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.
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
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
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.
Bonnie Thie, country director for Peace Corps’s China program, will speak in Seattle next week.
Thie and the Seattle Regional Recruitment Office director Eileen Conoboy will appear jointly at REI in downtown Seattle on Dec. 15.
Bonnie Thie, the Peace Corps’ country director in China, served in Peace Corps Afghanistan, where she served for three years in the 1970s. She served 18 years with the Environmental Protection Agency most recently as the director of policy, communications and resource management in the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds in Washington, D.C. and in the EPA’s Seattle Air Quality Office, working with states, tribes and Environment Canada to protect and improve air quality in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. After attending law school at the University of Oregon, she practiced law in Alaska, first in private practice and then as assistant attorney general for the state of Alaska, working on oil and gas leasing, as well as a range of municipal law and use issues. Her undergraduate degree is in history from the University of Washington, which is currently the #1 producer of Peace Corps volunteers in the nation.
Want to attend?
Monday, Dec. 15
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Peace Corps Speakers Series:
A Spotlight on Education Assignments in China
With Visiting Peace Corps Country Director Bonnie Thie
at REI (Flagship Store in Downtown Seattle)
222 Yale Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
The National Peace Corps Association, the independent group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, has been invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade.
RPCVs — specifically members of NPCA — are asked to read the details of what marching will entail before submitting a formal request to march. Marchers will be selected by random lottery. (The NPCA’s Peace Corps Polyglot blog warns interested RPCVs that the flags weigh in at 5 pounds, the day will be long, and the weather may be bad.)
200 RPCVs will represent Peace Corps host countries with flags during the event.
See details here! Deadline to put your name in the mix is Dec. 15.
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
The newest Idealist.org Careers podcast features an interview with my colleague Meg Busse, co-author of the Idealist.org Guide to Nonprofit Careers.
The Guide walks job seekers through all the steps of the nonprofit job search, from describing the nonprofit sector and self-assessment to developing a stellar resume and interview skills. The book is available in two versions — for the first-time job seeker, and for the sector-switcher— for free on our website.
Meg Busse is the Coordinator of High School and College Career Transitions at Idealist. Along with creating resources, she works with career professionals and guidance counselors to connect students with careers in the nonprofit sector.
I interview Meg about Chapter Four of the career guide, “Networking.” We discuss the value of building relationships to begin and sustain a nonprofit career through volunteering and through informational interviews.
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
The New Service 