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| AmeriCorps Update
07.28.2014
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| IMPORTANT DEADLINES + EVENTS
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| July 31, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
August 1, 2014 AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary Photos, Alum Stories, and Logos Due! See below and click here for details.
August 5, 2014
August 13, 2014 Social Media for Nonprofit Conference (Austin, TX). See below or click here for details.
August 14, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
September 1, 2014 Labor Day (Holiday). OneStar Office will be closed.
September 11, 2014
September 12, 2014 AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary & Texas Statewide Swearing-In Event (Austin, TX). See below for details.
September 18-19, 2014
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| Important Updates: AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary / OneStar 10th Anniversary Thank you for your support over the years. OneStar requests the pleasure of your company on September 12, 2014 as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary as Texas' state service commission and the 20th Anniversary of AmeriCorps. This momentous occasion will bring together like-minded individuals from across the state of Texas to witness the largest AmeriCorps swearing-in and recognition ceremony in Texas history. If you attend, you'll also have the opportunity to network with nonprofit leaders, elected officials, champions of service, and hundreds of AmeriCorps members and alumni who are dedicating their lives to serving others. Please note: OneStar was notified by CNCS today that the anniversary event time has changed. The ceremony will now take place on the morning of September 12th, from 9:30-11:30am, in order to align with the nationwide Swearing In livestream event. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and will be providing updated electronic invitations and detailed RSVP information in the coming week.
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| Need your Photos / Logos / Alum stories by Friday 8/1! To help keep you up to date on 20th Anniversary event progress, OneStar has created a special edition newsletter for all current AmeriCorps Texas grantees with information specific to you regarding the 10|20 Anniversary. Gabriella Medina, OneStar’s Strategic Communications Specialist, will be your point of contact for all things 10|20 Anniversary. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions and share with her what you have planned for Friday, September 12, 2014. Below is some important information for AmeriCorps*Texas programs regarding t-shirts, photos, stories of service, and program area events.
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| Event T-shirts As you know, OneStar is currently designing event t-shirts for all AmeriCorps Texas members to wear to the event in September. Our designer will add each programs’ logo to the back of the shirt, therefore she needs your logo in a high resolution file. Please see details below about appropriate file types and submission directions. T-shirt ordering directions will be sent out in the future (see timeline below). - File Types: Original logo files are best (i.e. Illustrator or Photoshop). NEXT BEST are EPS, TIFF, or PNG files and the file size is 1MB or larger. LAST RESORT are files saved a JPEG or PNG file size between 500 KB-1MB. Anything smaller will be difficult to trace, then print.
- File Submission: Send all logos to gabriella@onestarfoundation.org with the subject line “T-shirt Logo [Program Name].” Logo submission deadline is Friday, August 1st!
Photos Photos Photos OneStar is also collecting archival photos of AmeriCorps members and alums in Texas for the 20th Anniversary event. The photos will be submitted to the corporation by OneStar through the proper channels. See below for example photos, photo use by OneStar, and submission directions. - Example Photos: Please have AmeriCorps gear on or the AC logo somewhere in the photo. We would love group photos of all the members or on-site photos of AC members in action. If you can, please scan older photos if you were a grantee many years ago. We desperately need photos circa 2009 or earlier.
- Photo Use: OneStar plans to use these photos at the anniversary event, share via social media, and submit to CNCS who is also gathering photos for their records. We would love if you shared your photos over social media by using the #TBT (throwback Thursday) and #americorps20 hashtags. This will allow for the corporation to see them AND if you tag @onestarfdn we will retweet you and/or share via Facebook.
- Submission Directions: Time leading up to and to create a spectacular event OneStar wants to highlight AmeriCorps Texas members, staff, and alumni at the highest quality. To do that please submit photos (JPEG or PNG) at the highest resolution. Since high resolution phots are large file sizes, the best thing to do is put all photos into a folder then compress the folder on your computer. Email the compressed/zipped folder to americorps@onestarfoundation.org and copy americorps20@cns.gov ASAP with the subject line “[Program Name] Photos”. The deadline to submit photos won’t be until later in August, but the earlier you send them the easier it will be to shuffle through them and pick quality photos for social media and event purposes.
- FYI: By submitting your photos you are agree to rights of use and have gained proper permissions from all parties photographed. Also note that submitting your photos does not guarantee it will be used.
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| Share your Stories! OneStar has been supporting AmeriCorps Alums in their effort to recruit Alums from AmeriCorps Texas programs, but we need your help! AmeriCorps Alums has built a new micro-site , twenty.americorpsalums.org, which asks individuals to share their stories as an AmeriCorps member, pledge 20 hours of service in honor of the 20th Anniversary, and join the AmeriCorps Alums national network. We highly encourage you to pass along this website link to all AC alums you know and get them to share their stories. The deadline to submit your Alumni stories (whether your own or nominating someone else for their story of service) is Friday, August 1, 2014 so please hurry! If you have Alums on staff, please consider taking a group photo and submit it as well! By submitting your story through this website, you are nominating yourself or a friend for a leadership award on behalf of the AmeriCorps Alums organization. Another awesome thing about this micro-site is that OneStar will be given all data after submissions are finalized. The stories and photos you share to AC Alums will be given to us and we hope to highlight some amazing AmeriCorps Texas alumni at our anniversary event in September in Austin, TX. This information will also be helpful in finding a STAR ALUMNI to be a spokesperson at our event. Please visit the site and click on the “Submit your story now” button to see what they are looking for in the nomination process. OneStar would LOVE for every program to submit AT LEAST one person for the award and to possibly be a spokesperson. This may be an alum from 5 years ago or someone who is finishing their service this year! Planning your own Anniversary Event? If you are planning your own anniversary event in your city/region, please email me at gabriella@onestarfoundation.org with a list of all grantees/programs involved, event details and the contact information for your communications coordinator. OneStar expects all AmeriCorps programs to align related marketing/PR messaging with our state and national PR campaign efforts and will be providing Press Release and related templates for your local use. This nationwide celebration is an important time for AmeriCorps to inform the U.S. how exactly AmeriCorps is the leader in National Service and as a statewide celebration, gives us the opportunity to share with Texas exactly how OneStar operates as the Texas state service commission. Please contact Gabriella Medina before any press release or other media announcements are made to ensure all messaging concerning AmeriCorps and OneStar is correct. Thank you for your participation and help in making this a superb event. We look forward to showcasing your amazing programs! Let us know if you have questions.
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| President Announces New AmeriCorps Partnerships to Expand Opportunities for Youth WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of his My Brother’s Keeper initiative, the President has announced new AmeriCorps partnerships with federal agencies and the private sector to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and job skills to help them reach their full potential. The announcement altogether represents a total of $24 million in investments in national service. The Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Agriculture (USDA) are joining with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to launch new AmeriCorps programs and partnerships which total up to $14 million over three years. Private-sector commitments from AT&T and Citi Foundation will support additional AmeriCorps service opportunities that provide young people skills and supports to successfully enter the workforce. These new commitments support the My Brother’s Keeper initiative by increasing entry-level job, mentorship and apprenticeship options for all young people, including boys and young men of color. They also advance the goals of the President’s Task Force on Expanding National Service, which calls for new public-private partnerships that use national service to help solve our nation’s most pressing challenges. “As a nation, there is much more we can do to help our young people stay on track and reach their full potential in life,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “AmeriCorps is a proven pathway to opportunity that provides skills, leadership, and college support for young people. We are thrilled to join with our federal and corporate partners to launch new AmeriCorps programs that will put hundreds of young people on a path to success in school and life.”
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| Scholarships Available - Social Media for Nonprofits Conference in Austin, TX Join us for the Social Media for Nonprofits (#SM4NP) Conference coming to Austin, TX, on August 13, 2014 at Austin Community College's East View Campus. The SM4NP conference is a day of learning, networking and connecting. Register now to secure your space. SM4NP is excited to partner again and co-produce this conference again with the Center for Community Based & Nonprofit Organizations at the Austin Community College. OneStar is proud to offer a limited number of SM4NP scholarships. Scholarships are available to nonprofit organizations with valid 501c(3) or fiscal sponsorship status only. A strong preference is given to organizations with budget of $500,000 or less.
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| Disability Visibility Project records stories for 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) July 2014—A community partnership with StoryCorps, the Disability Visibility Project is a year-long grassroots campaign encouraging people with disabilities to record their stories in celebration of the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2015. In partnership with Disability Visibility Project, StoryCorps in San Francisco will give residents the opportunity to record and archive their unique and powerful stories at StoryCorps’ recording studio in the San Francisco Public Library. “The ADA was a landmark civil rights law that prohibited discrimination based on disability and provided equal opportunity for millions to participate in society. As the anniversary of the ADA approaches on July 26th, we are taking this opportunity to remember and reflect as a community on the tremendous changes we’ve experienced so far,” says Alice Wong, Project Coordinator. StoryCorps interviews are conducted between two people who know and care about each other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process. At the end of each 40-minute recording session, participants receive a copy of their interview. With their permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Participants are encouraged to make reservations online with StoryCorps and mention the Disability Visibility Project in the “NOTES” section of the online form so their story will be tagged for this project. Check the StoryCorps’ website for more information on how to participate: https://storycorps.org/reservations/ The Disability Visibility Project has partnered with over 20 individuals and disability organizations and continues to seek new media partners to help with outreach to all diverse groups within the disability community. “At the Disability Visibility Project, we believe all people are historic figures with stories that are worth sharing and preserving,” says Wong. “The history of people with disabilities rarely makes it in textbooks so our project’s slogan is simple: ‘Recording disability history, one story at a time.’”
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| G-489 - Management of Spontaneous Volunteers in Disasters
OneStar is pleased to announce that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) will be offering two upcoming G-489 certification courses on “Management of Spontaneous Volunteers in Times of Disaster”: This one-day course aims to introduce the keys to success in managing large numbers of spontaneous volunteers in disasters. Its underlying assumption is that much of the volunteer help is indeed needed, and that with basic Emergency Management coordination skills, the volunteer resources can often be put to effective use, making a positive difference in the affected community. The course will discuss the benefits spontaneous volunteers can bring to relief efforts and the challenges they may bring if not coordinated effectively. In addition, the course will examine planning considerations regarding spontaneous volunteers. Special emphasis is also placed on how to make full use of a Volunteer Reception Center—the backbone of any well-organized spontaneous volunteer management program.
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| Call Recording Available If you missed the Monthly Grantee Informal Peer Call on July 17th, the call recording is now available on our Grantee Resources Library and by clicking here. This month’s call topic was “Open Forum: Planning Your 20th Anniversary and 9/11 Day of Service Events.” The call included several updates from OneStar regarding the 20th Anniversary on September 12th and provided an Open Forum for all programs to discuss the following questions and topics: - Examples of how OneStar and AmeriCorps Texas programs are planning to honor the 9/11 Day of Service and/or AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary
- How to maximize your $500 Mini-Grant
- How to engage local media, elected officials, Alums, and other partners
- How to leverage social and traditional media to increase visibility of your efforts
- Trouble-shooting and logistics
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Feedback Requested – NASO + Inclusion Training Participants Thank you to all AmeriCorps Texas program staff who joined us for last week’s New AmeriCorps Staff Orientation (NASO) and Advanced Disability Inclusion Training! It was a great week full of learning, sharing best practices, and getting ramped up for the start of the 2014-15 program year! If you attended one or both of these trainings, we ask you to take a few minutes to complete the following brief surveys so we can improve our training and technical assistance in the future:
Thank you for your feedback and commitment to helping us continuous improve our services!
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| AmeriCorps Alums: July Professional Development Opportunity In conjunction with AmeriCorps Alums, we are proud to announce an upcoming professional development opportunity for AmeriCorps members and Alums to further their Life After AmeriCorps: Thursday, July 31st, 2014, 12PM-1PM EDT (11AM-12PM CENTRAL) - Careers in Disaster Management and Relief: Many AmeriCorps Alums have created careers in Disaster Relief and/or Disaster Management, and many more will enter this field as a career choice. Join us for our July monthly professional development webinar as we explore disaster management careers. We'll convene an all-star panel of AmeriCorps Alums with experience in disaster management and disaster relief. Panelists will share tips and knowledge on a career in disaster management. Please submit any panelists questions you might have in advance to Greg Heinrich at greg@americorpsalums.org. Space is limited so confirm your spot today by registering here.
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| Job Openings – Breakthrough Austin Breakthrough Austin, an AmeriCorps Texas program, is currently hiring for the following positions: - Director of Operations
- Operations Associate
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| Job Opening – United Way of El Paso County: AmeriCorps Parents As Teachers (PAT) Program Director The United Way of El Paso County is hiring for a new Parents As Teachers (PAT) AmeriCorps Program Director.
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| Apply to Serve on YSA’s Global Youth Council Be a global youth service leader! YSA's Youth Council application is now open.
Members ages 14-22 will provide ideas and substantial feedback to improve YSA's programs, develop resources to increase youth involvement in service, and act as YSA ambassadors on an international scale. Apply now! The application deadline is August 15; preference will be given to those who apply early.
Learn more and apply now at www.YSA.org/youthcouncil.
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| NGMA Grants Training in Austin – August 5th OneStar is excited to announce that we are partnering with the National Grants Management Association (NGMA), along with sponsors Abila and Deloitte, to hold a grant management training and networking opportunity on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 from 10am - 6pm at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. This FREE training is for NGMA members and non-members and we encourage you to share this invite with other grant professionals in your community. Come prepared to learn about federal grants management and grant life cycles, building data infrastructure, and NGMA as well as to network with other grant professionals in your area! LIMITED SEATING - REGISTRATION REQUIRED To register, please contact Amy Starchville in NGMA's Business Office at amy@ngma.org or (202) 308-9443. Registration is required and is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you register and are unable to attend, please cancel your registration with Amy as seating is limited. View the agenda and details for this event here.
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| Texas Nonprofit Summit: Collective Action for Impact!
Whether it’s the exceptional keynote speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities, or the unique sessions full of ideas and resources, the 2014 Texas Nonprofit Summit has so much to offer! When: September 18-19, 2014
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| Social Innovation Fund “Pay for Success” Grants Available The competition will provide $11.2 million in grants to help cities, states and nonprofits develop Pay for Success projects, where governments pay service providers only when there are demonstrated results. CNCS is specifically providing grants for intermediary organizations to help determine feasibility, build capacity, or structure Pay for Success transactions. Applicants are encouraged to send a letter of intent by July 15 and applications are due by July 31, 2014 at 5 p.m. EST. Visit this website to learn more about Pay For Success and please help spread the word about this opportunity!
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| Grandpa Cole: Southeast Texas Foster Grandparents Program This week’s spotlight is on the Southeast Texas Foster Grandparents Program and longtime Foster Grandparent volunteer Oscar Cole, who is affectionately called “Grandpa” by his students. For more than two decades, Cole has mentored children at Boys’ Haven of America: a nonprofit organization and residential program that supports abused and neglected children. Now the organization is returning the favor by naming a new section of its complex after him. Congratulations and thank you for your service, Grandpa Cole!
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| Civic Reflection Training Services Request Form OneStar is pleased to periodically offer Civic Reflection training services to grantees, national service programs, and eligible organizations throughout the state of Texas. The two types of services offered are Civic Reflection Discussions and Civic Reflection Facilitation Workshops. Civic reflection uses short, thought-provoking images, video or readings from literature, history, or philosophy to open up important questions in civic life and explore the underlying values and beliefs that drive our shared work in the world. AmeriCorps programs have utilized the practice of civic reflection as a tool in such areas as member development, staff development, and member retention.
Reasonable Accommodation Request Form OneStar may have funding available to support grantees with reasonable accommodation requests for members and/or potential members. If you need to request funds to provide a reasonable accommodation for a member or potential member, please complete the request form at http://www.tfaforms.com/167676.
Updating Program Contact Information If during the year, you have any changes, additions, or deletions to your program’s contacts, please update your program’s Authorized Representative Form (ARF) by visiting http://www.tfaforms.com/159770. This site allows you to add, remove, and/or update contacts at any time and you only need to enter the contact information for the person(s) you need to update. As a reminder, OneStar requires the following roles to be designated and corresponding contact information to be on file: - Legal Authorized Signatory
- Primary Program Contact
- Primary Fiscal Contact
- Secondary Contacts (Primary or Fiscal) – as applicable
Please note that it is a grantee requirement to update this form within 10 working days of a change in your program’s key personnel assigned to your AmeriCorps project.
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