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Dear AmeriCorps Colleague,
The fourth annual AmeriCorps Week is coming May 8-15, in less than two months. This is a perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on the great work being done by AmeriCorps members across the country.
With AmeriCorps on a path of major expansion and growing interest in national service, AmeriCorps Week 2010 promises to be the biggest and best ever. Whether you're a member, program, state commission, alumni, sponsor, or friend, we hope you are planning to participate. We need you to make AmeriCorps Week a big success!
Here are some updates on activities and resources for AmeriCorps Week:
Events: The most important thing now is to plan your AmeriCorps Week event. Don’t worry if you haven’t started – you still have time. Use your creativity to mark the week in any way you see fit. Here are a few ideas, and more are on our AmeriCorps Week website:
- Plan an open house, service project, or recruitment fair
- Make an AmeriCorps presentation to a school or community group
- Hold an awards ceremony to thank your AmeriCorps members and community supporters
- Work with a local sports team to host an AmeriCorps Night at the ballgame
- Ask a local elected official to serve as an AmeriCorps member for a day
- Reconnect with AmeriCorps alums
- If you have Recovery Act funding, pitch the media on how these members are making an impact
- Shine the spotlight on VISTA, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year
- Host a statewide gathering or cross-stream training
- Do a communications blitz, telling your story through traditional and social media
Conference Calls: We will be hosting conference calls on March 19 and April 15 so you can share what you are planning for AmeriCorps Week with your peers and let us know how we can help. Additional calls will be scheduled.
Date: Friday, March 19
Time: 3:00 pm Eastern
Number: 800-857-1499
Participant Passcode: 8446663
Replay Information: 888-673-3572, Passcode 5496, Available through April 2
Date: Thursday, April 15
Time: 4:00 pm Eastern
Number: 800-857-1499
Participant passcode: 8446663
Replay Information: 866-448-2576, Passcode: 5496 through April 29
Opening and Closing Ceremonies: The Kentucky State Commission will host the official opening in Frankfort, drawing together AmeriCorps members from across the state to build 500 beds in 24 hours for children without beds. The Hoopa Indian tribe AmeriCorps program and NCCC teams will also participate. We are looking for other state commissions or individual programs who are planning to host large events. Please let your program officer know if this is something you are interested in, and email Iris Dooling at idooling@cns.gov if you’d like have someone from the Corporation attend your event.
AmeriCorps Presentation Kits: A great way to participate in AmeriCorps Week is to talk about your AmeriCorps experience to a school or community group. Our free AmeriCorps Presentation Kit has everything you need to make a great presentation. We are updating it now and will mail kits directly to state commissions, state offices, and national grantees. AmeriCorps programs can download or order a presentation kit online by clicking here.
Video and Photo Contest: The ever-popular AmeriCorps Video and Photo Contest is coming back. Start planning your masterpiece now, and be on the lookout for rules, deadlines, tips, and prizes for both contests.
Updates: Sign up for e-updates at http://www.americorpsweek.gov/web20.asp and check back often for more information. We’ll be announcing a series of idea-sharing conference calls soon. And look for us on Twitter and Facebook in the coming weeks!
We hope you find these tools useful, and thank you for helping shine the spotlight on AmeriCorps’ vital contributions to our communities and country.
In Service,
Lois Nembhard, Acting Director, AmeriCorps State and National
Paul Davis, Acting Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
Mikel Herrington, Acting Director, AmeriCorps NCCC
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