You're Invited: Empowering Arlington Youth Panel Discussion

Empowering Arlington Youth: A non-profit panel discussion with non-profits building the next generation of leaders 

GiveArlington, a philanthropic giving circle for young Arlingtonians, is co-sponsoring a panel discussion with Leadership Arlington and the Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. The event will provide GiveArlington members and the public an opportunity to learn more about youth empowerment and leadership programs within Arlington.  Wednesday, June 27th 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Marymount University - Ballston Center Truland Auditorium, 1000 N Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201 Organizations invited to serve on the panel include the Arlington YMCA, BU-GATA’s Buckingham Youth Brigade, Phoenix Bikes, and Reading Connection. Leadership Arlington, which runs its own two-week leadership program for youth, and the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, which oversees the Teen Network Board as well as numerous youth empowerment initiatives, will also speak to the importance of empowering youth to ensure they develop the assets needed to become healthy, productive adults. All are welcome to attend this free community event! Click here to RSVP on Facebook. -- Tiffany, CVN Liaison

"Benefits of Volunteering" Seminar

www.arlingtonva.us/volunteer

Helping Yourself While Helping Others:

The Benefits of Volunteering

Come out and learn more about the many benefits of volunteering, from developing new skills to connecting with your community to potentially networking your way to a new job. We will also share

information on Volunteer Arlington's resources and how you can

get more involved in the community in ways that meet your

personal and professional goals.

When: Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 6 - 7 p.m.

Where: Shirlington Branch Library,

4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206

Free parking & accessible by ART and Metrobus.

RSVP:

http://bit.ly/VolBenefits

Invitation to County's PLACE Initiative Open House

The Arlington County Board has launched PLACE – Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement – an initiative that builds on Arlington's valued tradition of civic engagement known as “the Arlington Way.”  The goal of PLACE is to expand Arlington’s civic conversation by identifying and linking the many organizations that serve the community and strengthening the relationships between these organizations, the people they serve and County government.  The Community Volunteer Network is proud to partner with the County Board on this initiative.

On March 15th or 17th, we encourage you to attend an open house to learn more about the PLACE initiative and opportunities for civic engagement in the County. More information on the event and how to RSVP is in invitation below:

Keeping Our PLACE Great. Together. Help us Kick-off PLACE County Board Chair Mary Hynes, the County Board, the County Manager and community leaders want you to represent your organization at the kick-off for PLACE, (Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement). Join Arlington's communitywide effort to broaden, deepen and improve the way we engage with one another to make key decisions that shape our County's future. WHO Representatives of community organizations and groups who care passionately about Arlington -- and want to revitalize the Arlington Way. (Please forward this invite to groups you know). WHAT An Open House and community engagement workshop where you will: Learn more about PLACE and how you can help ensure its success. Include your organization in a community map of Arlington's civic society. Share your ideas in small group discussions with County government and civic activists eager to help build better connections between County government and our diverse community. Join the effort to create a framework for open, accountable, responsive government and constructive civic engagement. WHEN Choose your 90-minute session. Thursday, Mar. 15     • 6:00 - 7:30pm     • 7:30 - 9:00 pm Saturday, Mar. 17     • 9 - 10:30am     • 10:30 - noon     • Noon - 1:30 Register online or call Hilda Quinteros at 703-228-3249 for assistance. WHERE Metro-accessible Artisphere, in Rosslyn,1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 (parking is free!). Detailed directions online. Reasonable accommodations made. BONUS! After your session, you're invited to tour Artisphere's fabulous Frida Kahlo exhibit  – the only North American exhibit of the artist's recently discovered photographs. PLACE Open House Partners – the list keeps growing! Arlington Chamber of Commerce Arlington Civic Federation Arlington Committee of 100 Arlington County Government Arlington Interfaith Council Arlington Independent Media Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment Community Volunteer Network    County Council of PTAs Edu-Futuro Hispanic Committee of Virginia (El Comité Hispano) Inter-Service Club Council LULAC Council 4606 Leadership Arlington League of Women Voters of Arlington NAACP-Arlington National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 7 -- Arlington Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations Virginia Cooperative Extension

A Busy Season for Community Events

Community Volunteer Network has been receiving a lot of news about events happening in the community, so I just wanted to create a quick post with a rundown of the next two weeks of events.  You can always find community events in green on our calendar.


Happy Hour at Mister Days to benefit the Reading Connection: 
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 
WHERE: Mister Days Sports Rock Café 3100 Clarendon Blvd., on the corner of Washington Blvd. and Highland St., Arlington, VA 
COST: $5 donation for great Happy Hour specials and one raffle ticket. Additional tickets are $1 each or $5/six tickets. 
RAFFLE PRIZES: Kindle 3G/Wi-Fi e-Reader and Case 2 Northside Social Gift Cards 2 Gift Cards to Mister Days Pacers Running Store Gift Card Red Mango Gift Card 


Come out with your friends and coworkers for a good time, while helping The Reading Connection provide books for children in need. In 2009, The Reading Connection gave away over 7,600 books to over 1,300 kids, both at the Read Aloud sites and through the Book Club mailing program. 
You can RSVP and invite your friends at www.facebook.com/TheReadingConnection

Community Energy Forum
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 
WHERE: Wakefield High School, 4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA 22206
COST: Free
ABOUT: see our earlier post for details about the forum


GenerationOn Launch
WHEN: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 9:30 am - noon
WHERE: Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington, DC
COST: Free
Do you have kids or nieces or nephews?  Why not get them engaged in service as well?  GenerationOn is a new initiative to get more kids involved in volunteering.  They will be launching the new initiative with celebrities and prizes this Saturday.
Get details and sign up HERE.


Arlington Academy of Hope Fundraising Gala
WHEN: Friday, October 29, 2010, 7:30-10:30 pm
WHERE: Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington VA
COST: $100 each, $50 for students
The event will raise funds to support the AAH model primary school, secondary scholarship program, outreach to village schools and two medical clinics. More details: https://secure-aah.bluestatedigital.com/page/contribute/galaticket2010

Harvest for Hope Silent Auction and Benefit
WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm

WHERE: NRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Blvd Arllington
COST: $50 in advance or $65 at the door
This fundraiser, which invites you to come in costume, will raise money for people who are homeless and in substance abuse recovery programs.
http://www.harvestforhope2010.com/

39th Annual Oyster Feast-Pig Roast hosted by Kiwanis

WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 2010, 5:00-8:00 pm
WHERE: American Service Center Garage, 601 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22203
COST: $35 in advance or $40 at the door
ABOUT: see our earlier post for details

Want to Have a Voice in Our Energy Future? Arlington County to Hold Community Energy Forum

In 2007, Arlington County launched Fresh AIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions), a climate action program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County government operations, residents, and businesses.  Arlington built on the success of AIRE in January 2010 with the launch of the Community Energy Plan, a 40-year plan that will transform the way energy is produced, transported, stored, and consumed by everyone living and working in the County.  This Plan will address the places where we use energy in our community – our homes, shops, offices, public buildings, and on our roads – and offer strategies to enhance Arlington’s economic competitiveness, ensure reliable and affordable energy supplies, and demonstrate the County’s long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

The process for developing the Community Energy Plan includes two equally important elements: a Community Energy & Sustainability Task Force and community feedback.  The Task Force was convened by Chairman Jay Fisette and is made up of local energy and business leaders.  The Task Force meets every other month and each meeting is open to the public. 

To solicit community feedback, the County has planned a series of town halls.  On Thursday, October 21^st, the County will be holding the second in a series of Town Hall Meetings to solicit public feedback.  This meeting will give Arlingtonians a chance to share their thoughts on energy challenges and opportunities in our community.   Residents are invited to attend to learn more about the preliminary recommendations for the plan and provide feedback.  Residents will also be provided with information on how they can reduce their emissions today!

This meeting will be held Thursday, October 21^st from 6:00-9:00 at Wakefield High School (4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA 22206).  Following check-in and networking, background information on the CEP will be presented, to be followed by presentations and discussions on the CEP’s three areas of preliminary recommendations.  Food will be provided, and attendees will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb.  You can view a more detailed agenda at www.arlingtonva.us/energyplan. 

Want more information? 

Both those able and unable to attend are encouraged to look at the Community Energy Plan’s updates at www.arlingtonva.us/energyplan.  Click on the “Feedback and Comment” link, which allows you to send an e-mail requesting regular project updates.  

Lifelong Learner - A Volunteer Vocation

Finding a great volunteer opportunity is about finding a great fit between your personality and the needs of the position.  A good volunteer opportunity requires an actual human being to fill the role, and there is a chance to bring your uniqueness to the position.  For example, I recently started volunteering with The Women's Center in Vienna as an educational program assistant.  The Women's Center has been working for over 30 years to further the psychological, career, financial and legal well-being of women and families. However, what got my attention about the position description was the opportunity to sit in on classes.  I love to learn new things and will take a class in almost anything as long as it is free and I'm not being graded on it!

Last night was my first time assisting with a class.  I was impressed with how organized the volunteer program is. I received detailed instructions, but was also working independently and able to be authentic in welcoming the participants, introducing the speaker, and handling registrations.  I felt as if my role was important, I represented the Women's Center.  In class we learned about sugar cravings and how to conquer them.  The class was taught by a passionate and well trained nutritionist, Kristy Rodriguez, and I learned quite a bit.  The participants really enjoyed the class, but I was disappointed because the class size was very small.  The two hour class was $25 for members ($50 membership fee) or $35 for non-members, which seemed very reasonable.  They have reduced fees for women who are in need of a discount.

Next Thursday I am volunteering again, this time for the Successful Resume Essentials class.  There is still room to sign up (you can even register at the class) and if you are currently unemployed, you would most likely qualify for a reduced fee.  If the class is anything like the Sugar Blues class, it will be compelling and informative!  Hope to see you there!

The Women's Center is looking for other people to volunteer in the same role that I am in.  Most of the classes are held in Vienna in the evenings, but they also have classes on Saturdays and are hosting a few in Arlington.

Committee of 100 Monthly Meetings Are Back!

After a long summer break, Committee of 100 will resume its monthly meetings starting Wednesday, September 15.
You may or may not have heard of Committee of 100, so here's some brief information about what they do. As stated on their website:

The Committee of 100 has been Arlington's principal forum for citizen education in local and regional public affairs since its founding in 1954. The monthly dinner meetings provide an educational setting in which issues of local, regional, and state interest are discussed in an atmosphere that permits communication to replace conflict.

Indeed, Committee of 100 is one of few open forums in Arlington that provide a venue for education and discussion about a wide range of topics concerning those who live and work in Arlington. Past topics include the County's education system, Metro, community diversity dialogue, and trends affecting teenagers.

The members are long-time Arlingtonians and who genuinely care about the Arlington community as a whole. It is also important to point out that the speakers coming to their meetings are definitely leaders in the civil, political, and business community. I found myself sitting next to State Delegate Bob Brink one time! At the upcoming meeting, we will have Jay Fisette, the County Board Chairman, and Brian Coulter, chief development officer for JBG Corporation, as featured speakers. Aside from a great learning experience, the opportunity to get to network with these business and political leaders is a huge plus as well.

Like many others, the first time I attended a Committee of 100 meeting was because I was invited by someone else who was already familiar the group. Since then, I have attended several of their meetings. Each time I have either learned something interesting or made a good personal connection. So come join us at the next Committee of 100 meeting, and you might find it to be a valuable experience!

Details of each meeting are posted on CVN's Facebook page. If you are part of the CVN Facebook group, you will also get an email inviting you to the meeting.

Hope to see you on September 15th!

Sara Abramson
CVN's Committee of 100 Liaison

The Social Side of CVN

Interested in a civic-minded group of 20-30 somethings in Arlington? Take a look at some pictures and videos below--both of which we'll be adding to, so please send any on if you have some!



Keep up with our social world through our Facebook page here, though you can also see upcoming events on our calendar here. Want to know more? Contact our Social Chair, Kelly Corbally, at CVN.social@gmail.com.

As with the above videos, you can scroll through those below with the arrows on either side of the player (we just have two to start from the monthly Committee of 100 meeting CVN volunteers check out--more info on that here: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=329069256849&index=1).



See more CVN videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ArlingtonCVN.

DiscussArlington & Summer Celebration

Below is our most recent email--please let us know any feedback. Also, if you aren't getting these in your inbox, sign up on the County site (be sure to check the box that you're interested in CVN and in receiving emails): http://tinyurl.com/CVN-register Dear CVN volunteer, Hello, and happy end to the week! We usually just send out one main email per month with coming events, but we wanted to shoot out another quick note here because we're pretty excited about these upcoming events: DiscussArlington: Environment - Sun., June 28, 3-5 pm: What's the state of the environment in Arlington? What might we do to conserve more in our own lives? As we noted in our last email, we're getting together to discuss exactly those questions for DiscussArlington, a CVN community education event with Fresh AIRE, Arlington's clean air initiative--we think it'll be great for a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially with a little coffee on the side. No speakers lecturing from a podium though, we're aiming for a good roundtable discussion. Find out more and RSVP here on Facebook, or email Tim Riley, our Community Education Chair, for more info at CVN.education@gmail.com. CVN's Five-Year Anniversary / Summer Celebration - Mon., July 20, 6:30-9:30 pm: So we're excited to be celebrating five years for CVN as a part of our annual Summer Celebration, and hope you'll come out and raise a glass with us. We'll hear from speaker Robert Egger, founder and President of DC Central Kitchen, along with one of CVN's founders, County Board Member Walter Tejada. You can find us that night at the Arlington Arts Center, near the VA Square Metro. RSVP here if interested, or email Meredith Clayton, our Social Chair, at CVN.social@gmail.com for more info. Lastly, we wanted to try to use the power of our volunteers and any other interested readers to help spread the word about these events and CVN in general with the attached flier--just print it out and post it in your apartment complex, gym, any local restaurants or bars, or wherever else you think it might catch someone's eye. If you like what CVN's about, we hope you might own some of what it might be by helping out with this and other opportunities. Thanks, and enjoy the weekend!    Brendan   -- Brendan O'Connor, Chair Community Volunteer Network www.arlingtonva.us/CVN