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Serve Michigan Update
A program of the ConnectMichigan Alliance
Issue #5
September 9, 2005
- 283 Michigan Citizens Voice Their Support of Volunteerism in Michigan
- Legislative Update on Funding to Support Volunteerism in Michigan - What You Can Do
- You’re Invited to Participate in Serve Michigan’s Weekly Conference Calls
- Register Now for Nonprofit Day 2005
- Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Efforts
- Federal Funds to Support New Michigan’s AmeriCorps Programs
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation Names New President and CEO
- Funding Opportunity for Service Projects Tied to MLK Jr. Holiday
- National Service Hill Day
- National Arab-American Service Day
- Calendar of Events
283 Michigan Citizens Voice Their Support of Volunteerism in Michigan
State funding for the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), a state agency that supports service and volunteerism, has been slated for elimination, but Michigan citizens are proving they will not stand idly by and let that happen. Two hundred eighty-three supporters have signed a letter calling for the full restoration of state support for the MCSC. Today the letter is being delivered to Senate and House leadership, as well as to the Governor. You can still add your name to the list by e-mailing your name, title and organization name and location to Tiffany Aurora at taurora@connectmichiganalliance.org.
Legislative Update on Funding to Support Volunteerism in Michigan - What You Can Do
The Michigan legislature reconvened last week and is continuing to work on the budget. Lawmakers and the Governor appear closer to finalizing the terms of the state budget which must be completed by September 30. It is expected that the two bodies of the legislature will meet in closed door conference meetings to settle on the final FY2006 budget. The conferees, who will include the leadership and key members of the Senate and House appropriations committees, will be appointed shortly to finalize the budget. This is a critical time for individuals to contact their legislators and educate them on how the Michigan Community Service Commission’s (MCSC) funding impacts their community. Legislators, particularly those who may serve on the conference committee, need to understand what will be missing from their districts if the Commission funding is not reinstated. However, CMA encourages all individuals to call, write and visit their local legislators regardless of their committee responsibilities to express support. Those interested on key message may utilize the information on the Serve Michigan Web site for these conversations.
You’re Invited to Participate in Serve Michigan’s Weekly Conference Calls
Serve Michigan, a program of the ConnectMichigan Alliance designed to highlight public policy issues and promote national and community service in Michigan, is hosting weekly conference calls every Thursday at 2:00 pm EST to discuss the issues important to national service programs. Last week, communities and organizations dealt with the challenge of the Michigan Community Service Commission funding and the DLEG budget process; the strategic plan for the Corporation for National Community Service and upcoming events important to the service field and nonprofits in Michigan. This week’s call included the national service programs’ responses to hurricane Katrina. Contact Tiffany Aurora at taurora@connectmichiganalliance.org if you would like to receive the weekly agenda and call-in number for the conference calls.
Register Now for Nonprofit Day 2005
Congress is discussing means to alter the operation and governance of nonprofit organizations. Some of the ideas being debated include limiting non-cash contributions to charities, restricting nonprofit boards to 15 members and increasing reporting requirements to the IRS. Nonprofit Day 2005, sponsored by the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), is an opportunity for you to learn about the progress of these and other policies being considered by state and federal policymakers. The conference will be held Wednesday, September 21, at the Lansing Center in Lansing. The keynote address will be provided by Deborah S. Hechinger, president and CEO of BoardSource. The registration deadline is September 12. The cost to attend is $40 for MNA members, $55 for non-MNA members and $20 for full-time students. Scholarships are available. For more information or to register, visit the MNA Web site or contact Erin Skene at (517) 492-2408 or skeneeri@mnaonline.org.
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Efforts
ConnectMichigan Alliance extends its heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Many nonprofits are mobilizing communities to provide food, shelter and emergency services to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Michigan has agreed to take in 10,000 evacuees from the affected areas. To find out more about Michigan’s hurricane relief and support efforts, visit the Michigan Community Service Commission’s (MCSC) Web site. On the national level, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced a $134,000 grant supplement to Mercy Medical Airlift to support volunteer pilots to undertake medical and search and rescue missions in states affected by Hurricane Katrina. To find out more about the several national service volunteers dispatched to the Gulf Coast region, or otherwise assisting with the relief and recovery effort, please visit the Voices for National Service Web site.
To support or contribute to relief efforts, visit the links below or call 1-800-HELP- NOW.
- American Red Cross
- America's Second Harvest
- Humane Society of the United States
- Salvation Army
- United Way
For tips on picking which charity to support, visit the GuideStar Web site.
For donation guidelines, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Web site.
Federal Funds to Support New Michigan’s AmeriCorps Programs
The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced the availability of federal funds to support new Michigan's AmeriCorps programs to start September 2006. Educational institutions, local government entities, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations that have their 501(c)3 status and have been in existence for at least three years are eligible to apply for a Michigan's AmeriCorps program. The MCSC will be offering three new applicant information sessions: Flint on September 29, Kalamazoo on October 3, and Gaylord on October 6. Further information is expected to be posted to the MCSC Web site September 8. If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Younger at (517) 335-7952 or youngera1@michigan.gov, or Megan Sargent at (517) 241-3494 or sargentm1@michigan.gov.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Names New President and CEO
W.K. Kellogg Foundation has named Sterling Speirn of San Mateo, California, as its new president and CEO. Speirn, who is currently the president and CEO of Peninsula Community Foundation, a leader in Peninsula and Silicon Valley community philanthropy and one of the Bay Area’s largest foundations, will replace William C. Richardson, who will retire from the Foundation December 31, 2005. For more information, read the press release.
Funding Opportunity for Service Projects Tied to MLK Jr. Holiday
The Corporation for National and Community Service announced that it expects to award $500,000 in competitive grants to support volunteer service projects tied to the 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. The Corporation anticipates making up to five awards in amounts ranging from approximately $100,000 to $300,000. Eligible applicants must meet certain requirements and will include faith-based and secular community organizations, volunteer centers, Indian tribal organizations, state commissions on service, community foundations, and state and local government agencies. Details on the grant opportunity are available on the CNCS Web site. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on October 6, 2005.
All champions of service are invited to Washington, DC on September 14th to meet with members of Congress and their staff to share their stories about the impact of national service on their communities. The National Service Hill Day is a powerful way to share with Congress your commitment to national service and to thank them for their support, which is critical for the service field to succeed in expanding and strengthening service opportunities for all Americans. To sign up your organization, or for more information, please see the Voices for National Service Web site.
National Arab-American Service Day
The first National Arab-American Service Day will take place on Saturday, September 24, in 13 cities around the country. On that day, Arab American organizations that are part of the National Network of Arab-American Communities will sponsor service projects in partnership with other local organizations. The goal is to demonstrate how Arab Americans are joining with others to strengthen their communities; build bridges with one another; and make an impact in their neighborhoods and cities. The event is spearheaded by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), an AmeriCorps grantee based in Flint, Mich. The day will feature service projects in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Flint, Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Orlando, Fla., Brooklyn, N.Y., Anaheim, Calif., and Washington, D.C. For additional information, visit the ACCESS Web site or contact Jamie Kim at (313)842-4756.
September 14 National Service Hill Day
Meet with Members of Congress in Washington, D.C. For more information visit the Voices for National Service Web site.
September 21 Nonprofit Day 2005
Learn about Lansing and Washington, D.C., policy changes that affect Michigan nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit Day will be held at the Lansing Center in Lansing from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the MNA Web site for more information.
October 7 U.P. Nonprofit Conference
Hear from top experts in fundraising and the nonprofit community at the Ramada Inn in Marquette from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development Web site for more information.