 |
|
|
| AmeriCorps Update
06.02.2014
| |
| IMPORTANT DEADLINES + EVENTS
| |
| June 5, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
June 15, 2014
June 18, 2014 (Deadline Extended) Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) Nomination Deadline. See below or click here for details. June 18, 2014 Start-Up Document Deadline. For programs operating in 2015-16, Start Up requirements will come out this week with documents due to OneStar by June 18th. Stay tuned for details.
June 19, 2014 PER Processing Deadline.
June 16-18, 2014 National Conference on Volunteering & Service (Atlanta, GA). Click here for details.
June 23, 2014
Mini-Grant Deadline for 9/11 Day of Remembrance & AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary. Click here for details.
July 22-23, 2014 New AmeriCorps Staff Orientation (NASO) (Austin, TX). Click here to register. See below for details.
| |
| $500 Mini-Grants Available for AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary & 9/11 Day of Remembrance OneStar, through authorization by CNCS, has been given the opportunity to award mini-grants to AmeriCorps State programs operating in Texas who are interested in participating in September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance and AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary events and activities to be held September 11th and September 12, 2014 (respectively). Mini-grants may be requested for up to $500. However, grantees applying for mini-grants should have the ability to match them dollar-for-dollar. For example, if your organization requests $500 in grant funds, you should have $500 available to be used as match (cash or in-kind) for this purpose.
Please note: OneStar is currently working to generate enough in-kind match through the "I Want to Join AmeriCorps" PSA media campaign to cover match requirements for the entire Texas portfolio, but the amount of match generated is still unknown at this time as the PSA campaign is still in progress. Should match become available, OneStar will contact all organizations that have requested a mini-grant of the amount of match available to them and the match requirement may be waived partially or in full. You may use your mini-grant for an activity that your organization chooses to engage in alone, or you may work collaboratively to pool resources with other AmeriCorps State programs in Texas. Some ideas for utilizing funds include:
- Travel for AmeriCorps members and program staff to participate in a statewide signature event and Swearing In Ceremony in Austin (to be held the afternoon of September 12, 2014; please hold the 12-4pm Central timeframe if your program plans to attend - OneStar strongly encourages all programs to attend if possible)
- Materials or space rental for hosting a 9/11 Day of Service Project and/or 20th Anniversary event in your local community with local/regional program collaboration
- Purchasing 20th Anniversary gear for staff and members (a t-shirt template for all Texas AmeriCorps members is forthcoming)
You may learn more about these two events by visiting their websites:
| |
| 2014 Governor’s Volunteer Awards - Deadline Extended!
The deadline for nominations for the 31st annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards has been extended until Wednesday, June 18th. For over 30 years OneStar Foundation has joined the Governor in honoring some of Texas' most dedicated community volunteers at the Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards honor Texans who give their time and talents to their communities through exemplary volunteerism and community service. If you know of an outstanding individual, group or organization that truly embodies the Texas tradition of community service, we encourage you to nominate them for an award. We hope to see every Texas AmeriCorps and Senior Corps program nominate an outstanding member/volunteer!
| |
| New AmeriCorps Staff Orientation (NASO) – July 22-23 OneStar is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a New AmeriCorps Staff Orientation (NASO) on July 22-23 in Austin, TX. NASO is a one and a half day training for staff at your organization who are new to their position or new to working with your AmeriCorps program. The purpose of this training is to equip participants with basic knowledge about AmeriCorps, member management, grant management, and fiscal compliance. Visit the registration page here to view the agenda and for more information on the specific training topics. There is no cost to register for NASO, and you may use grant funds from “Travel to Commission Sponsored Meetings” to attend (lodging, mileage, etc.). Register for NASO by clicking here. The registration deadline is July 2.
| |
| Gov. Perry Urges Texans to Prepare for 2014 Hurricane Season Fact: Did you know that between 1970-2010, there has been an average of sixteen hurricanes each year? Governor Perry is urging Texans to prepare their families and homes for the 2014 Hurricane Season, which begins June 1 and runs through the end of November. "Texas has a great track record when it comes to being prepared for natural disasters, and that readiness starts with our citizens," Gov. Perry said. "I urge every Texan to get ready for hurricane season by taking a few common-sense measures to prepare their families for whatever Mother Nature might throw their way this year." To help Texans be safe in the event of a major storm, the governor is strongly encouraging families to develop an emergency plan that designates a place to go in case of evacuations, and compile a readiness kit of important supplies, including medication, non-perishable food items and water. Texans living in coastal areas who will require transportation assistance during an evacuation are urged to call 2-1-1 as soon as possible to sign up with the Transportation Assistance Registry, which allows local and state officials to better coordinate transportation needs once a disaster occurs.
| |
| Mark Your Calendar: April 7, 2015 SAVE THE DATE – CNCS has just announced that the third annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service has been scheduled for April 7, 2015! This should allow us plenty of time to beat our national record of having more than 1,760 Mayors stand up and thank AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers across the country.
| |
| National Conference on Volunteering & Service Welcome to Atlanta Celebration (SID 4978)
Experience Atlanta's good ole' southern hospitality at the "Welcome to Atlanta" Celebration brought to you by hometown favorites Chick-fil-A and The Coca-Cola Company. As a special treat for all Conference attendees, this event will give you a taste of all things Atlanta: local entertainment, the Atlanta Braves official fan club and food catered by Atlanta's own Chick-fil-A. Teacher Appreciation and Service Event and Atlanta Braves Game (SID 5035)
Or, tag along as we head to a ball game at the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field for a teacher appreciation service project. This event will be followed by dinner, and tickets to watch the Braves take on the Phillies. The choice is yours! Register for Conference to get access to these events and more opportunities to be part of the world's largest gathering of volunteer service leaders. Can't be there all three days? No problem! We've just announced special day-rates so you can get the most out of your Conference registration. - Monday only -- $175
- Tuesday only -- $200
- Wednesday only -- $125
- Monday and Wednesday -- $300
- Tuesday and Wednesday -- $375
If you plan to attend, please let your OneStar Grants Officers know so we can plan to see you in Atlanta!
| |
| Update #3 on OMB Consolidation of the Grant Management Circulars On May 22, 2014, CNCS released the following update on the OMB Super Circulars: What is the status of CNCS implementation of the consolidated grant management circulars? CNCS has created a cross-program team that includes representatives from AmeriCorps, Office of Field Liaison, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, General Counsel, the Office of Grants Management, and the Federal Financial Management Center to plan implementation. This team is working through the new guidance, focusing on pre-award; subaward; oversight, monitoring, and audits; and performance management. When do the new provisions take effect? The new provisions apply to all CNCS grants awarded on or after December 26, 2014. We will be providing additional guidance on how to start implementing key provisions following submission of our regulatory changes to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and revision of our current policies and procedures. Is training available on the revised Circular? On January 27, 2014 , the Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR) provided webcast training on the major updates to the consolidated grant management circulars. Presenters provided the public with a comprehensive overview of the guidance, insight into the COFAR’s deliberative process during the preceding two year development process, and addressed frequently asked questions. If you wish to receive notices on future training events, please fill out this form. You will receive webinar information as it becomes available.
| |
| 20th Anniversary Partnership Opportunity: AmeriCorps Alums AmeriCorps Alums invites YOU to join dozens of national organizations and state service commissions to sign on as official AmeriCorps Alums 20th Anniversary partners! The goal is to make sure all AmeriCorps alumni—including the nearly 80,000 currently serving Corps members completing their terms of service this summer—are connected to the ideas, people, and resources they need to support their commitment to a lifetime of service. Is your organization signed on? What about the place where you served or currently serve? Join organizations such as America’s Promise Alliance, Citizen Schools, City Year, FoodCorps, Habitat for Humanity, Jumpstart, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), NDMVA (Notre Dame Mission Volunteers AmeriCorps), Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Public Allies, Reading Partners, Rebuilding Together, Rochester Youth Year, ServiceNation, Teach For America, Voices for National Service, YouthBuild USA, United Way, and more!
Who’s Missing? Help build this network of individuals and organizations that are getting things done for America! For more ways to get involved, please visit our membership page and see our 20th Anniversary Partner Guide. Stay connected for more updates and ways to get involved in the upcoming Alums leadership awards and rally for 20,000 hours of service this summer!
To sign on, please see the Partner Guide on the membership page or simply email membership@americorpsalums.org with your organization’s name and logo.
| |
| Early Bird Registration Ends June 15 – Texas Nonprofit Summit 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 Fees: $185 for Greenlights members and OneStar Foundation grantees; $210 for non-members/grantees (regular rates are $235 and $280, respectively.)
Early Bird registration is available through June 15th! Special rates are also available if you plan to attend the Alliance for Nonprofit Management Conference on September 17.
| |
| Using the Segal Education Award with Global Service Corps OneStar recently received the following information from Global Service Corps regarding opportunities for AmeriCorps Alums to use their Segal Education Awards that you may wish to share with AmeriCorps members finishing their term of service with your programs: The University at Albany-SUNY Global Service Corps (UAlbany-GSC) International Program provides AmeriCorps alums the opportunity to expand their service experience abroad after serving their communities at home. This partnership has been a great success during the past year and we want to expand our outreach to include more AmeriCorps alums! The UAlbany-GSC International Program is currently enrolling AmeriCorps alums for service learning volunteering in Cambodia and Tanzania. Our service-learning projects range in length from as short as two weeks, to more intensive internships lasting six months or longer. The International Program offers many service opportunities, with popular options including: - HIV/AIDS Prevention Education
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Training
- Nutrition Education
- Orphanage Care
- Teaching English Abroad
- Public Health Education
- Buddhist Immersion/Teaching English
This collaboration between AmeriCorps and the UAlbany-GSC International Program first began over a year ago. The goal is to develop a unique opportunity for AmeriCorps alums to use their Segal Education Award for program fees, airfare, and related expenses. Participants are not required to earn credit through SUNY in order to use their educational award, but college credit is still an option for all programs. It is our hope that returning home, alums are not only enriched with memories and pride that will last a lifetime, but will be better prepared to further serve in a globalized world.
| |
| Robots. AmeriCorps. The President. At today’s White House Science Fair, President Obama announced a major expansion of STEM AmeriCorps. A new summer program will place 256 AmeriCorps VISTA members in six states who will serve 18,000 at-risk students in low-performing schools. Another new partnership with US2020 and Citizen Schools will support 25 AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in seven cities to increase STEM opportunities for girls, underrepresented minorities, and children from low-income families. These expansions build on existing partnerships with FIRST, Maker Education Initiative, Citizen Schools, Teach for America, and other organizations. Altogether, hundreds of AmeriCorps members engage tens of thousands of students in STEM learning -- building ladders of opportunity and helping our nation compete for the jobs and industries of the future. Two AmeriCorps VISTA members had a front seat for all the action: Danielle Owens (left), who serves with Maker Education Initiative in Culver City, CA; and Lauren Sadler (right), from US FIRST in Washington, D.C. After walking through the exhibits and hearing the President, they met with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (center). (They also got to meet other special guests... including this science guy!)
| |
| 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.
| |
| |
|
|
|
