Nonprofits often tackle very serious issues. You might work tirelessly day in and day out to alleviate poverty, eliminate hunger or eradicate HIV/AIDS. But we bet that even in the midst of all that very serious work, you maintain a sense of humor and find ways to keep the daily grind fun. If the walls of your office could talk, they'd probably have some hilarious stories to tell.
Photo by santheo on Flickr
Now there's a forum to...let your walls be heard, so to speak. Universal Synergy and Changing the World Live are seeking submissions for their upcoming book, "The Lighter Side of Changing The World," which they describe as “a light-hearted view of the issues, stories, circumstances and people that nonprofit professionals, volunteers and board members encounter while, literally, changing the world (hopefully for the better!).”
The guidelines are simple:
* Your submission must be funny or light-hearted.
* This must be your original work.
* Vivid imagery is encouraged.
* No political or controversial issues.
* No essays, term papers, sermons, letters or speeches about "what it means to change the world."
* You may make as many submissions as you like.
Did your organization come up with a wacky fundraising idea this year? Does your staff have a playful ritual for beginning a meeting? Let the world know! Submit your entries to info@universal-synergy.com with the subject line "Lighter Side Submission" no later than January 15, 2008.
As part of their "Be the Full Stop" campaign to end child abuse in the U.K., the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) developed ads that highlight the incredible impact of volunteers. What makes them unique? They aren’t the volunteer roles we’d typically think of as powerful: in one ad, an abusive father is stopped by a stream of runners participating in a fundraising event; in another ad, a furious mother is kept away from her son by rows of volunteers answering phones at a help line. The message here is poignant and clear – however you give, wherever you give, you are making a difference.
To check out one of these ads, click here. To learn more about NSPCC and their Be the Full Stop campaign, visit www.nspcc.org.uk.
91-year-old Gene Jones established a program that integrates the arts into core curricula in Arizona elementary schools. 66-year-old Sally Bingham founded a nonprofit organization that aims to unite all faiths to prevent global warming. And 72-year-old Ray Anderson plans to eliminate his billion dollar carpet company's carbon footprint by 2020, setting an example for executives of other major firms.
Another winner: Gloria Jackson Bacon
What do these three have in common? They were among 2007's awe-inspiring recipients of the Purpose Prize from Civic Ventures. They'll be joined in 2008 by a new crop of winners, "individuals who have demonstrated uncommon vision, determination and entrepreneurialism in addressing community and national problems." Civic Ventures doesn't just award five $100,000 and ten $10,000 prizes; they also provide Purpose Prize Fellows with resources and advice on managing and publicizing their projects and the opportunity to meet face to face. On their website, they write: "Rather than a lifetime achievement award, we view the Purpose Prize as a down payment on what these 60-plus innovators will do next."
Do you know an outstanding community leader over the age of 60, someone who is redefining retirement with their active steps to create a better world? To nominate someone or apply now, click here.
What are you doing on January 26? On that day, representatives from civil society and social movements all over the world will come together in local communities as part of the World Social Forum's Global Day of Action. Since 2001, the WSF has become an important platform for movements to meet, build alliances, and renew their commitment to action. In previous years this has taken the form of global gatherings, such as those held in Porto Alegre, Brazil; Mumbai, India; and Nairobi, Kenya. This year represents an important step forward as a coordinated effort of local mobilizations. From local eaters in New Hampshire to trade unionists in Sri Lanka, thousands will gather to "give visibility to our local struggles through a common day of action!"
Photo by jubileeusaoutreach on Flickr
Check out the WSF 2008 website where you can read the Global Call to Action and find local actions or, if there are none in your area, propose one. If you're the organizer of an action in your community, you can create an Idealist Group to help participants stay connected leading up to, and following, your gathering. This group in Italy is doing just that!
Idealist's databases are filled with opportunities, resources and people from all over the planet. Each week, we'll bring you a roundup of what you can find on our site related to a specific country or city. Today we spotlight Cambodia.
Photo by Go Climb a Rock on Flickr
One simple search through the organizations on Idealist shows at least 49 in Cambodia, many dedicated to education and protecting children's rights. There are at least 27 volunteer opportunities listed in Cambodia on our site this morning.
As for people, 188 Cambodians have created volunteer profiles on our French site, www.idealiste.org. And as of today, 30 Cambodians who are interested in using their skills and time to build a better world have created personal profiles, while at least 112 people around the world have indicated that they are interested in Cambodia.
You'll find different Cambodia-related opportunities if you search our three sites separately. Visit Idealistas to search in Spanish and Idéaliste to search in French.
Would you like to help make more connections among Cambodian people, organizations, and resources through the Idealist network? Visit our Spread Idealist page or start a local Idealist Group.
Have you considered participating in a term of service program? From large entities that involve international travel, such as Peace Corps and Jesuit Volunteer Corps, to local grassroots efforts like the San Francisco Conservation Corps or the Inner-City Teaching Corps of Chicago, spending a year or two as a corps member can expose you to incredible learning experiences and unique professional development opportunities. The Idealist.org Career Center has a listing of many programs like this: http://www.idealist.org/career/oneyearservice.html.
Photo by My Hobo Soul on Flickr
For someone wishing to enter the public service work force, even mid-career, participating in a term of service can be a great launching pad. The beauty of many term of service programs is that, while they weren’t necessarily designed to be entry points to the nonprofit sector, they are very effective at both introducing professionals to the sector and getting them the skills they need to succeed there.
With very little full-time work experience, recent college graduates may take on positions in nonprofit organizations with a great deal of responsibility, autonomy, challenge, and opportunities for training and professional growth. Meanwhile, people with years of professional experience in the for-profit or public service sectors can take on positions in nonprofit organizations that immediately utilize their skill sets while working towards a different bottom line.
More programs are developing resources to help their Corps members transition to careers more comfortably, offering career counseling and ongoing support for alums. One recent example of this is the online tutorial “What’s Next…Life After Your AmeriCorps Service” on the EnCorps website.
Did you participate in a term of service program? Did it alter your perspective or point you in a new direction? Leave a comment below and let us know.
As volunteers, activists, and social change agents we're often fighting against injustice, intolerance, and the status quo. But a challenge has been to identify and articulate what we're for. Enter the Movement Vision Lab, a project of the Center for Community Change. The Movement Vision Lab is "a place for grassroots organizers and social justice advocates to share and debate visionary ideas for the future." Anyone can participate in the Idea Lab, but the ideas must be solution-oriented and visionary, rather than simply restating problems. The Lab is organized into three broad visionary goals, each with sub-categories such as Criminal Justice Reform, Movement Building & Organizing, Economy and Work, and Foreign Policy.
Photo by Shek Graham on Flickr
The site is largely focused on defining a shared vision for the United States, but ideas from around the globe are welcomed and encouraged.
Hey there, Person With Good Intentions. Aren't you the one who started a blog for your organization awhile back? Hasn't it been languishing somewhere on Blogger ever since, a picture of unrealized potential? Don't despair, PWGI - blogs take discipline, time, and practice, and we know you've got a lot on your plate already.
Photo by sanbeiji on Flickr
That's why we'd like to introduce you to Blogging Buff, or BB. She's creative, enthusiastic and has experience crafting straightforward news updates that could really keep your members in the loop. Wouldn't you love to bring her on board as a volunteer?
A quick search of volunteer opportunities on Idealist shows at least 11 postings from eager PWGIs looking for dedicated BBs. If you've got a blog collecting virtual dust somewhere, why not join the search for the perfect blogger and see if someone can make it shine?
And if you're an experienced blogger with some extra time on your hands, take a look at the listings. You could sign up to do many of them from anywhere in the world, and one might prove to be the perfect opportunity to hone your writing portfolio while contributing to a cause you feel passionate about.
Next month: Idealist Personal Ads. Who will be your Volunteer Valentine?
Every day, tens of thousands of college students and campus staff across the US make a difference in the lives of those around them by serving, advocating for and organizing in their communities. The IMPACT: National Student Conference on Service, Advocacy, and Social Action serves as a rare opportunity for these dedicated individuals to pause, reflect on their work, and share best practices with hundreds of others engaged in similar work. This Monday, January 14th marks the early registration deadline for the IMPACT Conference. If you're interested, visit the conference registration page before then to take advantage of the best rates.
The 2007 Idealist Campus Conference
Need further incentive to look into the conference? The IMPACT Conference actually builds on the incredible 23-year history legacy set forth by the COOL Conference and the Idealist Campus Conference and is historically the largest convening in the country of campus community members involved in service, activism, politics, advocacy, and other socially responsible work across philosophical and ideological lines. Students and staff leave the conference not only inspired and re-energized from the numerous opportunities for reflection and learning, but also aware that they are part of a strong network of people actively engaged in the work of building a better world.
You can experience the power of this student-led movement yourself by learning more about the IMPACT Conference or registering today at www.CampusConference.org.
Earlier this week we posted a blog on our Myspace page called "How to Really Use Myspace." For some people and organizations, it can be tough taking the plunge and reaching out amidst such a massive network of people. But it's never too late to start! Here are some resources we found useful:
Photo by Ben Scicluna on Flickr
Start with this NTEN blog entry, Online Communities Redux: Why They Matter to You, for the basics of why you should consider your organization's online social networking strategy.
To read interviews with three nonprofit professionals who used MySpace to their organizations' advantage, visit How to Use MySpace to Raise Awareness by TechSoup.
For ten important strategies your organization can use, see The 10 Commandments of MySpace Advocacy by TechSoup.
For more detailed advice, with specifics on how to use bulletins, comments, blogs, etc., see DIOSA Communications' MySpace Best Practices.
And of course you're not really using Myspace until you've added Idealist as a friend. So if you're a Myspace user, come on over to our page and say hello!
2008 will mark 40 years since the assassination of civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 1994, the third Monday in January has been set aside to commemorate his life and work. Many groups and individuals will spend this January 21 participating in local actions and community service projects.
Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr
To sign up for a project in your neighborhood or to view resources and plan one yourself, visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website maintained by the Corporation for National and Community Service and partner organizations.
If you are a teacher, you may want to peruse the Liberation Curriculum and classroom resources on the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute website.
After the Day of Service, many will participate in an initiative called 40 Days of Nonviolence: Building the Beloved Community. Visit the website to see how you can help to extend the spirit of the day through study, conversation and civic action throughout far beyond January 21.
Question: What kind of group would assert, "By 2020, we strive to have all business professionals consider pro bono work an integrated and esteemed part of their careers"?
Prairie Cone Flower (a taproot!) by Blaine Hansel
Answer? The Taproot Foundation. Along with many others, they're part of a growing movement to broaden the definition of "pro bono" - typically associated with legal work - to include other forms of skilled volunteerism.
Enter their website as a volunteer and explore opportunities for you to contribute your skills - from marketing to IT to human resources - to a structured project with a small, committed team in one of many cities in the United States. You'll have the chance to network, grow your skills and make a big difference to a nonprofit organization in your region.
If you're with a nonprofit whose staff is stretched thin, check out the Service Grants page to see if your organization might qualify. If so, Taproot would handle the recruitment and
management of your pro bono team, so that you could focus on how best to serve your constituents.
And if you're with a corporation, visit the corporations page to learn how to become a Pro Bono Partner.
Idealist's databases are filled with opportunities, resources and people from all over the planet. Each week, we'll bring you a roundup of what you can find on our site related to a specific country or city. Today we spotlight Germany.
Photo by klara.kristina on Flickr
So far, 152 nonprofit organizations based in Germany have registered on Idealist. They range from an organization in Berlin dedicated to the field of "development through football," to an organization in Bonn that sets worldwide fair trade standards, to a group of scientists in Hamburg who research societal patterns of respect and disrespect.
As far as people, 629 Germans have created personal profiles on Idealist, 439 have created volunteer profiles, and six have even offered their services as speakers. You can also visit our German pages to connect with other idealists from German-speaking communities.
Would you like to help make more connections among German people, organizations, and resources through the Idealist network? Visit our Spread Idealist page or start a local Idealist Group.
Well-known organizations like Ashoka and Echoing Green have done a lot to support and raise the profile of social entrepreneurship around the globe. But for young, budding social innovators with big ideas for addressing today’s social problems but limited cache when it comes to experience and resources, it can still be quite difficult to find organizations willing to invest help them get started.
Photo by toastycakes on Flickr
Conscious Lifestyle is an organization that has recently emerged to offer support for such young entrepreneurs. Joining the ranks of organizations like Starting Bloc with a strong reputation for fostering fledgling change agents, Conscious Lifestyle in partnership with Youth Venture offers seed grants of up to $1000 as well as ongoing training and technical assistance for its fellows.
Last year the organization funded ventures such as the Eco-Representatives project at Barnard College and they’re always on the lookout for similarly innovative ventures to fund. Those interested in applying can click here. They’re also accepting applications for Conscious Lifestyle Liaisons to serve as mentors for these social innovators.
If you’d like to know more about Conscious Lifestyle and the bright young minds behind the organizations, visit http://consciouslifestyle.org/ or email Michael Del Ponte: mike@consciouslfiestyle.org.
Photo by ninjapoodles on Flickr
Idealist Staffer Hannah Kane spent last Thursday and Friday at Managing Nonprofit Technology Projects, an event co-organized by Aspiration and Idealware. The discussion-based conference allowed participants to share knowledge on topics ranging from Agile Project Management models to evaluating technology projects as you go to managing virtual teams.
One attendee noted the incredible gender balance among the participants. It seems technology is no longer a "man's world," at least within the nonprofit sector. Case in point: an upcoming event called Women Who Tech: A TeleSummit for Women in Technology. This participatory telesummiton March 31 will bring together "the most talented and renowned women breaking new ground in technology" in the nonprofit and political world and will feature virtual workshops and panel discussions on online organizing and politics, women in open source, mobile activism, fighting sexism in the tech sector, career coaching, and more.
As if you needed another reason to attend, the organizers are donating 100% of the net proceeds from the telesummit to breast cancer research. For more information about Women Who Tech, click here.
Two months ago, we noticed the following Forum post from an Idealist user in Dhaka, Bangladesh: “We are glad to announce the Conference of Idealists in Bangladesh will be held on January 12, 2008. – Signed, Mujibul Kahn.” An Idealist user hosting a conference on his own in Bangladesh? When we saw the post, we couldn’t have been more excited! At the same time, having hosted conferences of our own in the past, we knew how much work and planning it could require so we reached out to offer any assistance that he might need.
Photo courtesy Mujibul Khan
Mujibul’s requests for support were pretty basic – advice on how reach out to participants, maybe a few materials to share with participants as giveaways – but mostly, he and his fellow planners moved forward on their own, guided by their personal vision of what the Invitation for Practical Dreamers could mean for their own community. Well, we just heard back from Mujibul and the reports from this weekend’s conference were inspiring to say the least - both in terms of the results of the conference and in their affirmation of the fact that for those with a clear vision, the act of building a better world can be amazingly simple.
“As some discussed their dreams of a better world, others shared their work and experience of making a better Bangladesh and solemn mission to achieve a peaceful global village. [Our] strategy is: inaugurate the platform on interaction, encourage interaction and pursue nationwide events step by step.”
We’ll keep you posted on how things unfold for Mujibul and the Idealists in Dhaka. We’ll also be sharing more stories soon of similar initiatives taking place in other parts of the world. In the meantime, we’d love to hear about the meaningful connections you’re fostering in your own communities and how we can help to support your efforts. Leave us a comment below or email us at eventsupport@idealist.org.
Do you want to become more informed about pressing social issues? Why not put down that newspaper and head to the theater? If you've ever witnessed a truly great performance then you know that theater can be about much more than entertainment or escapism. Live performances have the power to deeply engage an audience and transfer to them to another time and place. This makes performance a powerful tool for activism as audience members are able to connect with an issue on a more emotional level and may be more inspired to take action once they leave the theater. Take for example the Culture Project, a theater company in New York City which "sparks conversation, lifts the human heart and incites political action." If you happen to live in New York, you could check out their upcoming production.
Photo by Edge of Space on Flickr
Of course, many great performances occur outside of a physical theater. The Radical Performance Group tackles a number of important issues, performing "guerilla-style" in the streets of New York. Want to get involved? You can join their Idealist Group here.
You can search our organization directory to find socially conscious theater groups in your area. Here's a sampling:
Crowded Fire Theater Company in San Francisco, CA
The Jobsite Theater in Tampa, FL
The Theater Offensive in Cambridge, MA
What would you add to this list? Have you seen a performance that has stirred you to action? Leave a comment at tell us about it!
Independent Sector -- a coalition of about 600 nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporate giving programs -- is accepting nominations through January 31 for its annual John W. Gardner Leadership Award (named for their founding chairperson).
By pedrosimoes7 on Flickr
The winner of this year's award will be a leader "whose leadership in or with the nonprofit community has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes that improve people’s lives" and will join the company of past honorees such as Marian Wright Edelman, Arthur Mitchell, and last year's winner, Susan V. Berresford. They'll also receive a prize of $10,000.
Visit the Nomination and Selection Process page to learn more and nominate someone whose work you admire.
2008 is the International Year of Languages, as announced by the United Nations General Assembly. This distinction means that this year, the UN will give special attention to the theme of linguistic diversity, including strategies of both language preservation and language learning.
Photo by Liz Henry on Flickr
Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, lists some of the ways that such emphasis can have a far-reaching impact: "As factors of social integration, languages effectively play a strategic role in the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; as supports for literacy, learning and life skills, they are essential to achieving universal primary education; the combat against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases must be waged in the languages of the populations concerned if they are to be reached; and the safeguarding of local and indigenous knowledge and know-how with a view to ensuring environmental sustainability is intrinsically linked to local and indigenous languages."
In the spirit of the International Year of Languages, maybe you're interested in finding a volunteer opportunity that utilizes your linguistic abilities: Just select the language you know in the "Language needed" field. Or, try a general keyword search for "bilingual," "multilingual," or your language, and see what opportunities come up.
Also be sure to check out versions of Idealist in French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Portuguese.
NTEN, the Nonprofit Technology Network, is hosting its annual conference the weekend of March 19-21 in New Orleans, LA. According to the website, more than 1000 participants will "talk about what works, what doesn't work, and what is in the works for those using nonprofit technology to further a cause." To register or learn more about the conference, click here.
If you can't make it to New Orleans, you can still tap into NTEN to connect with peers, find a nonprofit tech job, or learn about project management, hardware, software and more via one of their webinars or NTEN research.
The International Network of Street Papers defines street papers as "independent newspapers and magazines that provide unique employment opportunities and enterprising social programmes for people experiencing poverty and homelessness." From Argentina to Namibia to Japan, street papers are providing creative outlets for writers and journalists as well as valuable sales opportunities for homeless vendors.
Street Sheet Vendor in San Francisco
by Jennifer Woodard Maderazo
The 60 vendors at Street Sense in Washington, DC pay 25 cents for each paper to cover publishing costs and then sell each paper for $1. According to the website, vendors make an average of $40 a day, and some have been able to use this money to move out of local shelters.
The paper provides a unique perspective on local, national and international news. Recent Street Sense articles have included a response to a national survey about the public perceptions of homelessness; information about visual arts programs at area libraries and homeless shelters; and a leading presidential candidate's response to a Street Sense survey about how he might combat poverty if elected President.
Now in its 10th year, Street Roots in Portland, OR is "for those who cannot afford free speech." Street Roots publishes two issues each month as well as special quarterly poetry volume. Guest submissions of poetry, stories, and letters to the editor are welcome. On the opposite coast, Street Sights, based in Providence, RI, impacts homeless writers and vendors as well as journalism students at Brown University. Both are in good company as members of the North American Street Newspaper Association.
If you're interested in working with or developing a street paper, you can learn more here.
It's no secret that a lot of Idealist staff are fans of Flickr, that friendly neighborhood photo sharing site. We pull photos nearly every day from the Creative Commons pool to illustrate our blog entries; we've invited the members of our network to post photos of their Idealist events on our profile; heck, we have some albums where we just keep pictures of ourselves lookin' pretty.
Photo by David Bransby in the
1930s-40s in Color album
So we were intrigued by an entry posted today on the Flickr blog. For the first time, Flickr is teaming up with a civic institution: the United States Library of Congress. Their pilot project, The Commons, has two goals: "to firstly give you a taste of the hidden treasures in the huge Library of Congress collection, and secondly to show how your input of a tag or two can make the collection even richer."
Now you don't have to visit Washington, DC to explore some of the gems in the Library of Congress photo archives; you can see them online. And with Flickr's photo tagging tool, you can help to write history by noting what you see in an image. Why not join The Commons today?
Jillian, our intrepid Nonprofit Staffing Coordinator, is about to embark on a three-month whirlwind tour of the United States -- she'll be running 9 Idealist Nonprofit Career Fairs this spring. We asked her to jot down some thoughts before she hits the road. Here's what she had to say:
Jillian & Abram at a 2007 Fair
The spring season of Idealist Nonprofit Career Fairs will kick off in Boston, MA on February 5th and we’ll head to eight other cities before stopping for a breather over the summer.
Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit professional looking for your next role in the sector. a college student looking for the perfect do-good internship, or a corporate or government employee interested in learning more about opportunities to get involved in nonprofit work, you’ll find a slew of ideas at our Idealist Nonprofit Career Fairs. To see a list of organizations that have already registered to have a table at the fair in your city, just click the city's name on the main career fair page.
As part of Idealist’s mission to “connect people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives,” our nonprofit career fairs are designed to bring recruiters and individuals face-to-face in order to help figure out where their interests meet. While you'll find plenty of "traditional" nonprofit opportunities such as openings for social workers and campaign activists, you'll also notice a lot of surprising ways to put your skills to work: nonprofits need accountants, doctors, truck drivers, designers, custodians, customer service representatives, and all sorts of other talents in order to fulfill their missions effectively.
Unlike traditional career fairs, these events provide a forum where there’s a common understanding that money is not the “bottom line.” Over the years we’ve enjoyed meeting thousands of great people dedicated to making the world a better place. The energy in the room at the fairs is always extremely energetic and positive as ideas are exchanged and connections are made!
In addition to distributing resumes and chatting with recruiters, individuals who attend the fairs can also participate in workshops to learn more about working in the nonprofit sector. The fairs are free for individuals to attend, so you can stop in to visit and attend the workshops even if you're not currently looking for work.
If there's no Idealist Nonprofit Career Fair coming up in your city and you're interested in learning more about how we choose new locations, leave a comment here and we'll be sure to get in touch with you.
We’ll be reporting back with updates throughout the next few months…and we hope you’ll join us at one of the fairs!
Idealist's databases are filled with opportunities, resources and people from all over the planet. Each week, we'll bring you a roundup of what you can find on our site related to a specific country or city. Today we spotlight Burkina Faso.
Photo by Jean-Marc Langevin
So far, at least 30 organizations based in Burkina Faso have registered on Idealist: 35 results in French and 7 in English. Many of these groups work to address infant mortality and youth development, HIV/AIDS, and the preservation of national culture.
If you're interested in volunteering in Burkina Faso, there are currently two volunteer opportunities posted on the site, both in Ouagadougou. If you live elsewhere in the world but are interested in organizations and campaigns related to Burkina Faso, try typing "Burkina Faso" into the search bar at the top of this page.
As of today, there are 35 Idealists registered - in addition to 72 people who list themselves specifically as volunteers - who are interested in making a difference in Burkina Faso and beyond. You'll find some profiles in English and some in French.
Would you like to help make more connections among people, organizations, and resources in Burkina Faso through the Idealist network? Visit our Spread Idealist page or start a local Idealist Group.
New Yorkers: Unless you can read over 90 languages, and visit every neighborhood of the entire metro area on a weekly basis to pick up more than 300 publications, how can you keep up with everything that's going on around the city?
Photo by activefree on Flickr
The Independent Press Association of New York offers a (free) way to make it easier: Voices That Must Be Heard, which " translates and disseminates the best articles from New York's immigrant and ethnic newspapers and magazines via email and on the internet."
New Yorkers, no matter what their ethnicity, can gain a lot of perspective on their city and the world by reading this weekly roundup of articles. Readers can become aware of current events that aren't given emphasis in the mainstream media, they can learn of opinions they wouldn't have heard from people they know, and they can read articles that they may not have been able to comprehend before they were translated into English.
Even more importantly, many nonprofits, government agencies, and media sources subscribe to Voices That Must Be Heard. Some of them are undoubtedly using the diverse perspectives and news sources to make more informed decisions.
Do you know about any similar efforts going on in other cities or regions of the world? Leave a comment here to let us know.
Words Without Borders is an online literary magazine featuring some of the best writers from around the globe. Hosted by Bard College in New York and a partner of the PEN American Center, the publication boasts an expansive variety of genres--from drama to travel and everything in between--with almost every corner of the world represented.
Photo by danflo on Flickr
Maybe you're curious about everything Iranian or are intrigued by the politics of farming in South Africa. With Words Without Borders, now you can deeply delve into foreign worlds such as these without hopping on a plane—or resorting to textbooks.
As only 6% of international literature has an English language counterpart, Words Without Borders hopes to raise the number of translated texts. Why? Reading an array of voices leads to a richer understanding of different cultures. Global engagement and cultural exchange can then happen right in the comfort of your home.
Did you know that "idealist" is the same word in German, Italian and Dutch? Check out Idealist's Language Project to learn about our resources for translators and more!
We hear a lot about the need for great volunteers in our communities; there are currently more than 11,000 volunteer opportunities listed on Idealist, some of them probably in your neighborhood. With diverse opportunities for meaningful engagement in our own backyards, why consider volunteering in another country? Here are a few reasons why others have gone abroad to give back:
"Corporate Dropout Re-Discovers Childhood Passion!"
By amazonactivist on Flickr
* To seek adventures and new experiences vastly different than those lived at home
* Out of cultural curiosity and a desire to interact with and learn from fellow global citizens
* To "walk the talk" in support of a cause, issue, or belief
* To take a break from their daily routine
* To garner a fresh perspective while determining next steps for shifting careers
* To advance global diplomacy and greater cultural understanding as a citizen ambassador
* To learn from service and connect education with action
* To gain experience and explore careers in international aid and development
* To take time to think and reflect, make new friends, and learn/share skills or languages
Last but most definitely not least? To make a difference - however and wherever one can.
Have you volunteered internationally? Visit our discussion forum to share your reasons for serving abroad.
What one thing do you think that countries, companies or individuals must do to make the world a better place in 2008?
By aymlis on Flickr
You can record yourself answering that question - The Davos Question - and post your video to Youtube. If you do, your video could be screened during a plenary session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland...and there's a chance that world leaders will post videos of their own in response! To see some of the videos that have been posted so far, click here.
The plenary sessions only last through Sunday, so visit The Davos Question on Youtube now tospeak your mind.
One of the barriers to graduates considering nonprofit work is the reality of ever-increasing student debt. There are many efforts to address this problem, and one that is attracting national attention is a grassroots state-wide campaign called Tuition Relief Now! This California-based initiative has students, parents, and community members working together to pass a statewide ballot initiative to make the University of California and California State University more affordable. By mobilizing thousands of students across 30 public university campuses, the organization aims to qualify for November 2008 ballot. A corollary effect of this effort will likely be massive youth voter registration and turnout.
Photo by Monica's Dad on Flickr
As with many higher education institutions, the UC and CSU tuition rates have almost doubled in the past six years. While this issue undoubtedly affects students, it also has repercussions for the housing market, nonprofit workforce, and state economy.
Tuition Relief Now has four specific goals to help the state’s higher education systems continue to make college affordable, including a five-year tuition freeze for instate students and establishing a tuition rate-increase limit.
Want to get involved? To learn how you can be a paid (or volunteer) campus organizer this semester; start your own chapter of Tuition Relief Now!; or host an event or discussion group to raise awareness, visit www.tuitionreliefnow.org
Can football (soccer) help build a better world? Those working in the field of Development through Football would certainly say yes.
Photo by Mon Solo on Flickr
We learned about Development through Football through an organization called streetfootballworld, which "interconnects and strengthens long-term social development initiatives that use the unique potential of football to transform the lives of disadvantaged individuals from around the world." The unique potential of football lies in its sheer popularity through the world, simple rules, minimal equipment costs, team values, and health benefits. The sport can be incorporated into efforts of education reform, intercultural exchange, youth development, and more.
If you've never heard of Development through Football, you may be surprised to know how active the field is. Streetfootballworld's network includes about 70 organizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe that are currently using the model. Click here to search for one in your area.
Also try a general search on Idealist for soccer, basketball, tennis, or your favorite sport. You might find some fun volunteer opportunities or other ways to combine sports with your social activism.
Idealist's databases are filled with opportunities, resources and people from all over the planet. Each week, we'll bring you a roundup of what you can find on our site related to a specific country or city. Today we spotlight Guyana.
Photo by soldiersmediacenter on Flickr
So far, there are 14 organizations related to Guyana that are registered on Idealist. The 5 located in Guyana cover issues such as youth empowerment, domestic violence and community development. The other 8 organizations--most of them based in NY—connect Guyanese living abroad to their home country.
If you're looking to volunteer in Guyana, there are 6 opportunities to do so. You can mentor at an orphanage for boys, work at the hospital, teach at a public school or even try your hand at tropical juice making.
Currently, there are 7 Idealists signed up, as well as 19 people who list themselves as volunteers. If you're Guyanese or simply love Guyanese culture, create a personal profile and let the world know!
Would you like to help make more connections among people, organizations, and resources in Guyana through the Idealist network? Visit our Spread Idealist page or start a local Idealist Group.
So, you bought yourself a super high energy efficiency vehicle and you’re feeling pretty good about your karma (pun intended)…Good work! But what’s that in your cup holder -- a disposable paper cup? And those clear plastic water bottles rolling around empty in your back seat? Disposable?
Mug shot by waffler on Flickr
Allow us to introduce you to The Mug Project, “a community of individuals and organizations who advocate the use of mugs to reduce waste from disposable cups” who are hoping you'll trade in those nasty throw-aways for a long lasting reusable mug instead. Whether you fill it with piping hot espresso or milky lattes, your coffee will taste even better with the sweet knowledge that you’ve got Mother Earth's approval.
And once you start loving your very own perma-mug you'll probably want to combine that coffee appreciation with your excitement about contributing to your community, right? Well, a quick search in the bar at the top of this page here will show you a whole world of coffee-related opportunities. You can apply for a job working in sustainable agriculture or fair trade; volunteer in HospiceCare’s Café (if you happen to be in Madison, Wisconsin); or simply sip coffee and learn about the difference between dark roasts, Colombian and French at a Coffee Tasting with Keshet (a group that works for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews in Jewish life) in Brighton, MA.
In 19 cities across the United States, over 2000 Experience Corps members are helping to ensure that local elementary school students enjoy learning one of humankind’s most vital skills: the ability to read. Experience Corps members, all of whom are 55 years of age or older, tutor and mentor over 20,000 students a year through almost half a million hours of service.
Photo by Alex Harris, Experience Corps
Experience Corps boasts over a decade of tangible accomplishments (student improvement in words read per minute, test-taking skills, and even a decrease in disciplinary referrals) along with the intangible impact of adding a wise and encouraging voice to the reading process. By bringing a large number of older adults together to work with children most in need, Experience Corps manages to change the very culture of school.
And the students aren’t the only ones who benefit. Experience Corps members overwhelmingly report that they feel more useful and socially connected because of their involvement. One study by John Hopkins University even attributed a meaningful improvement in the mental and physical well-being of program participants to their involvement in the program.
If you are 55+ and interested in joining a team of Experience Corps members and school staff to channel your talents and energy into helping raise the newest generation of students, visit www.experiencecorps.org to learn more about the program and see if it is available in your area.
A common question we’re asked is why so many international volunteerism programs charge fees – sometimes fairly steep – to volunteer in another country. After all, volunteering is supposed to be free, right?
By Tine and Hagen Graf
The reality is that most volunteer abroad programs do need to charge fees in order to cover costs; without fees, many NGOs might not be able to afford to spend staff time recruiting, retaining, equipping and supporting volunteers. Fees might be put toward paying staff to oversee program logistics, or toward meals, lodging and transportation for volunteers. International volunteers often need additional training, language support, and introduction to cultural customs and differences. In fact, even if you volunteer abroad independently, you’ll still be looking at costs for things like flights, in-country transportation, housing, meals, and other day to day expenses.
Fortunately, there are some great resources out there to help you raise funds for volunteering overseas; one good primer is the Introduction to Fundraising by the International Volunteer Programs Association. In the U.K., you might also consider applying to a trust. Or, if you are a university student at a participating school in the U.S., you might be eligible for a Watson Fellowship to volunteer abroad.
Finally, another option, depending on your home country, is to explore programs that offer stipends and/or cover living expenses in exchange for international service; for example, the Peace Corps (U.S.), VSO (U.K.), VSO Canada, Australian Volunteers International, and the International Executive Service Corps (U.S.).
For a lot of you, it's probably time to buy textbooks. But maybe this semester you're ready to find a less stressful, expensive, and wasteful way to get your hands on the required readings.
Photo by Subspace on Flickr
One option is iChapters.com, which is becoming a popular alternative to the campus bookstore for several reasons: The prices are significantly lower; many books and single chapters are available in electronic format; and a tree gets planted for each book purchased!
The Plant a Tree campaign represents a three-way partnership among iChapters, Paso Pacifico (the nonprofit that is committing to planting the trees), and Changing The Present, that makes it easy for students to contribute to reforestation to help offset the environmental costs of the products they are expected to buy. About 24,000 trees have already been planted through the program, which lasts until February 15.
If you know of any other socially-conscious or environmentally-friendly ways to buy textbooks, be sure to leave a comment here. And check out the resources at Idealist On Campus for more inspiration throughout the semester.
Note: In addition to our regular blog postings, we’ll occasionally be posting observations and updates about the nonprofit sector by Put Barber, Editor of the Nonprofit FAQ. In December, Put blogged about nonprofit accountability. In this latest installment, Put writes about the new Form 990:
Put Barber
US nonprofits of a certain size have had to file a standard form -- called Form 990 – with the Internal Revenue Service every year. Until 2006, the design of the 990 and the requirements for filing it changed slowly, if at all, from year to year.
Now, suddenly, nearly everything is new! Only a very few organizations will be able to go ahead and file a 990 covering operations in 2008 without making changes in the way they collect and report the information required. Nearly every organization needs to start preparing now to make sure that the information to meet these new requirements will be ready when the time comes.
The first impact of all this change in the way nonprofits report to the IRS will be in the accounting department. But the impact will quickly spread throughout the field. The accountants will need to ask their colleagues to keep track of everyday information in new ways. Managers will have to get used to new formats for measuring progress and summarizing operations. Outsiders with an interest in the financial operations of nonprofits – whether it’s the one just down the street or statistical profiles of entire industries – will have to learn how to work with the new forms. Journalists and watchdogs, policy makers and researchers, will have lots of new information available to them, and a big chore in connecting the information from 2008 and beyond to what’s already in the history books about America’s nonprofits over time.
During the time the IRS was collecting comments on the proposed changes there was pretty broad agreement that the previous version of From 990 had become unwieldy and disorganized. The new approach streamlines and structures the form in a much more logical way. Making the required changes, though, is going to be a struggle for nearly everyone who prepares, or uses, financial information on America’s nonprofits.
So who gets the easy ride this year? Organizations that normally receive between $25,000 and $100,000 in revenues will file the shorter Form 990-EZ, using a version of the form that is fundamentally unchanged from the recent past. (Private foundations that use Form 990-PF are also going to be using the same familiar document.)
And who gets the hard row to hoe? Organizations with more than $1 million in total revenues or more than $2.5 million in total assets will have to use the new – completely revised – version of the Form 990, which was published on December 20, 2007.
And what about everyone else?
Organizations (with the exception of some churches and church associations) with less than $25,000 in total revenue, no matter how small, are required to file a new form – the 990-N – by the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of their most recent fiscal year. For many organizations, that day will be May 15, 2008. There is no paper version of Form 990-N. It has to be filed electronically using the Internet. The IRS has posted an explanation of this new requirement here. The gotcha here is that an organization that is supposed to file a 990-N and doesn’t do it for three years running will lose its tax-exempt status and have to start over again seeking recognition from the IRS – a complicated and expensive process.
Organizations with more than $100,000 (but less than $1 million) in total revenue will be allowed to use the existing Form 990-EZ this year, instead of the new long-form 990. The 990-EZ may be unfamiliar but it represents a smaller change from previous years than the new full 990 requires.
For those organizations that have to use it, what does the new “big” Form 990 look like?
There is a new “core form” that every filing organization will complete. It includes items that ask for basic information about every aspect of the organization’s work. Along the way, the core form highlights thresholds that, if crossed, require completion of supplemental “schedules” on everything from investment income to proceeds from gambling operations. The idea is that most organizations will need to use only a few of these schedules, and that will cut down on unnecessary paperwork, focus attention on the parts of their operations that are important in understanding their work, and help assure continued eligibility for tax-exempt status. The IRS has said that it will delay implementation of a couple of the schedules because of the complexity of the new record-keeping that is necessary for completing them.
A discussion of the filing rules plus a general outline of the new Form 990 is on the IRS website at on this page.
One other change in the rules about nonprofits’ reporting to the IRS will be important to some organizations. Form 990-T – the form that is used to report unrelated business income and for calculating whether any taxes are due – is now a public document. Filing organizations must make their 990-T returns available for inspection by anyone who asks. (This disclosure requirement applies to returns filed after August 17, 2006, and affects every organization that files a 990-T, even churches, whether or not they file a Form 990 that is subject to public inspection.)
One of the great things about working in the nonprofit sector is that there is room for many different types of people. This diversity is illustrated by a search through Idealist's nonprofit job database. In addition to a plethora of listings for administrative assistants, program managers, and executive directors, you can find hundreds of organizations looking for artists, designers, musicians and other creative people to help them carry out their missions.
Photo by storm_gal on Flickr
If you're looking for a way to combine your creative talents and your desire to work for social good, there are plenty of opportunities. For example, you could...
Use your graphic design skills to help conserve native plants in New England or protect the world's oceans.
Teach fashion design or music production to high schoolers in Harlem, drama and musical theatre to youth in San Jose, or guitar lessons to middle schoolers in Los Angeles.
Provide piano accompaniment for dance classes in New York public schools or share your love of rock and roll in Cleveland!
Have you worked in the nonprofit sector in a creative or artistic capacity? What are the benefits and challenges? What advice would you offer to creative people looking for nonprofit jobs?
Nominations are due Feb. 15 for the annual Spirit of Service Awards given by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Any person, organization or company in the U.S. is eligible, so long as they have a relationship with a program funded by the Corporation.
According to the website, "nominees must exemplify the spirit of national service, demonstrate exceptional service or leadership, and serve as role models for others in their community." Winners in 2007 included a lawyer and Americorps member who trained private attorneys to volunteer their time serving more than 500 Hurricane Katrina survivors; a foster grandparent from Shreveport, LA; and a high school teacher whose chemistry students learned to test water quality and reduce erosion as part of a community effort, the Stoney Creek Watershed Project in Michigan.
If you know someone who has made a difference through their work with Learn and Serve America, Senior Corps, or Americorps, they may be eligible for the honors. You can also nominate a corporate or foundation partner that serves as a role model for private sector support of national and community service. Information about each of the four awards can be found on this page.
"New York is a city best enjoyed on foot, yet we plan our streets for cars." So says the home page of the New York City Streets Renaissance, a growing coalition of community groups, elected officials, business leaders, and citizens from across the five boroughs who are re-imagining the city's streets as public spaces that are bike- and pedestrian-friendly. If you live in New York and are interested in making the streets more vibrant and navigable, you can create a profile and join the conversation here.
Photo by beggs on Flickr
Check out the Streets Blog, where you can plan to attend upcoming events; leave a comment on entries with titles like "Are Subway Riders the Angriest Commuters?"; and even contribute photos, links and video footage of scenes around town.
And speaking of footage, you might also like to visit Street Films, a related project that uses video and other media to illustrate the problems with New York's streets, as well as the possibilities for addressing them. Explore their video archives and find footage related to pedestrian safety, urban planning, children and more. A recent entry on their home page reveals that the Big Apple may have a few things to learn from Bogota, Colombia when it comes to bus transit systems.
Finally, if you're in New York and you want to help connect people, ideas and resources to improve the city, you can also join the New York Idealist Network on Idealist and Facebook.
One month ago today, did you make a resolution to meet new people? Get political? Take action in your community? We've already wished you a happy new year and talked about resolutions. Now we just want to remind you that there are 11 months left to achieve your goals...and this website is full of ways you can turn your good intentions into action.
Photo by Boss Tweed
Many organizations are already posting their events for the year: courses, workshops, meetings, conferences, and parties related to the environment, culture, literacy, health, and many other topics. You can get informed about all of these events here. There are already 272 events posted for the month of February!
For more opportunities and inspiration, search through our listings of campaigns, programs and services, and volunteer opportunities. After all, meeting with other people face-to-face is a great motivator toward keeping all those resolutions...
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