More Than Just the Land of 10,000 Lakes

The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) Website has a featured discussion called “Minnesota #1 In Civic Engagement”.

After reading the discussion and going through the report myself, Minnesota and it’s citizens deserve the title. Here are some of the reasons why it does:
*A long history of civic spirit dating back to the late 1800s.

*The state has the most educated citizenry in the country.

*41.4 percent of Minnesotans said they had increased volunteering despite the economic downturn. Compare that to the national average of 27.8 percent.

*They rank first in voter turnout, with 77.8 % of those eligible voting.

*They also support initiatives for civic change.

Impressive to say the least.

However, Minnesota recognizes they need to sustain these numbers and to keep up with 21st century they came up with some ideas. One is Cultural Change from Me to We: A Campaign to Celebrate our Public Stories of Civic Life.

By publicly sharing stories through media or political figures, people can actually see and read the importance and impact of being involved.

If you’re from Minnesota or live there, how do you think people should publicly share their stories through media?

 

Introducing www.GiveMN.org

I found this great article today about Razoo.com launching GiveMN.org today. There Minnesotans can easily search for a nonprofit or fundraiser in Minnesota such as, Open Arms of Minnesota, Second Chance Animal Rescue and the Student Volunteer Foundation are just some of the many organizations found on the site.

Razoo aims to address a huge unmet need in the philanthropic space: the need for a comprehensive donor-oriented giving platform, where ordinary people can find both the inspiration to make a difference and the tools to turn that inspiration into real change. It not only provides people of Minnesota a list of organizations, but also other states. It’s one more user friendly tool to help people and organizations help each other.

 

Dance to This

What would happen if the passion of music fans around the country was connected to the needs of their communities?  Is that even possible?

In a recent Huffington Post article, Chad Stokes, a musician formerly with Dispatch and now with State Radio, and Matt Wilhelm, C0-Director of Calling All Crows, State Radio’s human rights organization, argue for a strategy to do just this.

Stokes and Wilhelm write:

Just as President Kennedy so convincingly captured the imagination of a generation and inspired our nation’s young people to join the Peace Corps in the 1960s, we need to appeal to more spokespeople across music genres and draw up a blueprint for how to best reach Americans. With an increase in AmeriCorps positions and a new Social Innovation Fund, we have the opportunity to leverage federal dollars to support music industry nonprofits to achieve their goals by empowering fans to serve.

This combination makes total sense and could be a serious force.  Music fans are as passionate as it gets.  They wait in line for hours to get tickets, camp out for music festivals, and do a variety of pretty wild things for the love of music.  If musicians start encouraging their fans — and lead by example — the millions who love music could also be turned on to deeper community activism and service.

Chad and State Radio have taken the lead on this and have rolled up their sleeves.  They don’t just throw it up on their website or promote service from behind a microphone.  They are in the communities with fans and organizations as they tour the country:

Nearly every other day while State Radio is on tour, Calling All Crows, the band’s human rights organization, coordinates pre-show service projects with local nonprofits and social service agencies. Members of the band, our crew, and area fans unite to address critical needs in each city. For instance, last week in Lawrence, Kansas, we cleaned out a storage space with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and next week we’ll kickoff the second leg of our fall tour with a beach cleanup at Long Wharf Nature Preserve with Save the Sound in New Haven, Connecticut.

We’re building sustainable, local networks of volunteers that can be mobilized through service to address communities’ most pressing challenges like hunger, homelessness, and an ever-neglected environment. Calling All Crows’ Action Leaders (super fan volunteers in each city) help to identify projects in their area, coordinate with local nonprofit partners, promote the event, recruit other volunteers, and then tell their stories of service through photos, video and blogs. The impact is tangible and the experience contagious for all involved.

State Radio is serious about this — which is what makes their efforts so powerful and such a tremendous example of combining music and service.  Matt, as a co-founder of ServeNext.org and an AmeriCorps alumnus, understands what needs to take place to make this a worthwhile experience for fans and for communities.  Chad and the rest of the band are really committed to this — they see their job as more than to entertain, but also to inspire action from those who enjoy their entertainment.

In fact, when I served with them a few months ago, it was their commitment to the community that I found most inspiring.  Now I’m a fan of their music, too.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chad-stokes-urmston/music-service-and-a-long_b_327844.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chad-stokes-urmston/music-service-and-a-long_b_327844.html

 

Great Job with New Service Organization

A friend emailed me this job opening at a new service organization he’s helping.  It’s an ambitious sounding effort with the intriguing job title of “Marketing+Movement Director.”

Here’s part of the position description:

This is a senior-level position reporting to the CEO of a newly formed foundation+movement building organization. Repair The World’s mission is: To inspire and build a movement that makes service a defining element of American Jewish life, learning, and leadership. View the logic model and organizational snapshot at www.WeRepair.org

To this end your role will be dual-pronged: responsible for all outbound communications (branding, marketing, pr, etc.) across multiple platforms to multiple target constituencies (18-24, Tween, Millenials, Gen Y, Gen X, Boomer, etc.). Your goal is to activate those populations into formal and informal movement nodes (campus, regional, web-based, etc.).

Check out the full summary and application information here.

 

Breaking: TIME’s Third Annual National Service Issue is Out!

The way that this issue covers service, active citizenship, and social change is different than might be expected.  It reflects changes in how people are solving problems and changing the world.

(The Obamas in their first sit-down interview together since the Inauguration.

Brooks Kraft / Corbis for Time)

There is certainly a great discussion about traditional, face-t0-face service with the Obamas.  And that’s critical to solving problems and building social capital.  President Obama emphasized that a couple of times, especially during tough times.  You can read the full interview here.  Here is one excerpt from President Obama:

“Now, I would argue that now is exactly the time where we need more volunteerism, not only because needs are greater, more people are hungry, more people are out of work, more people are falling through the cracks, but when I talk to young people, for example, I say to them now is the time to get experience — since you may not be able to find a job right away — get some experience doing some good for your country, and that will not only be in the interest of the people you help, but it’s going to be in your self-interest. You’ll get work experience, you’ll make contacts, you’ll network, you’ll expand your community in a way that ultimately will be good for you.”

The issue also includes a wider view of how to create social change: corporate responsibility, social change businesses, responsible consumerism, socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds, and more.   TIME’s Rick Stengel has a great article (“The Responsibility Revolution“) in this issue that elaborates on the intersection between social change and business.  Here are some excerpts:

“America has always been a great laboratory of social innovation, from Ben Franklin’s creation of the volunteer fire department and the lending library to the rise of online collectives like Wikipedia and Facebook. Usually it has been an invention, some innovation in commerce — the car, the lightbulb, the television — that has changed how we interact with one another as well as how we think of ourselves. We are again entering a period of social change as Americans are recalibrating our sense of what it means to be a citizen, not just through voting or volunteering but also through commerce: by what we buy. There is a new dimension to civic duty that is growing in America — it’s the idea that we can serve not only by spending time in our communities and classrooms but by spending more responsibly. We are starting to put our money where our ideals are.”

“Since 1995, the number of socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds, which generally avoid buying shares of companies that profit from such things as tobacco, oil or child labor, has grown from 55 to about 260. SRI funds now manage approximately 11% of all the money invested in U.S. financial markets — an estimated $2.7 trillion.”

“It’s not just big companies that are doing well by doing good. Increasingly, social entrepreneurs are starting companies rather than nonprofits, to capitalize on the power of the market to create public benefit. And some of these entrepreneurs are choosing to form “B Corporations,” a new corporate structure that requires enterprises to build into their foundation strong social and environmental standards for their operations. More than 220 companies, whose combined revenue tops $1 billion, have become B Corps since their certification began in 2007.”

Great stuff from TIME!

 

Two Great Leaders Reflect on Sen. Kennedy’s Commitment to Service

Sen. Kennedy and President Obama as the bill signing for the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, April 21, 2009

Shirley Sagawa, from sagawa/jospin and a fellow at Center for American Progress, has a great piece in yesterday’s Chronicle of Philanthropy, Legacies: Sen. Kennedy and Public Service.  Shirley, who helped create AmeriCorps in 1993, writes:

As tributes pour in about the role of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, he is being heralded for promoting national-service legislation, but little attention is focusing on the pivotal role he played in persuading liberals to back the ideas that eventually led to the creation of the AmeriCorps program. His vigorous efforts to promote the importance of public service — and to offer incentives to encourage people of all income levels to serve — will be one of his most important legacies.

John Bridgeland, who was special assistant to George W. Bush and leader organizer of ServiceNation, has a great piece in today’s Cincinnati Enquirer, Kennedy Dream Lives on in Our Volunteer Spirit.  The short personal anecdote from John about a call from the Senator is great.  He writes:

As I was riding through rural Kentucky after the Serve America Act was signed into law and he was too ill to remain in Washington, Sen. Kennedy called me and said, “John, remember my brother talked about passing a torch to a new generation. Well, we’re really blow-torching this thing!” He laughed as a man who had done so much in life that he did not fear death.

Sen. Kennedy lit a torch that gives every American the opportunity to do what he had done for nearly 50 years – serve his nation. Through the service that each of us can do, his dream lives on.

 

Survey: Volunteering Has Decreased During Recession

A New York Times article by Stephanie Strom discusses a new survey from the National Conference on Citizenship that finds less volunteering and civic activities during the economic recession.

Strom writes:

That finding undercuts anecdotal reports of volunteers’ flooding nonprofit groups as unemployment has increased and suggests the challenges faced by the Obama administration, Congress and foundations working to encourage greater volunteer service and civic participation.

“They’re not saying they’ve stopped volunteering, but they are cutting back on the time spent on volunteering and civic engagement,” said David Smith, executive director of the National Conference on Citizenship, which conducted the survey as part of a study titled America’s Civic Health Index,

The conference has produced the index for the last four years, though it has compiled similar data going back to 1975. Mr. Smith noted that the survey of 3,889 people was done in May, a low point in the economic slide.

What do you think?  If you work at a non-profit, have you seen more or less interest in volunteering over the last eight months?

 

Awesome Fellowship Opportunity at New Education Organization

SUMMER ADVANTAGE USA FELLOWS PROGRAM

Organizational Overview: One of the most effective tools to improve student achievement – summer learning – is currently one of the most underutilized. Summer learning, not be confused with summer school, provides children with a rich array of academics and enrichment (i.e., art, music, drama, physical fitness, and community service); connects children with experienced educators and caring adult mentors; and engages parents more deeply in the education of their children.

By engaging all children in quality summer learning programs, we can increase children’s state test scores, improve high school graduation rates, reduce risky behavior, and most importantly, ensure all children receive a well-rounded, high quality education.

Summer Advantage USA will bring high quality summer learning programs to children throughout the country using a business model focused on sustainability and growth. Team members must demonstrate a passion for the mission of the organization, a truly entrepreneurial spirit, and a significant record of success in specific functional areas.

Summer Advantage USA Leadership: Summer Advantage USA was selected from over 800 applicants to be a member of the inaugural cohort of the Mind Trust Education Entrepreneur Fellowship. Summer Advantage USA’s founder, Earl Martin Phalen, was honored by President Clinton with the President’s Service Award for his work as founder and CEO of the BELL Foundation (Building Educated Leaders for Life), which has served more than 15,000 scholars in 75 public and charter school sites. Earl is also a three-time recipient of Fast Company’s Social Capitalist Awards, a Mind Trust Fellowship recipient, and an Ashoka Fellow.

Fellowship Program: Summer Advantage USA is excited to unveil its Fellowship program. This cohort of pro-bono, part-time (up to 10-15 hours per week) curious, hard-working, dedicated graduate students will help develop one of the five Summer Advantage USA key project areas. This select group of Fellows will also gain experience in valuable skills such as strategic management, grant writing and stakeholder engagement strategies. Members of the cohort will work remotely while on a unified front.

A Summer Advantage USA cohort member should encompass the following characteristics and values:

• Deep commitment to and passion for the education of children
• High level of self-confidence and enthusiasm
• Ability to work and be productive with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
• Strong problem solving skills
• Exemplary project management skills and ability to produce under tight deadlines
• Exceptional work ethic and follow-through on all assignments

Individuals or pre-established teams may submit an application. University contacts, specifically interested in pro-bono consulting, are critical for the success of the cohort. There will be regularly scheduled conference calls to report progress and to connect with cohort members nationwide. Cohort Team Lead positions are also available.

Responsibilities per area vary depending on subject matter.

5 Summer Advantage USA Key Project Areas:

1. Educational and Professional Development: Summer Advantage USA seeks to help develop a training institute for franchise owners and other site leaders. Cohort member tasks include:

- Review best franchise training programs (i.e., McDonald University)

- Review best practices of entrepreneur/social entrepreneur programs in the country (Ashoka as partner)

- Study training programs of Teach for America, KIPP, Public Allies and others

- Identify elements and content for the social entrepreneur training programs

2. Foundation Involvement: Summer Advantage USA continues to build philanthropic networks. Cohort member tasks include:

- Research Foundations with a potential interest in Summer Advantage

- Strategize ways to build partnerships with Foundations

- Grant writing

3. Human Capital: The longevity of Summer Advantage USA is dependent upon strong human capital. Cohort member tasks include:

- Recruitment plan for teachers and other critical staff for summer programs

- Retainment strategy for teachers previously trained

- Recruit Summer Advantage USA volunteers to serve as tutors, mentors, and guest speakers in support of the program and its students

4. Government Relations/Public Policy: Awareness of all policies and pertinent issues is critical for Summer Advantage USA to continue to be on the forefront of summer learning policy. Cohort member tasks include:

- Weekly news updates

- Develop funding streams

- Establish a relationship with AmeriCorps

- Determine possible work-study arrangements with local institutions

5. Growth Development: It is imperative to foster a strong relationship with the communities and schools that Summer Advantage USA serves. Cohort member tasks include:

- Support and improve scholar outreach strategy

- Refine new site development criteria

- Evaluate and improve the school district contract development process

- Stakeholder engagement process

Application Process:

Deadline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are due

- September 1 (fall semester)

- September 20^th (full academic year)

Email the following to outreach@summeradvantage.org

(1) Short essay: Please submit a 250 word essay describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the success of Summer Advantage USA’s mission to provide quality summer learning programs for children.

(2) Resume and references: Please submit a resume and 2 references.

(3) Areas of Interest: Please rank 1-5 key project areas that you are most interested in (1 being most desirable).

(__) Educational and Professional Development

(__) Foundation Involvement

(__) Human Capital

(__) Government Relations/Public Policy

(__) Growth Development

 

Another Story of Michael Vick’s Comeback

I have been following Michael Vick’s comeback into the NFL a bit and began to think about one aspect of it after reading Rich Harwood’s blog post about how and if to forgive him.

So far there seem to be two dominant stories: the reaction of the animal community and his return to football.  However, there is one additional storyline that is critical to keep an eye on: the impact of a mentor.

In this case it’s Tony Dungy — a successful coach and one of the most thoughtful people in all of sports who works with inmates and youth.  His role is getting some attention, but largely because of who he is; it’s doubtful Vick’s mentor would have been on the 60 Minutes segment had he not been famous.

While Vick should do everything and more that the Humane Society and animal groups ask of him, he should also promote mentoring and the different organizations who facilitate that around the country.  If he successfully grows from this experience as a person (not just a football player), the role of mentors will have certainly played a big part.  He will understand and appreciate them compared to the time when he lacked such guidance as a youngster who was first exposed to dog fighting at the age of eight.  The public will better understand the role of mentors – and better yet, more folks will volunteers as mentors/tutors – if Vick is intentional about promoting this as part of his comeback narrative.

Many AmeriCorps organizations excel at this; research about the dropout crisis with about one million students giving up on school each year talks about the need for more instruction time and adult support, which mentors and tutors can provide.

Vick, Dungy, and the NFL should be active in promoting this too.

 

Forbes.com: Get Paid To Be A Do-Gooder

Group of AmeriCorps members. Picture credit: Florida State Parks - www.floridastateparks.org.

Susan Adams from Forbes.com wrote a lengthy article about the booming interest in social purpose jobs.  It’s a great overview, but I take one issue with it.

Adams covers opportunities ranging from AmeriCorps to microfinance, from philanthropic foundations to cause-marketing — all great stuff.  However, she writes in the first sentence:

Want a job making the world a better place, earning a salary at the kind of work people usually do for nothing?

The last part of the sentence is often a misconception about AmeriCorps — that what the program does could be accomplished through unpaid volunteers.  False!  Political opponents often use this as a reason to vote against it, though many of them have come around realizing that AmeriCorps members are so valuable because they are working consistently (part-time and full-time), are more accountable, and many are trained to manage unpaid volunteers, thus, leveraging an even greater impact at minimal cost.

Unpaid volunteers do incredible work everyday and many volunteer regularly to really make an impact with a child or a project (like helping to rebuild homes after Katrina).  But our social challenges are immense and solving them requires people willing to commit a year or two (or more) of full-time service and that requires a paycheck.

A full-time AmeriCorps member serves 1,700 hours in a year.  That many hours enables corps members to spend significant time — while getting the proper training, getting to know a community, etc. — working to solve America’s most chronic social issues.  That type of commitment and impact is not something many can afford to “doing for nothing”