MNA's Michigan Participation Project (MPP), a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative designed to help 501(c)(3) nonprofits integrate voter registration, voter education, and voter mobilization work into their ongoing activities, has launched its new website in preparation for the 2008 election season!

A few highlights of the new site include:

• Quick links on Registering to Vote, Requesting an Absentee Ballot, Finding Your Polling Location, and What's On the Ballot;
• A listing of Candidate Forums across the state;
• Information on available Nonpartisan Voter Guides;
• Details about and Registration for Free Voter Engagement Trainings for 501(c)(3) Nonprofits;
• Easy access for Downloading Resources such as A Nonprofit's Guide to Hosting a Candidate Forum and a legal primer on permissible 501(c)(3) election year activity;
• And much more!  

The Leadership Council for AmeriCorps Alums (www.americorpsalums.org) is starting an extensive strategic planning process and need the input of current and former members.  If you are a current or former member, will you please complete the following survey?  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=P_2bUG_2bwtXm_2fhmmfvathC1tQ_3d_3d

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Thank you,

Emily

-- 

Emily Gilliland

Executive Director

Oregon Campus Compact

Portland State University

P O Box 751-ORCC

Portland OR  97207

503-725-8140 (T)

503-725-8335(F)

www.oregoncampuscompact.org 

Legislature Passes Revisions to the Nonprofit Corporation Act

This past weekend, the State Legislature adopted HB 5681, which amends the Nonprofit Corporation Act. Championed by Michigan Nonprofit Association and sponsored by Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman and Representative Bill Huizenga, this bill accomplishes the following:

• The board of directors of a nonprofit corporation would need at least three directors. Currently, the act requires "one or more" directors. Under the bill, an existing corporation would need to have at least three directors beginning 180 days after the bill's effective date.
• A corporation that is a "charitable purpose corporation" could not provide loans to or guarantee an obligation of an officer or director of the corporation or a subsidiary, unless the officer or director is also a client of the corporation and the loan or guaranty is necessary to carry out the corporation's charitable purposes.
• A charitable purpose corporation that is automatically dissolved would have to provide notice of the dissolution to the attorney general within 60 days after the date of dissolution and could not dispose of any of its assets without written approval of the attorney general.

HB 5681 now goes to the Governor to be signed into law.

These changes to the Nonprofit Corporation Act will promote and increase transparency, accountability and trust within the nonprofit sector. MNA takes an active role in supporting policies that will increase the capacity of Michigan's nonprofits to serve, strengthen, and transform communities, and we thank the bill sponsors for their support of the nonprofit sector through the passage of these policy changes.

OPEN POSITION WITH MICHIGAN CAMPUS COMPACT/VOLUNTEER CENTERS OF MICHIGAN

AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Manager

Please share widely.

Title:               Program Manager AmeriCorps*VISTA

Supervisor:    Michigan Campus Compact Executive Director and the Executive Director of Volunteer Centers of Michigan

Purpose:         The Program Manager AmeriCorps*VISTA position will coordinate and oversee the Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA program grant and work collaboratively with the campuses to support AmeriCorps*VISTA members across the state.  This position will work collaboratively with the Michigan Campus Compact and Volunteer Centers of Michigan.

Position responsibilities:

·          Manage, coordinate and report on two AmeriCorps*VISTA programs in Michigan, with between 20-30 members.

·          Coordinate competitive grant processes.

·          Run a recruitment campaign for members.

·          Conduct site visits to campuses and Volunteer centers.

·          Support campuses and volunteer centers in applying for, hiring and placing members.

·          Coordinate and run trainings and gatherings for VISTA members and onsite supervisors, both in state and out of state.

·          Work closely with the Michigan office for the Corporation for National and Community Service.

·          Provide oversight and guidance to the VISTA Leader.

·          Collect and gather data and stories on these programs to inform and highlight the program.

·          Assist in coordinating alumni efforts for the AmeriCorps*VISTA program.

·          Respond to questions from members and constituents regarding the program.

·          Contribute to other areas and partners within MCC, VCM and MNA, including assisting in affiliate's events and program assistance as assigned.

·          Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Role:  VISTA Leader.

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  This position is a Non-Exempt status, and does receive overtime pay compensation.

This position is determined by grant funding.

This position requires travel out of state, as well as in state.  Reliable transportation is needed.

Experience with National Service programs is desired.

To apply, please send application materials to Lisa Keefer, Human Resources, Michigan Nonprofit Association, 1048 Pierpont, Suite 3, Lansing MI 48911

Michigan Campus Compact invites alumni, family and friends to join us Saturday, April 5 for the first ever Alumni Reception.  Please join us at the Holiday Inn-South of Lansing, 6830 South Cedar Street, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Atrium Lobby for light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.  The Alumni Reception is free.  Cash bar will be available. To RSVP, please contact Lisa Sommer at 517.492.2412, email lsommer@mnaonline.org or visit http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/IDJWETSLPSLSFMQOHXJP/MCCAlumniReception

You may also join us earlier in the day to help celebrate and honor students who have shown outstanding dedication to community service.  The Outstanding Student Service Awards ceremony is Saturday, April 5 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-South of Lansing.  Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.micampuscompact.org/studentawards.asp to register.

Please RSVP for both events by Friday, March 21, 2008.

Approximately 50 college students, many of whom were strangers from communities in Michigan and across the country, gathered together in Detroit February 23 through March 1st with one common goal- to make a difference. Each day these committed individuals went out to five different service agencies in Detroit to serve. They painted hallways, gyms and boiler rooms. They chopped wood, restored a bowling alley, built a ramp, and interacted with children. But most of all, these students showed families facing challenge, the single mothers living in poverty, and at-risk children that they are not forgotten. They showed an urban community that is facing economic disparity that they cared.

The theme for Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in Detroit was "Passion In Action."  The week of service was a truly unique opportunity for a group of young adults to invest their passions into their community through volunteering. These students dedicated themselves to no longer being bystanders of issues and the obstacles that urban communities across the country are currently facing. 

Vice Chancellor Henderson at the University of Michigan Dearborn said that "It is the power of service that will change you forever." The participants in ASB Detroit were transformed after a week of service in the city of Detroit. To learn more about ASB Detroit, click here ( http://www.umd.umich.edu/asb/ , http://uwsemasb.blogspot.com/,  http://youtube.com/unitedwaysemich, http://flickr.com/photos/uwsem/sets/72157603982381295/) You will be able to read the participants blog,  watch the videos, and see the pictures that illustrate the significance of service and living united.

The ASB Detroit experience was made possible through many dedicated individuals from a unique partnership between The United Way of Southeastern Michigan and the University of Michigan at Dearborn. FedEx, Deloitte, Target, Kroger, Cheaptickets, Enterprise, and Panera were all sponsors that help make this experience a success!

FYI:

Bills to Ease Voter Registration Requirements Pass House Committee

HB 4774 (Melton) and HB 5739 (Pearce), two bills making it easier for college students and adults with frequent travel schedules to register to vote and allowing them and other first-time voters to vote by absentee ballot, won unanimous approval last week by the House Ethics and Elections Committee. The bills would allow Michigan citizens to register to vote at any county, city or township clerk's office. Currently, citizens are required to register to vote through the clerk's office in their home community. In addition to allowing persons to register at any clerk's office, the bills permit those who register by mail to then appear at any clerk's office to have their identification verified.

The easing of these voter registration requirements would make voter registration easier for students who attend colleges outside their home communities, as well as for other adults who travel frequently. Both bills were supported by state and local elections officials.

Michigan Campus Compact

AmeriCorps*VISTA Recruitment

Position Description July 2008-July 2009

There's a way to make a lasting impact on the lives of others that's unlike any other—by serving a year of National Service.  You have what it takes to be the change you wish to see in the world.  Use your skills and experience to help improve lives and serve your country. 

It's your world.  Your chance.  Be the change.

Program
Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA members act as transformative agents between higher education institutions and their surrounding communities. AmeriCorps*VISTA members create service opportunities and engage students in the community, in order to gain a richer and more valuable experience outside the classroom. AmeriCorps*VISTA members build mutually beneficial relationships which lead to long-term partnerships between community-based organizations and colleges, enhance the quality of campus community service and service-learning programs, improve student leadership in service, increase the number of students coordinating programs, and increase the number of students in direct service within their campus communities.

Sponsor

Michigan Campus Compact is a state-level non-profit organization that promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college students to be civically engaged citizens. MCC provides support and funding for programs surrounding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement. Visit our website for more information about Michigan Campus Compact: http://www.micampuscompact.org.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Host Site Positions

The service performed by MCC AmeriCorps* VISTA members will occur on the campus and community levels to provide service and programming to underprivileged youth and low-income communities. Each MCC AmeriCorps *VISTA host site has developed a work plan for their respective VISTA. Each VISTA will be supervised locally by a campus host site staff member, and will also report to staff at the Michigan Campus Compact.

Benefits
-Annual living allowance of $9,696.00-$10,596.00 depending on county of service
-Education Award of $4,725 or End-of-Service Award of $1,200 upon completion of full term of service
-Student Loan forbearance (if Education Award is elected)
-Training and professional development
-Health insurance

-Childcare assistance subsidies (if eligible)

Requirements
-College Experience

-Knowledge of or experience on a campus and/or with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program
-Strong interest and experience in college service programs
-Commitment to the mission of the project and its impact on communities
-Knowledge and interest in working with students and diverse groups of people
-Proven leadership ability, public speaking and event planning
-Strong organizational skills, project and multi-task management
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Ability to drive and access to a vehicle

-Ability to make a full-year commitment

For More Information: Visit our website at:  http://www.micampuscompact.org/vistaprogram.asp

Contact: Katie Richlick, Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps *VISTA Leader at:

                mccvista@micampuscompact.org or (517) 492-2436