1. Are you planning a project for 2009? Applications are now being accepted for the current cycle of Venture Grants. Michigan Campus Compact awards Venture Grants of $1,000-$3,500 to individuals or groups from member institutions to encourage the development or expansion of community service programs, service-learning opportunities, and/or civic engagement activities.  Check out the full Venture Grant RFP online at www.micampuscompact.org/grants.asp. If there is someone on your campus that should hear from MCC personally about the Venture Grant, contact Ryan Fewins: rfewins@micampuscompact.org.

2. 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.

3. 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: www.handsonnetwork.org

4. Do you want to improve education in your community? Do Something and Tutor.com want to help! They are offering $500 Teach Something Grants for your ideas or projects that make a difference around education issues. DoSomething.org is giving out ten $500 grants for education projects. To learn more or apply, visit http://www.dosomething.org/grants/teachsomething.  The application deadline is December 15, 2008.

5. Sign-up for a My MLK Day Tech Tool Webinar. The Corporation for National and Community Service is offering a series of Webinars to help familiarize users with the expanded role of the "My MLK Day" project and volunteer management technology tool. Participation is free and open to everyone, but registration is required.  The next webinar, “My MLK Day Tech Tool Webinar” is Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 2:00-3:00 PM EST.  You can reserve your Webinar seat at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/191941367

6. Announcing the first-ever MacJannet Prize:  The MacJannet Prize will recognize exceptional student civic engagement initiatives based in universities around the world and contribute financially to their ongoing public service efforts.  Prizes include: One first-place prize: $5,000; Two second-place prizes: $2, 500 each; Five third-place prizes: $1,000 each.  The first-place winner will be featured in a video documentary.  Anyone can nominate a program - including their own. Nominations must be received no later than December 15, 2008. To learn more about the prize and application process visit The MacJannet Prize Website.  E-mail macjannetprize@gmail.com with questions.

1. Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey is seeking an Assistant Director in the Center Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement. The Assistant Director provides the campus leadership required to develop, implement, supervise, evaluate and institutionalize comprehensive service learning and volunteerism programs founded on student development principles and best practices and in collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and community partners. This position includes responsibility for the organization, administration, supervision, data collection, and programmatic evaluation of the Center for Service Learning, Volunteerism and Community Engagement.  Click here for more information.

2. Youth Service America is pleased to offer an AmeriCorps*VISTA position to an organized, detail-oriented, and dynamic individual to join our team as we launch the Semester of Service 2009 program. The AmeriCorps VISTA member’s key role will be to support and build the capacity of YSA’s Semester of Service sub-grantees to exponentially grow the participation of youth in Martin Luther King Day of Service through Global Youth Service Day 2009. This position is located in Washington, DC.  Click here to read the full position description and apply.

3. City Year LA (Los Angeles, CA) is accepting applications for a Communications Brand Manager position. The Communications Manager will be responsible for coordinating all efforts put toward the design, development, and implementation of a comprehensive city-wide communications program encompassing advertising, publications, special events, collateral and web design, and strategic communications. The Communications Manager will work with the Deputy Director to develop and implement a campaign to raise awareness of City Year in the local community. For more information visit: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/317606-174

1. National Youth Leadership Council 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 the conference website at: http://www.nylc.org/conference.

2. Don’t forget to nominate your best Learn and Serve student, educator, program, and corporate partner before November 26, 2008. This year the awards will be presented in special ceremonies at the National Youth Leadership Conference, March 18-21 in Nashville.  Learn and Serve has a lot to be proud of with over 15 years worth of accomplishments. It is important to continue to highlight and recognize good examples of our best students, educators, and programs as best practices and good models for those who are just beginning programs or trying to expand, as well as for our friends and colleagues to point to when they are speaking about us.  To make a nomination go to: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/spiritofservice/index.asp.

3. The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Commission on Professional Preparation announces its Annual Graduate Student Research and Writing Awards. The deadline for submissions is Monday, January 5, 2009, 5:00 pm EST. There are four award categories, which are described below. (This same information will also be available soon on the Commission on Professional Preparation web page, http://www.myacpa.org/comm/profprep). Recipients will be recognized at the 2009 Annual Convention in Metro D.C.  The purpose of these awards is to honor the writing and research of students enrolled (and those who earned their degrees between March 2008-March 2009) in graduate preparation programs in student affairs or higher education. Direct questions about preparing or submitting your entry to Elisa Abes, Miami University, abeses@muohio.edu or Anne Hornak, Central Michigan University, Horna1am@cmich.edu

4. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) Academy 2009 invites proposals for presentations on work in the area of the scholarship of teaching and learning. This conference seeks to bring together all members of the academy engaging in the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL). Applications are encouraged from experts and novices in this field, at all career stages. This national conference will provide a forum for presenting new SOTL work, for sharing reflections on SOTL and its role within the academy, and networking with others engaged in this enterprise. Call for Proposals are due by December 1, 2008. The Conference Dates are May 18-19, 2009 Visit http://www.emich.edu/sotlacademy/proposals.html to learn more and submit a proposal.