Across Virginia

Since 1968, the week of Thanksgiving has been designated as National Family Week, an event coordinated and promoted for 30 years by the Alliance for Children and Families. National Family Week embodies the premise that children live better lives when their families are strong; and families are strong when they live in communities that connect them to economic opportunities, social networks, and services. This year in Virginia, some of the events planned include a round table discussion on the "State of the Family" in Lynchburg and an educational and informational resource fair in Roanoke. In Hampton, family volunteers will gather to pack nonperishable food for local shelters and outreach programs. Get information and submit an event for National Family Week.

Celebrate Your Volunteers this Holiday Season

Energize, Inc., a leading volunteer management Web site, recommends a few ways to give back to those who give so much all year long. Ideas for expressing your gratitude this holiday season include giving volunteers personal "thank you" notes at Thanksgiving and organizing a food-event in December with "Recipe for an Ideal Volunteer" skits and cookbooks with recipes submitted by volunteers. Get some great tips or submit your own ideas at energizeinc.com.

YouTube Debuts Nonprofit Program

Charitable organizations can now register to upload promotional footage on a new nonprofit YouTube channel.  The channel, which is free to nonprofits, will also offer a donation feature available with no processing costs through Google Checkout for Nonprofits. Find out more and start getting your message out.