November Newsletter

November has brought with it a chill to the air, and considering we have 48 VISTAs currently serving in 15 different states, someone has got to have warmer weather than HQ here in Boston. Here's some info about what's new or useful from the CTC VISTA Project:

+++ Quick News & Announcements +++

READ a little about the CTC VISTA Project in an article on TechSoup

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/volunteers/page7636.cfm

SHARE all the great work you're doing by posting a Field Report:

http://ctcvista.org/vista-workspace

CONTACT Ben or your VISTA Leader (http://ctcvista.org/contact_us ) if with any issues or conerns about VISTA service.

THANK YOU all for your hard work and service! (not news but you deserve it)

+++ VISTA Spotlight +++

Anita Lie at the Little Tokyo Service Center in Los Angeles has been doing some great work around accessibility and training. She's currently finishing up a manual for all of the assistive technology her center offers, and which Anita has been involved in identifying needs and purchasing. Anita has just started working on a curriculum for teaching computer and internet skills to people with developmental disabilities. I've been really impressed by the progress Anita has made through her service as a CTC VISTA.

You can read more about what Anita is working on in her field reports at http://ctcvista.org/reports/user/1020 or what everyone is up to at http://ctcvista.org/vista-workspace

+++ Great Resources +++

"Writing A Federal Grant: What to Expect" from CTC VISTA Meegan Kelly

http://ctcvista.org/node/1085

YouthVision: Youth & Community Training Curriculum (contact me for a discount available to CTC VISTA host organizations)

http://www.ctcnet.org/youthvisions/

A Common Framework for Evaluating Nonprofit Performace

http://www.urban.org/publications/411404.html

+++ Other News +++

I thought we'd try putting out a short monthly newsletter to highlight some of the accomplishments of our VISTAs, spread around some useful information and just remind you that we're here if you need any help. I think the work we all do is amazing and it would be great to see that everyone who really makes this Project run--VISTAs and their Supervisors--can see a bit more of the birds-eye-view those of us at HQ get on a day to day basis.

And just to see if anyone is reading this, here's my new favorite, bad joke:

Q: Did you hear about the circus fire?
A: It was In-tents.
(You kind've gotta vocalize it to get it)

Email me your favorite joke and have a great November!