AmeriCorps Week

Presentation to AmeriCorps Alums @ Hands On Network Leadership Conference 2007

March 15, 2007

Presented By

John Enterline

Corporation for National and Community Service

Eli Segal Fellow

AmeriCorps*NCCC Denver, Class XI

AmeriCorps Week????

What have you heard so far about AmeriCorps Week?

What Is AmeriCorps Week?

First ever weeklong opportunity to shine the spotlight on AmeriCorps

A locally-driven initiative that will be highlighted by several national events run by CNCS

Still to be Determined---By Us

Why Have an AmeriCorps Week???

Top 10 Reasons to Have an AmeriCorps Week

10. Good Excuse to Wear the Old Uniforms

9. When you are used to getting less than a $1 an hour, your budget says no to celebrating an entire month

8. Thank AmeriCorps’ Community Partners

9. The domestic Peace Corps deserves a week too!

6. AmeriCorps Week is so easy to celebrate even a caveman can do it

Top 10 Reasons to Have an AmeriCorps Week (continued)

5. Way to bring more Americans into Service

5. More “This one time when I was in the AmeriCorps…” stories

3. Salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact

2. Taking a week off of trying to understand “Lost” might be the best thing possible for your sanity.

#1 Reason to Have an AmeriCorps Week

Way for the AmeriCorps Community to bring the power and the passion we have for AmeriCorps together in a

united effort to further AmeriCorps’ role in getting things done in this country

Why May 13-20?

Aligns with 500,000th AmeriCorps member milestone

Coincides with AmeriCorps Grant announcements

Spotlights AmeriCorps in key recruitment season

Spring theme fits well

National Events/InitiativesAmeriCorps Week closing ceremony at Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps blitz build in Mississippi.

Washington, DC policy events

“My AmeriCorps” Video Contest on YouTube

Signature Events Across the Country

NCCC Events, VISTA Events, Alum Chapter Events, Etc.

AmeriCorps Week Success

YOUR AmeriCorps Week

AmeriCorps Week is not just something for CNCS

AmeriCorps Week is about YOU

AmeriCorps Week is about everyone who cares about AmeriCorps

The local role is vital to AmeriCorps Week, even more so than the national events.

Success Will Look Like:More Americans volunteer More members and alums embrace AmeriCorps identity and connect with programs AmeriCorps partners feel appreciated The service inspired by this week benefits many peopleThe AmeriCorps community will be re-energizedThe AmeriCorps Alums site will gain momentumSociety has a better appreciation for AmeriCorpsWe all have a lot of fun!

Reflection

• What are you most proud of?

• What in your service experience touched you the most?

• What was the most fun you had in AmeriCorps?

Group Discussion

• Do you have plans for AmeriCorps Week?• Think about what you want to do to celebrate AmeriCorps Week

– Use what you reflected on to help get the brainstorming kick-started– Think of how to recreate what AmeriCorps brought to you.

• What kind of events would interest your AmeriCorps Alums local chapter?

• Could you use AmeriCorps Week to launch a new AmeriCorps Alums chapter?

• Millions of Possibilities

What You Can Do (A Few Ideas)

Encourage “AmeriCorps for a Day”Speak to a Community GroupTalk about AmeriCorps where you are servingStage a Special EventUse MySpace or FacebookParticipate in the Video Contest by submitting a video or by votingTake part in the postcard projectThe “A” wordService projects

How CNCS Will Support You:Online tools on www.americorps.gov/americorpsweek

Technical assistance conference calls on specific issues

National Media outreach

Project registration

Web Marketing with regional spotlights

Media and Marketing Support

Promotional materials….banners, pins, posters

Media kit – sample press release, op-ed, letter to editor, radio copy

Sample Proclamation

Sample speech and message points

Viral emails

What Is Needed from YOU

YOUR IDEAS and InputNowIn 2 months…what can be done to build upon the success of the 1st Annual AmeriCorps Week

Talk up AmeriCorps Week

Start planning what you are going to do for your AmeriCorps Week

Spread the word about what you are doing by registering on the AmeriCorps Week website

Questions

Contact Informationwww.americorps.gov/about/americorps

week. will be a valuable reference that you will be updated frequently

Questions can be directed to me at jenterline@cns.gov or (202) 606-6946

Or you can get in touch with me via AmeriCorps Alums