New Federal Work-Study Resource Available from Campus Compact

With the U.S. Department of Education showing signs of tightening enforcement of Federal Work-Study (FWS) regulations, now is the time to learn as much as possible about how to meet or exceed the federally mandated requirement that 7% of all FWS funds go toward community service positions.

What constitutes community service under the regulations? Why should campuses increase community service FWS, and how can they do so without incurring huge administrative and other costs? How can community service/service-learning staff overcome inter-departmental barriers to create effective programs? How have campuses with successful community service FWS programs put these programs in place? What tools are available to help make this process easier?

Campus Compact's new online publication, Earn, Learn, and Serve: Getting the Most from Community Service Federal Work-Study, answers these questions and many more. Edited by FWS expert Erin Bowley, this valuable new resource offers a detailed discussion of the regulations guiding FWS, principles of good practice, a guide to partnering with Financial Aid, and numerous campus models that span institutional type, size, and geography. Also included is an essay from CNCS's Robert Davidson, highlights of state Campus Compact FWS work with models from New Hampshire and California, and a host of hands-on tools for managing programs, including handbooks, application and evaluation forms, time sheets, and reflection tools.

Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service through a grant from Learn and Serve America, this new resource is available FREE online at http://www.compact.org/fws/.

1. There are many ways to help support the victims of the Southern California fires, whether it’s donating blood, giving financially, or volunteering your time. To learn more about what the Red Cross is doing to aid wildfire victims, visit http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_7172,00.html. If you are in California and want to volunteer, visit http://californiavolunteers.org/disaster_prep.asp

2. The Forum for Youth Investment just released, “Building Effective Youth Councils: A Practical Guide to Engaging Youth in Policy Making” which applies the core principles of youth engagement to youth councils: entities created by government agencies to bring youth perspectives into policy decisions.  This guide is designed to help states and localities create or strengthen their own youth councils.

3. The American Association of Community Colleges is pleased to announce the publication of "Community Colleges Broadening Horizons through Service Learning, 2006-2009." This new eight-page project brief describes service learning initiatives and highlights at 12 community colleges participating in AACC's current Horizons grant program. The entire text of the brief may be found on AACC's Web site by clicking here. Visit their main website at www.aacc.nche.edu/servicelearning for other publications, resources, curriculum tools, and listings of upcoming conferences and events.

4. The Campus Compacts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are pleased to launch the on-line publication of Creating, Running and Sustaining Campus-Community Service-Learning Partnerships: Lessons from Practitioners. To access this handbook, please visit: http://www.vtcampuscompact.org/downloadable_documents/VCC%20Partnership.pdf. This handbook shares the voices and wisdom of individuals from colleges and universities and from community organizations in northern New England who have been involved in service-learning partnerships for several years. These partnership practitioners describe how they build, operate and sustain effective campus-community partnerships.

5. New Book - WHY COMMUNITY MATTERS: Connecting Education with Civic Life by Nicholas V. Longo available from SUNY Press http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=61491. Providing a new perspective on the undeniable relationship between education reform and democratic revitalization, Nicholas V. Longo uncovers and examines practical models in which communities play an essential role in teaching the art of democracy.

1. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is seeking an experienced communications professional to join a committed team that is serving mentoring and volunteering programs throughout Michigan. The Communication Specialist will be housed in Lansing, Michigan.  Contact Lisa Keefer at lkeefer@mnaonline.org.

2. Ozone House, a progressive youth serving agency, is seeking a new Executive Director.  The E.D. is responsible for the overall administration and management of Ozone House, including service programs, grant writing & fundraising, and business operations.  Areas of responsibility include planning and evaluation, policy development and administration,  personnel and fiscal management, and public relations.  Must have a minimum of 5 years management & supervisory experience, and an MSW or Master’s in related field.  Salary commensurate with experience. Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements by 12/7 to David Baukema, at boardchair@ozonehouse.org. 

3. The Genesee County Land Bank Authority is seeking an Executive Director.  The E.D. is responsible for overall management and operation of the Genesee County Land Bank Authority and protection of the organization’s financial assets while ensuring compliance with board directives and applicable grantor, federal and state requirements.  Job description posted on www.thelandbank.org.  Competitive salary ($75K - $90K) and excellent benefits. Send cover letter, resume, and four professional references to 452 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 or amyhovey@protogenia.com, Attn: Amy Hovey, by 3 p.m. on 12/17/07.

4.The Genesee County Land Bank Authority is seeking an Associate Director of Sales.  The Associate Director is responsible for overall management and operation of the sales and demolition department of Genesee County Land Bank Authority.  Job description posted on www.thelandbank.org. Competitive salary and excellent benefits. Send cover letter, resume, and four professional references to 452 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 or amyhovey@protogenia.com, Attn: Amy Hovey, by 3 p.m. on 12/17/07.

5. The Service Learning Institute at California State University, Monterey Bay is searching to fill the tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Service Learning Leadership.  The Service Learning Institute is home to CSUMB's nationally acclaimed service learning program. CSUMB is one of the few universities in the nation to have instituted a service learning requirement for all undergraduate majors. 

6. South Carolina Campus Compact (SCCC) is the newest one of 32 state offices affiliated with the national Campus Compact, and is seeking to fill the position of South Carolina Campus Compact Director. The SCCC seeks to expand community service and service-learning opportunities for students by integrating service experiences into curricular and co-curricular activities, thus strengthening academic learning and making service an important part of the collegiate experience.

7. Sabbaticals for Long-Time Activists of Color - The Alston / Bannerman Fellowship Program is committed to advancing progressive social change by helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The program provides resources for organizers to take sabbaticals for reflection and renewal.

8. 2008 Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service, a dynamic summer program for undergraduate students interested in volunteerism and careers in the nonprofit sector. Nominate outstanding students for priority scholarship consideration at www.dcinternships.org/nominate Please share the following details with students active in service on your campus.

1. The Michigan Community Service Commission and the Michigan Campus Compact are pleased to announce the upcoming 12th Annual Institute: Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. Join faculty, staff and administrators from higher education and
K-12 institutions from across Michigan for this practical, interactive and stimulating conference on service-learning. For more information visit www.micampuscompact.org/institute.asp.

2. The Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award honors exemplary leaders who have inspired the service-learning field, positively impacted the lives of young people, and motivated others to take up the banner of service.

3. THE ENVISION MICHIGAN STORY COMPETITION: What do you love about Michigan? What do you want to change? What’s your best vision for our state’s future? Residents statewide can tell us in words, photos with captions and online videos. Envision Michigan is offering $25,000 in prizes as well as weekly Meijer shopping sprees, so the sooner people enter, the better their chance to win! The competition is open thru March 2008.    

ONLINE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS: All across the state this fall, in more than 80 locations, citizens and local leaders are working together to set a clear citizens’ agenda for Michigan’s future. Any Michigan resident can join the conversation in a matter of moments by participating online. This as a great way for citizens to become more knowledgeable and engaged about the challenging decisions our elected leaders face in Lansing. Organizations willing to distribute those materials can email info@thecenterformichigan.net.

4. Nominate your college for a Collaboration Award! The Community College National Center for Community Engagement is accepting Collaboration Award nominations in the categories of Collaboration with Business & Industry, Collaboration with Universities, Collaboration with Social Agencies, Collaboration with K-12,  and International Service-Learning. Deadline January 15, 2008.

5. The Western Region Campus Compact Consortium (WRCCC) is pleased to invite you to participate in the 11th Annual Continuums of Service Conference, The Engagement Imperative: Academia, Students, and Communities in Partnership. Proposals are Due:  Friday, November 30, 2007. The 11th Annual Continuums of Service Conference, The Engagement Imperative: Academia, Students, and Communities in Partnership, will demonstrate how engagement initiatives can advance institutional priorities and strategic partnerships, while building and sustaining healthy local and global communities.  The “Engaged Campus” is the future of higher education and imperative to preparing students for the 21st century!

6. Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) and the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) are partnering together on their annual spring conferences.  This year’s combined conference, The ICC/OFBCI Governor’s Conference on Service and Volunteerism, will be held March 25th and 26th, 2008, in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are currently seeking presenters – students, faculty, and staff – for the Higher Education Track.  Proposals are due November 30, 2007. Contact ICC at 317-274-6500.

7. CCPH Annual Award Nominations Due February 12, 2008! The CCPH Annual Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between communities and higher educational institutions that build on each other’s strengths to improve higher education, civic engagement, and the overall health of communities.  The 2008 award will be presented at the above-mentioned CUexpo.

8. The Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference will be held May 13-14, 2008 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan.  This year's theme is Teaming Up for Community Success.  This annual event features more than 50 workshops, an exhibit hall and bookstore, and opportunities for networking.  The audience will consist of more than 900 participants, including nonprofit executives, program staff, fund development professionals, board members, researchers, consultants, advocates, national service members and managers and leaders from the government, corporate and faith communities; bringing synergy and a broad community context to conference discussions.  

9. The Student Conservation Association is offering students an opportunity to protect the environment, challenge their intellect, and win top prizes. Please forward this link to your students: http://www.thesca.org/contest/. We seek to engage the intelligence and passion of America's young leaders to help restore and protect our natural world. We are looking for practical solutions that involve young people in addressing an environmental challenge.

10. Dan Butin is conducting research on academic departments, units, and/or programs that have formally embedded community-based models of teaching, learning, and/or research. Aware of the NSLC “quick guide” on SL minors, Butin has published about “community studies” programs. Any additional guidance (and links) on programs that you know about or are a part of that have instituted such practices and policies would be appreciated. Please respond through email dan.butin@cambridgecollege.edu and heI will update the list with a synthesis of the feedback.