Utah Commission on Volunteers Announces $1.4 Million 2010 AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity

A Series of Free Technical Assistance Trainings Offered Statewide

The Utah Commission on Volunteers announces the availability of $1.4 million in funding for the operation of AmeriCorps programs in Utah.  AmeriCorps provides support to nonprofits, community organizations, and public agencies committed to addressing critical community needs in areas such as education, public safety, health, economic opportunity, the environment and other human needs.

“In 2009, Utah’s AmeriCorps members mobilized more than 9,000 volunteers,” said Shar Lewis, executive director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “These volunteers provided over 150,000 hours of service with an estimated economic value of $3.1 million dollars to our state.”

The Commission is conducting a statewide series of free trainings to answer questions, provide technical assistance and explain the application process in detail for those wanting to apply for the funding.

“We encourage organizations that have never received funding from the Commission or AmeriCorps to apply for these grants,” said state AmeriCorps program manager LaDawn Stoddard. “We also encourage intermediaries to apply.”

Grantees and sponsoring organizations are responsible for recruiting, selecting, and managing members.  Program operation will begin in fall 2010. Those interested in applying must attend one meeting:

April 14 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Six County AOG Training Room, 250 North Main: Richfield, UT

April 15 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Five County AOG: 1070 West 1600 South Building B; St. George, Utah

April 19 – 1:00 – 3:00 @ Professional Development Center, 1950 Monroe Blvd; Ogden, Utah

April 21 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ 324 South State #500, Salt Lake City, Utah

April 22 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Grand Center: 182 North 500 West; Moab, Utah                                     

AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages tens of thousands of Americans nationwide in intensive, results driven direct service each year. For more information, or to reserve a space, please contact LaDawn Stoddard at 801.538.8646 or ldstoddard@utah.gov. Additional information may be found atwww.americorps.gov or www.volunteers.utah.gov.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

Volunteers From Across Utah Donate Hundreds of Hours in Sandy, Utah

Volunteers From Across Utah Donate Hundreds of Hours in Sandy, Utah

WHO:  Hundreds of Utah Volunteers  

  Utah Commission on Volunteers

(Volunteers will be available for interviews)

WHAT:  More than 250 volunteers from across Utah will wrap up the Lt. Governor’s 2010 Conference on Service Thursday when they gather at the Lone Peak Indoor Pavilion in Sandy, Utah to participate in one of several service projects. Volunteers will clean and perform minor maintenance to play areas, pick up litter and help beautify the Dimple Dell Wash area.

WHEN:  Thursday, April 8, 2010

                 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

WHERE:  Lone Peak Indoor Pavilion

                  10140 South 700 East       

                   Sandy, Utah 84094          

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Senator Orrin Hatch To Keynote the 2010 Utah Conference on Service

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2010

Senator Orrin Hatch To Keynote the 2010 Utah Conference on Service

 

SALT LAKE CITY- Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are excited to announce this year’s 2010 Utah Conference on Service keynote speaker will be Senator Orrin Hatch. The conference will be held at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center from April 6-8. Registration for this event is now open. 

The conference is the state’s largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors. This three-day event offers the opportunity to learn, connect, be inspired and make a difference through a wide variety of exciting and informative sessions, workshops, special events, service projects and more.

“We are pleased to partner with the state’s best thinkers and practitioners of service and volunteering to provide the tools service organizations need to be successful during these difficult times,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers.  “Participants will come away inspired, energized and ready to serve.”

Senator Orrin Hatch co-sponsored The Serve America Act, which seeks to expand opportunities for people to serve their communities at every stage of life, from students and working adults to retirees.

Conference and registration information is available at our website: http://www.volunteers.utah.gov/

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

Who Will You Nominate?: Celebrate an extraordinary volunteer or service program by nominating them for a 2010 Lt. Gov. Volunteer Service Award

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities and as a state.

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell is committed to recognizing the beehive state’s volunteers and the Utah Commission on Volunteers is now accepting award recipient nominations in multiple categories.

“I know there are Utahns throughout our great state who are freely giving their time and talents for the betterment of the community,” Bell said. “Give us the opportunity to recognize their achievements.”

Nominations for the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Lieutenant Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award, Corporate Volunteer Program of the Year Award, Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year Award, Volunteer Administrator of the Year, Youth Service Award, Community Preparedness Award, and Utah AmeriCorps Member/Vista of the Year Award will be accepted through February 22, 2010. Awards will be presented at the Lieutenant Governor’s Conference on Service Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet on April 6, 2010.

“Volunteers perform their good deeds largely unnoticed, without compensation and without any expectation of reward or commendation,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers.  “The Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards celebrates those extraordinary volunteer efforts of Utahns.”

Award nomination forms are available at our website: http://www.volunteers.utah.gov/

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

Utah Commission on Volunteers Encourages Utahns to get involved in the Martin Luther King Day of Service

SALT LAKE CITY- On January 18, people of all ages and backgrounds will come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned. Dr. Martin Luther King devoted his life’s work to causes of equality and social justice. He taught that through nonviolence and service to one another, problems such as hunger and homelessness, prejudice and discrimination can be overcome. Dr. King’s teachings can continue to guide us in addressing our nation’s most pressing needs—poverty, economic insecurity, job loss and education.

Civic-minded Utahns from around the state will join with volunteers across the nation on the 2010 King Day of Service and make a real in difference their communities. There is still time to get involved.

“January 18, is rapidly approaching and we are asking you to get involved and take up Dr. King’s call to action,” said Shar Lewis, Utah Commission on Volunteers executive director. “For those Utahns who want to help out their fellow citizens–especially during the King Day of Service, there are many organized projects taking place around the state. I encourage you to find one and get involved. The difference you make can be life changing for someone else.”

Some local projects include:

• Community Services Council/Utah Food Bank
• Youth Volunteer Corps of Washington County – Aluminum Can Drive
• Grand County Food Drive

 

For other service events in your area visit the Commission’s websitewww.volunteers.utah.gov or www.nationalservice.gov. These website will connect you to organizations with volunteer opportunities in your area that will be meaningful to you and to those in need.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Announces Launch of First Statewide Volunteer Website

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah’s Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers have partnered with the Utah Volunteer Center Association to launch a new volunteer opportunities database found at www.volunteers.utah.gov. On December 8 at 11 a.m. a press conference will be held on the east drive of the State Capitol and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell will make the announcement official.

The ongoing economic crises has caused many non-profit organizations in Utah to slash budgets, cut programs and downsize staff, which in turn effects our most needy citizens. Many of these organizations are in dire need of volunteers to help where possible. The help received will aid in keeping these programs running.

www.volunteers.utah.gov is the first state-wide volunteer website that will bridge the gap between Utahns who want to volunteer and the non-profit community organizations that need them. This centralized database is an invaluable resource where Utahns can both post and find volunteer opportunities all in one spot.

“Volunteerism is the lifeblood of our state and provides significant economic and social value for our citizens and communities,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “As the #1 volunteering state in the nation for four years running, we all know the value of volunteering. Its part of our culture, who we are, and one of the reasons we as a state are better able to weather the current economic storm.”

As a kickoff to promote the new website database, numerous UTA bus banners will display various eye-catching messages encouraging volunteerism.

“For those who want to help, there are thousands of volunteer opportunities currently listed on the site representing over seven-hundred organizations. These opportunities reach communities all over the state,” said Shar Lewis, Utah Commission on Volunteers executive director. “I encourage you to use this website to find opportunities to serve that utilize your skills and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”

Visuals at the press conference will include a UTA bus with installed banner ads along with a DVD handout of additional graphics and promotions and contact information for regional Volunteer Center Association offices.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

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Lt. Governor Greg Bell Honors Utah’s Top Volunteers

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Honors Utah’s Top Volunteers

Summer of Service Winners Receive Private Luncheon and Presidential Service Award

WHO: Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell
Amber Barron, 13 year old volunteer from Riverton
Carlos Vinatea, 14 year old volunteer from West Jordan

WHAT: Luncheon and Press Conference Awarding Top Volunteers

Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are personally honoring two outstanding Utah volunteers. The pair contributed the most hours of volunteer service between June 22, 2009 and Sept 11, 2009 as part of Summer of Service, a national effort launched to engage more Americans in serving their communities during the summer months. Lt. Governor Bell will host a privately catered luncheon with the two teenage volunteers and their families. Following the luncheon, Lt. Governor Bell will hold a press conference and award the teenagers with a Presidential Service Award and pin.

WHEN: Monday, November 9, 2009
Press Conference begins at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Capitol Board Room
Utah State Capitol, Rm. 240 (East Wing, 2nd Floor)

Interviews with Lt. Governor Greg Bell, honored volunteers, and Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Commission on Volunteers will be available immediately following the press conference.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

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