Category Archives: Advice

This blog features several types of advice, such as careers and grad school.

06.05.09
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How do you encourage disclosure and create inclusive service environments?

As your service program works to become more inclusive of members all abilities, consider what you can do to create an environment where service members with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities would be comfortable disclosing their disability and requesting reasonable accommodations if needed.

Hidden or non-apparent disabilities may include physical or mental health related conditions that are not readily visible to others. This may include, but are not limited to: specific learning disabilities, diabetes, epilepsy, low vision, hard of hearing, heart disease, and chronic illness.

    It may be difficult for some service members with disabilities to decide whether or not to disclose their Continue reading →

    06.05.09
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    Evaluating the Impact of Youth Civic Engagement on Development

    Picture 8As the momentum for youth civic engagement in the US and internationally continues, the need  to evaluate and demonstrate the impact of these activities on development becomes clearer, to encourage both greater and long-term investment in youth service.

    Youth voluntary service programs exist in dozens of countries and communities around the world, and new programs and policy initiatives are currently being developed in many others, often with the help of international organizations like UNICEF, UN Volunteers/UNDP, and the International Youth Foundation. These programs engage many more young people in service while also making positive Continue reading →

    06.01.09
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    Iowa AmeriCorps Members Grow, Bond, and Reflect at the National Leadership Institute

    Team 2 tackles the low ropes courseGuest blogger is Joseph Piearson, second year AmeriCorps State of Promise Member, writes about his experiences at the Iowa National Leadership Institute.

    Last week I had the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Institute, an intensive two-day experience for AmeriCorps Members in Iowa hosted by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service .

    Upon my arrival at the Wesley Woods Retreat Center near Indianola, Iowa, AmeriCorps Members from across the state were chatting casually and settling in to the campgrounds.

    After a brief welcome to the grounds we were split into four teams comprised mostly of unacquainted members. Our first order of business: challenge games. The Wesley Woods camp staff provided four Continue reading →

    05.29.09
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    The Benefits of Collaborating with National and Local Disability Organizations and Communities

    As national service programs work to expand their networks and include individuals of all abilities, it is important to consider the benefits of partnering with disability organizations within your communities.

    The benefits of collaboration can enhance both your service program and the disability organization you partner with as you work toward mutual goals.

    By a national service program collaborating with a disability organization, benefits to national service programs include:

    • Speaking about national service at a disability-focused event, conference or job fair.
    • Having staff at a disability organization inform specific constituents about opportunities to serve Continue reading →
    05.22.09
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    Disability and Inclusion related sessions at the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service

    “The 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service, taking place June 22-24 at the Moscone Center – West in the heart of San Francisco, is the world’s largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. This year’s theme —”Civic. Energy. Generation.”— reflects the tremendous excitement in our nation today as people of all ages and backgrounds unify in a powerful movement to bring about social change.”

    Learn more about the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service and register.

    The National Service Inclusion Project will be conducting a pre-conference training, an immersion learning session and two workshops focused on disability and inclusion in national and community service at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. Information and descriptions of each session is listed below:

    Pre-Conference: Getting Buy-in: Crafting Partnerships that Fully Embrace Inclusion
    Monday, June 22: 8:00 am- 4:00 pm — Participants of all levels welcome

    People with disabilities are now, more than ever, engaged in community service or volunteering. Whether responsible for Continue reading →