Get Help on Volunteering from These Awesome Groups on Twitter

Yesterday I blogged about how the biggest issue in service is giving people the tools to figure what kind of service is best for them.  No matter where you are or what you do we can all make the world a better place but the trick is figuring out how.

In addition to the idealist.org handbook being an excellent resource, on twitter there are tons of people and organizations sharing information on volunteerism from a variety of perspectives.   Whether you are a busy mom looking to volunteer, a student wanting to volunteer abroad, a current volunteer looking for inspiration, or an organization looking to recruit and retain volunteers, there is something on twitter for you.

I made a list of folks on twitter that I enjoy following and find helpful.   If you want to find more check out wefollow.com or look through who your favorite people on twitter are following—it’s  a great way to find new people.  Enjoy and share!

General News:

• For updates on volunteer opportunities, issues affecting volunteerism, how volunteerism is changing communities follow @servecommunity
• How are our politicians, celebrities, and companies encouraging service?  How service is making news?  Learn more about that by following:  @TheNewService @national service

Long-Term Service:

• If you are interested in spending a year or two in a service program you can learn more about challenges and joys of such programs as well as some great opportunities by following:  @peacecorps @americorps @cityyear

Finding Opportunities:

• Want to volunteer abroad?  Follow @volunteerabroad @globalaware
• Want to find volunteer opportunities in your city?  Check out @greatnonprofits, @newyorkcares, @chicagocares, @volunteersd (check our wefollow.com and search volunteer—if your city has a volunteer program on twitter it will show up!)

For High School and College Students and Educators:

• Want to integrate service into the classroom?  Follow @NSLC
• Are you a teen looking to volunteer?  Check out @UWPCYouthUnited @youthservice
• College student looking for opportunities?  @semesterservice @campus_compact
• Also get funding for your efforts! @ysagrants @dosomething @ashokagenv @studentscare

For Non-Profits

• Need to know how to recruit and better manage your volunteers? Follow @serviceresource @volunteerspot @taprootfound

For Busy People:

• Need tips on coordinating volunteer activities to fit in your busy schedule?  Check out @volunteerspot
• You can volunteer from your phone.  Really!  Check out @extraordinaries
• Want to volunteer with the family?  Follow @VolunteerFamily

For Inspiration:

• Are you currently volunteering and need inspiration or to connect with fellow volunteers?   Follow @volunteerwords @ServiceCircle
• To see first-hand how people are serving their communities in meaningful ways check out @volunteernation

Creating Change Wherever You Are: A Review of The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World

Ever since his election, President Obama has emphasized the importance of service.  Many of us can serve and want to serve, but the place where we get stuck is how. How can we serve especially when we have tight schedules, pressing obligations, and don’t know what we could possibly offer?

Image from idealist.org

Enter the Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World. A career guide and activist book rolled into one it provides a comprehensive overview of how you can make the world a better place no matter where you are.  The book discusses challenges and issues you may face trying to serve, provides tangible steps and resources, and includes handy activities and charts that help you figure out you how and where you might lend passion and talents.

The book is divided into three sections with three or four chapters in each.  The first section, “An Idealist is Born” asks you to reflect on your own experiences and passion when it comes to making a difference. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by opportunities while also feeling as though you don’t have much to offer to the causes that need so much help.  This section helps you figure out “where you fit in” by breaking down opportunities into small pieces to show you that there really is a place for everyone.

The second section “Taking Action” explores how you can make change on a personal level through volunteering, board service, or personal philanthropy. These three types of personal engagement are discussed in detail so you learn about the pros and the cons of each and get a better handle on what is right for you.  You’re asked to think about your strengths and weaknesses, your schedule and your obligations so you can pick a form of service that is perfect for you.

The final section, “Idealism at Work” addresses how you can make a difference at work. Whether you want to encourage your workplace to engage in service or social responsibility in a meaningful way or are interested in a career in the nonprofit sector, the point is that we can use our work place as a tool for social change.  For those of you interested in a career in the nonprofit sector, there is advice on how to make yourself a competitive candidate and how to find the non-profit that meets your personal and professional goals.

The book is an easy read and full of useful information and stories of people who have made service an integral part of their lives.  Its hand on approach to getting you to help your community, plus the conversational way in which it is written make it easy to share with high school students and adults alike so I strongly recommend it for those new to service and interested exploring possibilities.

There is one drawback though: there is no longer an excuse NOT to help others. By giving you the information and tools necessary to make a difference we can no longer hide behind lack of time, lack of money, or perceived lack of skill.  We can create change wherever we are.

So, how did you change the world today?

Read excerpts here and here and check out the idealist.org handbook blog.

Soft Launch of OnlyUp, Two Events, Plus a Contest!

My head is spinning because of the amount of work I have to do this summer (so much for laying around!)  I wanted to give you all a heads up on some wonderful events happening for young people interested in social change and social media that I am involved in.

OnlyUp “Soft Launch” Tuesday July 14^th at the 80 Million Strong for Young American Jobs Summit

Starting an organization is. no. joke.  After 6 months of planning, debating, and crying we are ready to launch a fully functioning website, a social media campaign, and start raising money to fully launch our programs.  Just so you know, our website is under construction. A pretty version will be put up soon with a blog and a sign up.  Email me, allison [at] onlyup [dot] org, to sign up or for more information .

What is OnlyUp:  OnlyUp is an organization that helps nonprofits prepare for the next generation of leaders through consultations, awards, and community-coalition building.

The executive director Brandon West and I will be attending the summit to discuss the challenges and solutions to increasing viable job opportunities for millenials, who are being hit hardest by the recession.  The summit is being held by 80 Million Strong for Young American Jobs.  Visit the website to learn more or follow them on twitter @80MS.  Given the kind of work we will do, we thought this would be the best time to start spreading the word and continue building a support base.

If you want to be added to the list serv, have any questions, or want to get involved, shoot me an email allison [at] onlyup [dot] org or DM me on twitter @ajlovesya

Summer SOLstice (Fundraiser): Wednesday July 1^st, 7pm-9pm, Wyndham Garden Hotel Rooftop Bar 341 West 36th St. $20 for two drinks, $30 for open bar

This fundraising event is being hosted by the 2009 Fellows in the NYU Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service (FELPS) for Brotherhood/Sister Sol, a Harlem based nonprofit that provides resources and support for inner city teens.  We had the opportunity to speak with one of the co-founders of the organization and were deeply moved by the challenges young people of color face in the inner city, his compassion, and the success of the organization.  We decided to end our 6 month fellowship by hosting a fundraising event for them to support their efforts.

Please join us!  Not only will you be supporting a fantastic organization but also you will meet young changemakers and enjoy a beautiful view of NYC.

If you want to come you can shoot me an email ajlovesya [at] gmail [dot] com and let me know what type of tickets you want and how many.  You can pay at the door.

Mission Mixer (Fundraiser and Networking): Thursday, July 9^th, 6:00-8:30pm Rum Bar and Lounge, 2005 Walnut Street, $15 (includes 5 raffle tickets!), buy tickets here or pay at the door.

I cant forget about my Philly friends!  This Mission Mixer is an opportunity to connect with social change makers, entrepreneurs, and bright minds of Philly and win some great prizes.  Co sponsored by The Urban Momentum Network, Premier Brand Group, and OnlyUp, the event will benefit The Nationalities Service Center, a Philadelphia based nonprofit that supports refugees living in Philly.  All proceeds will benefit NSC’s refugee resettlement efforts and will be used to provide household goods, clothing, furniture, culturally and ethnically appropriate food and school supplies to recently arrived refugees.

I’ll be there supporting NSC and talking a bit about OnlyUp.  If you are in Philly, please come out!

Brazen Careerist Contest (FREE PARTY!): Deadline Monday July 6^th

I’m not trying to flatter myself here but Ive got quite a few readers, many of whom are in NYC.  If you read blogs or have one of your own, please join Brazen Careerist then join the NYC Bloggers Group (a group I started).  If we have the highest number of bloggers Brazen will throw us a kick ass party.

I owe much to Brazen for the success of this blog.  So I am more than happen to support them   Plus, these guys know how to party!

Taking a Break

Hey fam!

I’m taking a little break from blogging.  I need to clear my head, work on my summer schedule, and some side projects.  I’ll be back next week!

You can still follow me on twitter @ajlovesya or shoot me an email ajlovesya [at] gmail [dot] com if you have any questions.

Allison

Call for Papers: 20 Under 40 and the Future of the Arts and Arts Education

Are you an emerging leader in the arts and art education world?   Then consider submitting a chapter to this exciting new book “20 Under 40: Reinventing the Arts and Arts Education in the 21st Century.”   The book will feature 20 essays by emerging leaders in the arts about the future of arts and arts education.  This is a great way to focus on your own beliefs and ideas while getting some publicity under your belt. Please visit 20UNDER40 for more info or join them on Facebook.  Good luck!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Editor/Project Director: Edward P. Clapp, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Project Advisor: Eric Booth, The Juilliard School/Independent Arts Consultant

In light of the impending generational shift in leadership the field
of the arts and arts education is about to experience, there has been
much talk about the future: who will be our new leading arts thinkers,
administrators, policymakers, and practitioners—and in what social,
cultural, and political landscapes will these individuals operate?
While there is great concern surrounding this matter, little is being
done to provide a platform for tomorrow’s leaders to share their ideas
with the larger field.

20UNDER40—a new anthology of critical discourse—endeavors to collect
twenty essays about the future of the arts and arts education, each
written by an emerging leader under the age of forty. In doing so,
this collection of essays will provide a unique arena for new ideas by
formally gathering the thoughts of young artists, teaching artists,
administrators, researchers, and other arts and arts education
professionals— legitimizing the talent of young leaders by bringing their ideas out
of the margins and into the forefront of our dialogue.

Who is a Leader?

Artists, teaching artists, arts administrators, curators, arts
advocates, arts researchers—anyone who has an idea or vision for the
future is considered a leader under the aegis of 20UNDER40. If you are
a young arts professional under the age of forty and want to make an
impact on the field—we want to hear from you!

Suggested Themes

20UNDER40 is interested in publishing essays focused on a wide range
of topics. The intention of this anthology is to be as inclusive as
possible concerning forward-thinking theories, visions, and models for
21st Century arts and arts education. Successful chapter proposals
will identify a problem within the field and pose a solution;
highlight a need and articulate a new vision, and/or; debunk an
accepted theory or practice and posit a new one. Suggested topics may
include (but are not limited to) the following:

General Themes

•     Developing new visions for arts and arts education
management and institutional structure.
•     Transforming the arts and arts education to meet the
demands of the information-era.
•     Envisioning the role of the arts and arts education in a
global economy.
•     Employing the arts and arts education as a tool for social
justice in a globalized world.
•     Bridging the gap between the multiple facets of the arts
(professional artists, arts educators, arts researchers, arts
policymakers, etc.) to foster intra-sector alignment.
•     Investigating new approaches to arts and arts education advocacy.

Specific Themes: Arts Practice

•     Envisioning the changing role of the arts in 21st Century
society and culture.
•     Hypothesizing about the future of the disciplines.
•     Making art relevant to information-era audiences.
•     Discussing the future of intellectual property and
authorship in a digital re-mix world.
•     Developing relationships between the arts and other
industries/domains.
•     Exploring the arts and cognition in light of advancements
in neuroscience research.
•     Hypothesizing the pros and cons of a “post-art” world.

Specific Themes: Arts Education

•     Developing new pedagogical models for arts teaching and learning.
•     Applying arts education to “21st Century Skills” …and beyond.
•     Discussing the intrinsic vs. the instrumental value of arts
education.
•     Crafting new methods to measure the quality of an arts
learning experience.
•     Exploring the future pedagogical function of the arts in
times of high-stakes testing.
•     Arguing for and against the formal certification of teaching artists.
•     Redesigning BFA and MFA programs to better equip aspiring
artists with the skills necessary to be most efficacious in a 21st
Century cultural economy.

Submission Guidelines

Individuals wishing to propose a chapter to 20UNDER40 will undergo a
two-step peer-review process.

STEP ONE: Submit a 1-2 page (double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point
font) chapter proposal via our electronic submission process
(www.20UNDER40.org) by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, August 31, 2009.
Authors will be notified of their acceptance status on or before
September 25, 2009. Successful chapter proposals will identify a
problem within the field and pose a solution; highlight a need and
articulate a new vision, and/or; debunk an accepted theory or practice
and posit a new one. Please include your name and email address on
each page of your chapter proposal.

STEP TWO: Selected authors will be invited to submit full chapters for
a second round of peer-review. Full chapters (4000-6000 words) are due
from invited authors on or before January 15, 2010. Guidelines for
full chapter submissions will be sent to invited authors. Twenty of
the full chapters received by invited authors will be selected for
publication. The target date to notify invited authors of the status
of their full chapter submissions is April 30, 2010.

All chapter proposals must include an electronic submission
coversheet.  (See website for details: www.20UNDER40.org)

The core ideas of all chapter proposals/full chapters must be the
original work of the author. Chapter proposals/full chapters must be
written in English. Multiple chapter proposals are permitted—please
submit each proposal separately. Submissions must be electronic word
processor documents (i.e. Microsoft Word documents). Please use the
following format to label your submission: “LASTNAME.doc”. Do not send
“.docx” files.

Who is the Audience?

20UNDER40 aims to be a readable volume of essays published for an
educated, though not overly academic, audience. This volume is
designed to serve a broad inter-generational readership including:
artists, teaching artists, arts administrators, arts advocates, and
arts researchers—as well as non-arts individuals ranging from parents
to national policymakers. While 20UNDER40 will not restrict
contributors to any particular tone or mood, we suggest prospective
authors craft their prose using language that would be suitable for
publication in The New York Times.
Eligibility

20UNDER40 welcomes chapter proposal submissions from individuals
practicing at all levels—and in all capacities—within the field of the
arts and arts education. In order to be eligible for inclusion in
20UNDER40 an author must be under the age of forty by the chapter
proposal submission deadline (August 31, 2009).

If you have any questions regarding our submission guidelines or
would like to learn more about this project, please visit our website:
www.20UNDER40.org