🌟 Recognizing Extraordinary Service Minded Individuals! 🌟
🏆 It's time to shine a spotlight on the outstanding volunteers and service members who go above and beyond to make our state a better place. The nomination period for The Stars of Nevada service awards ends on JUNE 30TH 😱
🤝 Do you know a volunteer or service member whose dedication and impact deserve special recognition? Here's your chance to honor them by nominating them for a prestigious award. Here's why it matters:
1️⃣ CELEBRATING EXEMPLARY SERVICE: Awards provide a platform to celebrate their extraordinary contributions. They showcase their hard work, compassion, and unwavering commitment, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
2️⃣ GRATITUDE IN ACTION: Nominating them for an award is an incredible way to express gratitude and appreciation. It acknowledges their selfless efforts, letting them know that their work has made a profound difference in the lives of others.
3️⃣ RAISING AWARENESS: Award nominations highlight the causes that they support. It sheds light on important issues, sparks conversations, and encourages a broader understanding and engagement within the community.
4️⃣ INSPIRING OTHERS: When we recognize and celebrate exceptional service, we motivate others to get involved. Award recipients become role models, inspiring individuals to step forward, contribute their skills, and create positive change.
🎉 Join us in recognizing extraordinary service-minded individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and talents to make a real difference. Nominate someone deserving today, and let's celebrate their remarkable contributions! 🙌🏼💜
✨ Together, we can amplify the power of service and create a ripple effect in Nevada. Let's honor these unsung heroes who embody the true spirit of service and inspire us all.
The Stars of Nevada Awards program is the highest honor bestowed by Nevada's Governor and Nevada Volunteers to celebrate the individuals and organizations who model Nevada values of service, responsibility, cooperation and compassion, and the power of partnership that makes Nevada a better place to live. Finalists will be recognized at a bronze, silver or gold level. Awards are based on nominations received by June 30, 2023. There are 10 categories in which to nominate an individual, group, or organization. The link to nominate : https://bit.ly/GPOL2023. #Stars2023 #Recognition #NevadaVolunteers...
Today, it's official! Nevada Volunteers was established on May 15, 1998, as the Governor's Commission on Service. In our 25 years of service, Nevada Volunteers has administered more than $53M in AmeriCorps agency funding to support national service host sites and members and more than $878,000 for volunteer excellence. National service members have earned $23.9M in AmeriCorps scholarships.
We are excited about the future of AmeriCorps, national service, volunteerism, and future partnerships that improve the well-being of Nevadans. #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #StateServiceCommissions #americorps #anniversary #impact #volunteergenerationfund #starsofnevada #recognition #nevada #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
"Having a partnership with Nevada Volunteers has allowed us to have a meaningful impact on our community. Our AmeriCorps United Readers mentors are helping our future leaders to reach their full potential so they can create, follow, and fulfill their dreams. Our young learners today will be the leaders that create our community and world tomorrow. Our mentors are ensuring that those leaders are prepared to shape our future by providing the strong foundational reading skills that children will need to be successful in life. They are changing the trajectory of their students’ lives with care, compassion, hope, and dedication." - Krystal Nevada, United Readers Program Director
Nevada Volunteers utilizes non biased members of our communities across the state as peer reviewers, who review and score grant applications based on specific criteria and give feedback to organizations on their applications to help them possibly write stronger applications in the future. Being a peer reviewer is a great way to learn about grants and the grantmaking process. It is also a meaningful way to volunteer your time. We are always looking to add new peer reviewers to our committee! If you are interested, please send an email to shannon@nevadavolunteers.org. #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
On Day #5 we talked about volunteer infrastructure support, and one of the most important aspects of volunteerism is recognition. We foster this through The Stars of Nevada - the highest honor bestowed by Nevada's Governor and Nevada Volunteers for exceptional volunteer service. There are 10 categories for nominations. Who do you know that deserves to be recognized? To get more information or make your nomination, please visit https://bit.ly/GPOL2023. #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
"I love this picture because it portrays a great full circle moment. While at a National Service Day with the City of Las Vegas AmeriCorps Program, Sofia joined us from her program. Sofia was a member in my program 4 years ago when I was brand new to this world, and now she runs her own program and I support her at the state level. This job can be incredibly complex but what makes it all worth it is knowing for a fact there are incredibly passionate people guiding our AmeriCorps members while they make that local level impact." -Charli Bruce, AmeriCorps Program Officer #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
Welcome to Day #17 of "25 Days of Service" for our 25th Anniversary of being a nonprofit state commission. Today we hear from AmeriCorps members Olivia & Ava at Walker Basin Conservancy.
"While at WBC, we’ve gained first-hand experience learning about and supporting habitat improvement. Specifically, we now have a better understanding about how the landscape is interwoven, from seed to plant, and the importance of the Walker River to the basin and local communities. Additionally, the significant contributions and collaboration from AmeriCorps Members and staff to ensure successful projects has been a highlight in the understanding of a non-profit." #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
Happy Friday! It's day #16 and we are creating an easier way for Nevadans to find volunteer opportunities! A large portion of the calls we receive at Nevada Volunteers are from people who are court ordered volunteers. They are told to get hours, but lack the resources to find them. Nevada Volunteers wanted to fill that need, and end some serious frustration, by connecting court ordered volunteers with organizations who needed and could work with them. Our solution? We added a court ordered service opportunities button to NV Volunteer Connect, our database for volunteer opportunities. Now they can find what they need with just a click! You can find your next volunteer opportunity today too! Visit NV Volunteer Connect on our website, nevadavolunteers.org, to search for your favorite cause or organization! #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history...
Nevada Volunteers will make available up to $11,780 in micro-grants ranging between $1,000 and $2,500 to community-based entities seeking to strengthen their volunteer programs through Day of Service projects that recruit new volunteers and those from diverse populations. The Commission will select recipients based on their innovative approaches, size and scope of the proposed project, and the organization’s demonstrated readiness to implement the proposed project. Link to the Notice of Funding Opportunity: https://bit.ly/DOS2023. #NevadaVolunteers #DayOfService #AmeriCorps #NoticeofFundingOpportunity...
Welcome to day #15! On day #5 we discussed volunteer infrastructure and grantmaking with Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) dollars. Today we meet one of our VGF subgrantees, Springs Preserve.
"Springs Preserve volunteers are not only vital to our operation, but provide an elevated level of service to the guest experience. We are so grateful to the individuals and groups that give their time to help us share our mission of environmental stewardship with the community." Crystal Zuelke, Springs Preserve #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #anniversary...
Our six Nevada Volunteers team members live in and serve from rural, northern, and southern Nevada communities where volunteerism and national service thrive! You may see us painting playground stencils in a Las Vegas schoolyard, celebrating volunteers who share their time and talents with others, or joining community partners that make change at the hyper-local level. Seeing the immediate impact of collective service projects performed for the last 25 years is pretty rewarding. #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
"Last year, thanks to NV Volunteers grant dollars, the Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps program placed 24 AmeriCorps members at 6 host sites throughout rural Nevada, providing 17,029 hours of service! These members provided outdoor education, improved lives at senior centers, helped improve public lands and much more – all while gaining valuable lifelong skills and earning an education award! One member said, “I feel a sense of pride whenever I bring up my AmeriCorps service, whether it’s putting it down on a resume or talking to family and friends about it.” That’s the power of AmeriCorps!" - Zulma Mayorga, Nevada Outdoor School Program Director #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary #impact #nevada #lasvegas #reno #organization #25daysofservice #statecommissions #serviceact #history #resources #VGF #networking...
A State Service Commission is a nonpartisan body appointed by Nevada Governor. Nevada's 16 Commissioners guide our State's national service plan, approve grant funds that support national service members, and provide essential leadership for our organization. #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #service #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #starsofnevada #recognition #anniversary...
On Day #5 we mentioned Volunteer Generation Fund dollars. In partnership with AmeriCorps, these funds have allowed us to grant funds to nonprofits across the state for capacity building by implementing volunteer management best practices.
While our funding opportunities have typically been announced in August of each year, a special VGF American Rescue Funds opportunity for student success was released in March. Our mini-grants are a maximum of $25,000 and allow organizations the opportunity to add staff to work with volunteers, purchase needed volunteer equipment, ensure volunteers are properly recognized, or utilizing training to make their volunteer programs strong. These are just a few examples!
The best way to make sure you are alerted to funding opportunities is to sign up for our newsletter. Our next VGF funding opportunity will be our Days of Service micro-grants. Information will be released early May! Sign up for our newsletter today: https://conta.cc/3LqlUXS. #nevadavolunteersday #may152023 #nevadavolunteers #volunteerism #commission #americorps #volunteergeneration #25daysofservice #statecommissions #resources #VGF...
Welcome to Day #10 of "25 Days of Service" for our 25th Anniversary of being a nonprofit state commission 🙌 Yesterday we spoke about AmeriCorps Nevada, consisting of our AmeriCorps State funded programs. Today we hear from one of our Program Directors, Jake!
"When I initially began my professional career, I never thought I would land at an organization like Opportunity Village, let alone be working with Nevada Volunteers in my current position. It has been an absolute pleasure learning not only the ins and outs of AmeriCorps, but also learning from the clients we represent at Opportunity Village. Getting to work with this unique population has been a life changing experience and I am so grateful to help run, contribute to, and be a part of this program."
There exists what we call the "AmeriCorps Umbrella." Under that Umbrella falls AmeriCorps State, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps Seniors. Each are structured a bit differently.
AmeriCorps State programs typically:
1. Design or replicate a successful intervention to address a community need that is evidence-informed, 2. Develop and execute a successful recruitment and selection process, 3. Supervise and train members throughout their service term, 4. Track and report performance measures that capture program outputs and outcomes, 5. and contribute match funding to support the project.
We currently have 10 AmeriCorps Nevada programs! Among many other things, they educate students, teach STEM, work to conserve lands, work to restore lands, work to educate the public on the importance of conservation, assist seniors with food security and health insurance, improve literacy rates among students and provide economic opportunity to those with disabilities.
On Day #8 we want to talk about one of the best resources we can provide as an organization: our newsletter.
We know that this may seem a bit silly, but it's true!
Our newsletter is where we:
-notify organizations of funding opportunities, -encourage volunteer recognition through our annual event, "The Stars of Nevada," -mention upcoming events or opportunities, -promote our Lunch & Learns and let you know what the topics are, -connect you to available resources and more.
We encourage you to subscribe here https://conta.cc/3LqlUXS, or at the linktree in our bio!
Happy Wednesday & welcome to Day #7! On day #5 we discussed volunteer infrastructure and grantmaking with Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) dollars.
Today we meet one of our VGF subgrantees, The Animal Foundation 🐶
“The Volunteer Generations Funds have allowed us to supply our volunteers with all the required equipment for walking dogs. We now have a station for dog walking that includes, Leashes, Slip Leads, Treat pouches, Waste bags, Collars, Harnesses, and treats. This has allowed our walkers to be more self-sufficient and leads to more dogs getting time outside their kennels. We have been steadily building a strong force of volunteers, with the especially driven ones moving on to our advanced training tier.”
Happy Day #6! Today we want to highlight one of our staff-
Shannon Arimura is our Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) Program Officer. She joined our team 2 years ago, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in working with volunteers. She is energized by working with volunteers, helping organizations build their volunteer infrastructure, and promoting recognition (See photo of her dropping off recognition gifts to two amazing volunteers we work with!).
When I asked her what she loved most about her work with volunteerism, she said: "There is something incredibly special about people who are willing to give their most precious gift (time) to make life better for others. Volunteers have amazing hearts! #ServiceAboveSelf "
You don't have to tell us twice- We're lucky to have her on board!