1. MLK Day of Service 2009 is right around the corner.  Do you have the partners needed to organize a great MLK Day project in your community? Check out the MLK Day Mobilization Website to find out about creating win-win community partnerships for the MLK Day of Service initiative and year-round service activities. The site has Partnership & Collaboration resources available to help you plan.

2. Report Shows Student Service on the Rise, but Less Connected to Learning. The Corporation for National and Community Service released a new report showing that community service in America’s schools has reached a new peak, with 68 percent of all K-12 schools offering or recognizing service opportunities for their students. While school-based community-service has remained robust, the percentage of schools with service-learning declined from 32 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2008. Read the full news release with more details on the report or Download the report.

3. Career Center Takes Flight for AmeriCorps Alums. Finding the perfect employee- and the perfect job - just got easier! AmeriCorps Alums, a vibrant network of over 500,000 national service alumni who spent a year or more in full-time volunteer service, is announcing their partnership with JobTarget, an industry leader in job board development and management, on a new online career center.  The career center - located at www.americorpsalums.org/?page=Employers- focuses on matching non-profit and socially responsible employers with eligible, qualified candidates. JobTarget's career center software provides individuals with the latest technology in career development. 

5. The National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions is gearing up for a defining moment in American History: the first 100 days of the new administration. On February 5th, 2009, The National Teach-In will again engage millions of Americans at thousands of campuses and other institutions in a dialogue about the clean energy transformation that can stop global warming and renew both the American economy and spirit. Young people will engage national political leaders and other key decision-makers in critical face-to-face discussion about their future. The National Teach-In is encouraging professors, student organizations, school presidents and/or officials to sign their schools up to host an event.  For more information visit http://www.nationalteachin.org/index.php or contact the Great Lakes coordinator: Madeline Kovacs.

6. Ben & Jerry's Foundation provides support to nonprofit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States that facilitate progressive social change. Grant applicants need to demonstrate that their projects will lead to societal, institutional, and/or environmental change; address the root causes of social or environmental problems; and lead to new ways of thinking and acting. Projects must facilitate leadership development and strengthen the self-empowerment efforts of those who have traditionally been disenfranchised in our society. The Foundation does not make grants to support basic or direct social service programs. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Visit the website to review the funding guidelines and download the application form.  http://www.benjerry.com/foundation/

7. HandsOn Network is pleased to announce funding available to State Entities and Volunteer Connector Organizations to increase the nation’s volunteer infrastructure. These funds for Volunteer Impact, Retention, and Expansion (VIRE) are made possible through a Cooperative Agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service. HandsOn Network will fund up to 25 grant awards of up to $1.5 million. For the full Notice of Funding Availability and Volunteer Impact Retention and Expansion Grant Application, go to: Handsonnetwork.org. The Request for Proposals for the next round of funding is anticipated to be released in January, so begin preparing now.

1. Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor) is seeking a Development Director.  Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw Co (IHN) provides shelter, supportive services and home-based support to families in housing crisis.  This position will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board to plan and execute IHN’s fundraising activities, this position is also responsible for public relations, communication with the media and development volunteer activities. Applications and inquiries should be directed to: Julie Steiner, Executive Director at Interfaith Hospitality Network. Click here for the full description.

2. Catholic Family Services (Kalamazoo) is seeking a Youth Shelter Supervisor.  This position provides leadership and supervision to the shelter staff and clinical expertise to the shelter services, assuring compliance with standards and goals, excellence in service to youth and their families and promoting the Mission of Catholic Family Services.  Further details on the services and agency can be found at www.catholicfamilyservices.org  To apply, submit cover letter and resume to Vicki Matunas. For full description, visit http://www.catholicfamilyservices.org/employment.php.

3. The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer leadership program in Washington, DC. The Institute provides America's best and brightest African American male college students with unparalleled networking opportunities, leadership development, and life-long mentorship. Through the focused and intimate structure of our program, the Institute equips these young men with the tools required for successful careers in business, education, journalism, law, government, the sciences, public policy, ministry, medicine, public service, and the arts. The application can be found on the web at http://www.i4rc.org/application.htm.  The deadline for admission into the 2009-2010 class is January 15, 2009. Inquiries should be directed to info@i4rc.org or (202) 659-2831.

4. Davenport University, a private non-profit university located in Grand Rapids, MI. has an exciting opportunity available for an Executive Director of Student Life. The Executive Director of Student Life position is critical in developing students; enhancing learning; and building community, school spirit. For a complete job description and application guidelines visit us at https://jobs.davenport.edu

5. Break Away is pleased to announce that the 2009 Summer Internship Program is now accepting applications. Those interested in engaging in intense learning experiences, developing facilitation and leadership skills, supporting lifelong active citizenship, and strengthening the national alternative break movement, are encouraged to apply. The duration of the internship is May 20 - August 15, 2009 during which time interns will live in Atlanta, GA and work out of the National Break Away Office. If you are interested in the Internship Program but are unable to invest an entire summer, you may still be able to serve as a Site Leader for one of the ABCs.  Applications to serve as a Site Leader for one of the 2009 ABCs will be available in early March, 2009. To apply for Break Away Internship Program, please download the application on the website, http://alternativebreaks.org/. All applications must be received by 5 pm EST, Monday, January 12, 2009.  Contact Samantha Giacobozzi, Programs Director at 800.903.0646 with any questions. 

1. The Call for Proposals for the 2nd annual Conference on Teaching, Learning, and Civic Engagement is now open. The conference will be held Sunday, May 17 through Tuesday, May 19, 2008 at the Comfort Inn & Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. This conference is designed for educators concerned about creating the best possible learning environments for students.  There is a great deal of evidence and experience related to student learning, and this event is designed to bring educators together to learn from one another. To register for the conference, or for more information, please visit the CTLCE website: http://facit.cmich.edu/conference/, or Click here to submit a proposal. Proposal submissions will be accepted through Monday, January 28, 2009.

2. The Call for Papers and Program Proposals is open for the National Faith, Justice, and Civic Learning Conference June 25-27, 2009 at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. The conference organizing committee is interested in papers, posters, roundtable discussions and workshops around the fruitful intersection of faith, justice, and civic learning. We encourage contributions from a broad range of perspectives on these topics.  Proposals must be submitted by Monday, February 16, 2009. For the Call for Papers and Program Proposals and more information about the conference, please go to: www.nfjcl.org.

3. Each year Serve DC-The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism brings together community and faith-based organizations in a conference focused on enhancing their organizational capacity to meet growing community needs. The Call for Workshop Proposals for the 2009 DC Conference on Service and Leadership is now open. The Conference, “From Nice to Necessary”, will be May 13-15, 2009 in Washington DC.  It is based on three programmatic themes: Leadership, Collaboration, and Sustainability.  Speakers should be prepared to submit workshop proposals that fit into at least one of these three themes. To obtain an application, email Natasha at natasha.ballentine@dc.gov. The completed application and narratives must be received at the Serve DC office on or before Monday, February 16, 2009, via email or disk by mail.

4. Break Away is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity open to schools across the country. Break Away: The Alternative Break Connection will be taking proposals (through January 12, 2009) for locations to host our 2009 summer Alternative Break Citizenship Schools (ABCs). This experience combines workshops, service projects, community interaction, speaker panels, team-building, and reflection. If your school or entity is interested in hosting this event you will have the opportunity to send up to four participants at no cost to your program.  You can find the application at www.alternativebreaks.org.  If you have questions about Break Away or the proposal please email breakaway@alternativebreaks.org or call (toll-free) 1.800.903.0646.

5. NYLC and Volunteer Tennessee invite you to Nashville, Tennessee for the 20th Annual National Service-Learning Conference at the Nashville Convention Center, March 18-21, 2009! The conference is the largest gathering of youths and practitioners involved in the service-learning movement, drawing approximately 2,700 attendees from across the United States and at least 20 other countries each year. Through three days of general sessions, featured forums, and service-learning projects, the conference engages participants in local, national, and global issues that service-learning addresses. It provides networking opportunities with service-learning leaders through more than 150 experiential workshops, receptions, and informal meetings. The regular registration deadline is December 31. Visit http://www.nylc.org/conference 

6. Community Voices: A California Campus Compact Study on Partnerships was written by Marie Sandy, Ph.D., with research support from Elaine K. Ikeda, Ph.D., Nadinne Cruz, M.A., Barbara Holland, Ph.D., Kathleen Rice, Ph.D., and Marie Sandy. In Spring 2005, California Campus Compact hosted 15 community partner focus groups with the goal of listening to the partners to better understand and strengthen these partnerships.  This report is fully downloadable on their website, and you can also read the interview questions that were asked, and get tips on how to conduct your own assessment.
http://www.cacampuscompact.org/cacc_publications/index.html

7. Information about Campus Compact's 2009 Thomas Ehrlich Engaged Faculty Award (previously known as the Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for Service-Learning) is now available at http://www.compact.org/awards/ehrlich/.  Please note that the application deadline is March 20, 2009, and materials may be submitted online starting in early January.  Meanwhile we encourage you to look at the eligibility guidelines, selection criteria, and application requirements and to consider applying or supporting others' applications for this award.