9/11 Day of Service Webinar Series from HandsOn

Are you considering holding a service event for the 9/11 National Day of Service?  The HandsOn Network is offering a webinar series to support just that.  They'll have one webinar at 2 pm Eastern (that's 11 am our time) each day for the week next week, July 18 - 22.

Will your service with VIP end before 9/11?  That's alright!  You could take notes from any of the webinars that interest you and work with a staff at your organization to start planning a service project for this new Day of Service.  It's a great way to build the infrastructure for your organization to carry out service projects for this day in the future!

CalPoly VIP Fellows Recognized for AmeriCorps Week

Cal Poly VIP Fellows with the SLO County Board of Supervisors

Story by VIP Fellow Ryan Santillan

May featured National AmeriCorps Week, and Cal Poly participated in one promotional, two recognition, and two community service events.  As the coordinator of this week, I found the entire week to be rewarding in multiple ways.  Aside from the positive impact we continued to make in the community, the most rewarding part of this week was the proclaimed appreciation we received as an entire Corps, along with California Conservation Corps, by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. 

Tuesday morning of that week, our entire Corps attended the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting where we were presented with a colorful, signed Proclamation by the Board recognizing not only our service to the community, but also the fact that May 15-21 is officially AmeriCorps Week for San Luis Obispo County.  Broadcasted on local television and radio stations, and receiving a standing ovation from the Board themselves and community members who attended, this was a great honor that I was proud to be a part of!

This year, especially for me, has been a trying year in the sense that my fellow Corps members and I put so much effort, passion, and dedication into our service that we sometimes don’t get recognized for it. While the occasional “great job!” and “thank you” comments are always appreciated, words can only offer so much.  This is why the other Lead VIPs and myself try to host actual recognition/appreciation events for our Corps members, because actions further prove one’s said appreciation of another.  So to be actually presented a tangible award, recognized in the media, and given an amazing standing ovation by the powerful men in charge of our county, it rid any amount of stress or negative emotion that we have ever experienced up until that moment.  It was at that meeting where I believe we were never more proud to be AmeriCorps members serving in San Luis Obispo County.     

Connecting Volunteers and Paid Staff

Good morning!

Connecting volunteers with paid staff is often a difficult task, but it is an important part of creating a sustainable volunteer program at any organization.  Check out this short blog from HandsOn about connecting volunteers and staff to get a few ideas of how to make it happen.

"It's our moral obligation"

Happy Friday!  As we head into Independence Day weekend, let's reflect on our great country and the spirit of service that makes us who we are.  In AmeriCorps, we've dedicated our year to get things done for America, and let's celebrate the great things we and our volunteers are doing for our neighbors and our communities.

Here is a great encouragement and challenge that reflects the dedication to service we all feel.  It comes from Karen, a featured volunteer with Twin Lakes Church and United Way through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz:

"I'm always looking for opportunities in the community, it's a fantastic way to reach out areas you might not know as well. There are so many avenues for volunteering, whether it's an opportunity to work directly with someone or to work behind the scenes. United Way provides a tremendous chance to plug into the community with your skill set. We all have a moral obligation to help people who are in need. We've all had tough times in our lives and appreciate the people who have worked to alleviate those troubles. Now we have a chance to turn around and help someone else. " 

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We'd also like to give a big THANK YOU to the few VIP Fellows whose term of service with AmeriCorps ended yesterday.  Thank you for your passion, your time, and skills in building great volunteer programs this year.  Best of luck in all that you do, and we hope you spend Monday celebrating this great place and the great things you've done for it this year.