Community Information and Resources
Recent Project Photos
Recent Field Reports
The Life I Actually Want to Live
Have any of you read Dinosaur Comics? …read more
Um...
I'm not really sure what to put up since I feel all written out. I've stopped writing my PCM blog for the last several weeks because I've been so busy, but before that I was posting once a week. I also just finished researching and writing a grant proposal (literature review included) that we're hoping to submit to the Knight Foundation. …read more
Felines and Toilet Remote Controls
Month 2 of working at Aspiration has been a lot more comfortable. Getting used to all of the things that I had to work with during the first month made everything seem new and crazy. But, now that I'm used to working with all the software, the people and the mission, it's been nice. Aspiration is getting ready for our second annual Nonprofit Development Summit in November. …read more
Database confusion
After spending next to a month scratching my head over switching our org's database to Salesforce, we've decided (thankfully) that it might be more trouble than it is worth. Luckily I have the Organizers' Database at my fingertips which seems to take care of most everything that I need without the massive headache that Salesforce proved to be. …read more
Do whatcha Do
Well, things have been interesting here, to say the least. The non-profit I work for is in the middle of restructuring its relationship with the radio station whose license it owns, but which is operated by the volunteers at the station. …read more
Field Report #9: 3 Essential Drupal Modules
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Part 2 The Response
Here are the actual quotes from this guy all I did was copy and paste notice how it is in all caps i recieved it as I he was shouting and trying to prove a point like a teenage "GURL" …read more
Newest Trainings
How to Access In Service Training Money
IST, or In-Service Training funds are a resource that we encourage you as a VISTA to access in order to further your ability to effectively pursue your projects. Up to $500 can be used for training that relates directly to your project. These can be any kind of training class, seminar, or retreat that gives you skills that you can apply to your work at your host organization. …read more
Nonprofit Structure: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
This training will help you understand the legal and regulatory frameworks that shape nonprofit organizations and determine their purpose and benefits. You'll also learn about the primary components of a nonprofit and, through the worksheet learn how to search public records to research your own or any other nonprofit organization. Recording of the Training …read more
Nonprofit 101: Structure
Nonprofit, or Non-Profit, or Not-for-Profit, organizations are entities that are formed for a public purpose or mutual benefit and not the pursuit or accumulation of wealth. Most nonprofits are recognized by having a 501(c)3 designation granted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)---organizations must apply for this exemption. 501(c)3 …read more
Curriculum Development
Do Your Research Your curriculum is likely going to be incorporating and synthesizing your local community needs with national or field-specific trends (what others in the field are doing). To ensure that both of these aspects will be addressed in your curriculum, look at some of the following resources: A local Community Stakeholder analysis …read more
Wiki Updates
CTC VISTA Project Specific
Similar Projects or Related Projects Community Technology Empowerment Project: an AmeriCorps project that helps low-income youth and adults use technology to better access social, civic, educational and economic opportunities. CTEP partners include 20 community agencies in Minneapolis and St. Paul. …read more
Community Organizing
Community Organizing activities involve bringing people together to act in common self-interest, in the pursuit of a common agenda, with populist goals that build upon the ideal of participatory democracy. …read more
How to create an Effective Conference Session
Conference presentations can be great tools for sharing information, best practices, and gaining recognition for your knowledge and experience. They can also be boring time-wasters that suck the life and livelihood from anyone unfortunate enough to have attended. The following information will help you plan for and design an effective, informational and enjoyable conference session.…read more
Outreach and Marketing
What are some lessons learned through your year of VISTA around designing an outreach strategy (using media and technology of course) for your organizations? Here's some resources from other organizations: …read more
Other Blogs
Nonprofit Technology Beth Kanter: One of the most prodigious nonprofit technologists around. Confessions of a Nonprofit IT Director: NPtech information and commentary. …read more