[CTCVISTA] Fwd: [nsrcnews] December 2006 / January 2007

E-Newsletter from The Resource Center

Headlines at a Glance

Volunteering Hits 30-Year High Four Presentations on the History of National Service National Conference on Civic Engagement U.S. Territories Loan Agreement Now Available Online

Check out My Improvement Plan!

Spotlight of the Month

Volunteering Hits 30-Year High: New Federal Report

Volunteering has reached a 30-year high in the United States, according to a study released December 4, 2006, by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The report,
Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974, finds that adult volunteering increased more than 32 percent over the last 16 years.

The report also notes that, despite the marked upward trend, only one third of American adults are volunteering their time. David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, commented, "This study points to a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get more Americans engaged in making their communities stronger. In this holiday season, we need even more people to commit to helping their neighbors throughout the year.

Available for download from the above link is the full 15-page report, a two-page fact sheet with key findings, and the Corporation's official press release.

From The Resource Center

Four Presentations on the History of National Service

Project TASC has PowerPoint presentations available for download that highlight pivotal events in the history of national service. Pick and choose slides from
these presentations to work into an orientation PowerPoint, or just present the whole slide show. Versions are available with or without audio.

You might also enjoy some of these books and videos available at The Resource Center lending library:

History of National Service in America

History of National Service in America (Video)

National Service: Roots and Flowers


Seniors in National and Community Service


Ten Years of Youth in Service to America

Announcements

National Conference on Civic Engagement Presented by Texas Campus Compact and UT-Austin

Creating Agents for Change: Changing Communities through Faculty and Student Leadership

Feb. 15–18, 2007 — Marriott Austin at the Capitol, Austin, TX

A special student track includes:

• Advocacy training and Day at the Statehouse—get trained on how to talk to your elected officials and then try out your new skills at the Texas State Capitol
• Oxfam Hunger Banquet—this banquet is sure to fill you up in ways you never expected
• Optional Service Project—help out the local community
• Leadership in Action Fair—network with nonprofits, talk about student groups, seek out internships, and explore job opportunities
• OXFAM America, Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), Bread for the World/ONE Campaign, and City Year are a few organizations that will be present
• Special student luncheons featuring keynote speakers Nick Longo, founder of Raise Your Voice campaign, and Shelby Knox, student activist and star of the documentary "The Education of Shelby Knox"

Workshop presentations include:

• "M.I.A.—E.R.A: The Equal Rights Amendment, Where Are We Now?"
• "Ground Rules for a Successful Student Civic Engagement Program"
• "Represent That: Getting Your P.O.V. Across to Elected Officials"
• "Change the World: Start Thinking Like a Designer"

Student registration is only $75.00! To register, go to www.regonline.com. When you register, be sure to sign up for the Day at the Statehouse and/or the service project.

Questions? Contact Tiffany Starnes, student programming coordinator, Texas Campus Compact, Austin, TX, at (512) 428-1286, or visit the website for more information at
www.texascampuscompact.org.

U.S. Territories Loan Agreement Now Available Online

Is your program located in the U.S. Territories? If so, take note that The Resource Center's lending library
has just updated the pull-down menu in the online loan agreement to include the U.S. Territories. This means that programs in American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands can enjoy the convenience of requesting library materials online—no more having to phone, fax, or mail in your requests!

Why should you fill out a loan agreement?

If your program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, you are eligible to borrow materials on volunteer and program management, tutoring, mentoring, diversity, and team building, and so much more. Search our
online catalog for the resources you need, and then complete the simple
online loan agreement. It's that easy.

For questions about loan agreements or The Resource Center's lending library, contact Erica Marsh by e-mail at
rc-library@etr.org or by phone at 1-800-860-2684, ext. 260.

Each month, The Resource Center provides this e-newsletter to highlight information and resources that help programs
funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Visit us today to search, browse, download, order, and borrow from among thousands of useful
assets. Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe to this e-newsletter.

Call
us toll free at 1-800-860-2684 or e-mail us at resourcecenter@etr.org.