Monday, June 13, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #78
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

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In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• SEARAC
• National Conference on Volunteering
2. Promising Practices
• Nonprofit Directors and Officers Insurance: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
3. News
• Laos Detains US Activists Over Alleged Surrender of Hmong Rebels
• US nationals deported from Laos
• Time runs out for Cambodian conspirator
• SJ poised to elect Vietnamese councilwoman in runoff
• Vietnamese Americans to face off in San Jose City Council election
• Nation Briefs
• Delicate Issue of Diversity
• Theater Seeks Common Ground for Intersecting Faiths
• Straight Up with Poetry Slam Champion, Bao Phi
• Forum: Vietnam: 'When will they ever learn?'
• Two lives lived and fully embraced
• In Vietnam, war history through a political lens
4. Funding Opportunities
• U.S. Department of Human Health Services
• Microsof Corporation
• U.S. Department of Human Health Services
• Do Something Invites 2006 Brick
• Agape Foundation
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
5. Resources
• Association of Performing Arts Presenters

I. Announcements

Dear VERB sub-awardees,

A number of you have not filled out SEARAC's MAA Online Directory. Please go to our website and fill out the "Application for Inclusion in the Directory."

Please fill out the application ASAP. If you have any question please contact me.

Thank you,

Sophy

***

8TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING

WHO: Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

WHAT: Southeast Asian American National Leadership Training

WHEN: September 17 - 20, 2005

WHERE: Washington, DC

WHY: Provides Southeast Asian American community leaders to participate in advocacy education, leadership, strategizing, collaborative networking, and communication with lawmakers.

HOW: An online applicaton form is provided, as is a downloadable PDF version. Contact Bach Pham, Leadership and Advocacy Initiative Project Manager at bach@searac.org, (202) 667-4690 to have a hard copy of the application mailed to you.

• The deadline date for receipt of applications is July 1, 2005.
• SEARAC staff will send confirmation of acceptance to participants by e-mail and mail by July 15, 2005.
• Accepted applicants need to confirm travel plans by August 1, 2005.

This training is made possible through generous support from State Farm Insurance.

***

Scholarships Available to the National Conference on Volunteering and Service Application

Deadline: June 16, 2005

The National Conference on Volunteering and Service will convene at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, August 4-6. Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Conference provides an extraordinary opportunity to inspire and fortify leaders who mobilize people to service. Share practical knowledge, network, and receive the training you need to be a leader in your community and part of the volunteering and national service movement.

On behalf of the 2005 Washington, DC National Conference Host Committee, Washington Grantmakers announces that a limited number of registration scholarships are available to nonprofit and national service organizations, and students.

Diverse community members of all ages are invited to apply for registration scholarships. Scholarships will cover the registration fee only. There will be additional expenses including travel, hotel accommodations and food, if applicable. It is important that applicants and organizations determine if they can cover the additional conference expenses prior to applying. You will be notified of the status of your application on or before by June 24.

Search for more trainings and opportunities at the Meyer Foundation Website.

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II. Promising Practices

• Employment-related issues such as discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination.
• Failure to provide services.
• Mismanagement of assets.

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III. News

Laos Detains US Activists Over Alleged Surrender of Hmong Rebels
Voice of America
June 6, 2005

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Us Nationals Deported from Laos
BBC News
June 7, 2005

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Time Runs Out for Cambodian Conspirator
Asia Times Online
June 7, 2005

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SJ Poised to Elect Vietnamese Councilwoman in Runoff
San Jose Mercury News
June 8, 2005

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Vietnamese Americans to Face Off in San Jose City Council Election
San Francisco Chronicle
June 9, 2005

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Nation Briefs
Asian Week
June 10, 2005

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Delicate Issue of Diversity
Washington Post
June 11, 2005

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Theater Seeks Common Ground for Intersecting Faiths
New York Times
June 11, 2005

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Straight Up with Poetry Slam Champion, Bao Phi
New California Media
June 11, 2005

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Forum: Vietnam: 'When will they ever learn?'
Washington Times
June 11, 2005

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Two lives lived and fully embraced
OregonLive.com
June 12, 2005

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In Vietnam, war history through a political lens
Christian Science Monitor
June 12, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

   The Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to address the needs of runaway and homeless youth.

   Basic Center Programs provide an alternative to involving runaway and homeless youth in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. Optional services that programs may provide are: street-based services; home-based services for families with youth at risk of separation from the family; drug abuse education and prevention services; and at the request of runaway and homeless youth, testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

   Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, special district governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations. Approximately $13.8 million is available to fund 107 awards, up to $200,000. A match is required.

   Deadline: June 20, 2005

2. (National)
   Microsoft Corporation

   Microsoft Community Affairs announces funds for improving lifelong learning for disadvantaged young people and adults by providing technology skills through community technology centers.

   A community technology center is a free or low-cost place (in a community center, school, library, housing facility, etc.) where people of all ages and abilities can come to learn about computers, use the Internet, explore new careers, further their education, or participate in community activities.

   Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. There is no deadline date for applications. This initiative provides grants, software donations, technical assistance, and in-kind support.

3. (National)
   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

   The Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to increase the numbers and the capacity of advocates and allies to prevent domestic violence in underserved and diverse communities.

   Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, special district governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofit, community-based, and faith-based organizations, and private institutions of higher education. Approximately $1.9 million is available to fund 10 awards, up to $400,000. For further information, contact William Riley at or wriley@acf.hhs.gov.

   Deadline: July 5, 2005

4. (National)
   Do Something Invites 2006 Brick

   Each year, through its Do Something Brick Awards, Do Something, a national not-for-profit organization that inspires young people to believe that change is possible, honors six outstanding leaders age 18 and under and three outstanding leaders between the ages of 19 and 25 who use their talents to take action that measurably strengthens their communities in the areas of community building, health, or the environment.

   Each of the 18 and under winners is awarded a $5,000 higher education scholarship and a $5,000 community grant, to be directed by the award winner to the not-for-profit organization of his or her choice. Winners in the 19 to 25 category each receive a $10,000 community grant. All winners receive pro bono services, and all winners attend the annual Brick Awards Gala event in New York City, where their accomplishments will be celebrated. In addition, Do Something works closely with Brick winners to generate local and national media coverage of their work, and to spotlight what young people can achieve.

   Do Something will only accept online applications for the program, and will not accept nomination applications (applicants must apply on their own behalves).

   Deadline: November 1, 2005

5. (Northern California)
   Agape Foundation

   The San Francisco-based

   Agape Foundation is a nonprofit public foundation that raises and distributes funds to nonviolent social change organizations committed to peace and justice issues. To that end, the foundation has established the Agape Peace Prize in order to bring recognition to Northern California peacemakers, organizations, and individuals; to raise awareness and understanding about emerging peacemakers, their work, and accomplishments; to put peace, and those working for it, on the forefront of the movement for social change and equity; and to create a venue that will enable emerging and established peace-makers to network, share information, and develop strategic alliances that promote social justice and human rights.

   Nominations are invited for the following prizes:

   The Long Haul Prize honors a Northern California peace-maker who has made a sustained effort to create peace in their community, nationally, or internationally. The Long Haul Prize recipient will excel in inspiring others, sustaining progress, and achieving a measurable impact.

   The Rising Peacemaker Prize recognizes a peacemaker making a critical difference who has been working for peace for five years or less. With courage, commitment, and creativity, the rising peacemaker will engage in progressive change and inspire others to do the same.

   Northern California organizations, individuals, collectives, and other peacemakers are eligible for the awards. Nominees should support the following basic tenet of peace: "Opposed to all armed conflict to solve inter-national problems." Nominees may work in the following areas: expanding the concept of peace; addressing the root causes of war; and highlighting the consequences of war.

   The Agape Foundation Peace Prize winners will receive a $500 cash prize and capacity building assistance from Bay Area experts and trainers.

   Deadline: June 25, 2005

6. (National)
   Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

   Tobacco Policy Change: A Collaborative for Healthier Communities and States is a national initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that provides resources and technical assistance for local, regional, and nationally based organizations and tribal groups interested in implementing effective tobacco prevention and cessation policy initiatives.

   The program seeks to engage diverse organizations and professionals in sustainable tobacco-control activities to decrease the prevalence of tobacco use in the United States. Toward that end, the goals of the program are to: 1) support innovative projects designed to positively change tobacco policy through partnerships with or collaboration among groups that are most affected by tobacco use; 2) maintain tobacco policy gains and momentum in communities, states, and regions; and 3) strengthen and sustain the state and national tobacco policy change infrastructure (policy research, advocacy, and communications).

   Grant awards will be up to $150,000. Grants above $50,000 up to $150,000 will require a 1:1 match in hard cash. Applicants are expected to secure these matching funds from sources other than RWJF and its grantees. Grants for $50,000 will not require matching funds unless the applicant was awarded funds in Round One.

   To be eligible, applicant organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a federally recognized tribal group; have demonstrated success in policy advocacy and grassroots organizing (particular attention will be given to applicants working in communities or states most affected by tobacco-related disease and exposure); not currently accepting funds or other support from tobacco companies or have any tobacco industry employees or board members involved in decision-making positions within the organization; and be able to provide proof of hard-cash matching-fund commitments for grants over $50,000.

   Deadline: August 1, 2005

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V. Resources

Association of Performing Arts Presenters

Various Funding Opportunities for Arts Programs

With over forty years as an active arts service organization, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (Arts Presenters) is the nexus for the performing arts community and the innovators in the field. Representing both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors of the industry, Arts Presenters members hail from all 50 states and more than 15 countries across the globe and range from large performing arts centers in major urban cities, outdoor festivals and rural community-focused organizations to academic institutions, artists and artist managers. Our membership includes organizations with multi-million dollar budgets and individuals who are performing arts professionals.

Members bring performances to over 2 million audience-goers each week. No other association membership rivals the breadth of creative expression, representing disciplines ranging from all forms of dance, music, theater and family programming to puppetry, circus, magic, attractions and performance art.

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If you wish to contribute to the VERB Weekly e-Digest, please send all materials to sophy@searac.org