December was a less than joyous month for us at the CTC VISTA Project. Paul Hansen, the Project Director, passed away and there has been much sadness but also much thoughtful and inspiring messages and memories. We've collected all of them here: http://ctcvista.org/paul Thank you to everyone that sent us an email, or left a message. It has been greatly appreciated.
But despite our loss, we're moving forward into 2008 and what is looking to be a successful year for the CTC VISTA Project. Read on for some important news and resources!
Important things to do (today!)
Register for the Nonprofit Technology Conference: There is only one week left to get the early-bird rate---it ends January 15! CTC VISTAs get a discount too! When registering ( http://nten.org/ntc), in order for the "CTC Vista Rate" of $349 to show up on the registration page, the person registering needs to select "CTC Vista" in the "Where did you hear?" field. Once they do that, the "CTC Vista Rate" should appear in the "Event Fees" box. Also, send me an email and let me know you're coming (register today!).
- Getting a VISTA in Summer 2008:*** We've officially kicked off our organization application process for organizations wishing to receive a VISTA beginning in July 2008. Supervisors take notice! We've tried to make our guidelines simpler and more straightforward, and you can find them here: http://ctcvista.org/apply/org The deadline to apply is February 22 (and we mean it!).
If Completing your Service in January...: We're proud to have such a large number of CTC VISTAs who are completing their service at the end of this month. Please, please, please send me your paperwork (cause I'm gonna remind you till I get it!).
Snazzy @ctcvista.org email addresses: You may have noticed that I'm sending this from ben@ctcvista.org and maybe Kevin and Morgan, our VISTA Leaders, as well. We're using more official looking email address (ooh), but it's all going to the same place (us), so don't feel obligated to update your address book---unless you want it to be more officious as well.
VISTA Spotlight
I want to give a shout out to Gabriel Fishman who got a great write-up about his Community Wireless project in the neighborhood newspaper. Gabriel is currently serving in Boston at a low and moderate income housing complex to provide free WiFi internet access and computer support services. If you have any news articles about your service please let us know! You can read about Gabriel here:
Resources: Worth Reading
Successful Technology Use in Small Grassroots Nonprofits (Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management): This great report shows how small nonprofits use technology and what it means for a nonprofit to use technology successfully.
http://www.usfca.edu/inom/research/INOM-Tech%20Use%20in%20Small%20NPs.pd...
5 Nonprofit Success Secrets from Van Jones: Yeah, a lot of people have been blogging about these "counter-intuitive and probably immoral success secrets". But they're actually worth reading. And doing. And because everyone is busy, here's them in a nutshell:
1. Self promote (you're awesome) 2. Steal (ideas) 3. Don't Lie (no, really, don't) 4. Hate your enemies, but love your rivals (you mostly have rivals) 5. Do less (cherish your vacations)
http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2007/12/25/miracles/
And lastly...
The CTC VISTA Project wishes you the best of luck with all of your new years resolutions. We've resolved to use media and technology to end poverty. Sure, it's a little ambitious but with all the hard work you all are doing, I think we're making a difference. Have a great year!
Ben