AmeriCorps Launch 2009

AmeriCorps members recently pledged their commitment to a year of service at launch events at Southwest 4-H Educational Center in Abingdon, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The ceremonies are held each fall to introduce new AmeriCorps members embarking on a year of service to the Commonwealth. Candice Nunnally, member of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) AmeriCorps and America Reads program, is the recipient of the 2009 Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service. View photos from this year's launch events.

Governor's Awards will Honor Virginians Who Serve

Nominations will soon be accepted for the 2010 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards. The awards highlight the efforts of outstanding Virginians who seek to enhance the lives of others in their communities. Honors are given each year to groups, individuals and families whose volunteer and community service efforts exemplify extraordinary volunteer service. Winners will be announced at a ceremony during Volunteer Week in April 2010. Get more information and review the nomination frequently asked questions.

Virginia Mentoring Awards Open for Nominations

Each year, Virginia Mentoring Partnership (VMP) celebrates National Mentoring Month by recognizing two exemplary mentors and two outstanding mentoring programs serving young people in Virginia. VMP will honor these award winners at a luncheon on February 10, 2010, at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. Do you know a volunteer mentor who is exceptionally committed, inspirational, and is a model for others? Nominate them today! Completed forms and nomination packets should be returned to VMP by November 20, 2009.

Volunteers Needed for AARP's Operation Energy Save

AARP Virginia is preparing to kick off Operation Energy Save again this winter to help those in need. With energy costs rising this winter, many older Virginians and those on fixed incomes will be at risk. One way to help is to provide assistance in reducing the amount of energy that is consumed. AARP is working to mobilize an army of volunteers to communicate to their friends and neighbors about the many low or no cost modifications they can make to their homes resulting in significant savings during the heating season. For many, making these modifications will require the help of another trusted person to get the job done. Find out how you can get involved.

Get to Know Vivian Greentree

Governor's Advisory Board on National and Community Service

Vivian Greentree is a Navy veteran and spouse. She is currently using her GI Bill and is on a fellowship for her Ph.D. in Public Administration and Urban Policy where her areas of research include social capital, public service motivation, and reproductive healthcare policy. She is the Director of Membership for Blue Star Families, a national military family support organization as well as a contributing writer to several military print and online outlets. Vivian lives in Chesapeake with her husband, who is currently deployed to Iraq. They have two little boys who enjoy peanut butter, trucks, and frogs.

Notes from the Field: Virginia AmeriCorps in Action

• VCU AmeriCorps and America Reads program helped to spread the word about Make A Difference Day, the annual celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Half of the corps members gathered on Friday, October 23, to create bookmarks, flyers, and other materials with information about ways to give back to the Richmond community. Some suggestions included joining AmeriCorps, signing up for a service project at HandsOn Greater Richmond, and mentoring/tutoring a student. On Saturday, October 24, members canvassed the Richmond area spreading the word about the service day. Members talked with the community about the value of service and what it truly means to make a difference.
• Mountain Empire Community College - MECC AmeriCorps program participated in a community event for families, child care providers, foster parents, relatives as parents, teachers, and grandparents of Wise County and the City of Norton. The event, titled "Discovering the World of Children", featured fun and inexpensive activities to engage children including storytelling and face painting.

Nonprofit Resources

• AmeriCorps Fit Finder - an interactive e-tool to assist you in determining which AmeriCorps grant is right for your organization.
• Dept. of Justice Grant Writing Manual (PDF) - learn where to find, and how to write and submit Bureau of Justice Assistance grant applications.
• Training 2.0 - presentation on using social media tools for training and technical assistance by Jason Scott, Training Officer and eLearning Specialist, Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
• Summer of Service Notice of Funds Availability for FY 2010 - CNCS has released the following information about applying for Summer of Service funds for fiscal year 2010.
• AL!VE - Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement - the new membership association for professional volunteer resource managers.
• 25 Steps to Fall & Holiday Fundraising Success (PDF) - Network for Good has developed strategic steps that a nonprofit organization can follow and implement to increase their online presence to enable more successful fundraising.
• Our Shared Resources - a free service where those who work in the field of volunteer management will be able to add and access useful resources.

In the News

• "First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden Join Blue Star Families to Celebrate Veterans Day" - Yahoo
• "Hollywood Bandwagon?" - CNN reports on the political "controversy" over a prime-time TV effort to promote community service.
• "Decline in 2009 Foundation Giving Steeper Than Anticipated, According to New Foundation Center Survey" - Foundation Center
• "The Way We Get By" - PBS documents seniors who provide a service for returning military troops.
• "Ford Foundation Commits $100 Million to Transform Secondary Education in the Nation's Most Disadvantaged Schools" - Reuters
• "More Americans Catching Volunteer Spirit" - The Washington Post
• "Family Volunteer Day" - HandsOn Network, Points of Light Institute and the Walt Disney Company proudly present Family Volunteer Day.