by Amy Potthast

New Podcast: Volunteer, National Service, and Nonprofit Resources on the Resource Center

The newest Idealist podcast features the Resource Center.

The Resource Center, a website of the Corporation for National and Community Service, is the repository of over 8,000 nodes of training tools, publications, and effective practices to support volunteer programs, nonprofits, and people involved with the AmeriCorps family of programs. The Resource Center–free and accessible to all audience–boasts a 3,000-item lending library as well as a calendar of events of interest to national service programs and nonprofits.

The guests on The New Service podcast are Laura Norvig, the Resource Center’s librarian, and Jason Scott, the Training Officer and eLearning Specialist at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Listen to the podcast. Continue reading →

04.15.09

by Sarah Kaplan, National Service Inclusion Project

Celebrating People in Action for National Volunteer Week (April 19-25)

National Volunteer Week 2009 is April 19-25. This year’s theme is “Celebrating People in Action.” Below are three new stories of service members or volunteers with disabilities in action, “honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.”

Tiffany Hunter, AmeriCorps VISTA
People First of Nevada-Carson City Chapter, 2006-present
Quadriplegia and TBI

“The Carson City Chapter of People First [of Nevada], began with 10 people. In three years, we’ve doubled,” says Tiffany. Meeting monthly, she tracks and facilitates PFN-CC meetings and encourages those in attendance to determine the thrust of the chapter. The experience of working as a VISTA has also allowed Tiffany to increase the network of partners connected to PFN-CC. “We had a barbecue social, but we didn’thave very much money to hold the event. I looked around for donations, but wasn’t having much luck until I talked to the manager at the local grocery chain where I shop. She originally offered to donate $20, but when I went back to the store to pick up the donation, she had increased the donation to $50. With that I was able to buy everything I Continue reading →

04.06.09

by Katrina Mathis

Webchats to Help Prepare for AmeriCorps Week 2009

AmeriCorps Week organizers invite the AmeriCorps community to participate in a series of webinars to answer your questions and give you the tools to make AmeriCorps Week 2009 successful.

Participation is free, but you must register separately for each conversation and download the WebEx application (for free) in order to participate.

Each with its own theme, five “web chats” — conference calls that also involve following an online presentation — will take place at the following dates and times.

Continue reading →

04.02.09

by Sarah Kaplan, National Service Inclusion Project

Autism and Inclusive Interviewing for All

Ways that national service programs can make the interview process less chaotic for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and April is National Autism Awareness Month. Given that national service programs have members with non-apparent disabilities, including members with all forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), information and tips for including members with autism are provided below:

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities defined by significant [limitations] in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary. ASDs include autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS, including atypical autism), and Asperger syndrome.

Learn more about autism spectrum disorders.

These conditions all have some of the same symptoms, but they differ in terms of when the symptoms start, how severe they Continue reading →

04.02.09

by Amy Potthast

AmeriCorps Week 2009: May 9 to 16

If you are involved with AmeriCorps service — as a program director, current member, or alum — this is a great year to step out into your community to spotlight national service during AmeriCorps Week.

With so much national attention focused on AmeriCorps in the past year, people of all ages have heard of AmeriCorps programs and are eager to get involved. Hearing about your experiences, and getting to ask questions of you, may be the tipping point for jumping in and applying.

To help them map a path to national service, you can play a pivotal role in educating your community about the value of service.

AmeriCorps Week, coming up in mid-May, is a great time to make a presentation at a local school, chat with your faith community’s social groups, staff a table on-campus, host an event, or bring up the notion of AmeriCorps with peers during your regular volunteer projects. Remember, people of all ages participate in national service!

Other ideas for getting involved in AmeriCorps Week are on the program’s website.

You can also order the (free) AmeriCorps Presentation Kit for:

Tips on speaking to groups
Stickers, bookmarks, and posters
Facts and figures on AmeriCorps
A DVD with a PowerPoint slideshow on AmeriCorps and a video of AmeriCorps members in action

Also you can take part in an AmeriCorps Week Web Chats to help with your project planning.