<a href="http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12291&mode=VIEW">http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12291&mode=VIEW</a>

When tracking the rise and fall of America?s political parties, a remarkable trend develops: those who win the youth vote are, a generation later, the party in power. As noted by scholar Norman Ornstein in 1986: ?All the research done on the dramatic Democratic realignment of the 1930s shows that the key was young voters, coming of age as the Depression hit, influenced deeply by the contrast between Hoover and Roosevelt. Those young voters became lifelong Democrats. The oldest segment of today’s population, those who came of age during the golden years for the Republicans (the Roaring Twenties), remain staunchly Republican today.?

We see a similar generational trend among voters who first entered the electorate in the 1960s and 1980s. A Pew Research Center chart, shows how voters who came of age during the Reagan era are today the most Republican age group, while those who first voted during the Kennedy and Johnson years remain today a staunchly Democratic group.

Clearly, courting and winning young voters should be a priority for the political parties. Not only can the sheer size and growing engagement of young adults help win close elections today, but can help build political power for the future. For more on this research and how it impacts politics today, see Partisanship is Habit-Forming.

http://www.youngvoterstrategies.org/index.php?tg=articles&topics=46&mylocation=Tools

Mark your calendars for the CoRAL Network’s annual conference on community-driven research. The 2007 conference will be held on Saturday, April 28 at American University’s Mary Graydon Center. Online registration is available: Register Online
http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=116276

Faculty, students and community members are all welcome to submit papers, posters and presentations related to the theme of “Transforming DC Through Community-Based Learning and Research.” The deadline for abstracts is February 15, 2007. Submit an abstract.
http://www.coralnetwork.org/conference/submissionform.html

Feel free to contact info@coralnetwork.org with any questions.

http://www.coralnetwork.org/conference/overview.html

Details: http://www.dropoutprevention.org/ndpcdefault.htm.

3rd Annual ULI Conference – Developing Green: Integrating Sustainability with Success; ULI?s Developing Green conference explores the latest trends in green and sustainable development. Sponsorship packages / exhibit space is available. Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Urban Land Institute 800 321-5011sromero@uli.org; http://www.uli.org/conferences/Green2007

This year, a series of three two-day workshops across Midwestern region – Kansas City, MO, Wheeling, IL (Chicago area) and St. Paul, MN – are designed to offer new ideas for academic enrichment in your program. Together, the three workshops offer in-depth professional development covering six academic areas: Math & Science, Arts & Literacy, and Homework & Technology.

Math & Science
Kansas City, MO
February 22-23, 2007

Literacy & Arts
Wheeling, IL
March 8-9, 2007

Homework & Technology
St. Paul, MN
May 3-4, 2007

For more information and to register visit http://www.mcrel.org/peak.

33rd Annual Family Involvement Conference

Commitment: Go the Extra Mile
October 21-24, 2007

The Resort at Split Rock
Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania

This three-day, multi-state, conference provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the success your organization has achieved.

Teaching faculty, guidance counselors, administrative staff, and parent groups from L.E.A.s, state Departments of Education, colleges, and universities are encouraged to submit proposals. All sessions will be 1 hour in length with an additional 15 minutes for questions and answers.

Proposals will be selected based on a demonstrated exemplary role in initiating and promoting effective family/parent involvement programs, practices and partnerships. Sessions on any curricular topic which will benefit parents and/or educators attending the conference are also welcome.

To obtain a copy of the “Call for Workshop Proposals” form visit our web site at: http://www.familyinvolvementconference.com/proposals

The deadline for submitting proposals is March 15th, however early submission is strongly encouraged.

February 10, 2007 – 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

The Community Farming Conference will connect three groups of people – the towns and land trusts with land, the community groups that want a local farm, and the farmers who need land and local markets.

This conference features two keynote speakers: Lynda Simkins of the Natick Community Organic Farm in Massachusetts (http://www.natickfarm.org), and Elizabeth Henderson of Peacework Organic Farm in Newark, New York (http://www.gvocsa.org/index.html).

Lynda Simkins has run the town-owned farm in Natick for 27 years, and has always provided hands-on education for people of all ages by involving them in doing real work on a productive organic farm. Lynda will speak about combining educational programs and farming.

Elizabeth Henderson has been farming for about 25 years, and, although she farms on private land, she has always been deeply committed to farming with and for a community. She was one of the early pioneers of Community Supported Agriculture, and she is the author, with the late Robyn van En, of the book Sharing the Harvest, which profiles CSAs across the country, and tells how they work. Elizabeth will speak about how to start a CSA farm.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the conference will feature a forum for community farms (established and developing) to share their successes, challenges, resources, and needs, and short talks and discussions on special topics, including: working with your town government and planning your community farm as a business.

For more information, contact Kim Stoner at 203-974-8480. The conference costs $30 for NOFA members and $40 for non-members. Fee includes lunch.

To register: http://www.ctnofa.org/events/register2.php

* February 26-28, 2007 in Los Angeles
* April 11-13, 2007 in Nashville

“Mobilizing New Mentors through Faith- and Community-Based Collaborations,” is in its second year with two national mentor recruitment trainings that will be held on February 26-28 in Los Angeles and April 11-13 in Nashville. These training will assist and challenge mentoring programs to explore avenues for recruiting new mentors, particularly through faith- and community-based collaborations.

Featured speakers will include:

* J. Robert Flores, Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice

* Alison Fritz, Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Corporation for National and Community Service

* Bill Milliken, Founder of Community in Schools, Inc.

* Dr. Susan Weinberger, President, Mentor Consulting Group

* Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., Director, Amachi Program

Hosted by the National Network of Youth Ministries, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Corporation for National and Community Service, this training will equip participants with knowledge in:

* Finding New Mentors

* Working with Faith-Based Communities

* Running an Effective Volunteer Program

* Developing a Faith-Based Mentoring Program

Important Info

Los Angeles
$195 Early-Bird Reg. deadline is January 19, 2007!
$225 Registration deadline is February 16, 2007.

Nashville
$195 Early-Bird Reg. deadline is March, 2, 2007!
$225 Registration deadline is March 30, 2007.

For more information, visit http://www.mentoryouth.com/training or call toll-free at 1.877.500.MENTOR

Since our founding in 1999, PolicyLink has worked with partners around the country to illustrate that where you live affects how you live. Our equitable development approach sheds light on the link between neighborhood conditions and the health of its residents, and promotes policies and strategies that eliminate local and regional disparities.

The PolicyLink Center for Health and Place builds upon years of research, collaboration, and community engagement. It weaves research and action into policy initiatives to ensure that everyone?especially those in low-income communities and communities of color?can live, work, and play in healthy environments.

“We need fresher and bolder approaches to policies that address the link between health and place,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and CEO of PolicyLink. “Since policy informs the answers to the questions, ‘who benefits, who pays, and who decides,’ we must work collaboratively and aggressively to advance policies that ensure everyone an equitable share of our nation’s resources. That has been the continued mission of PolicyLink and that’s the vision for our new center.”

The center’s primary goal will be to push for more effective health policies and practices; conduct innovative research; shape public opinion through integrated communications and advocacy strategies; and build the capacity of community leaders, organizations, coalitions, and policymakers to craft effective approaches and to collaborate on strategies for policy change.

Mildred Thompson, the center’s director, leads a team of professionals?with expertise in public health, urban and regional planning, public policy, clinical psychology, and communications?in creating solutions to old problems. “So many of America’s biggest health problems are directly linked to the environments we live in,” said Mildred Thompson. “Whether it’s advocating for legislation to help build grocery stores in woefully underserved communities or eliminating environmental factors that account for the recent alarming jump in childhood asthma, we can advance public policies that lead to better, healthier, stronger neighborhoods.”

For a complete list of our initiatives and to partner with us to build an equitable policy agenda, go to http://www.policylink.org/healthandplace.

<a href="http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/focus_areas/gideon/guidelines">http://www.soros.org/initiatives/justice/focus_areas/gideon/guidelines</a>

More Information
<a href="http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12328&mode=VIEW">http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12328&mode=VIEW</a>

More Information
<a href="http://www.fbheron.org/prog_guide.html">http://www.fbheron.org/prog_guide.html</a>

More Information
<A HREF="http://www.ludwick.org/guide.html">http://www.ludwick.org/guide.html</A>

More Information
<a href="http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19480&c=EMC-FA144">http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19480&c=EMC-FA144</a>

Dawn Staley Foundation: Program Director. The program director is responsible for the design, implementation and daily management of the Dawn Staley After School Program and the Summer Basketball League. Qualifications include relevant bachelor?s degree and at least 5 years experience working with middle school girls.

Contact person: Dr. Angelia Nelson, (215) 457-1270, dawnstaleyfoundation@yahoo.com.

White-Williams Scholars: Office Assistant. The part-time OA serves as the organizational underpinning in the office, carrying out the daily tasks and responsibilities assigned by the administrative assistant. Responsibilities include typing, copying, faxing, calendar management and similar duties. Interested persons should email their resume and a cover letter to info@wwscholars.org.

John Bartram Association: Part-time Educator. JBA seeks an Educator to teach lessons in Colonial American history, natural science, and art to visitors from pre-K to adults. Position is seasonal from March 12 – Nov 21, 2007. Qualified candidates should send resume and cover letter to Melanie Snyder, Director of Education, msnyder@bartramsgarden.org or fax to 215-729-1047 (no phone calls please). Deadline: February 23.

Enter the "I Have a Dream" Essay and Art Contest

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Greater Philadelphia Cares is holding the ?I Have a Dream? Essay and Art Contest for students ages 18 and under. We would love to hear what Dr. King?s vision means to young people today. Or, if you volunteered at one of GPC?s projects for Day of Reflection, Lifetime of Action on January 13-15, you can shape your submission around what the day meant to you. Submit your original essays, poems, and works of art to I Have a Dream Contest at 100 South Broad Street, Suite 2200 , Philadelphia, PA 19110. Deadline for submissions is 2/15/07. Winners will have their works published in our monthly calendar.