RSVP of Montgomery County has announced its newest training for nonprofit staff and boards: E-Learning+.

Agencies can access the free training by visiting RSVP’s new website.

http://www.rsvpmc.org/content/e-learning-registration-form

Currently four courses are available (Intro to E-Learning+, Board Development 1 and 2 and Strategic Planning); new courses will be added regularly.

In addition to the online training participants can contact the instructor with questions specific to their organization.

For more details, go here.

Posted on: June 14, 2012

The job of the Program Facilitator was established for the purpose/s of overseeing the development and implementation of one or more program sites. The Program Facilitator should provide group activities based on Educating Communities for Parenting’s (ECP’s) specialized curriculum(s) and mission statement.

Based on the belief that the parent/child relationship is the foundation upon which all human relationships are built, the mission of ECP is to teach children, youth, families and communities about the nature of and practices within healthy relationships. ECP emphasizes the critical importance of nurturance, the need to care deeply about self and others, the ability to think critically, and to solve conflicts non-violently.

Educating Communities for Parenting has a long history of providing quality training to at risk and delinquent youth and adults at critical life junctures. ECP currently works with diverse populations (adjudicated teens and adults, pregnant and parenting teens, mother baby homes, homeless shelters, substance abuse facilities, etc.) assisting participants in achieving personal, emotional, social, educational, physical, spiritual and familial adjustments.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor degree in human service or related field in addition to 2 years working experience with infants, children, adolescents, and families in community-based or educational setting
Group facilitator leadership experience
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
Criminal record and child abuse clearances
Enthusiastic and nurturing demeanor

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/N7BHcbjjB4w4/

Posted on: June 19, 2012

Apply online: https://jobs-afsc.icims.com/jobs/1242/job

Deadline is July 10, 2012

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Program Officer
DEPARTMENT: Integration and Impact
STATUS: Full-Time
SUPERVISOR: Assistant General Secretary for Integration and Impact
LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

BACKGROUND
The newly-established Integration and Impact Department has two objectives: (1) to support program work that is strategic as directed by the Board and (2) to strengthen the connection, focus and integration of local programs working on related issues or using similar approaches. To achieve these objectives we will:

a) Facilitate communication and connection among program staff from across the organization, especially between and among international and U.S. programs;
b) Identify themes and shared approaches across programs and geographic locations that offer opportunities for greater effectiveness through joint planning;
c) Support effective planning and implementation of programs involving staff in multiple locations;
d) Seek new and innovative approaches that will have greater impact in achieving organizational goals;
e) Facilitate shared analyses and the development of resources to support programs in multiple locations.

Established in February 2012, the success of the Integration and Impact Department depends upon staff members who possess core competencies for programs support. These include (a) initiative and creativity; (b) expertise in an AFSC program content area; (c) cultural competence to ensure that there is diversity in program work across age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status; (d) proven ability to work with individuals to achieve collaborative ends; (e) proven ability to analyze problems skillfully; and (f) training and experience in program monitoring and evaluation.

The key responsibilities of the Program Officer include the following:

Organizational Support

Work with staff members across the organization to identify and nurture projects that can become collaborative or joint programs.
Assist in identifying partnerships and coalitions that will enhance program work and help in the designation of staff persons to represent the AFSC on each.
Work with the Department of Planning and Evaluation to provide periodic analyses of progress being made in achieving joint program objectives.
Develop periodic reports around issues and trends in peace and justice work to share with program staff members and program leadership.
Serve as an expert resource in content area to assist staff members in continuous program improvement, keeping abreast of and disseminating information about externally accepted program standards where applicable.
Develop and maintain a process for analyzing program activities to determine where technical assistance is needed and establish a system for providing the assistance.
Identify areas where staff training is justified and assist the Department of Planning and Evaluation in determining the best mechanism for meeting the training needs.

Planning and Direction

Convene staff members with different program experiences and facilitate their engaging in peer-to-peer discussions for planning and implementation of program work.
Maintain working knowledge of the skills, expertise, approaches, and effectiveness of regional staff and programs.
Support potential collaborative and joint program work by identifying and responding to needs in the “field” and making recommendations for deployment of expertise and support as needed.
Ensure that work across programs is highly responsive to the changing external landscape and takes advantage of opportunities to bring about positive change in the world.

Financial Involvement

Participate in budget development for joint programs and initiatives working through Integration and Impact.
Assist with developing and monitoring budgets.

Communications

Facilitate communications between and among program staff members and regions.
Represent the mission, values, approaches, and viewpoints of the AFSC to all constituents.
Working with the ASG for Integration and Impact, ensure that regional directors and associate general secretaries are kept abreast of plans and budgets for joint work as these develop.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/73t8D7s2t6BD/

Posted on: June 19, 2012

In this position you will be responsible for the following duties:

Formulate and implement aggressive sales strategies to generate new employers, and acquire new accounts within high priority industries.

Establish and cultivate new economic development partnerships that lead to projects yielding multiple placement opportunities for all job seekers.

Develop plans and become active with the appropriate trade associations, make connections and build partnerships with local community organizations, the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, local education institutions, the Industry Partnerships, and other Philadelphia City agencies. Create new partnerships and expand existing ones with professional organizations, local and state agencies.

Oversee staff to ensure the delivery and execution of a wide array of business services including but not limited to PA CareerLink resources (resource centers, interview rooms, customized employee recruitments and screening assistance and CWDS technical assistance), EARN Centers (for employers that hire job seekers receiving TANF), and other workforce solutions, such as; access to customized job training, labor market information, on-the-job training, information regarding tax credits, information regarding wage subsidy, grants and incentives, and industry partnership connectivity.

Oversee the administration of program goals and objectives as identified by Corporate Management and guide staff with appropriate sales methodology to ensure objectives are met.

Observe selling techniques of staff and outline strengths and areas of improvement. Implement training plan for improvement and encourage self-assessment and self-development.

Review analyses of activities, operations and forecast data to determine division progress toward stated goals and objectives.

Design and implement evaluation measures to increase the overall employer market penetration rate, onsite recruitments and job orders in the operating system as well as capture client/employer testimonials

Work with internal leadership to develop and implement program enhancements, analyze and implement workforce plans and lead organizational restructuring initiatives in light of program needs.

For employers that hire TANF customers with wage subsidy, maintain existing wage subsidy employer relationships and coordinate accuracy of wage subsidy agreements, invoicing and reporting with Finance Dept.

Review existing databases and contact existing business customers to obtain potential job orders, appointments, employer calls, presentations, successful closing negotiations and account retention to meet team goals.

Respond in a timely manner to all employer requests, thus securing a high degree of customer satisfaction.

Maintain thorough documentation of all employer contacts, written business proposals, accepted contracts, job orders and job placements, etc.; maintain and update all employer databases (including CWDS, ECMS, EARN) and remain abreast of local and regional labor market trends.

Work in collaboration with internal program staff and the provider’s designated staff in the coordination, scheduling, implementation, monitoring and reporting of job fairs and/ or employment information for job seekers.

EARN System Specific

Coordinate, implement, distribute, monitor, track and report employment opportunities for TANF clients with for-profit corporations and Department of Public Welfare (DPW) Contractor Partnership Program (CCP) for TANF clients in subsidized and unsubsidized employment.

Train, coordinate and strengthen relationships for appropriate staff and Provider staff on program support initiatives from contracted agencies.

Ensure monthly data reconciliation of program services is achieved with contracted provider agencies.

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Marketing, Business or other related area with 3-5 years experience in executive sales.

This position requires:

Strong skills in the following area: lead development, qualifying, closing, customer relations, account management, and account development
Must have a solid sales work history and demonstrated success in developing and winning new accounts
Strong written, verbal interpersonal, presentation, and relationship building skills

Or, any combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Human Resources Department.

Salary range: $78,000 – $84,000

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Alternate Formats, Auxiliary Aides and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities**

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/JJgFGPkMBPFP/

Position: Education Program Director; Full-time
Title: Director, Philadelphia Children Access Nature
Salary: Competitive salary with benefits
Applications accepted until position is filled

Riverbend Environmental Education Center is located in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and our mission is to  teach environmental principles to children in Southeastern Pennsylvania through a direct connection with nature, inspiring respect for our natural world and action as aware, responsible and caring citizens.

Director, Philadelphia Children Access Nature (Philadelphia CAN): This innovative K to Grade 5 environmental enrichment program will begin its third year of a 5-year pilot program at the Anna Blakiston Day School in the East Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. This is an opportunity for a highly qualified individual to implement and direct Philadelphia CAN, a program that:
•    Supports student learning through integrated hands-on and outdoor environmental activities that are aligned with the School District of Philadelphia’s Science CORE Modules.
•    Supports teachers in their classroom and through professional development focusing on the Philadelphia CAN enrichment activities.
•    Connects schools with Philadelphia organizations that support environmental learning through field trips, professional development and classroom learning.
•    Engages the family and community in supplemental and service learning.

Qualified Candidates Possess:

•    BA/BS degree; preference given to candidates with a degree in environmental education or related field
§ Experience teaching in a classroom setting with preference given to candidates with familiarity working in urban, underserved communities with fewer educational resources
§ Experience teaching in non-formal educational settings
§ Excellent classroom management skills
§ Experience leading professional development for teachers
§ 3-5 years of experience
§ Comfortable with basic science content
§ Grant writing experience preferred
§ Self-starter, with demonstrated ability to take initiative, meet deadlines and deal with daily challenges
§ Excellent written and verbal communication skills
§ Patience
§ Professional interpersonal skills
§ Superior organization skills with ability to prioritize and multi-task
§ Dependable, with strong work ethic and personal integrity
§ Clear commitment to Riverbend’s mission and PCAN’s purpose

Specific Responsibilities Include:
1.    Implement the Philadelphia CAN curriculum in each K- grade 5 classrooms. Current curriculum is aligned and developed for two out of three science core modules per grade level.  Provide a combination of leadership, expertise and mentorship while implementing the program enrichment activities.
2.    Conduct professional development activities for teachers
3.    Organize and supervise Family Science Night, once annually
4.    Oversee and participate in all field trips
5.    Schedule all components of the program including in-class visits, field-trips, professional development activities, and family science night
6.    Provide support for community service learning project
7.    Communicate and meet as necessary with teachers and school administration
8.    Manage any classroom volunteers recruited to support the program
9.    Conduct program evaluations and provide written reports
10.    Grant writing to fund the replication of the program at additional schools
11.    Develop curriculum for the third science core module in each grade level
12.    Develop and manage partnerships with outside organizations that can offer program support

Additional Requirements:
1.    Must pass a child abuse clearance, criminal background screening and hold a valid driver’s license.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and two professional references to:

Laurie Bachman, Executive Director
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA  19085
lbachman@riverbendeec.org

Posted on: June 21, 2012

BREAKTHROUGH OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA
High School Academic Coordinator

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is a six-year academic enrichment program that builds a path from middle school to college for low-income students from Philadelphia and Camden. Breakthrough also inspires talented college and high school students to become educators and engaged citizens by giving them responsibility for teaching in its programs.

Breakthrough provides rigorous academic enrichment and college preparation for students from 7th through 12th grades through summer and school year programming; it also provides high school and college admissions support and counseling. College and high school students from around the country serve as teacher interns in Breakthrough’s classrooms. Breakthrough emphasizes academic excellence, family involvement, leadership, teamwork, creativity, and diversity. Breakthrough is an affiliate of the national Breakthrough Collaborative. For additional information please visit http://www.breakthroughphilly.org or http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Academic Coordinator guides Breakthrough’s 7th and 8th grade students and their families through the high school selection and application process, and delivers academic support services to Breakthrough’s 9th and 10th grade students. S/he works closely with Breakthrough’s Middle School Program Site Managers and Program Director and is supervised by the High School Program Director.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

High School Selection and Application Process

Stay abreast of and document critical information about Philadelphia’s public, charter, magnet and private high schools including: test scores, graduation rates, college enrollment rates and college outcomes
Plan and implement Breakthrough’s High School Options curriculum for 7th and 8th grade students:
Coordinate Breakthrough’s annual high school information night for students and families, and High School Extravaganza for students
Advise students and families about academic options for high schools; counsel students and families on how to select an appropriate high school based on student’s academic goals and credentials
Assist students and families in the high school application process
Manage and track students’ high school applications and acceptances

Summer Academic Services for Rising 9th Graders

In collaboration with other program staff, interview and select outstanding college and high school students to serve as
intern teachers in Breakthrough’s rigorous Summer Program. This includes participation in several Saturday ‘Teacher Selection Events’ during the spring.
Work in partnership with Breakthrough’s full-time staff to train summer staff including intern teachers, teacher coaches, and Dean of Students. This includes delivering Breakthrough specific presentations during an intensive two-week orientation.
Manage full operations of Breakthrough’s intensive six-week summer program including supervision of 8-12 college student Intern Teachers, 3 Teacher Coaches and one Dean of Students.

School-Year Academic Services for 9th-10th Grade Students

Implement high quality, engaging academic and enrichment programs and activities with the goal of promoting success in school and completion of college
Develop and maintain relationships with students and their families
Advise students in choosing and gaining entrance into college preparatory courses; monitor and ensure rigorous course placement and academic success
Identify critical needs of students and provide timely and appropriate interventions and/or refer students/families to community resources as needed
Identify and coordinate engaging summer learning and leadership opportunities for rising 10th grade students
Meet and communicate regularly with parents/families on student progress, including conducting regular student/family conferences
Coordinate monthly themed grade meetings/workshops using Breakthrough’s College Bound curriculum
Plan and facilitate 8th grade re-commitment meetings with students and their families
Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records in electronic and paper files in an effort to monitor educational progress and personal growth
Support program evaluation efforts and make continuous program improvements to achieve outcomes
Recruit, train and manage college and high school students to serve as Breakthrough tutors
Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

Strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization
Bachelors’ degree from an accredited four-year university
Experience in education or youth development
Leadership experience
Classroom teaching experience and curriculum development preferred
Excellent verbal, written and visual communication skills
Highly organized with the ability to multi-task and deliver commitments in a timely manner
Ability to work with, motivate and lead a broad spectrum of people (ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, professional, and generational)
Ability to advocate effectively while maintaining positive working relationships
Ability to work both collaboratively as part of a team effort and independently
Willingness and ability to take initiative as appropriate
Strong desire to learn and grow professionally
Disciplined, strong work ethic and comfort with working non-standard hours (weekends and evenings)
Proficiency in the use of the computer, with expertise in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Familiarity with Philadelphia High Schools preferred
Breakthrough experience is a plus!

HOURS

Breakthrough is a fast-paced, needs-responsive environment. While office hours can be flexible, full-time employees typically work more than 40 hours per week on a regular basis.
Some evening and weekend work is required

BENEFITS

Generous vacation package and no-cost health benefits including medical, dental, and long-term disability.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/77jk2DW2s5Cp/

Posted on: June 21, 2012

NOTE: This position is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Relocation assistance is not available for this position. Applicants must be available to interview at our Administrative Offices, no travel reimbursements are available.

The Development Associate is a member of the Development Team, responsible for carrying out Bethesda Project’s mission through creative fundraising efforts and communications and branding strategies. This position requires a solid understanding of fundraising tactics as well as an understanding of Bethesda Project’s homeless population and programs.

Supervised by: Director of Development.

Responsibilities include:

Manage extensive Raiser’s Edge donor database, with competency in completing queries, performing exports, and producing reports to track trends.
Organize all of Bethesda Project’s mass mailings for PR, marketing, and communication purposes.
Supervise the Development Assistant’s daily tasks to ensure that financial contributions and in-kind gifts are appropriately recorded and acknowledged in a timely fashion. Provide creative and collaborative opportunities for Development Assistant to grow professionally by taking on special projects as time permits.
Assist in planning and implementing annual fundraising campaign and special events.
Design and produce all in-house Bethesda Project publications, event print pieces, and collateral, including but not limited to the quarterly newsletter, annual report, brochure, and all special event materials.
Monitor and update website copy on a regular basis to keep information up-to-date and accurate.
Manage social media sites for Bethesda Project to ensure they are up-to-date.
Assist Development Director in managing social media sites including content management.
Work collaboratively with Director of Development on publications, grant proposals and fundraising initiatives.
Assist other key administrative staff in maintaining a consistent organizational image, branding and offering guidance in meeting marketing, PR, and communication needs.
Directly communicate and build relationships with key Bethesda Project donors and volunteers.
Other duties as assigned or directed.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/XGxXcJxfNSCp/

Intercommunity Action is looking for friendly volunteers to help at its front desk.

The Volunteer Receptionist is an important position at Intercommunity Action for both clients and staff, responsible for reception duties and others such as greeting all visitors in a friendly manner, and notifying appropriate staff of visitors’ arrival; directing visitors to different offices and or facilities within the building; answering basic questions about operations; signing for packages and inform staff of arrival; and assisting with US Postal Service and Interoffice mail, as needed.

If interested, call Cherese Knox, 215-487-0904, or email her at cknox@intercommunityaction.org.

This report from Grantmakers for Effective Organizations outlines how to lead by creating a culture that values ongoing evaluation for learning; plan a framework to ensure all stakeholders evaluate with a purpose; organize needed infrastructure and technology; and share lessons with grantees and partners.

http://www.geofunders.org/storage/documents/2012_geo_evaluation_essentials.pdf

This report from the Center for American Progress analyzes 1979-2007 income growth by income group and how the state of the middle class and level of income inequality affect factors shaping the economy, such as human capital, demand for goods and services, entrepreneurship, and inclusive institutions.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/05/pdf/middleclass_growth.pdf

Good Shepherd Mediation Program will present a free three-day training and workshop for young people aged 12 to 17 from August 27th to August 29th at the program’s location at 5356 Chew Avenue in Philadelphia.

Good Shepherd’s Youth Mediator Training prepares teens to become mediators. It offers participants the opportunity to enhance their negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving, writing, and decision making skills.

This basic training focuses on school, community and family issues.

Young people who complete the training will be invited to co-mediate, with trained adult mediators, youth related disputes referred from various schools and agencies in the community. Youth mediators will receive a small stipend for volunteering their time.

To register, go here.

http://www.phillymediators.org/news/free-youth-mediator-training

The People’s Emergency Center and Dr. Staci Perlman of Kutztown University have released their Cost Analysis of Child Homelessness in Pennsylvania.

The report concludes that child homelessness is expensive and impacts everyone, and that there are costs far beyond basic housing.

It also noted that many costs could be lowered.  For example, chronic health problems could be better managed prior to the homelessness event rather than have the homeless system reacting to what is chronic problem. Early development and education costs could be addressed now to lower future and higher costs.  Parenting support provided in the early years could lower future costs.

The report also noted that many homeless families have complex challenges that cannot be solved by one social services system, and that improved collaboration between multiple human service systems could reduce costs.

The full policy brief can be found here.

http://works.bepress.com/staci_perlman/

We are looking for an experienced Development & Communications Director to join our collective.

Applications are due July 26, 2012. The Prometheus Radio Project is a grassroots organization that works to expand and protect community radio stations, and to promote a more democratic and accountable media in the United States and around the world. From farm worker groups in Oregon to environmental justice groups in South Carolina to social justice groups in Puerto Rico, we help community groups develop their own radio stations as tools social justice organizing and community expression. Prometheus led the ten-year campaign to pass the Local Community Radio Act, creating thousands of opportunities for new community radio stations nationwide. We also help community groups navigate the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the radio licensing process, and we provide technical assistance to groups building radio stations. We continue to advocate in Congress and at the FCC to expand community radio, and actively participate in the broader campaign for a better media. We are tireless in our fight to make community radio stations and other appropriate technologies available to every neighborhood, city, and town.

Development & Communications Director
The Development and Communications Director will lead the Prometheus team working to secure adequate funding for the expansion of community radio. This position will have primary responsibility for creating and implementing a plan to diversify funding for Prometheus Radio Project through foundation and grassroots funding streams. The Development Director will also work to educate the funding field at large about the impact of community media to ensure funding opportunities for emerging stations.

The Development Director will share the vision of community controlled media and the impact of our work in communities. For this job, a commitment to our mission, strong communication and relationship skills, and self-directed tenacity are crucial. We prioritize these even more highly than formal development experience. If you believe in the value of communities owning their own media and you can communicate your beliefs effectively in writing and in conversation, we want you to apply!

Responsibilities:
Foundation Support
• Build on existing relationships with foundation supporters.
• Create and conduct funder briefings to educate the field.
• Identify, meet with, and secure new foundation funders.
• Track and submit grant reports with support from the Operations Director.

Grassroots Fundraising Campaign
• Produce and distribute monthly newsletter.
• Support the creation and distribution of 3 fundraising appeals per year.
• Develop additional means to engage and sustain grassroots donors

Major Donor Campaign
• Identify and cultivate a pool of high level donors .
• Ensure frequent updates in areas of interest.
• Produce briefings for donors.

Communications
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and compelling web presence
• Support press strategy and implementation with press team
• Track press contacts

Other Duties
• Maintain donor files – electronic and paper.
• Acknowledge donations.
• Update website with materials targeted for individual donors.
• Staff the Fundraising Committee of the Board
• Fulfilling associated duties that all collective members share related to collective governance, office work, professional development and collective learning.
• Supervise development interns and volunteers

Qualifications:
• Commitment to the mission of Prometheus and solid understanding of the media justice movement.
• Great people skills needed, including the ability to build and maintain relationships with large and small donors
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff, board members, volunteers and interns
• Strong writing and presentation skills required.
• Travel in the northeast and some cross country travel required.
• Demonstrated experience with proposal writing and e-newsletter creation preferred.
• Graphic design skills– Power point, Photoshop and InDesign preferred.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Experience using social networks to build lists preferred.
• Comfortable using databases and spreadsheets required.
• Must live or be willing to relocate to the Philadelphia area.

Prometheus has a collective staff structure and all paid staff receive the same hourly rate of compensation. The salary for this position is $35,000 plus medical benefits. We are committed to developing leaders from communities historically disenfranchised from media access, including the poor and working class, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBT and queer people, and seniors and youth. People from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Prometheus considers applicants for positions without regard to any legally protected status.

To apply, send a resume, cover letter, a two writing samples and one sample of marketing/graphic
design/web work to stephanie@prometheusradio.org, and include “Development and Communications Director” in the subject line. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 26, 2012 with interviews scheduled for the week of August 6.

People’s Emergency Center is hosting the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on July 21st and we need your help!  Event will feature jazz performances, art exhibitions, family activities, walking tours, and craft and vendor markets.  This is great opportunity for groups to work together!

9am – 12pm:  Set-up.  Lifting, carrying and setting up tables, chairs and tents for the attendees community members and vendors.  After your shift stick around and enjoy some live music!

12pm -6pm:  Event Ambassadors.  Provide help to the elderly and handicapped guests in maneuvering around the event, assist as needed with children’s activities, assisting the lead organizer as requested, providing information to guests and participants about different event activities and features, monitoring the moon bounce.

5pm – 7pm:  Clean Up.  Taking down, lifting, carrying, and stacking tables, chairs and tents for pick up by the equipment vendor.  Picking up and disposing of any trash in the park.

Contact mpollock@pec-cares.org or 215-382-7522 x269 for more information.

PHENND has recently moved to a new location, sharing space with Penn’s Professional & Continuing Education division.  We will also be welcoming two new VISTAs to our team for a new project with the School District.

So, leave work early on a Friday afternoon in the summer and come and hang out with PHENND!

Friday, July 27, 3:30-5:30 PM
3624 Market Street, Suite 5W

We’ll have light refreshments available and as with any PHENND event, there will be great networking.

RSVPs encouraged but not required — just email hillarya@pobox.upenn.edu.

Friday, July 27, 1-3 PM
at the PHENND Office, 3624 Market Street, Suite 5W

One of the major issues is whether standard school-issues IDs will be sufficient.  Either way, campuses should start thinking about how to educate their students for a successful election experience.

We will be joined by Ellie Esmond, of Bryn Mawr College, where they plan to issue new IDs to all students as a response to Voter ID, as well as by Jorge Santana, of City Commissioner Stephanie Singer’s Office.  Kenn Marshall, Media Relations Manager of the PA State System of Higher Education will also join us via skype.

To RSVP, email Hillary at hillarya@pobox.upenn.edu or call 215-573-2379.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 24 so we can have enough lunch for everyone.

Cities of Service, a bipartisan coalition of United States mayors committed to injecting the leadership of local elected executives into the service movement, has launched the Impact Volunteering Fund to help more cities use “impact volunteering” to tackle pressing local challenges. The $2 million initiative is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Cities of Service model focuses on “impact volunteering” — volunteer strategies that target community needs, use best practices, and set clear outcomes and measures to gauge progress and heighten the focus on impact and outcomes. The model seeks to equip mayors with the tools to engage citizens as resources and assets in addressing both existing and emerging priorities, rather than solely as service users and clients.

Any mayor whose city is a member of the Cities of Service coalition is eligible to apply on behalf of the city and its partners. Initiatives can address any issues in the Cities of Service priority areas, which include education and youth, health, neighborhood revitalization, preparedness and safety, sustainability, and veterans.

Cities will be selected based on a number of criteria, including the quality of the initiative plan, the quality of the implementation plan, impact potential, how resources are leveraged, demonstrated partnerships, and the commitment of executive leadership.

The fund will make grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, with larger amounts reserved for cities with multiple initiatives.

The first round of grants will be awarded in October 2012; a second round will be made a year later.

We ask that all interested cities submit their Intent to Apply by August 17, 2012. The full application is due August 31, 2012.

Visit the Cities of Service Web site for the complete request for proposals and application materials.

http://www.citiesofservice.org/resources/volunteer/

The Mary Kay Foundation and Mary Kay, Inc. have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation to bring Nature Explore Classrooms to domestic violence shelters.

Nature Explore Classrooms are outdoor learning spaces designed to include nature in the daily lives and learning of children. Research shows that nature can help soften the impact of life stress on children and help them deal with adversity.

By the end of 2012, Mary Kay will have sponsored seventeen Nature Explore Classrooms to help child survivors of domestic violence heal from abuse — representing a combined donation and support of nearly $800,000 since the program’s inception in 2009.

Mary Kay is accepting applications to build four new Nature Explore Classrooms at women’s shelters in the United States. Shelters that serve survivors of domestic violence and have outdoor space available to accommodate learning stations and equipment are eligible to apply.

Along with the outdoor area, each classroom includes a multi-faceted curriculum to fully maximize the educational opportunities and healing effects of the outdoor environment. The classroom is funded entirely by Mary Kay and is an investment totaling more than $50,000.

Visit the Mary Kay Foundation Web site for complete program information and application instructions.

http://www.marykayfoundation.org/Pages/natureexclassrooms.aspx

If you are new to the PHENND K-16 Network and are interested in being involved please submit the following form: K-16 Partnerships Network Sign Up

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEZ4Q0poNmF2Z3Rrdk5tVnlMLVFPTlE6MQ#gid=0

May/June K-16 Newsletter: http://updates.phennd.org/2012/06/28/

Click the headlines to read the full article!

Next American City is also seeking editorial interns who are available to start working a minimum of 12 hours per week in September 2012. Internships are unpaid, but school credit can be arranged. For a full list of responsibilities, please click here.

http://americancity.org/daily/entry/next-american-city-opportunities

Please send a resume and cover letter to: Ariella Cohen, Executive Editor, Ariella@americancity.org with “Internship” in the subject line. No calls please.