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| 2005 Learn and Serve America Grantee Training Meeting | ||
 The 2005 Learn and Serve America Annual Grantee Meeting (November 30 - December 2, 2005) included sessions
by some of the top service-learning practitioners in the United States.
Below, you will find the meeting agenda and information and handouts
for some of the sessions. The grantee meeting also included a celebration and awards ceremony for the 15th Anniversary of Learn and Serve America. (Press Release) A special edition of The Generator: Journal for Service-Learning and Youth Leadership (980K pdf) was written for the 15th Anniversary of Learn and Serve America. This special anniversary section and support for the 15th anniversary symposium and gala were made possible by State Farm Companies Foundation, National Youth Leadership Council, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, and Free Spirit Publishing. Order the special edition or subscribe to The Generator. First Lady Laura Bush joined a group of high school Learn and Serve America participants at a service-learning project on November 30, 2005 to announce a new federal study (857K pdf) that finds 55 percent of American teenagers volunteered last year - nearly double the rate of adults. (Press Release) | ||
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| Agenda (95K pdf) | ||
| Sessions and Documents: | ||
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| Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | ||
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 | Community-Based Research (CBR): Service-Learning for the Millennials | |
| Presenter: Elizabeth Schrader, CoRAL Network | ||
| Description: Drawing from CoRAL Network projects in Washington, DC, this interactive session will review principles and practices of CBR; how CBR differs from traditional approaches to social science research; how CBR uniquely fulfills mission-driven goals for higher education students, faculty, and administrators; key components to successful CBR projects; how to anticipate and overcome challenges to CBR partnerships. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of their CBR projects for discussion and revision. | ||
| Documents: | ||
| Federal Work Study (FWS) and Community Service | |
| Presenters: Debby Scire, New Hampshire Campus Compact Marsha Adler, Independent Consultant Bob Davidson, Learn and Serve America Beth Blissman, Oberlin College Center for Service and Learning | ||
| Description: With its statutory community service requirements and incentives, the $1 billion per year Federal Work-Study (FWS) program presents a very significant resource and partnership opportunity for higher education service and service-learning programs. Following an overview of the FWS community service program, its history, and relevant research data, this workshop will highlight the experiences of three Learn and Serve America higher education projects that have sought to expand and improve FWS community service partnerships. Participants will hear about project goals, obstacles, lessons learned, and specific tools and effective practices that can be applied to other campus situations. Audience participation, including sharing of similar experiences and lessons, will be encouraged. | ||
| Document: | ||
| LASSIE: Accessing Data from 2005 and Preparing for 2006 | |
| Presenters: Alan Melchior, Brandeis University Cathy Burack, Brandeis University Dan McMartin, Abt Associates | ||
| Description: During 2005, Learn and Serve developed on-line reporting forms for the LASSIE survey. This session will present information on how to access and make use of these reports and the data that were collected for the 2005 program year. In addition, we will introduce modifications that we plan to implement for 2006. | ||
| Document: | ||
| Managing Subgrants: School-Based | |
| Presenters: Joe Follman, Florida Learn and Serve Jodi Lavin, Maryland Department of Education Charlotte Jones-Ward, Ohio Department of Education | ||
Document:
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| Marketing Your Message and Engaging Policymakers (K-12) | |
| Presenters: Nelda Brown, SEANet and NSLP Kelita Bak, Camp Fire USA Ross Wilson, Youth Service America | ||
| Description: Join this interactive session to explore effective strategies for marketing your program to the media and engaging public officials. You will receive practical information on how to identify and educate policymakers, school administrators, media and other key stakeholders essential to sustaining service-learning in your schools and communities. Learn about specific opportunities to build relationships and promote service-learning's impact by organizing site visits, media events, and outreach to public officials and the press. | ||
| Documents: | ||
| Program Evaluation: School- and Community-Based | |
| Presenters: Mike Brugh, California Department of Education Rick Bradley, Independent Consultant Jerry Pharr, Earth Force | ||
| Description: Participants will hear from three presenters on how they are evaluating their programs. Rick Bradley will provide an overview of the distinctions between research and evaluation. Using examples from the Ohio study, he will highlight some of the contextual issues in evaluating programs. Mike Brugh will present on their local/statewide evaluation process focusing on their “Classroom Case Study” approach. | ||
Documents:
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| Putting Research into Practice: Lessons from Evaluations of K-12 Service-Learning Programs and Initiatives | |
| Presenters: John Spence, Texas Department of Education Rick Bradley, Independent Consultant Charlotte Jones-Ward, Ohio Department of Education Jeanine Yard, Michigan Community Service Commission | ||
| Description: As the body of research evidence for K-12 service-learning grows, we're learning more about what's working and what needs improvement. In this session, you'll learn about the state of service-learning from the evaluator for the Growing to Greatness Initiative, hear from three states that have been conducting evaluations of their Learn and Serve programs with assistance from external evaluators, and discuss how to apply what we're learning to current programs and future grant designs. | ||
| Documents: | ||
| A Recipe for Success: Involving Youth in Decision Making | |
| Presenters: Ebony Copeland, MSW Graduate Student, Learn and Serve America Cathryn Berger Kaye, National Service-Learning Consultant Brad Lewis , Program Officer, Learn and Serve America Brady Walker – Youth Commissioner in Maryland | ||
| Description: What are the key ingredients for successful youth-led programs? Can we remove the barriers and establish purposeful collaborations in community-based organizations? In this highly interactive workshop, we will examine the ways to increase youth voice and choice, discuss various effective models that include service-learning, and develop plans that transform ideas into action when you return home. In fact, this entire workshop will be a template to replicate with youth and adults in your programs. So join this energizing exploration of engaged leadership and decision-making, and leave with practical next steps to implement within your community or organization. | ||
Documents:
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| Sustainability and Institutionalization: Higher Education | |
| Presenters: Barbara Holland, National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Kevin Kecskes, Portland State Amy McGlashan, Vermont Campus Compact Barbara Moely, Tulane University Vincent Ilustre, Tulane University | ||
| Description: How will you know when your program is institutionalized? Does participation in a consortium make a difference? This interactive session will explore different consortium models and strategies for institutionalization. We will also offer examples of monitoring and evaluation methods, including diverse ways to use the Furco Rubric on Institutionalization. Participants will have the opportunity to share their institutionalization ideas. | ||
| Documents: | ||
| Sustainability/Institutionalization: School-Based | |
| Presenters: Joe Herrity, Iowa Department of Education Larry Fletch, ESD 112 Myra Tolbert, Georgia Department of Education | ||
Documents:
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| What You Need to Know: Performance Measures for Higher Education Learn and Serve America Grant Applicants | |
| Presenter: Kenneth Terao, Project STAR | ||
| Description: Participants will learn the Performance Measurement requirements for applying for a Learn and Serve America Higher Education. The Learn and Serve America performance measure guidance for Higher Education applicants will be introduced, followed by discussion on how to complete the performance measures section of eGrants. | ||
| Document: | ||
| What You Need to Know: Performance Measures for School-Based and Community-Based Learn and Serve America Grant Applicants | |
| Presenter: Kenneth Terao, Project STAR | ||
| Description: Participants will learn the Performance Measurement requirements for applying for Learn and Serve America School- and Community-Based grants. Learn and Serve America performance measure guidance for School- and Community-Based applicants will be introduced, followed by discussion on how to complete the performance measures section of eGrants. | ||
| Document: | ||
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| Friday, December 2, 2005 | ||
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| Service Learning and Domestic Preparedness: Higher Education | |
| Presenter: Beverly Perry, Community College National Center for Community Engagement | ||
| Description: The Supporting Actions For Engagement (SAFE) project session will address various community issues related to domestic preparedness that directly engage service-learning. Topics will include first-responder training, anti-scam programs for the elderly, emergency home evacuation planning, cyber security, pet and livestock evacuation, mental health care, disaster preparedness for non-English speakers, and preparing children in elementary schools for disasters. The SAFE project has placed students, faculty, and community into action to address the serious issue of domestic preparedness post-9/11. | ||
| Documents: | ||
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| 15th Anniversary of Learn and Serve America Symposium and Celebration | ||
| This celebration, sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation, marked a decade and a half of outstanding achievement and progress in service-learning. Whether you have worked in support of service-learning for 40 years, less than one year, or some time in between, this is an anniversary for all of us to celebrate together. | ||
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| After being presented with a Congressional Founder's Award by David Eisner and Amy Cohen, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said that service-learning is a tool used in "the unlocking of the human imagination". Senator Kennedy was an original sponsor of the National and Community Service Trust Act and has been a consistent advocate for the Corporation's programs, particularly Learn and Serve America. Senator Kennedy is currently the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which is the authorizing committee for the Corporation. | ||
 Former
Senator David F. Durenberger, R-Minn., was presented with the other
Congressional Founder's Award. Senator Durenberger was an original
sponsor of the National and Community Service Trust Act and, while in
the Senate, was a consistent advocate for the Corporation's programs,
particularly Learn and Serve America. | ||
 Peter Yarrow, founder of Operation Respect,
played folk songs for attendees. Mr. Yarrow also lead the crowd in a
sing-a-long of "Don't Laugh at Me," an anthem of respect.Operation Respect is a non-profit organization working to transform schools, camps and organizations focused on children and youth, into more compassionate, safe and respectful environments. | ||
 First Lady Laura Bush released a new federal study (857K pdf) that finds 55 percent of American teenagers volunteered last year - nearly double the rate of adults. (Press Release) Mrs. Bush released the report during a visit to the Church of the Epiphany in downtown Washington D.C., where she joined students from Cardozo High School as they prepared sandwiches for homeless women. The students are volunteers in the Youth Service Opportunities Project. “I think it's really, really good news, and I'm very, very proud. I'm proud of this generation. I knew anecdotally that they were volunteering everywhere because I see young people volunteering wherever I go, but now this confirms it with the results of these studies,” said Mrs. Bush. “We know that volunteering can be taught, that helping people is something you can learn to do. And now we know that so many young people in the United States have learned that.” | ||
 An
exhibit hall at the grantee meeting provided special displays of
grantee service-learning projects, service-learning resources from the
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and other leaders in the field,
an internet cafe, and networking opportunities. | ||
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| Learn and Serve America 15th Anniversary Symposium and Celebration Awards | ||
| Founder's Awards | ||
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| Jim Kielsmeier, National Youth Leadership Council Alan Melchior, Brandeis University Shirley Sagawa, Sagawa Jospin Susan Stroud, Innovations in Civic Participation | ||
| Board Support Awards | ||
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| Dorothy Johnson, Corporation for National and Community Service Board of Directors Carol Kinsley, Corporation for National and Community Service Board of Directors | ||
| Congressional Founder's Awards | ||
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| David F. Durenberger, Former United States Senator, R-Minnesota Edward M. Kennedy, United States Senator, D-Massachusetts | ||
| Inspirational Spirit Award | ||
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| Cathryn Berger Kaye, National Service-Learning Consultant | ||
