2010 Governor's Awards Nominations Open

Nominations are now being 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 to kick off Volunteer Week in April. Nominate someone today or review the nomination frequently asked questions.

What are you doing for MLK Day of Service?

Nonprofits and community service organizations are urged to plan service projects and events as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Jan. 18. The holiday has been mandated by the federal government as not just a day off from work set aside to honor Dr. King, but a national day of volunteer service. In Virginia, service projects and special events are planned in virtually every part of the state. Make a commitment to serve, download a toolkit to plan your project, and learn more about the service day at MLKDay.gov and MLKmobilization.org.

2010 Virginia AmeriCorps RFP Announcement Soon

The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service will soon accept Request for Proposals for the 2010 AmeriCorps*State program year. Grants are available to public and nonprofit organizations that sponsor service programs throughout Virginia, including faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies. These grants assist groups in recruiting, training and placing individuals, as AmeriCorps members, to meet critical community needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment across the Commonwealth. Is your organization right for AmeriCorps? Register and find out at the AmeriCorps orientation session to be held Jan. 5, in South Boston, VA. If you are unable to attend a session, streaming webinars will soon be available at VAservice.org.

Get to Know Amanda S. Healy

Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service

New AmeriCorps Program Manager Amanda Healy has been with the Office on Volunteerism and Community Service since October 16. Amanda is a native Virginian who has worked for many years in the fields of community development, equal opportunity, affordable housing, and aging. She has extensive experience in all aspects of grants—program design, grant making, grant program administration, and writing and managing successful grant applications in both the public and private sectors. Amanda earned a B.A. in Geography and Planning from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. She serves on the board of Virginia Emergency Families for Children. Join us in welcoming Amanda to the team.

IRS Tax Information for Persons with Disabilities

If your organization serves persons with disabilities across Virginia, there are a number of resources available to assist with tax preparation.

• IRS forms and publications in Braille and text formats
• List of tax benefits for businesses accommodating persons with disabilities

For more information contact the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.

Notes from the Field: Virginia AmeriCorps in Action

• Literacy Council of Northern Virginia - ESOL and Family Learning Programs AmeriCorps member Erin Andrews joined the organization in September 2009. Ms. Andrews manages adult ESOL classes at three different class sites, supporting volunteer teachers at those sites and teaching classes herself. Her own students number approximately 40; indirectly, she supports a total of 115 students. Ms. Andrews commented on her AmeriCorps experience saying, "My experience as an AmeriCorps member at the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia has been extremely positive thus far. My fellow employees are capable and passionate about what they do, which makes for an amazing work environment."
• Video of an event co-sponsored by the Mountain Empire Community College AmeriCorps program entitled "Discovering the World of Children" is now available at Virginia Service TV.

Nonprofit Resources

• Online tool for determining AmeriCorps program fit for individuals - Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
• Nonprofit Lobbying and Advocacy - Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations (VANNO)
• All Volunteer Force: From Military to Civilian Service (PDF) - a new report from Civic Enterprises
• CNCS has released a discussion draft of the Notice of Funding Availability for the much-anticipated Social Innovation Fund - The NonProfit Times

In the News

• Beginning January 1, sign up to volunteer a day of service and you'll get one day, free admission to a Disney theme park. - Learn more at Disney.com
• Senator Mark Warner will be honored with others at the "Friends of National Service" awards reception sponsored by Voices for National Service and The Corps Network
• The US House and Senate passed the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill that includes $1.149 billion for CNCS, including $2 million for Summer of Service - Read on at CNS.gov
• Soldier Support Center Offers One Stop Services - Fort Lee Traveller
• Holiday gifts that do a whole lot of good - USA Today