Bi Weekly Template

							                                             Monthly Report

Office: NEVADA

Mobilizing More Volunteers
- The UCED (University Center for Excellence in Disabilities) VISTA Program reported that they
exceeded their goal of recruiting 50 more People First volunteer members. They actually were able to
recruit a total of 97 new members. In addition, 55 of 60 members interviewed stated that they had become
more involved with disability issues or had become better advocates for themselves. 97% of those
surveyed (58 out of 60) reported that their quality of life had increased and/or that their recreational
opportunities had increased over the last 12 months.

Ensuring a Brighter Future for America’s Youth
- On Saturday, September 15, the Friends of Special Children VISTA program held a Buddy Walk to
draw attention to children with Down’s syndrome. Only 100 people had pre registered for the walk, but
approximately 400 people showed up to participate. SPS Stephanie Wrightsman volunteered for the event
to hand out T-shirts, and I attended as well. Funds raised will help with start up of a new Downs
Syndrome Network of N. Nevada.

Engaging Students in their Communities
- The Health Insight VISTA Program reported that through their “Cover the Uninsured Week” activities,
they worked with the Boys & Girls Club to assemble materials. In addition, their Back to School
campaign became more collaborative by utilizing students to help out.

Harnessing Baby Boomers’ Experience
- On September 17, I held a meeting with the Administrator of the NV Division for Aging Services and 6
other staff members to discuss the possibility of a VISTA program. They seemed to be very interested in
utilizing VISTAs (and particularly Baby Boomers) to expand their Ombudsman Nursing Home Program.
Focus would be on developing a training program for volunteers who would become Ombudsmen, and on
transitioning seniors back to their homes from a Nursing Home stay.

Disaster Response and Recovery
- Our VISTA Project with Clark County Salvation Army reported that their CERT training is done by the
Las Vegas Fire and Rescue at no charge. Funding comes from the State Homeland Security Funds,
Citizen Corps Funds, and Urban Security Funds. During the training days, the Salvation Army covered
the cost of lunches.

Outreach / Collaboration
- On September 7-8, I participated in the NV Commission for National & Community Service meeting
and retreat. Part of the meeting involved a very educational site visit to the U.S. Vets AmeriCorps
program in Las Vegas. During the business meeting, the Commission voted to change its name to
“Nevada Volunteers”. Officers were elected for the upcoming year, and Chairperson Gina Polovina was
reelected as Chair.
First Lady Dawn Gibbons agreed to become the Honorary Chairperson of the Commission, with the
hopes that she will draw attention to it, and thereby increase our State’s volunteer participation level. New
AmeriCorps Program Officer Craig Lamberton was also in attendance.

 - On September 10, I attended the farewell retirement celebration for Rob Calderone, our SCP Director
here in Reno. His replacement, who is a former RSVP Director, is already in training.
- On September 11, I attended the Press Conference at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City, which
was held to announce First Lady Dawn Gibbons’ position as Honorary Chairperson of Nevada Volunteers
(our State Commission). Members of two AmeriCorps programs (the NV Conservation Corps and the
Parasol Foundation) were also in attendance. The announcement was covered by KOLO Channel 8 news
that evening, and the Carson City Appeal had an article on it the next morning.

Other
- On September 26, we conducted our regularly scheduled bi-monthly conference call with our Senior
Corps Directors.