tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45872624601365108552024-03-14T04:49:47.092-07:00V365 - A year-long volunteering adventureWhat would life feel like and what could I accomplish in the community if I really focus on volunteering for a year? Let's find out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-16769158393425616212009-07-07T15:04:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:07:48.749-07:00Inauguration DetailsLong overdue!<br />__________<br /><br />Hello Friends and Family!<br /><br />This email finds me in an airport on my way back from the Inauguration to Portland. <br /><br />13 years ago I was lucky enough to be accepted into AmeriCorps. I spent 2 years in service through a program called Volunteer Maryland which trained me to be a volunteer coordinator. This experience changed my life. It gave me a job... sure, but it was much more. The greatest take away's from the experience were the knowledge that a band of community members can really "get things done" and that folks who are involved with AmeriCorps are some of the most special, talented people in the world... friends for life and partners in service. <br /><br />Yesterday, we took the world stage by participating in the Inaugural parade honoring Barack Obama. Spending the day with 150 of these passionate service leaders connected to AmeriCorps was enough inspiration to last all of 2009! Walking past the presidential viewing booth mere feet from the Obama's? I wish time could have stood still! I think I strained a muscle waving so hard. It's not because I am confident that they can fix what ails the country, but I am excited because they see the potential in all of us to band together, like AmeriCorps, and GET THINGS DONE! <br /><br />My commitment to national service keeps me inspired every day, and yesterday was a day I will never forget!<br /><br />I took 412 pictures. Here are a few... http://www.flickr.com/photos/egilliland/sets/72157612838555784/<br /><br />If you missed it my talented brother-in-law, Jerome, has created a video so we can't forget!<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYP3ASQDtsE<br />Everyone should have a television producer in the family! (Thanks, Jerome!)<br /><br />In Service,<br />EmilyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-87012544663939189382009-01-11T18:14:00.001-08:002009-01-11T18:15:40.700-08:00Headed to the Inauguration!One of my resolutions in 2009 is to be more involved in the political process. I guess going to the Inauguration is a good place to start!<br /><br />Next Tuesday, January 20th, my husband and I will be amongst 150 AmeriCorps Alums walking in the Inaugural Parade.<br /><br />Details to come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-67472950309335269732008-10-18T09:20:00.000-07:002008-10-18T09:56:46.033-07:00Is it really October?The last couple of months have included volunteering in New York City on September 11th, volunteering lots with AmeriCorps Alums, and volunteering on a TeamWorks team on cycling with Hands On Portland!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New York City on September 11th</span><br />I had the honor of participating in an event called the Service Nation Summit on September 11th-13th in New York City. The event included a forum on service with both Presidential candidates the evening of September 11th and then a day of summit-ing on both the 12th and 13th. At the summit I heard Queen Noor of Jordan, Jeffrey Sachs, Jon Bon Jovi, Senator Chris Dodd, First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Orrin Hatch, Mayor Bloomberg, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keyes, and lots of other leaders talk about the importance of service. It was very inspiring!<br /><br />To watch the candidates...<br />McCain... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjO055AChs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjO055AChs</a>.<br />Obama... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1yPFwtF5M4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1yPFwtF5M4</a><br /><br />To learn more about Service Nation and sign your declaration of service.<br /><a href="http://www.bethechangeinc.org/servicenation">http://www.bethechangeinc.org/servicenation</a><br /><br />As part of the summit Orrin Hatch announced a new national service bill that he and Senator Kennedy developed. It is thrilling to see national service on both candidate's agendas and to see such wonderful support from Congress for its expansion!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.handsonportland.org/">Hands On Portland</a> Team Works</span><br />One great program that happens at many Hands On organizations is something called Team Works. It is an opportunity to link together a few different service projects all around one theme. I have been participating in a Team Works team all on cycling the last month. We have assembled safety kits for the Portland police to distribute to cyclists who don't have lights on their bikes, we have helped with a celebration for Bike to Work month, and tomorrow we will be at the <a href="http://www.communitycyclingcenter.org/">Community Cycling Center</a>, which is a great local biking organization. The great benefit of this format is that one can start to see how different organizations work together or how to address community needs with the new knowledge one gains from different approaches to the same need.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.americorpsalums.org">AmeriCorps Alums</a></span><br />Things are going well with Alums. Locally we hosted a great focus group on the future of Alums and mobilized to encourage Gordon Smith to co-sponsor the Kennedy Hatch Bill that I mentioned above. We now have a reputation with Smith's office as being "aggressive!" Ha! Nationally we have developed our three year strategic plan, chosen an amazing new group of Leadership Council members, and have our fall retreat in a little over a week.<br /><br />TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS as of 10/18/08: 241.25 in 253 days. I am 12 hours behind my one hour per day goal... but I'll catch up!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-21578843553646088682008-08-19T21:39:00.001-07:002008-08-19T21:40:47.384-07:00Vancouver Olympics Volunteering<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVN2HfFoUwnnEhN-LKHnpc7I4AHp2gBCVpMClv8ITl4lUrUGrXeg8Qmahq1XWsaQV1A8Ew0wWGWpNy6Qoe0J42FyIPBAnA3VQ9VO1ADwTbEgZfnixr7W1HGyrTCUvijPI0E62ce1EuYjo/s1600-h/header_logo.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVN2HfFoUwnnEhN-LKHnpc7I4AHp2gBCVpMClv8ITl4lUrUGrXeg8Qmahq1XWsaQV1A8Ew0wWGWpNy6Qoe0J42FyIPBAnA3VQ9VO1ADwTbEgZfnixr7W1HGyrTCUvijPI0E62ce1EuYjo/s400/header_logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236455005519237378" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/Participation/VolunteerOpportunities">Here</a> is information on being a volunteer in Vancouver for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-53665047914589908862008-08-19T21:35:00.000-07:002008-08-19T21:37:55.968-07:00Olympics VolunteersHow many volunteers do you think it takes to put on an Olympics?<br /><br />10,000?<br />100,000?<br /><br />Try 1,700,000!<br /><br />Here is more information from the Beijing Olympics website...<br /><a href="http://en.beijing2008.cn/volunteers/news/n214527376.shtml">http://en.beijing2008.cn/volunteers/news/n214527376.shtml</a><br /><br />I am thinking about being a volunteer in London. Anyone want to join? I bet you get a great t-shirt and maybe a coke every now and then!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-65353112205312288282008-08-09T11:42:00.000-07:002008-08-09T12:12:23.708-07:00New Volunteering ResearchI have admitted previously that I love volunteering research. There is some exciting new stuff out that shows city trends, too!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/">here</a> for all the great information!<br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of 8/9/08: 212.75<br />6 months in... an average of 35 hours a month... a little over an hour a day! <br /><br />Today I thinking being a volunteer at the Olympics must be an amazing opportunity! Maybe in Vancouver in two years?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-17700800197161701942008-08-09T11:37:00.000-07:002008-08-09T11:42:56.286-07:00Let's get it started... again.I had a friend send an email as the "Blog Police" asking what happened to the blog. I appreciated the nudge. After the May 20th entry, I set a standard I couldn't keep up. Volunteering with a former president? How do I follow that?<br /><br />Well, I got myself psyched out. Sometimes I find it scary to volunteer. I will admit it. One Saturday I was signed up to volunteer at an organization that I LOVE... this was the first time I had a chance to volunteer with them and I was so excited they called me. But, as the opportunity got closer, I started to get nervous. I thought to myself "I won't know anyone there." "What if I can't do the work?" "What if I hate it?" I did the unthinkable... I didn't show.<br /><br />I was a <strong>NO SHOW</strong>!<br /><br />I am embarrassed to say it.<br /><br />But, the reality is... volunteering can be scary. A new locale. A new group of people. A new skill. AAAHHH!<br /><br />It's not always easy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-5448190844131146622008-05-20T15:03:00.001-07:002008-12-10T02:53:09.555-08:00It's Primary Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIIuS_Rvw27n34d2f-STC7STIA4F51ToRa4cdDBRh8AAFT4ri_CTIXem-BHO-9vTqem5kz5aLVy5vTx4sby_FSyfqCcYlrirEunZHRsAgVIEWUCxOWIdEJfdkn5pG85IC623Nzc5TMXHp/s1600-h/Saturday+Volunteering"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIIuS_Rvw27n34d2f-STC7STIA4F51ToRa4cdDBRh8AAFT4ri_CTIXem-BHO-9vTqem5kz5aLVy5vTx4sby_FSyfqCcYlrirEunZHRsAgVIEWUCxOWIdEJfdkn5pG85IC623Nzc5TMXHp/s400/Saturday+Volunteering" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202587719008083842" /></a>Hello Friends!<br /><br />Today is May 20th and if you haven't heard, it's Primary Day in Oregon. If you are in town, then you know it is hard not to trip over a candidate (or a former President!) On Sunday, I had the pleasure of volunteering with Bill and Chelsea Clinton at the I Have A Dream Foundation in Portland. I have to say, just knowing that the Hillary campaign wanted to volunteer in our community made me happy. I think service is important and so do they... <a href="http://www.katu.com/news/19056734.html?video=YHI&t=a">here are his comments </a>.<br /><br />I wanted to participate in the project because Bill Clinton was the President who signed the National Service Bill establishing him as the "Father of AmeriCorps". I was in AmeriCorps when Bill (now I can call him that because we are tight!) was President. When he walked up and shook my hand, the only thing I could say was, "we are all current or former AmeriCorps Members and we thank you for the experience." I think he said "Yea, I gathered that." There you have it... my first encounter with a President!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVsiGdeReD2nf4woE-uxKQpzmnjaS_2Dde5cd_lLj_3YU2mT_Nv4ypGckIY4TR-gedW9uSZo4FWpMJA2wFwxmxoHtxh0mL0sM8Dt33p0F_JbtctfLfD72xR3hGItuUtuakIC-hATp9vnK/s1600-h/2508993189_a5bde0ca41_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVsiGdeReD2nf4woE-uxKQpzmnjaS_2Dde5cd_lLj_3YU2mT_Nv4ypGckIY4TR-gedW9uSZo4FWpMJA2wFwxmxoHtxh0mL0sM8Dt33p0F_JbtctfLfD72xR3hGItuUtuakIC-hATp9vnK/s400/2508993189_a5bde0ca41_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202587959526252434" /></a> I am glad that Bill didn't ask who I was voting for or what I had planned that afternoon, because from there I went to the Obama rally in Portland. Over 75,000 Portlanders turned out to hear Obama speak. Now if we could just get him to volunteer!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-19088849239279065902008-05-11T19:05:00.000-07:002008-05-11T20:14:56.235-07:00Cares Day is my favorite day.<a href="http://www.handsonportland.org/AboutUs/index.php/Special_Events_CaresDay_%2008.html">Hands On Greater Portland's Cares Day</a> is one of my favorite days of the whole year. I told a few people that I like Cares Day better than my birthday and was greeted with some confusion. I mean it… I LOVE Cares Day.<br /><br />SO… Cares Day is a big day of service put on by <a href="http://www.handsonportland.org">Hands On Greater Portland</a>. This year there were 13 or so sites and somewhere around 1,300 volunteers spread to those sites. I was a Site Captain at <a href="http://www.orecity.k12.or.us/schools/mt_pleasant">Mt. Pleasant Elementary School</a> in Oregon City. In a matter of hours, about 60 employees from <a href="http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/inthecommunity/volunteer/comcastcaresday.html">Comcast</a> painted the gym, painted a computer lab, spread truckloads of mulch over the grounds, and spread bark chips over the playground. The transformation was amazing. I love it when people come together and are focused on making a difference. I will post pictures when I get them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-57621282701901634192008-05-11T18:34:00.000-07:002008-05-11T19:03:56.021-07:00Where’d she go?Not far! It’s been a busy couple of weeks! Work has taken over as of late, but the volunteering is still a goin’… I just haven’t had much time to write. The last couple of weeks have included all of my regular favorites.<br /><br />A few highlights…<br />- <a href="http://www.handsonportland.org/AboutUs/index.php/Special_Events_CaresDay_%2008.html">Hands On Greater Portland CARES Day </a>(more on that in a minute!)<br />- Tabling for <a href="http://www.handsonportland.org">Hands On Greater Portland</a>. It is so fun to talk about Hands On. <br />- <a href="http://www.getsmartoregon.org/">SMART reading</a>. This most recent week I worked with a kindergartner who did cartwheels down the hall on the way to the SMART room. Next week is the last week before summer break. <br />- <a href="http://www.ohcc.org/aka/akamain.htm">AKA Science </a>– weeks 3 and 4 included discussion of earthquakes and tornadoes. Now when I ask what causes certain types of weather… the answer tends to be “the combination of hot and cold air.” We continue to start each class with running or walking around the school to expend energy. I joined them in a race one week.. I don’t think they knew what to think when they found out I can actually run as fast as they can. <br />- <a href="http://www.americorpsalums.org/">AmeriCorps Alums </a>Leadership Council – we are gearing up for a national conference on volunteering in Atlanta at the end of the month. We have talked about wearing superhero capes to stand out in the conference of 4-5,000 attendees. Whatever it takes to stand out.<br />- <a href="http://www.oregonvolunteers.org/">Oregon Commission on Service</a> meeting – Friday’s meeting was in Albany, OR. 4 new Commissioners add great energy to the mix. <br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of 5/11/08: 115.75<br />3 months into the adventure.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-6127524986653211652008-04-28T08:32:00.000-07:002008-04-28T08:45:57.944-07:00Week 2 of science funAfter I discovered the students in the science class had unbridled energy when class started at 3:15pm, this week we started with going outside and researching clouds. Part of the research was to run really, really fast while taking notice of the different kinds of clouds in the sky (while also paying attention to large obstacles on the playground). After running around for a bit, we went inside and got to the business of learning about thunderstorms (which rarely happen in Oregon... some of the students had never heard thunder!)<br /><br />This week they made Leyden jars to create static electricity and chewed up wintergreen lifesavers in the dark observing little flashes of light as the sugar molecules got broken up. Science IS fun.<br /><br />Things are still going well with my <a href="http://www.getsmartoregon.org/">SMART</a> reading... every Tuesday for an hour I read with a 1st grader then a 2nd grader. I am getting quite up to date on hip kids' books. <br /><br />The school put on Annie last week. One of the students I read with was "orphan in the 2nd row, third from the left." When I asked her what her favorite Annie song was, she started singing "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" and broke into dance as we walked down the hall. I can't imagine a better way to spend a Tuesday afternoon!<br /><br />TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS AS OF 4/26/08: 93 hoursUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-11268140787987910582008-04-28T08:27:00.000-07:002008-04-28T08:30:09.691-07:00Do you wear earrings sometimes?Do you wear earrings sometimes? Are you married? Do you have a daughter named Olivia? Do you have a son?<br /><br />And so begins my stint as an after school science instructor!<br /><br />I can’t say that anyone has ever asked me about my earring wearing habits within moments of meeting me. Even before the “what’s your name” part. I guess that is where a 3rd grader’s mind lives… good to know.<br /><br />Week 1 (which was two weeks ago! I am behind in my writing… I've had some crazy work weeks!) included talking about weather disasters. One boy student likes to whip out whatever science lingo he has when I ask a question. I asked “what is the coldest recorded temperature?” He answered, “are you talking about Earth or another planet?” I said “good question… Earth.” He then said, “I think it is negative 122.72 degrees Fahrenheit.” I am not sure I knew Fahrenheit in 3rd grade, but maybe I did. I appreciate his use of decimals and multi-syllabic words whenever he gets the chance.<br /><br />Of course the other three students are throwing things at each other… seeing which can scream louder… and “racing” each other whenever we are walking from one place to another. There is no order in this court. <br /><br />Here are the class rules (developed mostly by the students):<br />• No torturing the class animals<br />• Don’t be reckless<br />• Have fun (that one was mine)<br />• No yelling (I think that one was mine, too)<br />• No farting (not one of my rules, but I do appreciate it.)<br /><br />And we are off on a science adventure!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-67387703713502948422008-04-14T09:52:00.000-07:002008-04-14T09:55:32.385-07:00What does it all mean?This week has a few of the usual suspects and one new endeavor. I read at SMART on Tuesday, worked with our local AmeriCorps Alums chapter, and went to an orientation at Fernwood Elementary/Middle for a new Monday activity; teaching science in an after-school program through AKA Science. <br /><br />I spent Saturday at the University of Oregon at their student leadership conference. I presented a workshop called “Civic Engagement a.k.a. how to be a superhero in your community.” There were 25 or so college students in the room and I decided to utilize their experiences in a focus group discussion about community involvement. <br /><br />We watched a video about the 4 college freshman in NC who changed the world by having a seat at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in February of 1960. Within 1 month 54 cities had similar sit in’s. Those 4 young men made a difference.<br /><br />The U of O students worked through a couple of scenarios where they were called on to react to theoretical situations on campus: a dorm fire and a campus policy change on recycling. The students had great short-term and long-term actions for the scenarios. Then we talked about one’s responsibility in the community. It is easier to react when something hits you, but if we were to talk about the every day things students do… what does it mean to be a “citizen”? In Ancient Greece, an idiot was the opposite of a “citizen” or someone involved in community.<br /><br />The students discussed the idea of volunteering and whether that should be a part of citizenship. Some thought a requirement was good… others thought is should be by choice and related to one’s interest. They mostly agreed that being informed was an important component of being a citizen. This led to a discussion on voting and whether that was an important component of citizenship. The students thought that voting without information was useless and should therefore be a neutral indicator of citizenship. Do you agree?<br /><br /><strong>By the way…</strong> if you are in Oregon, please make sure you are registered with a party so that you can vote in our primary on May 20th. If you are an independent, then you cannot vote for a major party candidate. Your vote matters! Please register by April 21st. More information on registering to vote is <a href="http://www.oregonvotes.org/votreg/vreg.htm">here</a>! <br /><br /><br /><strong>Total Volunteer Hours as of April 13th:</strong> 87.5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-9251793494002997562008-04-06T13:09:00.000-07:002008-04-06T13:36:14.723-07:00Cirque: 2008 Annual Art Evening and Auction<a href="http://www.cascadeaids.org/page.php?id=80">The state of HIV/AIDS in Oregon</a>… about 4,500 individuals are living with HIV/AIDS in the state. <br /><br />The mission of the <a href="http://www.cascadeaids.org/index.php">Cascade AIDS Project</a> is to lead efforts to prevent new HIV infections, care for people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, educate communities to eliminate stigma and shame, combating the pandemic. I encourage you to watch the short video on their <a href="http://www.cascadeaids.org/index.php">website</a> for more information about their work. <br /><br />The <a href="http://cap.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=258033">Art Evening and Auction </a>is CAPs largest fundraising event during the year. It is an evening that combines silent and live auctions of art along with amazing food and entertainment. CAP gathers over 300 pieces of donated art for this event! In this its 29th year, it attracted 700 people as attendees! <br /><br />Our volunteer job (my fella, his dad, and I) was to carry the art on stage for the live auction. A team of us carried twenty pieces up and across the stage as the auctioneer yelled out prices faster than we could walk. All in all the art all sold and we didn’t drop anything. <br /><br />The results… We learned about HIV/AIDS in our state and the work of CAP. We witnessed an amazing event and now our feet are tired from standing on concrete. Not sure that we had a major impact on others, but I think the three of us were affected in our own ways. We might think a little differently about HIV/AIDS in our community, we might talk about it to others we encounter, and as we look for other opportunities to get involved, this just might be an organization we want to support again. <br /><br /><strong>Volunteer Hours as of 4/6/08: 84</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-81006341787094593712008-04-06T12:46:00.000-07:002008-04-06T13:07:35.863-07:00Did April start like a lion or lamb?The first week of April was a busy one! I reconnected with my <a href="http://www.getsmartoregon.org/">SMART</a> students after they had a week off for Spring Break. They had energy before, but after a week off? WOW! <br /><br />Wednesday evening I double booked the evening with volunteer trainings. First I stopped in at the <a href="http://www.cascadeaids.org/index.php">Cascade AIDS Project </a>for a volunteer training for their big Art Auction that my husband, his father, and I participated in last night. Then, I headed to North Portland to a training with <a href="http://www.ohcc.org/aka/akamain.htm">AKA Science</a>. I will soon be a volunteer science teacher in an after-school program for 3rd and 4th graders. <br /><br />Thursday, I spent the day with a volunteer team from <a href="http://www.wk.com/#">Wieden + Kennedy</a>. W+K have produced some of the most amazing communication campaigns for Nike, Starbucks, and many other common name companies. As part of their Founder’s Day, 300 employees dispersed to 10 or so projects around the city organized by <a href="http://www.handsonportland.org">Hands On Greater Portland</a>. I lead the project at <a href="http://www.multnomahartscenter.org/">Multnonmah Arts Center </a>with 25 or so folks from W+K. MAC is a great organization that offers community-based arts education. The W+K folks painted a stage, organized costumes, cleaned windows, and worked in a children’s art room. Everyone got along beautifully. There was plenty of work to do. Folks felt like they accomplished a lot in their few hours and then they were all greeted with beer as they got back on the bus to go home. I like the way they work! <br /><br />Lion or lamb? Not sure but there was a whole lot of volunteerin’ goin’ on. <br /><br /><strong>Hours as of 4/4/08: 79</strong><br />2 months gone and I am volunteering an average of darn near 10 hours a week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-26075499159609890172008-04-06T12:41:00.000-07:002008-04-06T12:46:50.465-07:00Alums Meet in DenverAs I mentioned early on, I sit on a couple of boards. One that I work with is the Leadership Council of <a href="http://www.americorpsalums.org">AmeriCorps Alums</a>. It is not a typical board with fiduciary responsibilities because AmeriCorps Alums lives inside of a larger organization, <a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org">Hands On Network</a>. The organization has been a stand alone 501( c )3 in the past, but it couldn’t find sustainable footing so now it is housed in a larger organization. Probably more information than you care to know… but I think it is important to look at the sustainability of the nonprofit sector as it grows to provide services and organizing of our communities.<br /><br />The last weekend in March I traveled to Denver for a meeting of our Leadership Council. I was on this body a few years ago and stepped off for a year and now I am back. It has been interesting to watch this organization grow. I am very excited about where we stand and where we are headed. AmeriCorps has now graduated 500,000 some odd AmeriCorps Members into the community. That is 500,000 Alums that we have as our constituency. There is an African proverb that say something about “when spiderwebs unite, they can tie up a lion…” this is one big spider web!<br /><br />So in the last 3.5 years, AmeriCorps Alums has established nearly 200 chapters across the country, created a strong advocacy committee to address national service legislation, and is on its way to a strong governance structure that consults on its strategy and sustainability.<br /><br />We have infrastructure... We have a great mission... we are on our way!<br /><br /><strong>Hours as of 3/29/08: 71.5</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-49620317273025938562008-03-26T13:20:00.000-07:002008-03-26T13:31:06.628-07:00Immersion in communityThis past weekend, my husband and I participated in a short “homeless immersion” activity in Portland through Hands On Greater Portland. Typically this activity is an overnight excursion where someone stays outside overnight, has limited or no money, and has a series of activities they must complete like finding a loaf of bread without paying for it, finding out the process to get a single room occupancy in a hotel, and finding bathrooms open all hours. <br /><br />Our experience was over a few hours… just a taste. We met in Old Town a representative from <a href="http://www.joinpdx.com">JOIN</a> and a fellow who had spent many years living on the streets. We walked through Old Town learning about shelters, service organizations, and the reality of living on the street. <br /><br />Things I learned:<br />• There are no family shelters in Portland. Families are often split where a male will go to one shelter and the female and children to another. This is not unusual. Baltimore has just one family shelter.<br />• There are no shelters for women in downtown Portland.<br />• There are about 2,000-3,500 people living outside in Portland. 1 in 4 of those individuals are children. As a point of comparison, there are 12,000 people who are homeless in Washington, D.C.<br />• There are beds for about 25% of the homeless in Portland.<br />• Most shelters require a TB card to stay there to verify they do not have tb.<br />• One shelter requires that the men lock up their own clothes during the night so they won’t leave in the middle of the night. <br />• JOIN has an innovative model where they get people into houses first and provide services to help with the transition. An alternative model is to piece together services after eviction or to focus on employment first.<br /><br />One of the parts of the afternoon was to eat at a shelter along with folks living on the street. I had a strong reaction to this opportunity. I felt like it was disrespectful to “parachute in” for one meal and know that I could walk away and buy lunch wherever I wanted to. It felt like I was a tourist in their life. Would me eating there keep someone else who needed a meal from eating? I didn’t take the opportunity to eat in the shelter. I am still thinking through that decision. Maybe I should have focused on listening to the other’s I had the potential to eat with and then tell their story to others. <br /><br />It was an emotional day. Learning the reality of living on the street and the difficulty of getting an i.d., getting services, finding a place to eat, and finding a place to sleep was palpable. But it was just a few hour experience. What’s next? What do I do with the emotion in my gut and questions in my head? <br /><br />One of the questions to our leaders was what should we do next? They recommended volunteering our time in a shelter or supporting one of the organizations we heard about. Is that enough? Does that make a difference? <br /><br />So many questions. It is good to have questions and it was a very valuable experience.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-65144985311966251392008-03-21T15:01:00.000-07:002008-12-10T02:53:09.878-08:00Stand for Change.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifdRIehO4KcaqdiJnyx5CW4OoiYFDAyuj6moT4dd9sxtWfcI6R0Nq5g6gi2yh_aebtFb04am1yBvQXh3NuwBCyE6rtinlZ9oPeWTdlEfhukNcBM3E-mavy3O4n6QgdeZW190dQP5VI0ny/s1600-h/2350832468_4a5eff3917.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifdRIehO4KcaqdiJnyx5CW4OoiYFDAyuj6moT4dd9sxtWfcI6R0Nq5g6gi2yh_aebtFb04am1yBvQXh3NuwBCyE6rtinlZ9oPeWTdlEfhukNcBM3E-mavy3O4n6QgdeZW190dQP5VI0ny/s320/2350832468_4a5eff3917.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180324680683327586" /></a> The most difficult part of service and volunteerism is not getting up early or making the time... It's not the sweat that is sometimes required... the most difficult part of volunteerism is making change that lasts... it's looking someone in the eye and being able to relay back to them that their needs will be taken care of not for now, but for always. <br /><br />I can serve thousands of people a meal, but is that addressing the root cause of their hunger? I can build a hundred houses, but will that address the root cause of homelessness? I am at a point in my life when I need answers to those questions. I see a need for increased dialog in our communities about why people are hungry. I see a need for increased dialog about why we have such division of wealth in our country. I see a need for discussion and ACTION so the root causes of suffering are addressed!<br /><br />Over the last two days I have had an amazing opportunity to listen to a few of our future political leaders about how to create lasting change. No doubt change sometimes has to happen at a policy level. Yesterday I went to a Portland Mayor’s debate. I was listening for action and next steps more than platitudes. I got some action steps. I am interested in hearing more about how new city leadership will address our pressing needs (and I want to hear less drama about polls.)<br /><br />Today I rolled out of bed and waited for over 3 hours to hear Barack Obama speak in Portland. One friend woke up at 2am to make sure she was there at the front of the line. (K you are AMAZING!) I was definitely not that motivated. Getting on a bus at 6:30am seemed like enough of an effort. I have to say, seeing the crowd that turned out early to make sure they were in the room is prime evidence of people's interest in change. <br /><br />I was listening for action. I was listening for next steps. And I was listening for the leadership that can call us to action. Wouldn’t it be great if communities all over the country came together to talk and act so that we all are safe, healthy, and full of life? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8SK2AVzm8vNHgYzHKzr8oAbEL8kBKlkKpAWnQyNz6qVJPjNy-aXLY7mobJusv4Cm_VKc3zb1dUw6F7hqJXHHXXvRZ2dPuxzfl2Tp1ra_E5bY6HLIbNjYdlRj489ds6ERV9IbDBuLhiuC/s1600-h/2350790364_f5d7212589.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8SK2AVzm8vNHgYzHKzr8oAbEL8kBKlkKpAWnQyNz6qVJPjNy-aXLY7mobJusv4Cm_VKc3zb1dUw6F7hqJXHHXXvRZ2dPuxzfl2Tp1ra_E5bY6HLIbNjYdlRj489ds6ERV9IbDBuLhiuC/s320/2350790364_f5d7212589.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180324831007182962" /></a>This fellow can take us there. He is inspiring without question and substantive without measure. <br /><br />(I love taking pictures and wish I had taken these, but I found them on Flickr taken by another person at this morning's rally.)<br /><br />TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS as of 3/21 = 55.5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-86839130668818418702008-03-15T12:24:00.000-07:002008-03-15T12:39:17.510-07:00What does it mean to “volunteer?”Recently I was looking at <a href="http://www.cns.gov/about/role_impact/performance_research.asp">research on volunteering</a>. I have to admit, I love reading research on volunteering and service-learning. I see it as “fun”. There is research out there that shows that when volunteers feel more attached to their community through indicators like <a href="http://www.cns.gov/about/volunteering/cities.asp">homeownership</a>, they are more likely to volunteer. There is also a discussion in this same piece on the connection between socio-economic status and rates of volunteering. Simply put, if you aren’t worried about where you are going to find food to feed your family, then you have the luxury of volunteering. Hmmm.<br /><br />That’s what the research says, but is it reality?<br /><br />I grew up in Indiana in a <a href="http://www.cityofgreensburg.com/">small town </a>of about 10,000 people. The main industries at that time were agriculture and factory work. Now this small burg had no volunteer center. We did not have a bustling non-profit sector, but had some of the regular players; <a href="http://www.bbbsgreensburg.org/">Big Brothers Big Sisters</a>, <a href="http://www.dcuf.com/">the United Fund</a>, and the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/index.html">American Red Cross</a>, for example. Social services were provided through churches, city government, and neighbors.<br /><br />In my hometown… When someone passes away, the cooking starts; casseroles, desserts, and the like descend upon a family. Are the cooks volunteering? <br /><br />When someone needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment, there isn’t necessarily a formal nonprofit that makes the connection. Neighbors step up. Is that volunteering?<br /><br />I babysat for a friend’s two girls last night. We played Monopoly to pass the time. At 34, I am not a typical babysitter. I do not have a “fee” for such an evening. I wanted to help out my friend and enjoyed spending some time with their amazing daughters. Was that volunteering?<br /><br />I define “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer">volunteer</a>” as one who is willingly fulfilling a community need. Typically there is no compensation, but there are exceptions to that rule. <a href="http://www.americorps.org/">AmeriCorps</a> is one example. I think the service or kindness needs to be for someone else’s benefit and that someone else is ideally involved in defining that need or the volunteer is part of the community being served.<br /><br />So, in my mind, the examples ARE volunteering. That does not bode well for the world of research as we need to start knocking on each and every door to get the true story of volunteering. <br /><br />What does it mean to “volunteer?”<br /><br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of 3/14/08: 52.5<br /><br />Coming up: <br />- Photography at a reunion<br />- Continued Reading on Tuesday afternoons<br />- A homelessness immersion<br />- An Alums board meeting in Denver<br />- An evening with the Cascade AIDS Project<br />- And I'm looking for interesting new opportunities!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-41711396888329560542008-03-07T08:39:00.000-08:002008-03-07T08:48:13.730-08:00And so it goes...This week has slowed me down a bit. I have been sick which makes being perky out in the community tough. <br /><br />This week has included another day reading at Sunnyside. I am getting really good at reading "I Spy" books with Davis and Mia picked two Shel Silverstein books this week. The Giving Tree always makes me tear up. To hear her read it made it even more emotional. What a great way to spend an hour amongst my work hours! I always leave with a spring in my step. <br /><br />Last night was our AmeriCorps Alums leadership meeting. We are reforming our leadership structure and infusing more energy into the work. It has been fascinating to watch the ebs and flows of our work. It is time for another surge of energy which is exciting. Soon I will have a new website to share with you!<br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of 3/6/08: 46<br />It has been one month! Average hours per day = 1.6. Yippee!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-68319040580853326562008-03-06T22:03:00.000-08:002008-12-10T02:53:10.165-08:00Johnson Creek Watershed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o5ARwOilbnh-UU0_3WXJDAkBb6kvft2uXFbDKsiBPnEYpa1a3J0mb3kJEFq-dbY7bkFvt3gcUPY1FE1_H6NVFNwnOCmHmU4KKCZgxEh3-EMLS3ko128Q_Qwdy2xuXiZXqwdbbFdaNhV_/s1600-h/IMG_4387%5B1%5D"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o5ARwOilbnh-UU0_3WXJDAkBb6kvft2uXFbDKsiBPnEYpa1a3J0mb3kJEFq-dbY7bkFvt3gcUPY1FE1_H6NVFNwnOCmHmU4KKCZgxEh3-EMLS3ko128Q_Qwdy2xuXiZXqwdbbFdaNhV_/s200/IMG_4387%5B1%5D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174881040902055026" /></a>Last Saturday was a big AmeriCorps Alums project. The day before, I had a good 20 people signed up and was very excited that the project was so popular. As B and I woke up on Saturday, I peeked out the window to see some ominous clouds. Sure enough as we pulled up to the project site, the rain started. Even though Portland is known for its rain, it is still shocking and brings one pause as they start the day wrapped in rain gear. Our attendance was hurt by the water coming from the sky, but those who showed impressed the heck out of me with their dedication.<br /><br />So... the rain came and went Saturday morning, but the volunteers never wavered. At the end of the day, over 600 native plants were put into the ground. And luckily it rained to get the plants off to a good start. <br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of March 1: 44.25Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-17578838733617624212008-03-06T21:49:00.000-08:002008-03-06T21:57:52.441-08:00Brothers and Sisters... can you spare a dime?AAAHHHH! I am behind in my blogging! I have overdue library books... quel horreur! And, I nearly had an overdue movie rental tonight. I am slipping. In addition to this volunteering adventure, I have also started a new job. I am an Executive Director in a wildly exciting nonprofit. Get on board folks... it is going to be a wild ride the next few months!<br /><br />My thoughts for today...<br /><br />Brothers and Sisters can you spare a dime? <br /><br />How does one decide where to give?<br /><br />Do you run into people who ask you for money? If you are in a city, you might think of a homeless person. I am guessing the emotions that come up are not positive… thinking about someone on the street asking you for money might conjure confusion, anger, empathy, or sadness. If I said the person was me, and your investment could change the lives of thousands, you might have a different thought in your head. <br /><br />My husband and I recently decided upon our yearly giving. I feel like I missed the day where I learned about what is “right” when it comes to giving monetary gifts, but I am trying to make up for it. We are committing 5% of our gross income to our community in 2008. It’s a start. <br /><br />Now, I am asking YOU for a dime or whatever you can muster.<br /><br />I am a new Executive Director in the nonprofit world. I lead an organization called Oregon Campus Compact. We are a membership organization of colleges and universities across Oregon who believe in the transformative power of service. <br /><br />My organization, Oregon Campus Compact, leverages financial and people resources which gets students and faculty into communities. ORCC offers AmeriCorps Members, training, technical assistance, and pass through grants towards this end. <br /><br />We raise the voice of every student across the state towards addressing our community’s most pressing needs. We want to students to graduate with an education in community. <br /><br />So why would you want to send a donation to this effort? Because…<br />- you can be part of something big, something that transforms. (That will feel very good.)<br />- I will take good care of your investment and hey... you like what I am doing here.<br />- We need YOU.<br /><br />Please offer what you can to:<br /><br />Oregon Campus Compact<br />c/o Portland State University<br />PO Box 751<br />Portland, OR 97207<br /><br />Checks can me made out to: Oregon Campus Compact. You will receive an acknowledgement for your records as your donation will be tax deductible as allowed by federal law. <br /><br />Thank you for your investment in this work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-11398633004082796102008-02-27T12:52:00.000-08:002008-02-27T13:19:52.082-08:00February 26th - Re-launching a campaign.<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsamforpdx%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F703672&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" width="400" height="255" allowfullscreen="true" id="showplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsamforpdx%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F703672&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" /><param name="quality" value="best" /><embed src="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsamforpdx%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F703672&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" quality="best" width="400" height="255" name="showplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Last night was the big event for Sam at the Wonder Ballroom. It went off without a hitch. Volunteers were in abundance.<br /><br />I love movies. Above is a movie that was produced about Sam's vision for PDX. It was premiered last night. I love the quote... what would our communities looks like if we "work(ed) as if we are in the early days of a better nation?" Hmmmmm. Go ahead and try, okay?<br /><br />For those of you who don't live in Portland... Sam is feeding his rooster in the beginning AND he lives within the city limits. And, yes it is not uncommon for people in suits to ride their bikes. One more thing.. Portland is just as cool as the video shows. Come visit and we can volunteer together!<br /><br />When I was at Hands On Baltimore, some college students made an orientation video for us to show prospective volunteers how fun it is to volunteer. The number of volunteers who left our orientation and then volunteered at a project skyrocketed. <br /><br />There is much power in moving pictures.<br /><br />Total volunteer hours as of 2/27/08: 40.25Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-22536644707045029982008-02-25T19:20:00.000-08:002008-02-25T19:44:56.822-08:00The Value of ServiceI define values as things that one can’t justify. When I think of my values, service is there at the top. It might not make sense to others why I would leave work to go volunteer and get home after 8 at night. It might not make sense why I would spend a sunny weekend day out pulling ivy, an invasive species that is choking trees across the city. It might not make sense. I mean it might make sense here and there, but nearly every day? That is crazy!<br /><br /><strong>I believe in the power of service to transform others.</strong> There is research out there that says if students volunteer they are <a href="http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/citizenship/index.php">better citizens… they vote and participate in community activities.</a> There are <a href="http://www.servicelearning.org/instant_info/fact_sheets/k-12_facts/impacts/index.php">academic outcomes</a> when service is incorporated in a curriculum. Now, I don’t think it is exactly figured out yet what makes some service activities <a href="http://charitychannel.com/publish/templates/?a=10444&z=24">transformative</a>, but those exist. Right? Some people have an experience and they can’t go back. (<em>Write me back in the comments and tell me about yours</em>.)<br /><br />I can point to volunteering in high school at the Red Cross. I had to complete 75 hours of service to graduate. My mom set me up at the Red Cross because I was terrified to call them myself. I loved the experience. People gave me things to do and when I did what they asked, they would smile. I could connect with people and I didn’t have to say a word. I had their respect just because I was there. I learned more in one summer than in any given class in school. I was hooked. <br /><br /><strong>I believe in the power of service to transform me. </strong>My own tragedy comes from a loss of people dear to me… both too young… both too fast. I lost part of me then and I can’t say I have felt really happy for over 13 years. I’ve made stupid decisions because I thought I deserved to be sad. Now, I <em>have</em> made some good decisions and I <em>have</em> had some good days, but I have not felt this good in over 13 years. I believe without any doubt that my service is the reason for this difference. It is like waking up from a dream.<br /><br /><strong>I believe in the power of service to transform communities.</strong> So far in this “project” I am not sure if I am transforming communities. A wonderful leader in the nonprofit sector, <a href="http://www.strength.org/childhood_hunger/letters/">Bill Shore</a>, says that working in community is like <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/gergen/july-dec99/shore_7-8.html">building a cathedral</a>, the work is not always realized in one’s lifetime. I want to be part of something big. I know I can’t always know that this is making a difference, but maybe it just is!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587262460136510855.post-47809477608714613862008-02-25T19:18:00.000-08:002008-02-25T19:19:57.973-08:00I Made It!I completed the triathlon. I have to say it was harder than I imagined. Somehow I had it in my head that swimming was easy. Oops. After one length of the pool, I was tired. I bounced back on the bike. As a Portlander, I had to represent. I was 5th in the women’s division on the bike. I really think I just programmed in the right music for that portion.<br /><br />There were several times during the swim or run where I wanted to give up, but I had one thought in my head… the Stroup Family. This was about them.<br /><br />The day was fantastic. Last year over 60 individuals signed up for the event, this year it was over 100! Whether they knew it or not, each one of those people made a difference with every drop of sweat, along with every huff and puff.<br /><br />Total Volunteer Hours as of 2/25/08: 34.75Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2