The AmeriCorps, NCCC and VISTA Twitter List

No one has a good list yet on Twitter so I'm making my own. We have 101 and it's growing. The AmeriCorps members, alums who tweet list is at http://twitter.com/nealgorman/americorps-members. @ me and get listed. Alums are our future and current leaders - they know how to get things done and make a difference.

AmeriCorps in New York is Under Attack - An important message from the AmeriCorps Alums Team

New York needs your help! The fate of AmeriCorps is currently being decided in the Senate and its IMPERATIVE that we make our voices heard. The turn-out for District Day was phenomenal, and now we need you to Make the Call (http://www.saveservice.org/page/s/makethecall). On Tuesday, March 15th we're holding a nationwide call in to the Senate, telling them to keep CNCS and AmeriCorps funded.

Making the call is easy! Click here (http://www.saveservice.org/page/s/makethecall) to sign up and receive an e-mail reminder on the 15th to call in. To call, just dial 1-855-US-SERVE, enter your zip code and you will be patched to a Senator's office. When you call, all you have to do is say who you are, that you are calling to support service in America, and that you want your Senator to vote to keep AmeriCorps funded. Simple! Just make sure, if you work for the government or are currently serving in AmeriCorps, you DO NOT call when you are working. If this does apply to you, you can make the call during your time off for lunch.

You've all done a great job raising your voices in support of Service and they are starting to be heard. However, we still have a long fight ahead of us. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to friends and family to sign up as well! Then on March, 15th let's flood the offices of the Senate with calls to support service. Together we CAN save AmeriCorps!

Want to support the fight to keep AmeriCorps going strong?

Please Donate at http://www.americorpsalums.org/donations/default.asp?

AmeriCorps Elimination Cuts, Please Help, Take Action Now

If you have not heard yet, there have been some critically significant proposals to cut, and perhaps eliminate entirely, AmeriCorps programs (this includes the Corporation for National and Community Service – that's the gov't arm that funds most of your nation's service related programs).

 

This is fast moving so please do what you can ASAP. The cuts will be considered on the House floor next week!

 

There have been a number of sites created in the immediate aftermath of the announcement. Rather than bombard or confuse you with all the addresses, here are a few that I think have the most up to date and accurate info. 

 

Click here for the AmeriCorps Alums blog to learn more on how alums can respond to the proposed cuts (includes Twitter and FB links):

http://americorpsalums.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/alums-respond-to-the-proposed-americorps-cuts

 

Click here for ServiceNation's info and how to contact your local Rep ASAP

http://www.servicenation.org/pages/protect-national-service

 

See another FB page called "Stand For AmeriCorps" at http://on.fb.me/f1nhBt. This page 1st started as a FB group at http://on.fb.me/eGb3iQ.

 

Stay tuned, stay informed, and please help!

AmeriCorps Alums You Should Know -- Megan Hill, Seattle

Megan Hill is a writer, nonprofit consultant and certified grant writer in the Greater Seattle Area. She's also a two-time AmeriCorps alumna with a memoir about her year with NCCC in the works. Her Twitter handle is @YeahService and she has more than 5,000 followers. Megan also hosts a web site and blog that she regularly updates. See her most recent post "What to pack for AmeriCorps NCCC" from just a few days ago. Thanks for carrying on the mission to serve Megan!

http://www.serviceispower.com/2011/01/17/pack-americorps-nccc

Learn about other great volunteers and those that have served in AmeriCorps, like me, by joining my LinkedIn AmeriCorps networking group: http://tinyurl.com/memhp9

The Race may be Over but I'm still Fundraising Until Dec. 15

Just a quick alert to let you know that although I finished the long and grueling ING NYC Marathon just nine days ago, my fundraising page doesn't come down until mid December. I have surpassed my original goal of $3,500 and hope you will help me beat my new $4,500 goal.

Just a few dollars can make a big difference. In fact, $25 buys five blankets to be used at a Red Cross shelter. If you can give, please click here to donate to Red Cross disaster relief.

2010 ING NYC Marathon page http://bit.ly/9mudwh

2010 ING NYC Marathon - 4:33 finish time!!

All in all a success. I finished the race and raised $3,600 for Red Cross.

The cool part is that I beat my 2009 finish time by 20 minutes! Thanks for all the support along the way.

ING NYC Marathon starts in 4 days and 18 hours!!

It’s the final week. ING NYC Marathon starts in 4 days, 18 hours! I’m super excited, but I do have a few complaints just for fun:

• I’m tired of rubbing Body Glide all over, and especially those two obvious Body Glide stains on my shirts (you know where they are).
• I am tired of saying, “Sorry can’t meet you at the bar, got to run.”
• I’m tired of wondering if every new and strange leg pain I feel is real or something just in my head.
• I’m tired of wondering if my new sneakers are broken in yet.
• I’m tired of wondering if I drank enough water today.
• I’m tired of power bars and drink mixes.
• I’m tired of my pinky toe, I keep smashing it by accident, it hurts and not sure what it does anyway.
• Where’d that blister come from?
• I’m super annoyed and tired of runner's trots (diarrhea). Seriously.
• Excessive sweating, really. I’m that guy on the treadmill next to you making you sick. I’m tired of it.
• And…speaking of the gym, I’m tired of their 30 minute rule.
• I have a cold, is it going to screw up my run?
• I’m tired of washing my running gear in the shower every night!
• Does anyone else ever accidentally kick themselves in the ankle when they are running? What the heck is that?
• I’m tired of waiting to drink my latest batch of home brewed beer! (It’s an IPA by the way.)

Last one: I'm not tired of this though. If you can give $5 or $100, please click here. I am running to raise money for Red Cross disaster relief. Thanks!

ING NYC Marathon page http://bit.ly/9mudwh