showing up and sharing is caring

shizam and a forethought, considerations (including, but not limited to): tone; content; repeat…

Tonally speaking- this is what I do, rather, if I had my druthers- this is perzactly what I’d be doing: writing for social change- nark upon information technology; this is art. But as a requirement to be filled- upon which, what changes must be made- and how do I talk about myself and my service in this forum so that it is A. USEFUL and 2. NOT PAINFUL, both.

Contextually speaking- who cares about what?

I would encourage you to be my fan.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/vista-member/140065892871

If you follow this link it might take you there, and upon thereness, you may peruse [number of days in a week] discussions, bearing the brunt of a running todo list- spelling optional.

What am I working on (truly)?:

I am trying to integrate into a whole new office/job/industry. Trying to be right while I’m here and talk right and dress right and think right and remember names right and write letters right and do it all without deadlines dripping down my neck.

I am used to a very closed space, where there is a daily crisis (if not three), lots of trash-talking, jeans and hoodies, and we’re turning clients away by the gross. This is not the Volunteer Center.
This is what I’m doing- I’m learning.

But, apparently, at some point, I will start Marketing (volunteerism) and Capacity Building (for volunteerism); we are in planning zone, which is also alison land. I have a much easier time feeling comfortable as long as we’re conceptual- I can plan and plan and plan and plan, and luckily, as a VISTA, it’s a tad bit more appropriate than when I was a mere AmeriCorps.

Oh, look- a story:

September 11th, Day of Remembrance

For the 8th aniversery of the September 11th World Trade Center attacks, The Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties partnered with the USO, Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors, and the Boys and Girls Club of America in support of our troops. Held at the Boys and Girls Club in Lacey, WA, fifty youth and five soldiers stationed at nearby Ft. Lewis, participated in our event, decorating welcome home posters for the USO and thank you cards for Heartbeat.

While the Volunteer Center supplied the paper and crayons, the soldiers teamed up with groups of kids to help them think up and write expressions of gratitude and welcome. For children with parents currently serving overseas, this was an opportunity for them to reflect on the war and its impact on their lives. Amongst their friends, and the volunteering soldiers, they talked about what it was like to have a parent gone, not knowing if they’ll return safely—or at all. Inspired by the stories, the children crafted their posters and cards, truly understanding the significance of their service, the intention of their messages, and the spirit of patriotism.

Well, it’s not really a story—I don’t do that. But blog one, done (check).

Yours in service,

OlyVCW

VISTA ~ SHIBA Presentation ~ The Making Of from blenderduck on Vimeo.

This video is about how a lot of smaller more informational little videos were made. Those smaller videos were used to teach SHIBA advisors to use donated PC Tablets from the Insurance Commisioners Office--or at least that was the goal. The project and the idea of providing video information for SHIBA volunteers has been temporarily? laid to rest.

Still, this is a great example of what Non-Profit organizations can accomplish with Free Open Source Software. All that's required is the willingness and patience to devote time and learn.

This making of video doesn't show everything, just the beginning workflow, and a small sample of the videos that I enjoyed. All of this was done outside of the office in two nights. The free open Source Software used was Gimp and Blender 3d. There was a little bit of photoshop (which isn't a free program) in there, but nothing that couldn't be done with Gimp.

VISTA: I am.

Summer Marketing Experience!

What an experience this summer has offered! It started when the head of the Mountain View High School National Honor Society sent an email to announce their interest in doing a marketing project for the hot days before they return to school. I was only happy to oblige. At that moment I put together a program that allowed for building and using marketing skills specifically for non-profits.

Smiles waved through my group of marketers as I mentioned the agenda for the week at our regular Tuesday meeting. I had them design sample sites, research non-profits learning through tailored articles and guest speakers. With two weeks to go we had a competition where each partnership would employ all they have acquired and create a website and entire marketing campaign right here for a non-profit agency in our community!

VISTANESS

VISTANESS

What is a VISTA? The essence of a view? It was evitable. A sequel to my AmeriCorps VISTA year. Inevitably, the aforementioned questions have taken up residence in the chasms of my conceptual mind. I came up with the following thoughts:

What better way to explore the infinite meaning(s) of service then to be present for the service stories of others? This is truly a gift, in my eyes, for all enveloped in the experience. Listening and learning. Leaning and listening.

As a Vancouver VISTA with Volunteer Connections, Project Service Leadership and Innovative Services NW, my projects are numerous, never-ending and necessary. Oh WOW, that sentence is honestly empowering and rewarding! My focus has been to act as a conduit for service learning opportunities or community service, with a learning level. I create, connect, collobrate and recruit service citizens, now and tomorrow!

One example is an effort to organize an efficient and comprehensive method for dispersing all the service learning and community service opportunities available to me as an AmeriCorps VISTA. I have consequently compiled a directory of local teachers and service learning coordinators throughout the Evergreen within four categories: Culminating/Senior Project Coordinators, Honor Society, Key Club, DECA/marketing managers, Dreamers, etc. They have agreed to pass on the information sent to them, to their students.

I want to thank all those reading this for their service and invite you to stay tuned...

With Gratitude,
Kama May
Project Service Leadership
http://www.projectserviceleadership.org/
Volunteer Connections/Human Services Council
http://www.hsc-wa.org/
Innovative Services NW
http://www.innovativeservicesnw.org/

A Vancouver Vista Starts Blogging

Hello, World.

Funny that I chose the common programming phrase to welcome the blogger reading world to read this Vista Blog.

So Introductions are in order. I am an Americorps Vista member stationed at a volunteer center in Vancouver, Washington. As part of the grant that pays for my position I am to, in a professional and non-offensive manner, document my trials and tribulations via blogging on blogger. My position here boiled down to basics is: expanding the volunteer center's list of client non-profits and list of active volunteers through technology....

So I am going to try to use this as an asset to inform other people and Vista's hopefully about some cool things they may not be taking advantage of such as: getting a professional website up and running for almost nothing; creating professional photoshop images without photoshop; making internet videos cheaply; and taking advantage of MS office.

Hopefully someone may find this useful enough to leave a post :)

Recruiting & Using Executive Volunteer

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Recruiting & Using Executive Volunteer

View more presentations from escwa.