Monthly Archives: December 2008

12.10.08
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Make Your MLK Day More Meaningful

Online tools and web-based training help people who want to makepicture-14 their MLK Day service project better, and more meaningfully connected to the life and legacy of Dr. King.

On Twitter:

Follow @MLKDay on Twitter.

Information about EnCorps tools:

With Martin Luther King Day just around the corner (as well as any other activities or projects members are preparing), the EnCorps collection includes ready-to-go project planning tools to aid AmeriCorps members in visualizing and organizing their ideas.

Click here: http://snipurl.com/projectplanning

Information about a HandsOn training 12/12:

As a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service grantee of the Corporation for National and Community Service, HandsOn Network is pleased to invite you to participate in a webinar on December 12th at 3:00 Eastern.

Join us as Malikah Berry leads “Civic Engagement: Service and Civics Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King and Social Justice Movements.” Explore ways to make your MLK Day of Service more meaningful as you tie activities to the legacy of Dr. King and other social justice movements. Discover how to use films, workshops, and service projects to build a “beloved community.”

Visit http://pointsoflight.org/resources/training/traininglist.cfm?cat=vc to register for this free webinar.

If you have any questions, please contact us at training@handsonnetwork.org.

National service participants are encouraged to engage in direct service in their communities on MLK Day every year. Learn more about registering or joining a project.

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12.09.08
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Top Ten Policies to Strengthen the U.S.

picture-13The Aspen Institute has recently weighed in on the top ten nonprofit policies that would mobilize change and strengthen the United States. Among them, tax policies and an emphasis on service.

Three of the ten policies the organization mentions imply national service.  The Aspen Institute’s document Mobilizing Change: 10 Nonprofit Policy Proposals to Strengthen U.S. Communities promotes these policy ideas:

  • Expand recruitment and retention of a new generation of leaders for the nonprofit sector
  • Make a Summer of Service a rite of passage for every middle-schooler
  • Develop a MusicianCorps

The paper cites these programs as examples of “ideas [that] would help build overall nonprofit capacity and improve their integration with government agencies and services.”

Download the paper and read it for yourself!

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12.09.08
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MusicianCorps: the Musical Peace Corps

Kiff Gallagher

Kiff Gallagher

AmeriCorps-type program for musicians has received seed funding and plans to launch its first group in the fall of 09.

The Aspen Institute has named MusicianCorps — a developing AmeriCorps-type program that will enable musicians to serve in low-income schools — one of the top ten public policy proposals that would strengthen the United States.

The program is led by Kiff Gallagher, one of the creators of AmeriCorps.

The Institute has more to say on national service initiatives. But this is their rationale for backing MusicianCorps in particular:

Music reaches youth. … Music education develops habits of self-directed learning that drive lifelong success, and it can inspire community cohesiveness and service. Yet, most schools are experiencing significant cutbacks. Particularly effective at reaching disengaged youth, music can be an effective vehicle for a public service corps that meets social and civic goals.

The project has recently received $500K from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to pilot a 10-month fellowship program in the Bay Area. Barack Obama called for an artist corps when he was campaigning; apparently MusicianCorps is a model for the notion.

After a summer training institute, Fellows would take up their service in public schools, engaging in these kinds of activities, according to the Music National Service Fact Sheet:

• Teaching Musician: Plan a curriculum and lead a class or small group;
• Music Mentor: provide one-on-one support for gifted and special needs students (IEPs);
• Music Lab Leader: Teach music educational software self-directed learning activities;
• Classroom/Clubhouse Assistant: Assist the lead teacher or afterschool director with classroom
management, transition facilitation, and ensuring a safe environment;
• Resident Artist: Provide performances and performance workshops;
• Music Volunteer or Guest Coordinator: Manage musical guests and volunteers;
• Band, Ensemble or Choir Director: Lead groups in collaboration and performance;
• Community-based, public performances and volunteering for “hidden audiences.”

The program is set to launch its first cohort in August 2009.

Also check out this story on NPR.

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12.08.08
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CNN iReport Features City Year’s New York Corps

Jairo and Brittany

Jairo and Brittany

City Year corps members featured as part of CNN’s series on leaders under 30.

CNN’s Young People Who Rock blogger Nicole Lapin blogs about City Year New York, and will interview two corps members Jairo Estrella and Brittany Maslowsky live online, Friday 12/11 at 3:30 EST.

Do you have questions to ask? Post them as comments!

Read about the experience from the New York Corps member perspective.

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12.08.08
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Goren Seeks Input from National Service Community

The Acting C.E.O. of the Corporation for National and Community Service sympathizes with organizations struggling to meet increased demands for service while watching their funding bases decrease. She asks for your help in identifying options for “relief.”

Today, Nicola Goren issued this statement:

Dear Colleagues,

Nicola Goren

Nicola Goren

During this holiday season, citizens across America are feeling the harmful effects of the nation’s economic crisis. While demand for social services is increasing, we know that many nonprofits and national service programs on the front lines of providing help are facing reductions in government and private sector funding.

At the Corporation, we are keenly aware of the seriousness of this situation and are looking for ways to help. I have asked our staff to review administrative, matching, and other requirements to see where we may be able to provide flexibility. We are also exploring possible legislative options that could provide relief.

To ensure we have identified all of the possibilities, we also want to hear from you. This week, our Program Directors will follow up with information about how you can share your input. We want to know what you are experiencing, where the greatest problems are, and any ideas you have for relief.

The programs you support are essential to tackling the challenges Americans are facing in this period of economic uncertainty. We look forward to hearing your ideas and supporting your vital work.

Sincerely,

Nicola Goren
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Corporation for National and Community Service

Read Harris Wofford and Stephen Goldsmith’s comments on the increased need for national service during the economic downturn.


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