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Serve Michigan Update
A program of the ConnectMichigan Alliance
Issue #11
August 4, 2006
- National Service Hill Day, Sept 14, Washington, D.C.
- Proposed Changes to Mentoring for Children of Prisoners program
STATE
- CMA Public Policy Survey
- "SOS" or the "Stop OverSpending" Proposal
- 2006-2007 Budget Approved
- Nonprofit Day 2006, Sept 27, Lansing Center
National Service Hill Day 2006 - September 14
"Sharing the Story of National Service with our Congressional Leaders"
Washington, D.C.
Champions of service from across the country - from program staff to private sector supporters to AmeriCorps alumni - are gathering in Washington, D.C. on September 14 to participate in National Service Hill Day. With cuts to both AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve Programs, members of Congress need to understand the impact national service has on their communities. These supporters will be meeting with their Congressional members and staff to share stories about the impact of national service in their respective communities, as well as to communicate how critically important the AmeriCorps, Learn & Serve America, and Senior Corps programs are to America's culture of citizenship, service and responsibility.
This is a powerful opportunity for you to join your colleagues from across the country to communicate your strong commitment to national service. Sign up to join us and add your voice to those who are educating our representatives on the impact, scope and importance of national service.
To participate in National Service Hill Day, please click here and fill out a participation worksheet. For the schedule and more information, visit Voices for National Service.
Proposed Changes to Mentoring for Children of Prisoners program
The U.S. House and Senate both recently passed legislation to reauthorize the Mentoring for Children of Prisoners (MCOP) program. The two versions of the bill differ from each other, most notably in the fact that the House version maintains MCOP in its previous form, while the Senate version would keep 50% of the program as a direct-grant program and change the other 50% into a national voucher program. MENTOR's Advocacy Network is currently involved in conversations with Congressional staff members regarding the affects these changes would have on the program and will provide updates as they become available. For more information or to join MENTOR's listserv, visit their website.
The ConnectMichigan Alliance is currently conducting their 2007 public policy survey to gather information from the nonprofit sector to develop recommendations for the Governor and Legislature that would strengthen service and volunteerism in Michigan. Please download the survey below, complete it and submit to Tiffany Aurora by September 8.
Download CMA's Public Policy Survey
Potential recommendations on legislative priorities for 2007 include:
1) Work with state government officials to revamp the criminal background check system to provide for more accurate, timely and less costly criminal history reports on volunteers.
2) Revise the Youth Employment Standards Act to allow minors to volunteer for nonprofit organizations and schools without a work permit.
3) Provide adequate state and federal funding for national and community service programs in Michigan.
4) Enact legislation to allow tax credits for individuals who volunteer their time to charities.
5) Support fiscally and socially responsible solutions to the state budget crisis.
6) Other ideas from the volunteer sector.
Download the public policy survey now and give CMA your feedback on legislative priorities for 2007.
The survey may be faxed to 517-492-2444, emailed to taurora@mnaonline.org, or mailed to ConnectMichigan Alliance, Attn: Tiffany Aurora, 1048 Pierpont Dr., Suite 3, Lansing, MI 48911.
The deadline for completed surveys is September 8.
"SOS" or the "Stop OverSpending" Ballot Proposal
Signatures submitted for the “Stop OverSpending” Ballot Proposal are currently being reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office. If sufficient signatures are confirmed, this proposal will be on the ballot November 7. Click here for more information on this proposal and how it would impact Michigan communities.
The Michigan Legislature passed the FY 2006-2007 Budget on July 26. An analysis of the State Budget broken down by sub-category and contrasted with last year’s funding levels is available online.
Nonprofit Day 2006 - September 27
“Proceed with Caution…Doesn’t Mean Yield”
Lansing Center, Lansing
The Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) will host its seventh annual Nonprofit Day on September 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Lansing Center. This one-day conference provides a venue for nonprofit leaders from across the state to meet at the capitol and discuss the financial, political and social matters that determine the success of the nonprofit community. A main focus of this year’s conference will be on the upcoming elections and the nonprofit sectors’ important role in the political process. More info on specific sessions and presenters can be found at MNA's website.
Registration is $40 for MNA members, $55 for not-yet members and $20 for Full-time students. The registration deadline is September 12th.