Tuesday, August 30, 2004: Volume #2, Issue #43
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

Note: Documents on this page or in this section may be in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. In order to read them, you require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is downloadable free from Adobe.

In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• ADS Center Teleconference
• Arbor Day Poster Contest
• APA for Progress
• 13th Annual CAN Conference
• Women's Information Network
2. Promising Practices
• Advocacy Groups Discover the Power of Blogs
3. News
• TWO organizations help the Hmong community
• Generation of Hmong Adapt to New Society
• US pays debt at last to Vietnam war allies
• Exotic, Redefined
• STATE makes aid available for Hmong
• Amerisians, Look to Vietnamese, American Heritage
• THAILAND Orders Unregistered Hmong to Leave Refugee Camp
• SOLDIERS detain 1,500 Hmong in Thai camp
• Hmong Girls Preserve Dance Heritage
• Number of US Poor Climbs
• VIETNAMESE American Pitcher a Man for All Seasons
• HELD for years in refugee camp, Hmong hope for new life in RI
• Minority Voters Could Play a Bigger Role Than Ever This Year
• VIETNAM era's legacy lingers
• Funding for Hmong Seniors Slashed
4. Funding Opportunities
• Clockware
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• The U.S. Soccer Foundation
• The Foundation for Child Development
• Youth Service America and State Farm
• YouthActionNEt
5. Resources
• SheVotes.org

I. Announcements

ADS Center Teleconference

WHO: Faith-based and community leaders or organizations working with addiction treatment and recovery, especially those in rural areas.

WHAT: A free training session, via telephone, on Addressing Stigma and Discrimination in Rural Communities. This training is presented by the Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center). The speakers for this training will discuss personal experiences, research, and campaigns that have worked to combat stigma and discrimination in rural communities. The presentations will take approximately 60 minutes, to be followed by a 30-minute period of discussion among the participants and the presenters.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)

CONTACT: The session is free to participants. To register for this teleconference, please fill out the form at www.adscenter.org/regpage.shtml

Please also feel free to pass this invitation on to others who might be interested. For more information, please contact Jennifer Melinn at info@adscenter.org

***

Arbor Day Poster Contest Opens to Fifth-Grade Classrooms

The National Arbor Day Foundation is inviting fifth-grade students across the country to showcase their artistic talent --while learning about trees -- with its annual Arbor Day National Poster Contest. Themed "Trees are Terrific ... and Energy Wise!" the contest is co-sponsored by Toyota and encourages students to learn about the importance of trees and show off their creative flair by designing a poster to reflect this year's theme...http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=5415

***

APA for Progress is in the process of working with the Division of Elections in California to send out hard copies of voter reg forms to APA for Progress members who would like to distribute them. Not everyone has easy access to voter registration forms: if you'd like 10 forms sent to you via the postal mail, and you live in California, please send the postal address to ca5000@apaforprogress.org.

Thank you!
Monica Flores Lodise
APA for Progress

APA for Progress is a grassrooots, internet-empowered, national network of Asian Pacific Americans for Progressive Action. Please join us today! http://www.apaforprogress.org/?q=node/view/274

***

PASSION AND PRESSURE: PUTTING THE PIECES IN PLACE

13th Annual CAN Conference

Thurs-Fri, Oct 28-29 in Los Angeles
Thurs-Fri, Nov 4-5 in San Francisco
http://ga0.org/ct/b11Giap1cBDl/passionandpressure

Act now and get into the 13th Annual CAN Conference for just $120!

For nonprofit staff and volunteers including Executive Directors; Directors and Staff in the Finance, Fundraising, Communications, and Administrative Departments; Program Directors and Staff; Program Officers; Grantmakers; Board Members and other Volunteers; and Students.

***

The Capitol Hill Network of the Women's Information Network hosts a briefing: The Life of a Female Legislative Director

12:00pm to 1:00pm
Thursday, September 2nd
122 Cannon

Brown Bag Lunch Briefing Please RSVP to Nina at ninaschichor@yahoo.com

A panel of female legislative directors will speak about their background and experiences on Capitol Hill. They will discuss what their job entails and the challenges they face. Question and answer period will follow.

This briefing is part of the WIN Capitol Hill Network's Professional Development Series for and by working women on Capitol Hill.

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II. Promising Practices

Advocacy Groups Discover the Power of Blogs to Spread Their Messages

From The Chronicles of Philanthropy

By Peter Panepento

Earth Share of Washington had staked its claim in cyberspace. The only problem, says Dave Manelski, the group's program coordinator, was that its territory drew few visitors.

The Seattle nonprofit group serves as a hub of information for its 65 member organizations in Washington State, promoting environmental education and charitable giving. But, says Mr. Manelski, its Web site was static and stale, failing to keep up with current issues that would engage people interested in the environment.

Earth Share needed to give Web users a steady stream of current information -- information that would draw them to the organization's site, introduce them to the charity's mission, and provide them with access to the most important and current environmental discussions.

The group found what it needed last year, when it created its first-ever Weblog, an interactive online journal commonly called a blog, that allows an individual or organization to routinely post information, commentary, and links to other pages of interest. Since the blog was added as the featured part of an overall site redesign a year ago, the number of hits on Earth Share's site has more than tripled. While the site generated slightly more than 3,000 hits per month before adding the blog, it now gets as many as 12,000 a month.

"The blogs were the pieces that people were visiting," Mr. Manelski says. "That was our idea, to get more people to the Web site. Give them more information and they will become more familiar with Earth Share Washington. It's been critical, because people now associate Earth Share as a source for up-to-date news and information."

Read on: http://philanthropy.com/jobs/2004/08/19/20040819-32353.htm

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III. News

Two Organizations Help the Hmong Community Become Self-Sufficient
Green Bay Press Gazette
August 23, 2004

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Generations of Hmong Adapt to New Society
Green Bay Press Gazette
August 23, 2004

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Us Pays Debt at Last to Vietnam War Allies
Guardian
August 24, 2004

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Exotic, Redefined
Los Angeles Times
August 24, 2004

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State Makes Aid Available for Hmong
Fond du Lac Reporter
August 24, 2004

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'Amerasians' Look to Vietnamese, American Heritage
NPR
August 24, 2004

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Thailand Orders Unregistered Hmong to Leave Refugee Camp
Voice of America
August 25, 2004

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Soldiers Detain 1,500 Hmong in Thai Camp
Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
August 26, 2004

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Hmong Girls Preserve Dance Heritage
Detroit Free Press
August 27, 2004

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Number of Us Poor Climbs
Fresno Bee
August 27, 2004

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Vietnamese American Pitcher a Man for All Seasons
New California Media
August 28, 2004

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Held for Years in Refugee Camp, Hmong Hope for New Life in Ri
Providence Journal
August 28, 2004

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Minority Voters Could Play a Bigger Role Than Ever This Year
Mansfield News Journal
August 29, 2004

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Vietnam Era's Legacy Lingers
Contra Costa Times
August 29, 2004

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Funding for Hmong Seniors Slashed
Duluth News Tribune
August 29, 2004

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   Clockware

   Clockware, a leader in timesheet and time-tracking software systems, is donating web-based time-tracking software to nonprofits and educational organizations, the Philanthropy News Network reported Aug. 25.

   The software can be used to track the time, work and progress of activities supported by various grants or funding sources. The software also allows for the reporting and tracking of project details to ensure easier and more efficient project management

   The software contains an activity and project-management system that is compatible with accounting and other key in-house systems.

   "One of the key needs of nonprofits and educational organizations is to track their work on various grants and funding sources. Clockware's leading time and work tracking software can be configured easily to track time and work on grants as well as providing a comprehensive yet easy to use project management tool," said Clockware CEO Ron Kfoury.

   Nonprofit and educational organizations will be accepted automatically into the Clockware Cares program if they are a current member of a Clockware Cares Partner Organization. Nonprofits and educational group can also apply online at Clockware Cares.

2. (National)
   CSBG T/TA Program--Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Other Asset Formation Opportunities

   WHO: Faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, Community Services Block Grant eligible entities, and State Community Action Associations.

   WHAT: to create or expand asset formation and financial literacy services offered by eligible entities funded under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program in support of national community action Goal 1 ("Low Income People Become More Self-sufficient").

   AWARD AMOUNT: Approximately $500,000 will fund up to 7 awards.

   For further information, please contact Dr. Margaret Washnitzer at 1-800-281-9519 or email OCS@lcgnet.com

   Deadline: September 9, 2004

3. (National)
   Community Services Block Grant Community Economic Development Public Markets

   WHO: Faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and non-profit organizations.

   WHAT: to provide technical and financial assistance for economic development activities designed to address the economic needs of low-income individuals and families by creating employment and business development opportunities.

   AWARD AMOUNT: Approximately $1 million dollars will fund up to 6 awards.

   For further information, please contact Debbie Brown at 202-401-3446 or email dbrown@acf.hhs.gov

   Deadline: September 17, 2004

4. (National)
   The U.S. Soccer Foundation

   The U.S. Soccer Foundation works to enhance, assist, and grow the sport of soccer in the United States. As part of this mission, the foundation's annual grantmaking program provides support to soccer programs and organizations.

   The goal of the grantmaking program for fiscal year 2005 is to focus funding on those programs or projects that develop players, referees, and coaches with special emphasis on the economically disadvantaged in urban areas. The foundation's grants program is open to anyone with a soccer-specific program or project that benefits a not-for-profit purpose and meets the established focus for the 2005 grant cycle.

   The foundation has changed its grant application process effective with the 2005 grant cycle by implementing a two-phase procedure. The initial step in the application process is the required Letter of Inquiry (LOI) which will solicit basic applicant and project information and through a document that will be submitted online. The LOI will be available online until October 15, 2004. Only those applicants with programs or projects meeting the foundation's stated focus for the 2005 grant cycle will be invited to submit, via the foundation's online process, a substantially more detailed application.

   Applicants have until December 1, 2004 to submit full applications. (There is a $50 fee for submitting a full grant application.)

   In addition to the funding offered through the 2005 grant cycle, the foundation also supports field construction under the 24/7 Fields Program. The program brochure can be downloaded at the foundation's Web site.

   Deadline: October 15, 2004 (Letter of Inquiry)

5. (National)
   The Foundation for Child Development

   The Foundation for Child Development is providing fellowships through the Changing Faces of America's Children - Young Scholars Program. This work is a special component of the New American Children Program.

   The fellowship supports young scholars with their research in identifying and understanding the challenges faced by immigrant children and their families.

   The FCD Young Scholars Program's goals are to:

   • Stimulate both basic and policy-relevant research about the early education, health, and well-being of immigrant children from birth to age ten, particularly those who are living in low-income families.
   • Support young investigators -- from a variety of behavioral and social sciences or in an allied professional field -- to attain tenure or who have received tenure in the last four years from a college or university in the United States.

   Eligible researchers will have earned their doctoral degrees within the last 15 years, and be full-time, faculty members of a college or university in the United States. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent in one of the behavioral and social sciences or in an allied professional field (e.g., public policy, public health, education, social work, nursing, medicine).

   Three to four fellowships of up to $150,000 for use over one to three years will be awarded.

   Deadline: November 1, 2004

6. (National)
   Youth Service America and State Farm

   Youth Service America and State Farm have partnered to present the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant. The grant is available to teachers/professors, youth (ages 5-25), and school-based service-learning coordinators to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day 2005, April 15-17.

   National Youth Service Day mobilizes youth as leaders to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and service-learning, supports youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement, and educates the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.

   One hundred grants of $1,000 are available to youth, teachers/professors, and school-based service-learning coordinators.

   Grant applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: be a youth between the ages of 5-25, or; be a certified teacher or professor who currently teaches in a public, private, faith-based, charter, or Department of Defense school, or higher education institution located within the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Indian tribe, U.S. territory, or; be a school-based service-learning coordinator, whose primary role is to coordinate service projects in a school or university as described above, and; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

   Online applications are available on the YSA Web site. Visit the site to learn more about the grant program and National Youth Service Day.

   Deadline: October 18, 2004

7. (National)
   YouthActionNet

   YouthActionNet is offering awards to youth leaders and their emerging projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities.

   These youth-led projects should have clearly defined goals and have potential for growth or further replication. Final selections are made following a peer review process in which previous award winners select the next round of awardees. Award recipients will receive $500 and are eligible to participate in an international capacity-building workshop.

   The grant program is open to all young people aged 18 to 29. Individuals applying must have a leadership role in a youth-led initiative that works to create positive change in their community. Applications must be written in English

   Ten winners will be selected in this round of funding.

   See the YouthActionNet Web site for complete program information, the application, and details on past winners and their projects.

   Deadline: October 1, 2004

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V. Resources

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