Monday Mailing
Year 20 • Issue 08 28 October 2013 1. Farming in the Arctic: It Can Be Done 2. A Scientific Guide to Writing Popular—And Shareable—Headlines for Twitter, Facebook, and Your Blog 3. ODOT Interoperability Webinars Set for This Week 4. Volunteers Desperately Needed for Robotics Tournaments 5. How to Have a Board Meeting By Telephone 6. Creating More Impact in Oregon 7. Fate Of Damascus Rests With Voters 8. Dick Cheney Cancels Toronto Trip, Says Canada is Too Dangerous 9. Guide to Energizing Small Communities 10. Funding Opportunities 1. Farming in the Arctic: It Can Be Done On a misty fjord in Greenland, just miles from the planet’s second largest body of ice, Sten Pedersen is growing strawberries. Yellowknife, a Canadian city 320 miles below the Arctic Circle, hosted a farmers market this summer. And a greenhouse in Iqaluit, the capital of the vast Canadian Inuit territory of Nunavut, is producing spinach, kale, peppers and tomatoes. The frozen tundra of the Arctic is experiencing something of an agriculture boom.
Quote of the Week: “Like water, be gentle and strong. Be gentle enough to follow the natural paths of the earth, and strong enough to rise up and reshape the world.” -- Brenda Peterson
The reasons are many. For one, the climate is changing: Arctic temperatures over the past 100 years have increased at almost twice the global average. The diet of many indigenous Arctic peoples is also changing: Traditionally meat-eaters, groups like the Inuit are now consuming more grains and vegetables. And as is happening further south in the United States and Canada, there’s budding demand for locally grown foods. To access the full story, click here.
Oregon Fast Fact Reportedly, Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state. Check out Hardman, Sumpter, and Shaniko.
2. A Scientific Guide to Writing Popular—And Shareable— Headlines for Twitter, Facebook, and Your Blog The topic is a very tricky one as the accuracy for what works best is hard to nail down. While we have some specific techniques that we are using for our own postings and headlines every day, I thought looking at the most cutting-edge research is definitely required. So I decided to look at all the research we’ve done for the Buffer social accounts and our blog as well as the best research out there and combine this research into one comprehensive guide. Without further ado, here is a scientific guide to great headline writing on Twitter, Facebook, and your blog. To access the full story, click here.
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3. ODOT Interoperability Webinars Set for This Week The Oregon Department of Transportation is offering two free webinars next week concerning the rollout of FirstNet, the federal program created to support Oregon’s public safety wireless broadband network. The webinars will take place on Tuesday, October 29 (3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PST) and Wednesday, October 30 (9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PST). For more information on the program and to sign up for one of the webinars, click here. 4. Volunteers Desperately Needed for Robotics Tournaments With the growth and success of youth robotics in the region, the GTA is in desperate need of volunteers to help with the tournaments. Specific volunteers we need: Judges for robot design, teamwork or those working in natural disasters Referees (all you need is a good eye!) Technical inspection General tasks As you can see, we can find a place for anyone who would like to be involved! A few positions require a short training beforehand. Dates we need volunteers: December 7 and 8 at The Dalles Middle School for the FIRST LEGO League Tournament (9-14 year olds) December 14 and 15 at Wy'east Middle School for the FIRST LEGO League Tournament (9-14 year olds) January 11 in Hood River for the FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament (12-18 year olds) Help on just one day or multiple days. The best part: this is fun! The students work so hard and are so excited - come be a part of it! Please contact Jessica to volunteer. THANK YOU!! 5. How to Have a Board Meeting By Telephone Your board meeting is Thursday evening. On Wednesday you start getting the calls. One board member is home recuperating from surgery. Another is traveling. Yet another can’t spare the time to drive in for the meeting. Can they call in via conference call? Most everyone who works with a board or serves on a board has pondered this question. In this article, we give you some tips on how to make conference call board meetings as effective as they can be. First, is it legal to hold board meetings by conference call? Answer: In most states, yes, it is legal if everyone can hear one another at the same time. Check with your state charity official to find out about laws in your state. (Click here for a list of state charity officials with links.) Second, is it possible to have a bad meeting via conference call? Yes! Take a look at our related article, Nonprofit Conference Call Bingo, for some of the ways these calls can be frustrating. To access the full story, click here.
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6. Creating More Impact in Oregon Oregon Unlimited is excited to host another Google Hangout: Creating More Impact in Oregon. They want to help you make the most of Oregon Unlimited, so they have organized a short tutorial to show our community how Oregon Unlimited can best support the work of both individuals and organizations across the state. Join the movement of Oregonians make our state a better place. Oregon Unlimited staff will be going over some high level functionalities of the site that will help you create more impact with your work, such as: How to create your project Inviting people to join projects Uploading files, links, and assigning tasks OU Community Managers will be facilitating the G+ Hangout session on Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30-6:30pm and can help to answer any questions you may have. As always, there will be both a video participant option and view + chat participant option. We hope to see you there! For more information, click here. 7. Fate Of Damascus Rests With Voters Damascus became a city nine years ago. The city council has still not finalized state-required growth plans, and Damascus leaders have agreed to pay thousands of dollars in severance to a former city manager. Chris Hawes with the campaign to dissolve the city of Damascus says if he only needed a majority “yes” vote, his side would win. But he needs a majority of all voters in town. Hawes said, “A disincorporation petition, because of state law, requires that you get the ‘yes’ votes from 50 percent plus one of registered voters. It’s the only election in state law that requires that level. To access the full story, click here. 8.
Dick Cheney Cancels Toronto Trip, Says Canada is Too Dangerous Former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney has cancelled an April appearance in Toronto citing concerns Canada is too dangerous. “He felt that in Canada the risk of violent protest was simply too high,” said Ryan Ruppert, president of promotions company Spectre Live Corp., which had booked Mr. Cheney for an April 24 appearance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “They specifically referenced what happened in Vancouver,” Mr, Ruppert added. In September, Mr. Cheney was speaking at a private club in Vancouver when protesters massed outside the front door harassing ticket holders and in one instance, choking a security guard. To access the full story, click here.
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9. Guide to Energizing Small Communities The Energizing Small Communities: A Guide to Achieving Energy Independence and Economic Resiliency describes the process. The Guide’s Appendix is a compendium of documents referenced in the Guide that were developed by SEDA-Council of Governments to deliver a community-wide energy independence initiative for the small community of New Berlin, Union County, PA from 2009-2012 as a pilot project supported by the federal Appalachian Regional Commission. To access the guide, click here. 10. Funding Opportunities MISSION MAIN STREET GRANTS - The deadline to complete applications is October 31, 2013. Twelve Small Businesses will be Awarded Individual Grants of $250,000! Mission Main Street Grants is an effort by JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association ("Chase") to increase awareness of the important role small businesses play in local communities and to help small businesses grow. Chase will provide funds designed to enable an eligible established for-profit small business to use the Grant to execute a business plan that will result in expansion and growth of the small business. For More Information and to Apply <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001Eie1jJvX2VSvPV4xZx2nhVLjYdhmn3k7QKL_CwvHgssGIDGxKGTnL5FKszwA4lhTA_6gmA_KhrmJK87NiAZL6D8LpE-_uZFTw7luPmc2KE2ZXAoUUiUIfeiuWfzmqHYRz1VY5l6p4=> NACCHO's Model Practices Award <http://www.raconline.org/funding/750/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campai gn=update101713> - Application deadline: Oct 31, 2013 Recognizes outstanding local health practices in the areas of community health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, infrastructure, governmental public health, and chronic disease. Source: National Association of County and City Health Officials Whole Kids School Garden Grant Program <http://www.raconline.org/funding/3025/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Oct 31, 2013. Offers grants to develop school gardens. Source: Whole Kids Foundation THE NOTAH BEGAY III FOUNDATION'S PROMISING PROGRAM GRANTS initiative will partner with Native communities to strengthen existing youth-focused physical activity and/or healthy nutrition programs as well as build capacity for program evaluation. Preference will be given to organizations from the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico), the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin), and the Southern Plains (Oklahoma, Texas); however, applications will be accepted from throughout the U.S. Grants of up to $40,000 will be awarded. U.S. based Native American-controlled nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and Native American community-based groups with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply. Deadline: 10/28/2013. Visit the Foundation’s website here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-q/> to download the Request for Proposals. THE GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION is accepting grant applications from nonprofits that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific operates, and where company employees live and work. The Foundation has identified the following key investment areas: education, including job readiness and literacy; community enrichment, including affordable housing, cultural, and safety programs; environment, including resource conservation and clean air/clean water; and entrepreneurship, especially among youth, women, and minorities. Deadline: 10/31/2013. Visit the company’s website here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-a/> to take the required online eligibility survey. Page 4 of 8
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service has extended the deadline for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) from 9/13/2013 to 10/31/2013. Read the Federal Register notice here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukkjrdkjkiilu-f/>. THE CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD), established by the Catholic bishops of the United States, offers grants to nonprofit organizations that work to break the cycle of poverty and improve their communities. CCHDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grant programs include the following: Community Development grants supporting nonprofit organizations that nurture the participation of people living in poverty toward changing structures and policies that affect their lives; and Economic Development grants supporting Economic Development Institutions (EDIs) that have structures in place that encourage people living in poverty to hold leadership roles in, and have ownership of, the organization. Grants range between $25,000 and $75,000. Deadline: pre-applications for both programs are due by 11/1/2013. Visit the CCHD website here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-lnlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-v/> for more information. SUBARU is offering the Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award to eligible schools for youth gardening programs focused on teaching about the environment, nutrition, and hunger issues. 47 schools will receive award packages and funding valued over $500, and three will receive grand prizes valued at $1,500. Deadline to apply: 11/15/2013. Click here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukkjrdkjkiilu-s/> to learn more about these awards. The Office Depot Foundation is offering grant support to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, libraries, and schools that bring systemic change to the communities they serve. The Foundation provides grants averaging $1,000 in three distinct categories. The focus of the "Giving Children Tools for Success" category is on activities that give young people tools to succeed in school and in life through education and inspiration. The "Building Capacity to Serve Communities" category targets programs that help nonprofit organizations to serve the needs of their communities efficiently. The purpose of the "Disaster Preparedness, Relief, Recovery, and Rebuilding" category is to support efforts that help people and communities prepare for disasters and rebuild and recover when disasters occur. Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2013. http://www.officedepotfoundation.org/funding.asp<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uglEVTjHu_g uSm02Air6NFmYuP5dvvicWEwfTo2ka2QnhQHw_ilWk4ETGF_TASkbQH_DjkqukMv7I5w0iyH sF0HJ_9-SeTyNYbww4ReFoVtgxY0JKt1kDT-ePADEmS8pMWP4cSr7EMj6EnweP1tXuA==> Agricultural Health and Safety Special Project and Pilot Study Funds (Mini-grant Program) <http://www.raconline.org/funding/1632/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Nov 3, 2013 Funding to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Source: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety Laura Jane Musser Fund - Rural Initiative grant - supporting participatory efforts among citizens in rural communities. Grants of up to $25,000 are given to encourage collaborative efforts that will help to strengthen rural towns and regions in a number of civic areas including, but not limited to, economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. Online applications will be accepted starting October 8 through November 6, 2013. Please see the Fund's website at http://www.musserfund.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uglEVTjHu_gs0C8109m5LPzShbI_W jYCNrfw1jjKQ9r5YAh_xNqQTtl8wscBf9IDNagneigEyyS2n4Ys7i5iiE2xyuuAWMAzp8xeGzCiC_ OoqaZU9v65SgEDnthVpafQ> for more information.
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Grants for Native Americans and Native American Caregiver Support Program<http://www.raconline.org/funding/1724/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&ut m_campaign=update101713> - Application deadline: Nov 21, 2013. Funding for programs to increase home- and community-based services to older Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Source: Administration on Aging Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Invites Phase One Applications for Graduate Arts Award <http://e.foundationcenter.org/a/hBSTy$VB8ixfdB81mnfAACSSkfw/rfpb17> Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to college undergraduates and recent graduates with exceptional artistic or creative promise who plan to pursue a career as a practicing artist in their field....Deadline: November 26, 2013 (Phase-one applications) Annie's School Garden Grants <http://www.raconline.org/funding/3026/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Dec 1, 2013. Offers grants to develop school garden projects. Source: Annie's Homegrown Answer Plot Community Garden Program <http://www.raconline.org/funding/3329/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Dec 1, 2013. Awards funding to FFA chapters to plant, grow, and harvest fresh produce, which will then be given to rural food pantries. Source: Land O'Lakes Foundation NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION is offering grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. Deadline: 12/6/2013. Click here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-w/> to learn more about this program. ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS FOR COMMUNITIES, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and sponsored by Wells Fargo, supports highly-visible projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and state, tribal, or local governments in selected regions and states where Wells Fargo operates are eligible to apply. Deadline: 12/16/2013. Click here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-yh/> to visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website to learn more about the program and submit an online proposal. Incentive Grants for Practitioners, Students, and Community Practice Residents <http://www.raconline.org/funding/3334/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Dec 1, 2013. Offers pharmacists seed money to implement or support an existing patient care service within their pharmacy practice. Source: American Pharmacists Association ILTF is accepting Letters of Inquiry to support various aspects of Native land recovery, with a focus on reacquiring alienated federal lands. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to support Native land recovery efforts, with a focus on reacquiring alienated federal lands. Deadline is 12/2/13 to submit a Letter of Inquiry. https://www.iltf.org/grants/special-initiatives/land-recoveryefforts<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uglEVTjHu_jZLfQ2tjtfhtIDJWqNljFx03XINZJYUi1G5HC 0_qU9kRh5POv_i663cu8A2a0G59ppN2wkEymRJjMhwl3BDvpRa2IeqZzTl85f9PlKuMjSC3dNFqDwAuMC WoAgtbyfdMylTF6oFOVn30ZrAnrV34hCOEJ_z8VJQy0EtOeFCc8uA==> Cardinal Health Foundation Offers Grants to Improve Patient Safety <http://e.foundationcenter.org/a/hBSYalBB8ixfdB8159OAACSSk3a/rfpb25> Page 6 of 8
Grants of up to $35,000 will be awarded to hospitals, health systems, community health clinics, and other nonprofit healthcare institutions for programs that improve the efficiency and quality of patient care.... Deadline: December 6, 2013 The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is accepting applications for Community Action Grants of up to $10,000. Grants are available to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women. Deadline: 1/15/2014. http://tinyurl.com/lk876vb<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uglEVTjHu_gLVijaGuur1EzCLi5Y8Ll _iLgT3KOBUHGI6OTk4n78juHfEB4fA1XOTNU5sOrU53CDO1K_qpdLFRe18wjwMJmlZD7q U1eFxySLWnLhFYXnyNzY1JESoVPG> The CHS Foundation invests in the future of rural America, agriculture and cooperative business through education and leadership development and supports national projects related to its mission as well as programs within the CHS trade territory for regional multi-state, or statewide projects. The Foundation's funding focuses on the following program areas: Cooperative Education, Rural Youth Leadership Development, Farm and Agricultural Safety, Returning Value to Rural Communities, and University Partnerships. All applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with the exception of Cooperative Education applications, which are due in the fall of each year. http://www.chsfoundation.org/about.html<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001uglEVTjHu_g5g26u5N N4nxeT82kQtFOWtFLwMWnSK3AZdE436P7mGYgLZA9wolZQVLbLZdXOhG2PnL89XcZTIu ZGgzATCTEa-5HpsWGFbBTLza5P9wPWKX3lkzT-Z6B6rdLuJAQlvHE=> ING Unsung Heroes Program Invites K-12 Educators to Apply for 2014 Class Project Awards <http://e.foundationcenter.org/a/hBSYalBB8ixfdB8159OAACSSk3a/rfpb20> - One hundred educators in the United States will be selected to receive awards of up to $27,000 to help fund innovative classroom projects.... Deadline: April 30, 2014 THE KRESGE FOUNDATION seeks to expand opportunities for vulnerable, low-income individuals and families by strengthening nonprofit organizations and generating new knowledge about efforts to ameliorate and create pathways out of poverty. One of the program’s focus areas, “Advancing the effectiveness and resilience of multiservice organizations”, provides grants to help human services organizations demonstrate the ways promising approaches can add capacity, enhance performance, and increase resilience. Preliminary applications may be submitted throughout the year. Visit the Foundation’s website here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-d/> for more information. THE UNION BANK FOUNDATION supports nonprofit organizations in the communities in which the bank has operations in the states of California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The Foundation’s areas of interest include affordable housing, community economic development, education, and the environment. The bank also offers a corporate sponsorship program for nonprofit organizations addressing additional areas such as arts and culture, health and human services, and emergency services. Requests to both of the bank’s charitable contributions programs may be submitted throughout the year. Visit the bank’s website for detailed funding guidelines and online application information here <http://rurallisc.cmail2.com/t/r-l-nlukukk-jrdkjkiilu-k/>. Captain Planet Foundation Seeks Applications for K-12 Environment-Based Projects <http://e.foundationcenter.org/a/hBSYalBB8ixfdB8159OAACSSk3a/rfpb23> - Seed grants of up to $500 are intended to get local environment-based education into schools and communities.... Deadline: January 31, 2014
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Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED) Scholarships <http://www.raconline.org/funding/1559/?utm_source=health&utm_medium=email&utm_campa ign=update101713> - Application deadline: Feb 14, 2014 Scholarships for students from rural areas who are interested in pursuing show an interest in returning to careers in rural areas upon completion of degree programs. Source: Foundation for Rural Education and Development
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