Does Volunteering Impact Your Happiness?

Considering the economic climate and need for service in Michigan and around the country, I can’t help but share Nancy Gibb’s question, from her recent TIME Magazine article, “Is it a coincidence that eight of the 10 happiest states in the country also rank in the top 10 for volunteering?” This Saturday, November 21, [...]

Volunteerism Goes Hollywood

This week Hollywood and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) has mobilized the entertainment community and is putting the spotlight on volunteerism and community service. iParticipate is a multi-year campaign that puts the volunteerism movement as the guest star for many of your favorite programs. Starting today through October 24 (which is conveniently Make a [...]

Member Perspective: Volunteer Centers Continue United We Serve Momentum

As a new AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader, serving at the Volunteer Centers of Michigan (VCM), I am just beginning to learn about the work done by the different volunteer centers and more specifically, the work of the other AmeriCorps*VISTA members placed within specific start up and expansion centers across Michigan. Volunteer Centers continually work to promote [...]

Resource Friday: Building Healthy Communities Grant Program

Grants, up to $2,500, are now available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. who are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are made in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools [...]

Will “All for Good” be Good for All?

Those seeking to share volunteer opportunities with others have a multitude of options when it comes to the use of technology. Over the past several years, I’ve seen service opportunities posted via VolunteerMatch, Volunteer Solutions, 1-800-Volunteer, Idealist, Network for Good and even Craig’s List. Nonprofit organizations have invested in software and web site development using [...]

Member Perspective: The Power of Nonprofits

I’ve attended hundreds of recognition dinners, receptions, galas and events. A few weeks ago, I was lucky to be part of two particular events that reminded me that volunteers and employees who dedicate their careers to the nonprofit sector are the ones that power the nonprofit sector. I was invited to attend the [...]

United We Serve

Today the White House launches United We Serve, a new service initiative calling all Americans to join in a summer of service to culminate with a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. United We Serve not only calls Americans to serve, but brings an opportunity for the nonprofits to create and [...]

Member Perspective: Support Mentoring with Meijer Gift Cards

Do you find yourself buying gift cards for graduations, weddings, birthdays and other upcoming celebrations? Would you like to make your purchases more meaningful? On Saturday, June 20, 2009, your gift card purchases can really count for mentoring programs in Michigan. By purchasing a Meijer gift card of $25 or more this [...]

AmeriCorps – Getting Things Done

It is an exciting time for AmeriCorps. Saturday, May 9 kicked off the third annual National AmeriCorps Week – a recruitment and recognition initiative to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. It also provides an opportunity [...]

Voices for Service

National service and volunteering is now all the rage, but it certainly wasn’t always that way. When I was mentored into the nonprofit sector around national service in 1993, national service was also all the rage. However, in just nine short years, what was a national movement, almost became a note in history.

The [...]