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Out of the Ordinary Volunteer Opportunities
Technology Wiz
(Wicomico County)
Share your passion for science with youth at the Wicomico County's 4-H club.
Musical Volunteer
(Washington County)
Showcase your musical talents at the Williamsport Retirement Village!
(Anne Arundel County)
Volunteer Families (18+) are needed to host visiting actors and directors that need a place to stay while working at the Bay Theatre Company.
Garden Guilder
(St. Mary's County)
The Sotterley Garden Guild needs your green thumb to keep their gardens beautiful.
Clothing Consultant
(Howard County)
Volunteers needed for Success In Style in Savage Mill to meet with clients, provide interview/dress coaching tips, and help clients select business attire for job interviews.
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With the cool weather approaching and leaves changing colors, the transition into autumn has arrived! We here at the GOSV are also transitioning as we begin a new planning process this fall. To kick off the process, we are asking Maryland residents to share their voices through a brief survey; their voices will help shape the Maryland State Service Plan and guide the GOSV's activities through 2015. The survey can be found by clicking here.
The GOSV has also transitioned into a new AmeriCorps grant cycle. The 2013 national competitive cycle was launched in September with the release of the 2013 concept paper instructions. Organizations interested in becoming an AmeriCorps program are invited to apply. The deadline for this year's competitive concept paper is October 5, 2012.
Not sure you'll make the deadline for this funding opportunity? Don't worry! There is still time to participate in our 2013 formula funding cycle, which begins in the spring. To find out more about our funding opportunities, sign up for our free monthly AmeriCorps funding webinars. The next webinar is on October 10, from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Sign up today!
In Service,
The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism
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SPOTLIGHT ON: Montgomery County's Community Service Day
This month, join thousands of Montgomery County residents in making a difference during the 26th Annual Community Service Day! The Montgomery County Community Service Day, which falls on October 27, will be celebrated by volunteer opportunities throughout the week of October 22-28. Volunteer opportunities include removing invasive non-native plants at McCrillis Gardens, leading arts and crafts at the Glen Echo Park's Fall Frolic, and helping revitalize the Quebec Terrace YMCA Community Center.
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SERVICE IN ACTION: Shawnice Jackson, AmeriCorps Alumna
Shawnice Jackson, an AmeriCorps alumna, works as a Customer Relations Specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake (BBBSGC). The following story is about her experience as an AmeriCorps member with Public Allies.
Shawnice Jackson, a 24 year old native of east Baltimore, says that her personal life exposed her to poverty. She was born drug-addicted to two under-educated teen parents, who both passed away when she was very young. "Losing my father to street violence at age two and my mother to HIV/AIDS at age seven, I was forced to grow up quickly."
Shawnice's dissatisfaction with experiences from her own life, as well as with the conditions other African American community members faced, caused her to seek out an opportunity to serve. She found that opportunity with Public Allies Maryland, an AmeriCorps program whose mission is to advance new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits, and civic participation.
Learn what Shawnice accomplished at her service site by reading the full article at GOSV.Maryland.gov/stories.html.
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| Insights for Grant Seekers
Whether you're looking to apply for an AmeriCorps State federal grant, or just looking for tips from experienced grant reviewers, the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism can help! The GOSV office reviews about 60 grant applications each year; and the grants awarded range in size from $25,000 to $500,000. From that vantage point, our grant reviewers offer the following advice for grant seekers:
Start with the national connection.
All grant applications start with the same question: what is the community problem that this grant will help solve? The best grant applications provide a national (or even international) connection to their community problem.
Make a local connection.
The next step is to demonstrate how the proposed project or activity will make a difference here in Maryland. Strong grant applications will demonstrate that the organization has a clear plan for implementing the proposed activities as well as the resources and expertise to be successful.
Include a personal connection.
Finally, the strongest grant applications will include at least one personal story - one example of how a specific Marylander will benefit from the proposed project or activities.
Get more advice by reading the full Insights for Grant Seekers article on our website!
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