The District of Columbia Education Compact (DCEC) is seeking to hire a Director of Civic Engagment and Programs. The position is located in Washington, DC. Duties inlcude leading and cultivating a civic culture in the District of Columbia, and expanding civic capacities to address issues related to improving student achievement in the District of Columbia Public Schools. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to DCEC at 4000 Wisconsin Ave, NW, North Tower – Suite one; Washington, DC; 20016. The position closes September 8, 2006. For a list of position responsibilities, desired qualifications, and salary, click on the link below.
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One of the world’s largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org) Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented. In 2007-08, the foundation’s Community Action Grants program will award one- and two-year grants. One-year grants ($2,000 to $7,000) provide seed money for new projects. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls. Two-year grants ($5,000 to $10,000) provide start-up funds for longer-term programs that address the particular needs of the community and develop girls’ sense of efficacy through leadership or advocacy opportunities. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls. Applicants must be women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Grant projects must have direct public impact, be nonpartisan, and take place within the United States or its territories. Visit the AAUW Educational Foundation Web site for complete program information, application procedures, and the database of school and community projects for women and girls that highlights promising practices, exemplary materials, and lessons learned from the Foundation’s Community Action Grants. the deadline for applications is January 15, 2007.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a private, nonprofit grantmaking organization created by the Maryland General Assembly to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The grant program was established to provide accessible funds to schools, organizations, and agencies for projects that: raise awareness about the challenges and solutions to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers; promote collaborative watershed restoration solutions between citizens, businesses, and government; engage citizens in community-based restoration and protection projects that benefit watershed health; educate students about the bay and their local watersheds; and create watershed plans that identify specific actions that citizens can take to improve water quality and habitat. The Stewardship Grants program awards grants of between $5,001 and $25,000 each for projects that address one or more of the trust’s grantmaking priorities. Organizations working in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Youghiogheny River watersheds may apply for funding through this program. Complete program information and application instructions are available at the trust’s Web site. Applications are due December 1, 2006.

We just received a note from Louise Diamond that her business, The Peace Company, is for sale. The Peace Company is a pioneering champion of the idea that peace is good business. Its online store provides over 100 different resources for people who wish to grow peace in their lives and in the world. The Company is also a platform for peace-in-action, with possibilities for a wide variety of special initiatives and programs. Louise is offering The Peace Company in a time-limited auction. Interested parties can send for a Sale Packet from info@thepeacecompany.com, which will outline the assets on sale, the relevant financial data, and the terms of the auction process. Please note that all bids must be received by September 30, 2006, with a completed sale by November 1, 2006.

Fulbright Scholar awards are still available for U.S. faculty or professionals in law or political science to lecture abroad in conflict resolution or peace studies for a semester or a year in 2007-2008. Visit the Fulbright website at www.cies.org for descriptions of available awards and new eligibility requirements. Awards are closing daily, so pmake sure to consult the relevant program officer before applying.

Youth Service America (www.ysa.org) invites applications from organizations interested in serving as Lead Agencies for National & Global Youth Service Day 2007, April 20-22 (www.ysa.org/nysd). Lead Agencies are organizations across the United States that increase the scope, visibility, and sustainability of National & Global Youth Service Day by leading city, regional, or statewide service projects. Past Lead Agencies have been successful in garnering national media attention, developing new partnerships, and engaging elected and public officials in their service and service-learning projects. Lead Agencies receive a $2,000 N&GYSD planning grant sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation and direct assistance and support from Youth Service America to ensure a successful National & Global Youth Service Day. In order to be eligible as a Lead Agency, an applicant must demonstrate organizational capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of a Lead Agency; ability to engage a variety of community groups; ability to plan to mobilize a citywide, regional, or statewide National & Global Youth Service Day celebration involving over five hundred youth volunteers in service; and ability to respond to quick-deadline press opportunities. For complete program information and an application form, visit the YSA Web site. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2006.

The Corporation for Positive Change (CPC) and Alchemy are organizing an event to learn about the cutting edge of large-scale, long-term collaborative Appreciative Inquiry initiatives in community, business and not-for-profit settings. The event will feature a special guest, Amanda Trosten-Bloom. It takes place Thursday, August 24 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Alchemy/Denver 2546 15th Street; Denver, CO 80211. Light refreshments, beer and wine will be served. Please RSVP to 720-932-8720 ext 111 or kathleen@link2alchemy.com.

Launched in 1999, Naropa’s Authentic Leadership program is a transformative leadership course that integrates ancient wisdom with effective, modern approaches to management. The format encourages deep, personal learning in an environment that makes it possible to assimilate ideas and concepts at an accelerated pace. Online instruction makes it possible to share ideas and participate in group learning from anywhere in the world. Through the Authentic Leadership Certificate Program, participants can learn to discover unique solutions to challenges and opportunities. The next program is from August 28 – December 15, 2006 and includes two Residential Retreats at Garrison Institute. For more information or to register: call 800.603.3117, 303.245.4800, email extend@naropa.edu or visit the program website at www.naropa.edu/leadership.

The Perspectives Group has just announced two 2006 training dates for their 5-day Public Partcipation course. This training is designed for professionals working in the fields of community development, nonprofit and government public services, and public understanding and outreach. It is also designed for industry communications and public affairs or public relations, advocacy and lobbying organizations, private and government groups, and any individual/organization required to deal with the public about complex or potentially contentious issues. Upon completion of the full week of training, participants will receive a certificate from IAP2, the world’s leading association for public participation. The course will be offered in Alexandria, VA from September 18 – 22 and December 4 – 8. The full week of training is $1,475, or $295 per day. The Course is broken up into 3 sections: Planning for Effective Public Participation (two days), Effective Communication for Public Participation (one day), and Techniques for Public Participation (two days). Please note that the Planning course is a prerequisite to the Communications and Techniques courses. For additional information, go to http://www.theperspectivesgroup.com/resource/trainingpro.html to download the program brochure. Or contact The Perspectives Group at 703-837-1197 or
training@theperspectivesgroup.com.

Youth Service America (www.ysa.org) and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/) have announced the launch of the YouthRising grant program. This opportunity offers grants of $2,000 for organizations in the United States to engage high risk and/or gang-involved youth (ages 12-25) in volunteer service to their communities. Community-based groups/organizations, local government agencies, schools, and faith-based groups that have prior experience and documented success working directly with high-risk and/or gang-involved youth are eligible to apply. The program seeks projects that are co-led by youth and adult allies such as parents, counselors, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc. A significant portion of the project must take place on National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007 (www.ysa.org/nysd/index.cfm). Application materials are available at the YSA Web site. Deadline: October 12, 2006

Envison Halifax is sponsoring the workshop “Deep Democracy: Unleashing the Potential of Groups” with Myrna Lewis and Sera Thompson. This four-day intensive training will give you the basic skills for an unusual and extremely helpful way of understanding and working with decision-making and the resolution of underlying issues. Deep Democracy is based on the work of revolutionary physicist/psychologist Arnold Mindel and was originally developed in South Africa, to work with business in the transition out of Apartheid. The cost of the course is $850, space is limited to 22 participants. Group discounts are available and the cost is negotiable for non-profit and independents. For more information, visit www.envisionhalifax.ca/learning_labs.shtml.

This October, the Association of Conflict Resolution Conference called “Celebrating Our Past, Shaping the Future” will meet in historic Philadelphia, PA. With Philadelphia’s historical importance, the theme of “Celebrating Our Past, Shaping the Future” is particularly relevant as we embark on another great year in ACR’s history. International Day and a Spanish track will once again appear on the program along with new features like a Commercial Section program track. Attendees may want to check out flights with United Airlines, the official carrier of the 2006 conference. Visit the conference website at http://acrnet.org/conferences/ac06/index.htm for details.