This is a special month for Michigan Campus Compact, it is when we get to see the fruit of your great work through our Outstanding Student Service Awards. On April 5, 2008, over 350 people gathered in Lansing to honor over 160 students for their commitment to service and outstanding efforts to combine their learning with service to issues they care about. We are proud of these students and all the work needed to support them in their efforts. 

It is also a special month as we look at our vision for the future of our collective work through a five-year strategic planning process. On April 28th a group of board members, staff and diverse representatives of our constituency will gather to look at what they hope Michigan will look like in terms of higher education’s civic education movement. We look forward to setting this direction and working with all of you to accomplish these goals.

1.The final round of Investing in College Futures grants will be dispersed during the 2008-2009 academic year. Brighter Futures Grant funding, competitive grants of up to $6,000 each for MCC member faculty and/or staff are available to develop or expand service-learning courses or service projects to address the needs of disadvantaged youth and increase campus/community partnership efforts. MCC will offer approximately seven Brighter Futures grants. www.micampuscompact.org/brighterfutures.asp

2. During the 2008-2009 academic year, Michigan Campus Compact (MCC), with the support of the Investing in College Futures (ICF) grant program, will pilot a new Student Engagement Model – called Civic Engagement Fellows - which will offer approximately five competitive reimbursement grants of up to $2,000 each for MCC member campuses. Each selected campus will select two students to participate in this project as a team. The goal of this program is to provide logistical and programmatic training to develop two new student leaders who can contribute to building a sustainable culture of service-learning and civic engagement on their campus in conjunction with the Community Service Director (CSD)/Service-Learning director (SLD). www.micampuscompact.org/cef.asp

3. Student Community Action Fund Grants give students the opportunity to seek funding for brilliant service ideas that need funding in order to get off the ground, or travel to civic engagement related conferences and events. Students who are ready to make a difference in their community and need resources to get started can apply for a Student Community Action Fund (SCAF) Grant through Michigan Campus Compact. SCAF Grant applications are also intended to introduce students to the world of grant writing. These funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis. The program year for SCAF Grants is nearing an end!  Please send in your applications today!  www.micampuscompact.org/action.asp

4. Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse is now developing a national, searchable, online database of higher education service-learning syllabi, K-12 lesson plans, and community-based project ideas. You and your colleagues are invited to submit service-learning syllabi for possible inclusion in this new resource. Please submit syllabi and other materials as Word documents attached to emails to jplaut@compact.org; please also download, print, and sign the Permissions Form available at www.compact.org/syllabi and mail it to Julie Plaut at Campus Compact, Brown University, Box 1975, Providence, RI 02912.

5. The Feinstein Foundation will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies, using it to spur their fundraising during March and April. Campus Compact is teaming with the foundation to get the word out about this opportunity. Please see www.compact.org/landing/feinstein for more information.

6. The Corporation for National and Community Service is pleased to announce two new funding opportunities for school-based service-learning programs. Learn and Serve America is currently accepting applications for the following grant initiatives: 1. School-Based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Approximately $2 million for public or private nonprofit organizations that will provide financial resources, training, and other assistance to local education agencies to implement service-learning projects in STEM courses in grades 6-12.  2. Indian Tribes School-Based Drug Abuse Prevention  Approximately $1 million for Indian Tribes to implement service-learning programs focusing on drug abuse prevention, especially methamphetamine. Applicants must propose to work with one or more local school(s) and with their respective local methamphetamine task force that is supported by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Please visit www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp for the full text of the Notices of Funds Availability, guidance for applicants, FAQs, and information about technical assistance calls.

1. Coordinator of Volunteer Mobilization Internship – Michigan Campus Compact. This position focuses on supporting the students at MCC’s 41 member campuses. In particular, the intern will help college students with grant writing, strategic planning, and with building partnerships that will aid them in developing MLK Day of Service projects that serve the needs of disadvantaged youth in Michigan.  The intern will serve as the manager of MCC’s student development program. This program will be funded through the Investing in College Futures (ICF) grant. The ICF grant is designed to demonstrate that the connection between college and university students, alumni and staff improve the desire for disadvantaged youth to attend college and increase the retention of current college students.  www.micampuscompact.org/pdf/MCCinternship.pdf

2. Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA members act as transformative agents between higher education institutions and their surrounding communities. AmeriCorps*VISTA members create service opportunities and engage students in the community, in order to gain a richer and more valuable experience outside the classroom. AmeriCorps*VISTA members build mutually beneficial relationships which lead to long-term partnerships between community-based organizations and colleges, enhance the quality of campus community service and service-learning programs, improve student leadership in service, increase the number of students coordinating programs, and increase the number of students in direct service within their campus communities. Recruitment is open now - visit our website at: www.micampuscompact.org/vistaprogram.asp

3. MIT Job Opening in the Public Service Center: IDEAS Competition Coordinator. The MIT IDEAS Competition motivates and enables MIT students to develop innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to the needs of under-served communities worldwide. IDEAS is an acronym for Innovation, Development, Enterprise, Action, and Service. IDEAS teams collaborate with community partners around the world to develop and implement their projects. We encourage both non-profit and for-profit solutions to community needs. web.mit.edu/ideas/www/challenge.htm

4. LeaderSpring is seeking to fill the new position of Director of Programs. During this phase of growth for LeaderSpring, I invite your help at generating a strong pool of candidates to support our highly regarded two-year, on-the job Fellowship Program and Alumni Network. The Director of Programs is an incredible opportunity to work closely with our dynamic and talented nonprofit executive directors. The Director of Programs will play a key role in shaping and implementing LeaderSpring’s new strategic growth plan. The job announcement and description for the position is available at www.leaderspring.org

5. Director, Center for Art and Public Life Oakland Campus (California) - The Director of the Center for Art and Public Life plays a vital leadership role in creating, implementing, and evaluating program activities at the Center. The Director ensures that the Center’s resources are used to create the greatest educational benefit for CCA students, as well as the greatest benefit of service to the community. The Director is responsible for general leadership and administration of the Center, including providing program vision and direction; maintaining and managing multiple community partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area; raising funds in cooperation with other college offices; and working closely with faculty on curricular issues. The Director is responsible for research projects, publications, public programs, student involvement, and faculty support services. Email employment@cca.edu

6. Cornell University invites applications for the Director position of its newly awarded Upward Bound Program. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. Upward Bound primarily serves high school students from low-income families in which neither parent holds a Bachelor's degree. For complete details and to apply on-line, please go to: www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/ and select "Staff (non-academic) and Library Positions" for the Director of Upward Bound job  #08289.

7. Community Service Coordinator - Georgia Institute of Technology The mission of the Office of Community Service is to promote civic responsibility and service-learning by encouraging student involvement in meaningful and reciprocal service with the community.  The Community Service Coordinator provides direction, leadership, budget management and supervision for the Community Service office and advising for all student community service related efforts. Serves as campus agent for student volunteerism and community outreach programs as it relates to student leadership development. Supports service-learning partnerships in the academic curriculum and coordinates with community agencies for the integration of service opportunities for GT students. Directly advises MOVE (Mobilizing Opportunities for Volunteer Efforts), ESWB (Engineering Students without Borders), ABLE (Alternative Breaks Learning Experiences), Agape, Relay for Life and the Community Service Council. The Community Service Coordinator reports to the Assistant Dean/Director of Student Involvement and contributes to the mission of encouraging involvement, promoting leadership development and making meaning out of those leadership experiences through service-learning and organizational performance management.  Applicants must also apply on the Office of Human Resources website at: ea.ohr.gatech.edu/ click on “Apply” to complete the process.

8. The MSU Associate Director of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations and Major Gifts will direct and coordinate a program that will ensure regular and increased support from corporations, foundations and associations to fulfill the college’s goals and priorities. The Associate Director will assist faculty and college administration in identifying potential corporate and foundation sources for grant support, cultivate and maintain relationships with potential donors, and create and oversee systems and procedures for advancing the college’s goals in this area. In addition, this position will manage a portfolio of individual major gift prospects to fully develop potential gift (cash and deferred) income to support students, programs and faculty in the College of Education. All candidates must submit an application and resume through the Michigan State University Human Resources web-based system (MAP).  The URL for this website is www.jobs.MSU.edu.  Please indicate the position number 2158 when submitting your application.

9. Nonprofit Administration Intern Wanted (Paid Internship) – ART of Leadership is a youth mentoring organization with a mission to inspire vision and leadership in young people, giving them the skills to succeed in their lives and to be leaders in their communities. Our Foundation office is located in Redford, MI. We are seeking an intern to assist with the operational and administrative duties of our organization. Areas in which you will gain experience include fund development, financial administration, and event coordination. You will work closely with the President, providing support with day-to-day activities, calendar coordination, and board coordination. This is a great opportunity to spend your summer building your resume and skill set as you learn first-hand about nonprofit administration. Email resumes to jhocking@artofleadership.net or fax to 313-537-0309 for consideration.

10. Disability Program Officer Position Available with Serve Wisconsin - Serve Wisconsin supports service in Wisconsin primarily by granting AmeriCorps funds through the Corporation for National and Community Service to organizations that involve citizens in service activities that meet human, educational, environmental, public safety, and homeland security needs. Through their participation in AmeriCorps programs, citizens are given the opportunity to not only enrich the lives of the people and communities they serve, but also their own lives through professional and personal development. Click here for a one-page overview of Serve Wisconsin. To learn more about this opportunity, call Juan Mallach, Disability Inclusion Officer at 608.267.0772 or mallajc@dhfs.state.wi.us

1. AmeriCorps is turning to its far-flung network of members and alums for help in recruiting the next class of AmeriCorps members by hosting its second YouTube-style video contest.  The contest, which runs through May 2, asks participants to create a 60 second spot answering the question Why AmeriCorps? Entries can address topics such as how AmeriCorps tackles some of America’s biggest challenges; what AmeriCorps means to you; and why someone should join AmeriCorps. The video contest is part of AmeriCorps Week, a national recognition and recruitment event taking place May 11-18 aimed at engaging more Americans in service, saluting AmeriCorps members and alums for their impact, and thanking the partners that make AmeriCorps possible. Last year's inaugural AmeriCorps Week featured 200 events in all 50 states, a resolution passed by U.S. House of Representatives, proclamations from 23 Governors, and a White House ceremony with President Bush. Information on this year's AmeriCorps Week is at www.americorpsweek.gov.

2. IARSLCE is pleased to announce that it will present three awards at the 2008 conference: the Research Award, a new Early Career Research Award, and a new Dissertation Award. Applications/nominations for the research and early career awards are due May 2, 2008, and for the dissertation award are due June 30, 2008. Please see the attached award announcements.
Complete applications must be received by May 2, 2008. Please submit nominations to the attention of the Research Award Committee Chair at info@researchslce.org

3. A new online refereed journal exploring community engagement and community-based learning experiences, The Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education has announced its first call for papers. Sponsored by Indiana State University's Center for Public Service and Community Engagement, this new journal is intended to serve as a forum for the review of research and practice by professionals in higher education in the fields of community engagement and engaged learning practices. Papers for the first edition are due June 30, 2008 For more information, visit www1.indstate.edu/jcehe/.

4. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is inviting proposals for its 2nd biennial conference - AASHE 2008:  Working  Together for Sustainability – On Campus and Beyond (Nov 9-11, 2008, Raleigh, NC).  AASHE 2008 offers an exciting and unique opportunity for every sector of higher education in the U.S. and Canada to demonstrate how colleges and universities and their partners can lead the way to a sustainable future.  The Call for Proposals is posted at www.aashe.org/conf2008/call.php. All proposal abstracts except posters are due by May 1 and may be submitted in three categories:  Education & Research, Operations, and Administration & Finance. Poster submissions are due by September 1.  

5. In an effort to expand the body of research on K-12 service-learning and to enhance its dissemination and use, Brandeis University's Center for Youth and Communities (CYC) http://cyc.brandeis.edu, The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) at the University of Maryland http://www.civicyouth.org, and the International Center for the Study of Public Engagement and Service-Learning (ICS-PESL) at the University of Minnesota www.engagement.umn.edu are inviting applications to participate in the second annual Emerging Scholars in Service-Learning Works-in-Progress Seminar.

6. Call for Proposals - Please consider submitting a proposal for the 2008 International Conference on Service-Learning held October 2-3, 2008 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Utah Valley University is hosting an International Service-Learning Conference for campus teams and individuals involved in or interested in international service-learning. Participants will engage in a variety of workshops, panel discussions, poster presentations, plenary sessions, and other activities that will help campus teams and individuals learn about best practices in international service-learning. If your proposal is accepted for a presentation at the conference, presenters and co-presenters are expected to pay registration fees and will need to register for the conference via the website www.uvsc.edu/volunteer