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Executive Director Update |
Founding Director
Kitty Burcsu Retires After 15+ Years
Kitty Burcsu, Executive Director
Ohio Community Service Council
As I leave the Ohio Community Service Council for the new adventure of retirement, I am awed by, grateful for and a little humbled by the extraordinary opportunity I have had to lead and help shape this dynamic organization for the last 15+ years. It’s been exciting, evolving, creative, satisfying, stressful and uncertain at times, but never routine and definitely never boring! Over the last several months, I have been asked many times about the agency’s accomplishments of which I am most proud. There are many! But I believe the greatest are these:
- Ohio AmeriCorps is strong. Many lives and communities have been changed over the past 15 years by the committed, tireless service of our AmeriCorps members who continue to “get things done” for Ohioans.
- OCSC has been, from its inception, a catalyst for the expansion of community volunteerism. Programs like Citizen Corps and Make A Difference Day Ohio engage thousands of Ohioans in meaningful and critical volunteer activities. On-going efforts, through electronic and print media and most recently with the creation of the specialty Volunteer License Plate, promote and recognize the importance of Ohio’s volunteers.
- OCSC has developed strong partnerships within and outside of state government. We have benefited from the wisdom, expertise and experience of a cast of thousands to develop and carry out the programs and services of OCSC. In turn, we have contributed our belief in and knowledge of volunteers and the appropriate roles they can play in addressing the serious problems facing Ohio.
- OCSC is a model of integrity and professionalism, due in large part to it skilled and dedicated staff and Council. Their passion and commitment are demonstrated on a daily basis and in every phone call and interaction with partners, grantees, colleagues and the public.
With the passage of the Serve America Act, the commitment of our national and state leaders to service and volunteerism, a positive reputation, and a strong new leader, OCSC is poised for exciting new roles and activities.
With great confidence and hope, I pass the torch of Executive Director of the Ohio Community Service Council to Bill Hall. Through his capable leadership, OCSC and volunteerism and service will continue to grow and evolve and have an even greater impact on Ohio’s communities and residents.
Throughout my years at OCSC, I have had the good fortune to meet, work with and learn from so many of you who are committed to supporting and furthering volunteerism and service. I will always treasure my association with OCSC, the staff, the Council, and with all of you. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as executive director of OCSC and to be part of the dynamic and evolving field of service and volunteerism.
Thank you ...and So long!
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VOLUNTEER
License Plateence |
NEW
LICENSE PLATE TO HELP
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Plate
will Support Volunteerism and Service throughout the State
A new specialty license plate recognizing Ohio’s
millions of VOLUNTEERS is now
available at all BMV's throughout Ohio!
Click here for more information
Please pass the word about our new plate!
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Foster Grandparent
Spotlight |
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Frances Colvert
(Streetsboro, OH)
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Frances Colvert, or as many know her, Granny Frances, was recently asked to take part in an interview with Barb Riley on the Ohio Department of Aging cable program Finer With Age. When asked if she was nervous about the interview her response was a resounding “NO!” She was too excited about her opportunity to tell others about the program and how important it is to the children she works with. Frances spoke to Barb of the joys of working with the children and the benefits both the children and her receive each day.
A Foster Grandparent from Family & Community Services, Inc. for 3 years in Streetsboro OH, Frances was also recently selected by Portage Learning Centers as the volunteer with the most donated time in February of 2009 with 107 hours!
Click here to read more!
Click here to view Frances Colvert on Finer With Age with Barb Riley, director, Ohio Department of Aging
http://aging.ohio.gov/news/finerwithage/view_may2009.htm
| JEFFERSON AWARDS ANNOUNCES 2009 NATIONAL WINNERS |
(Center)
Kevin Brown, 2009 National Jefferson Award Winner
Washington D.C. June 16, 2009 – The 2009 Jefferson Award recipients were announced in Washington D.C. Both the National Winners and “unsung heroes” came from across the United States to celebrate making a difference in their community and country.
Columbus resident Kevin Brown
receives top honor!
Seven years ago, when Kevin Brown came across a group of bored children causing trouble in their neighborhood, he knew he had to do something. He developed an after-school program for more than 100 children and a summer program for more than 400 children. Affectionately known as Coach Brown, he was determined to provide a safe place for these children to play and excellent educational and cultural opportunities for kids. Many of these children have hard lives and would have no adult supervision after school. During the school year, the kids get tutoring, and many of their teachers say they have seen improvement in their grade. During the summer, the kids have access to art and dance classes, gym, and voluntary bible study.
Click here to read more!
ServeOhio.org is Ohio's address for
Service and Volunteerism!
Serveohio.org provides a calendar of events, best practices on screening volunteers, tips on finding the right volunteer opportunity, homeland security updates, Ohio's National Service Programs, Ohio Citizen Corps, Ohio's Volunteer License Plate, updates on legislation of interest to the field of national and community service- and much more!
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June 22 - September 11
This is an Extraordinary Moment in Time!
As Americans, we have a unique opportunity to come together and help solve our nation's most pressing needs. In this spirit, President Obama recently announced a nationwide service initiative - United We Serve - as the beginning of a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to meet community needs and make service a way of life for all Americans.
First Lady Michelle Obama officially kicked off this service initiative on Monday, June 22. The service initiative will conclude with a National Day of Service on September 11, 2009. This National Day of Service offers a chance to both celebrate the service to our country over the previous two and a half months and to honor the Americans who died on Sept. 11, 2001 by recommitting to serve in the future.
The Challenge: Help Needed, Capacity Stretched
Capacity is strained in community organizations across the country, so today we are also calling on Americans to take a leadership role in recruiting and organizing their friends, family, and neighbors to develop their own service projects that address pressing community needs in partnership with local organizations.
To assist you, Serve.gov features toolkits for developing projects in education, health, energy and the environment, and community renewal.
United We Serve Ohio is a collaborative effort among the Governor's Office, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Community Service Council (OCSC), and the Corporation for National and Community Service (Ohio Office).
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Ohio
Citizen Corps |
Ohio Responds is the name given to the registration and alerting system for Ohio Citizen Corps. Volunteers can register online to be a volunteer in disasters and preparedness activities. After verification and training, volunteers will be covered under Ohio Revised Code 121.404 for liability protection. Training is required, but many opportunities exist.
To find out more, click here: Ohio Citizen Corps
To register as a volunteer, click here: Ohio Responds
SEPTEMBER IS
National Preparedness Month
Ohio Citizen Corps will join forces with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to promote September as National Preparedness Month. A diverse group of state and local partners will lead efforts across the state to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promoting community involvement.
Click here for more information about Ohio's efforts.
Volunteers are Needed ...
to help place and remove flags at the Statehouse (September 10 and September 12)- in honor of National Patriot’s Day. A total of 2,999 U.S. Flags, in the shape of the Twin Towers, Pentagon and the open field in PA,will cover the Ohio Statehouse lawn in honor of lives lost September 11, 2001.
Please contact: beck@firstlink.org
for more information and to VOLUNTEER!
Ohio Homeland Security, Contact and Information Management System (CIMS)
In today’s world the need to share information across many boundaries continues to increase and with the escalating amount of information available, Ohio Homeland Security has implemented a secure means to share information with multiple jurisdictions across the state in a one-stop-shop manner.
In 2003 the Contact and Information Management System (CIMS) was created as a tool for users to receive relevant homeland security and all-hazards information in a secure environment.
A direct connection to the Strategic Analysis and Information Center (SAIC), Ohio’s Fusion Center, CIMS displays Ohio-specific General Postings, Bulletins, Alerts and Incidents as well as other informational products from various Federal, State and Local partners. In addition to the products, CIMS lists available training opportunities, provides short subject-specific video presentations, houses the State’s Strategic Plan and more. Weekly notifications are sent advising users what has been posted during the week.
CIMS is a “live” system, updates and enhancements are made regularly in efforts to keep up with ever changing technology and information sharing needs.
For more information on CIMS, contact Ohio Homeland Security at 614-799-5926 or 614-644-3895. |
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Ohio
Medical
Reserve Corps |
2009 MRC Deployment Training
Pictured above: Department Operations Center for the Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC.
The national MRC office offered a second federal deployment training in Bethesda, MD and Washington DC. Ohio had three invitees in attendance, 2 local coordinators and 1 State Co-Coordinator. The training consisted on classroom lectures, workshops and Mass Casualty exercise. The lectures provided in depth information on natural disasters and response efforts. The national MRC office is working to create a pool of potential volunteers to help support federal response teams during large disaster responses. To learn more, click here: more information...
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SAVE THE DATE:
Make
A Difference Day Ohio
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Please join us
DO YOUR PART …
Help Your Neighbor - Help Your Community
Ohio is the national leader on Make A Difference Day, the largest day of volunteering to meet community needs. Make A Difference Day Ohio (MDDO) is an award winning initiative that has helped the Buckeye State lead the country in service projects each year since its inception. In 2008, over 1,000 Ohio projects were reported involving thousands of volunteers from every corner of the state.
Frances Strickland, First Lady of Ohio and Jim Tressel, Head Football Coach, The Ohio State University, serve as honorary co-chairs. The Ohio Community Service Council and the Make A Difference Day Ohio (MDDO) statewide Steering Committee support and promote this day of service. We encourage you to “join the team” and make a difference in your own community!
Call 1.888.767.OHIO to be added to the mailing list - or visit www.serveohio.org for more information and free resources such as promotional posters, planning guides, and volunteer certificates!
Saturday, October 24
"Keep Ohio #1"
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