National Volunteer Week in Virginia

Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed April 18-24 as Volunteer Week in Virginia. This coincides with National Volunteer Week, an initiative of the Points of Light Institute. As a prelude to the recognition week, the Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards will be held April 15, in Richmond. Awards will be given to individuals and organizations who have exemplified extraordinary volunteer service. The theme for National Volunteer Week is "Celebrating People in Action," honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities. Nationally, there will be several recognition events celebrating leaders in the field of service. Read the Governor's proclamation [PDF - 804kb].

What Are You Doing for AmeriCorps Week?

AmeriCorps members, alumni, project staff, friends, and supporters will participate in AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15. The goal is to bring more Americans into service, salute members and alumni, and thank the partners who make AmeriCorps possible. On May 14, the Richmond Flying Squirrels will hold "AmeriCorps Night" at the Diamond as they square off against the Altoona Curve. If you're in Central Virginia please join us. For more information about AmeriCorps in Virginia, visit http://www.vaservice.org/. Get more tools and ideas for your recognition activities at www.americorpsweek.org.

AmeriCorps NCCC Accepting Concept Papers for Team Placement

Each year, AmeriCorps NCCC engages teams of members in projects in communities across the United States. Service projects, which typically last from six to eight weeks, address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.

Sponsoring organizations request the assistance of AmeriCorps NCCC teams by submitting a concept paper that includes: a description of the organization; outline of the work to be done; and dates that the organization will house the team. Upon successful review by Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) staff, you will be invited to submit a project application. Concept papers for Round 1 of AmeriCorps NCCC Class 17 are due April 15. Members will report to the sponsoring organizations in September. Review the RFP [PDF - 222kb] and learn more about the program and application requirements [PDF - 445kb].

Global Youth Service Day Resources

Global Youth Service Day events are planned for April 23-25. The event, sponsored by Youth Service America, is the largest service event in the world with millions of youth volunteering in projects worldwide. Youth Service Day is designed to foster a life-long path of service and civic engagement. The event is also designed to educate the public, the media, and elected officials about the role of youth as community leaders. Youth are urged to tutor young children, engage in disaster relief, register new voters, educate their communities about good nutrition, distribute HIV/AIDS prevention materials, and meet many more community needs through their service. Get a complete list of Global Youth Service Day resources and learn about events in Virginia.

Earth Day's 40th Anniversary

Forty years ago, a small group of dedicated citizens decided to take action to make their local communities cleaner, healthier places, and Earth Day was born. Since then, countless Americans have made a positive impact and now, President Obama is calling on all of us to pitch in. On April 22, take the President's call to action - join your neighbors as people come together to plant trees, clean up a local river or many other Earth Day activities. Find an Earth Day service opportunity at Serve.gov.

Notes from the Field: Virginia AmeriCorps

• CNCS is asking for your help to identify strong AmeriCorps program examples and service stories that will be used for speeches, interviews, and web content starting with the one-year anniversary of the Serve America Act. CNCS wants to use real-life examples from our programs. Stories are a powerful way to demonstrate what's possible, reveal common values, and move others to action. Learn more.
• AmeriCorps has announced a new way to access the online materials you use the most to get things done. AmeriCorps Connect is designed to serve as your one-stop shop for items that can be difficult to locate because they are housed on multiple web sites. Visit the site.

Nonprofit Resources

• Know an awesome 50+ volunteer? Nominate him or her for the Andrus Awards for Community Service - AARP
• 2010 National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards call for submissions - FEMA
  
• Nonprofit Capacity Building Program NOFA: Applications due Apr 27 - CNCS
  
• Boomer Webinar Recap: Creating Positions, Networking, and Cultivation | Engaging Volunteers - VolunteerMatch
  
• Nominate someone you know to be a CNN Hero
• World of Children Annual Awards Program
• Tips for engaging Volunteers in your marketing efforts
• All American High School Service Team Award - PARADE magazine
• PEPNet College Guide lists schools that provide services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Registration is open for 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service
• Free ebook download: It's 2010, do you know where your online donations are? - Network for Good
• New estimate for value of volunteer time - Independent Sector
  

In the News

• Environmental Group Promotes State Stewardship - NBC29
• Check out takepride.gov - a partnership that promotes the appreciation/stewardship of our public lands.
• Volunteering may increase retirees' lifespan: Study - Reuters
• Volunteer management hot topic: "You Get What You Pay For" - Energize, Inc.
• US And EU Pledge $9.9 Billion To Rebuild Haiti After Earthquake - HuffPost Impact
• Corporate donors more confident about economy and giving - The Chronicle of Philanthropy
• National Service Agency Announces Funding to Expand, Retain Volunteers to Tackle National Problems - CNCS
• Why volunteering is so important to Gen Y & your company's ROI - GoodieRecruit
• Boomers Seeking Personalized Volunteering - U.S. News & World Report
• Dr. Jill Biden shares her top priority: service - Ladies' Home Journal