AmeriCorps Week 2008 Idea Sharing Calls

AmeriCorps Week is coming May 11-18. To help you plan and promote your AmeriCorps Week event or presentation, we are setting up a series of conference calls where you can learn more about what’s going on and share ideas with headquarters and your peers from across the county. The schedule of topics is below, and you can join them all or choose what’s most interesting to you. These calls are a chance to get the latest updates, ask questions, learn about resources and materials, and best of all brainstorm with your peers about ways to make your AmeriCorps Week event a big success. Whether you are an AmeriCorps member, alum, project director, commission staff, friend, or supporter – whether you are state, national, VISTA or NCCC – we hope you are planning to mark AmeriCorps Week and we invite you to these calls.

Please note that all calls will take place on Wednesdays starting at 1 P.M. EST and lasting until 2 P.M. The dial-in number and passcode will be the same for all of the AmeriCorps Week 2008 Idea Sharing Calls.

Dial-In Number: 1-800-857-2166

Passcode: 9247010

Call Leader: Ms. Susan Rice

March 26: AmeriCorps Week Overview

The first call will provide the basics on AmeriCorps Week – goals, highlights, suggested activities, highlights from last year, media plans and ideas to get you started.

April 2: Event and Project Brainstorm

The sky is the limit when it comes to planning your AmeriCorps Week event. Be creative, have fun, and think outside the box! This call will be a chance to hear from your peers about what worked last year and brainstorm project and event ideas that could work for you. Events could include service projects, recruitment blitzes, AmeriCorps Appreciation night at the ballgame, AmeriCorps Idol contest, presenting a giant check to the Mayor, holding a forum on national service, having a tea for AmeriCorps Mothers on Mothers Day, honoring CCC alums on their 75th anniversary, getting an AmeriCorps Week proclamation, inviting a local news anchor, business leader or celebrity to be an "AmeriCorps Member for a Day" and much more.

April 9: Presentations by Members and Alums

A big focus on this year’s AmeriCorps Week will be presentations to schools and community groups by AmeriCorps members and alums. Learn about the new AmeriCorps Presentation Kit and how to plan, prepare, and promote a winning presentation.

April 16: Media Outreach

Got everything with your event squared away but not sure how to let others know about it? This call will focus on media outreach and the use of online tools like social networking sites to drive attendance and coverage of your event.

April 23: Using the AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study

A groundbreaking study on AmeriCorps long-term effects on members will by released by the Corporation during AmeriCorps Week. Get an advanced briefing and see how you can piggyback on this national study to get attention for your AmeriCorps program.

April 30: Highlights, Troubleshooting and Q & A

Our last call will be a chance for hear from your peers about what they have planned, get advice on last minute challenges, and answer questions as we go into the final stretch.