The Cross-Stream Connector

Michigan's Cross-Stream E-newsletter
November 2010
 
In This Issue
Communication Corner: Tools to Share Your Great Work
Collaboration Cafe: Efforts in Grand Rapids
Talking about Training & Technical Assistance
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Outreach Outlook
Providing the tools you need to educate
others about national service.

Inform and Educate: Gaining Support for National Service Programs (Part II)
Outreach

Walk Before You Run

This article is part two of three of an "Inform and Educate" series. You can view Part One by clicking here.


  1. Know Your Power - One of the biggest obstacles to advocating for national service programs is the belief the system has all the power. Sooner or later, you may face the feeling that you are powerless. It's time to adopt a different outlook! Feeling powerless is mostly self-imposed. Most systems - the American political system for example - are open to participation and reforming. People of all kinds have access and can make a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of people around them.
  2. Stand in a Policy Maker's Shoes - Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to be perpetually optimistic while at the same time, realistic. If you want to be clever about how you educate policy makers, spend time learning about what matters to them, how they view issues, and which win-win situations will suit everyone's interests.
  3. Do Your Homework - Experienced educators gather pertinent "intelligence" about their issues and the policy makers who have the authority to address them. You must study the policy making process and operational styles of the groups you need to influence, focusing especially on how they get and use information. Policy makers, like everyone, are inundated with too much information so you must be thoughtful about your communication strategies.
  4. Keep It Real - People closest to the service itself are often its most powerful champions. Effective educators include them in meetings with policy makers. They may showcase their service for policy makers visiting your program. Telling policy makers about your program can create interest, but showing them a well-run, impactful program in action is much more likely to win their support.
  5. Invest in Relationships and Build Trust - You are far more likely to get a hearing from a policy maker if they already know you, have a favorable impression of you, and/or have received a positive recommendation from an aide or colleague. Policy makers listen to those they trust. Trust is your best strategic asset.
  6. Use Smart Communication Strategies - Make sure that every time you communicate with a policy maker you are sending clear, compelling, and consistent information

Look for Part Three in our January 2011 issue - Who Do You Need to Influence?


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Communication Corner
Offering you the latest in cross-stream
news and resources.

Tools to Share Your Great Work
Communicate

National service programs are accomplishing great things in communities across the state of Michigan. Volunteers and service recipients witness the value of these efforts every day, but what about the general public? Or key stakeholders? Or legislators? That's why it's important to share these successes through media and promotional tools. 

Whether sending out something on a daily, monthly, or quarterly basis, it is important to incorporate communication activities into your work plans. Check out a breakdown of the categories of resources below to determine which might work best for you and your organization.

Media Tools

  • Press Releases - distribute these when you have general news to share, such as an upcoming service project, an announcement of funding received, a request for volunteers, etc.
  • Media Advisories - utilize this tool to formally invite media outlets to a particular event or activity you feel is newsworthy. Typically these should be distributed at least one to two weeks prior to the event's date.
  • Letters to the Editor - encourage your organization's board members or executive director to submit a letter to your local newspaper in response to a particular article that may talk about national service and volunteerism. Use it to provide readers with a solution or additional information related to the topic it addresses.
  • Op-Eds - share information around a particular topic (without being prompted) by using this tool. It is run in print media just as a column typically is.

Promotional Tools

  • Email Listservs/Emails - develop electronic lists with the email addresses of all your volunteers, board members, community partners, and other key constituents to share the latest announcements, news, and opportunities affecting your organization. Use email messages to invite them to events, help you recruit volunteers, seek out resources, or provide updates. If possible, send your emails out on a regular basis (either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) so people can look forward to seeing an item from you in their inbox!
  • Newsletters (either paper or electronic) - create a monthly or bi-monthly report of your organization's latest activities. Whether you distribute a printed version via mail or electronically via email, a newsletter can keep people apprised of your efforts and accomplishments. It can feature similar items to what would be included in the email option listed above.
  • Social Media - consider launching a Facebook Fan Page or Twitter feed about your national service program or organization. You can utilize these online tools to consistently share quick, fun messages related to news within your organization. Please note these tools sometimes require more time and energy than the previously mentioned tools. They should be kept up-to-date with fresh information to ensure your audiences return to check up on them.

As you incorporate cross-stream elements into your national service program's activities, be conscious of your communication efforts. When working with another national service program in your community or region, ensure you are in agreement about the messages you will be sharing via your communication tools. You don't want to have conflicting messages being distributed by different programs that cause public confusion.

 

These are just a few of the many communication tools you can utilize to share your great work! If you'd like to find out more, or would like to brainstorm some options for your organization, feel free to contact Elyse V. Walter (Communication Specialist at the Michigan Community Service Commission) at (517) 241-0063 or [email protected].

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National Learn & Serve Challenge
Learn & Serve Challenge

The 4th Annual National Learn & Serve Challenge kicked off on October 18 in an effort to encourage young people to transform the world through national and community service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service joined with the National Service-Learning Partnership and a coalition of more than 100 national service-learning leaders, educators, and community advocates to kick-off the effort. The Challenge is a year-long and looks to expand opportunities for youth to serve and promote service-learning. Schools, youth leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community groups were asked to "Accept the Challenge" - which includes increasing the number of service-learning opportunities, raising awareness of and support for service-learning, and encouraging youth civic engagement.

Can you help support the 4th Annual National Learn & Serve Challenge? Visit www.learnandservechallenge.org to discover how you can get involved!


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Collaboration Cafe
Showcasing cross-stream partnerships in Michigan.

Cross-Stream Efforts in Grand Rapids
Written By: Matthew Reaume, former Michigan Community Service Commission Cross-Stream AmeriCorps*VISTA

Beginning this past July, several Kent County AmeriCorps programs came together to establish an ongoing collaboration among the various local national service programs.  The purpose? To facilitate a collaborative with the desire of pooling resources.

Those who participated in the initial meeting agreed the lack of inter-program involvement could be defined as a failure to take advantage of a natural opportunity that would benefit all parties involved.  Additional meetings soon followed, which included several AmeriCorps members in addition to program staff. Leading the charge were Ashley Batenburg and Lyza Ingraham, both AmeriCorps members from different programs serving at Bethany Christian Services of Grand Rapids. In mid-August, the collaborative expanded to include representatives from all streams of national service including local Learn and Serve grantees, Senior Corps programs, and key community leaders. 

 

As their first joint effort, the collaborative began organizing a cross-stream service project for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. The event involved a clean-up and revitalization project for the Martin Luther King Park. Specific activities included a trash pick-up, weeding, and removing graffiti. The team also provided service to the Baxter neighborhood, helping organize and update a community center that provides after-school programs for children and youth.  Moving forward, the Grand Rapids collaborative will be coordinating another cross-stream event for the 2011 Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service in January.

 

Stay tuned for future issues of The Connector to learn more about collaborative efforts taking place throughout the state of Michigan!

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Talking about Training
& Technical Assistance
The latest opportunities to strengthen
national service programs.

2010 Team Up Michigan! Recap
2010 Team Up Michigan!

More than 160 national service program staff from AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, and Senior Corps joined together on October 12th and 13th in Detroit for Team Up Michigan! Charting the Course for National Service. This two-day cross-stream conference offered a variety of professional development workshops, extensive networking opportunities, and time to learn about critical issues facing Michigan and the national service community. This event was jointly sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) - Michigan State Office and the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC).  


Keynote Speakers

The 2010 Team Up Michigan! conference featured four keynote speakers who set the tone for collaboration and challenged participants to be leaders in the service movement. They included:

 

         Patrick Corvington - CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
Mr. Corvington discussed the value of Michigan's national service community, stressing the importance of cross-stream collaboration when tackling challenging issues. He also emphasized the need to demonstrate impact through evaluation, data, and outcomes. Click here to watch Part One of Mr. Corvington's remarks, click here to watch Part Two.

 

         Alex Ritzema - Motivational Humorist

Mr. Ritzema talked about the art of "CollaborAction" and led participants through interactive exercises that allow groups to build on strengths and generate synergy. These included the "Yes, and..." activity, which can be used to develop collaborative ideas. 

 

         Steve Culbertson - President & CEO of Youth Service America
Mr. Culbertson discussed the impact young people can have on our communities at this particular moment - as opposed to a later date in the future. His inspiring words got the crowd thinking about how national service programs can prepare to engage youth, starting at the age of five.

 

         Duncan Wyeth - Executive Director of the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns

Mr. Wyeth helped participants celebrate inclusion and realize the benefits of engaging people with disabilities in service. His personal experience with advocating for disability issues allowed him to share his expertise and motivate others to view inclusion from a different perspective.


Individual Stream Meetings

Following the breakfast plenary on October 13th, the different streams of service convened separately to focus on stream-specific training and individual program updates. The groups came back together at lunch for the Celebration of Inclusion and conference closing.


Professional Development Opportunities

The MCSC's ultimate goal is to establish Michigan as the state that best exemplifies the unique role national service can play in building a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. Developing strong program staff is essential to this goal.

Team Up Michigan! offered a variety of dynamic workshops, including:

 

         Making the Case for National Service

         Anatomy of a High Performing Advisory Board

         Waiting for National Service: Defining Our Role in Supporting Education

         Battling Burnout: The Art of Good Fire Management

         Three is a Crowd: Accommodating Large Numbers of Volunteers for Projects and Events

         Greening National Service

         Working Effectively With All "Types" of People on Your Organizational Team

         What You Need to Know About Days of Service

         Improving Your "Node-Itude"

         CollaborAction

 

Each of these workshops offered participants the opportunity to gain critical knowledge necessary for success in their respective programs.


Cross-stream Collaboration & Networking

Team Up Michigan! provided a venue for programs to exchange ideas and establish new partnerships with programs focusing on similar issue areas or serving in the same community. During the session titled All Hands On Deck! Exploring New Collaborative Opportunities, participants were strategically seated by region at tables with staff from other streams of national service. Each table focused on service as a solution to current pressing community issues, identifying strategies for effective collaboration.

 

Additional networking opportunities included the teambuilding Treasure Hunt and Deck Party Networking Reception. Both of these activities energized the crowd and served as a way for participants to get to know one another.

 

Thank You!
A big "thank you" to the 2010 Team Up Michigan! Charting the Course for National Service planning committee:

Evan Albert, Karen Betley, Sonja A. Dean, Julia DeGuise, Doug Durand, Tara Gilman, Nichole Greene, Judy Huynh, Paula Kaiser VanDam, Theresa Kerry, Rachel Klegon, Kevin Murphy, Courtney Myers-Keaton, Jane Ray, Matthew Reaume, Angelia Salas, Megan Sargent, Virginia Skrzyniarz, Uneil Smith, Jeanine Yard, Elyse Walter, and Mary ZumBrunnen.


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Funding Opportunities

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (Deadline: November 17, 2010)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has $5,000,000 available to fund Community Food Projects. Community Food Projects should be designed to (1): meet the food needs of low-income people; increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; and/or (2) meet specific state, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for infrastructure improvement and development; planning for long-term solutions; or the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers. For more information, visit:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=56947  

 

Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program (Deadline: November 18, 2010)
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has funds available to support Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs. These programs aim to reduce the incidence of homelessness in communities by assisting homeless individuals and families move to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Continuum of Cares that sustain current successful interventions and advance HUD's national goals will be scored higher. For more information, visit:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=58097  

 

Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration - YouthBuild Grants (Deadline: December 3, 2010)
The Employment and Training Administration announces the availability of up to approximately $130 million in grant funds for YouthBuild Grants. Grant funds will be used to provide disadvantaged youth with the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities. As part of their program, YouthBuild grantees will tap the energies and talents of disadvantaged youth to increase the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and low-income families and to help youth develop the leadership, learning, and high-demand occupational skills needed to succeed in today's global economy. For more information, visit:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=58275  

 

The Eisner Prize (Deadline: January 31, 2011)

The Eisner Foundation is soliciting nominations of individuals and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate excellence in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their communities. Nonprofit organizations may self-nominate; individual candidates must be nominated by an individual or another group. Five finalists will be awarded $5,000 in cash. After an in-person interview with The Eisner Foundation staff and board, a winner will be selected in the summer of 2011, presented with $100,000, and honored at a celebration. To nominate your group or an individual for The Eisner Prize, please click here.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens: Environmental Excellence Awards (Deadline: December 10, 2010)

The 2011 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of students and teachers across the country who are working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. This is an awards program, not a grant; project applicants should be able to demonstrate significant accomplishments prior to the submission deadline. The maximum award is $10,000 to the winning project; all-expenses-paid trip for three students and one adult leader to a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park for a special awards event; 100 T-shirts to share with school and community partners; award trophy; and participation certificate for the project leader. All schools (grades K-12) in the United States; community-based projects such as those managed and operated by community service organizations, public recreation centers, 4-H clubs, and other public, nonprofit groups working to protect the environment at the grass-roots level are eligible to apply. Visit http://www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htm for more information.

 

WaysToHelp.org Grants (Deadline: Ongoing)

WaysToHelp.org invites teens in the U.S. to apply for grants to fund their community service ideas across any one of 16 issue areas. Applications are short - just 5,000 words or less - and should summarize the following: how the project will involve others, who it will help, what effect it's expected to have, when it will start, and how the funds will be used. Grant requests are reviewed and responded to on a monthly basis. Visit www.waystohelp.org for more information.

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What is Cross-Stream? 
Cross-stream refers to the three national service initiatives within the Corporation for National and Community Service: AmeriCorps (State, National, VISTA, and NCCC), Learn and Serve, and Senior Corps (RSVP, Senior Companions, and Foster Grandparents). The Cross-Stream Advisory Team was created to enhance and strengthen Michigan's national service efforts and is comprised of program staff representing each stream of service. Key activities of the Advisory Team include planning the bi-annual Team Up Michigan! conference, hosting informative trainings, developing communication materials, and producing the bi-monthly Cross-Stream Connector e-newsletter.

For additional information on Michigan's cross-stream efforts, contact Megan Sargent at [email protected] or (517) 241-3494.