This week's Team Leader Biography is...

STEPHEN JOHANSSON! I'll have to admit that this week's leader was not chosen at random. Well, I take that back. It was both Stephen and Katie Koga's birthday this past Tuesday, January 25th. So, it was random between the two of you. Flipped a coin and heads was Stephen, tails was Katie. Enough rambling...here is Mr. Stephen Johansson's bio!


"Stephen is a Campus Corps Leader on the MSU Campus in Bozeman, Montana. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut. He has a 19 year old brother who attends college in California. Stephen attended Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota where he majored in Political Science and minored in Social Studies for Secondary Education. He enjoys Golfing and Running and has developed an appreciation for Country music since making the move to Montana. His long-term Goal is to work in the non-profit world, particularly social work. "

If you're in the Bozeman area and would like to know of some volunteer opportunities, please contact Stephen at teamleader@montana.edu.

DONTCHA KNOW!

Look who found their way into the Billings Gazette!

Jill Washburn at Rocky Mountain College in Billings served with the Ameican Red Cross for MLK Day. The article was published in the Billings Gazette! Way to go Jill, we're incredibly proud of you and your accomplishment! Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Debt, layoffs and discouraged volunteers made the past decade a difficult one for the American Red Cross of Montana.

Financial problems, including a debt of more than $200,000 in the mid-2000s, led to the closure of offices and staff layoffs statewide. The Billings office closed in September 2008. A number of volunteers left after receiving news that the physical office was closing.

Two years later, CEO Rod Kopp said things were starting to look up.

After running in the red since 2000, the organization ended the most recent fiscal year in the black.

Volunteer numbers have tripled over the past two years. Kopp said the Red Cross is now functioning with about 300 volunteers statewide, with 20 of them based in Billings.

“It's exciting to see the turnaround since that happened, and to see the level of service that we have,” Kopp said. “We have a pretty good depth of experience with our volunteers.”

To handle the debt that had been plaguing the organization for years, Kopp called for a organizational restructuring that closed offices around the state.

Before the closure of the Billings office, there were seven offices statewide. Now there are three — in Bozeman, Great Falls and Missoula.

The goal is to reopen an office in Billings by the end of 2011, Kopp said..."

To view the entire article. Click HERE!

Keep it up Jill!!!

Team Leader Bios!

I had big plans for these. BIG plans! But, my Graphic Design skills are rusty since I graduated and made it difficult to do what I envisioned. Anywho! I think it would be great to feature a Leader every week or so by posting the biographies that you all wrote about each other. I have selected this weeks Leader at random, and the lucky winner is...*drumroll*...JULIA SPANGLER at Montana Tech in Butte, America!

Just look at how happy she is to have her bio posted first! What a sport!

"Julia is a Butte native who plans to pursue a degree and career path which will enable her to influence youth and aide the less fortunate. Her commitment to service began ten years ago when she was adopted by her parents Bruce Madigan and Mary Spangler, who changed her life forever. Since that time, Julia feels it is her calling to give back to troubled youth, broken families, and kids who need positive adult mentors. She is currently serving as a Campus Corps leader at Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte. She also has a huge passion for skiing, and enjoys running and hiking. "

To contact Julia about events in Butte, or ways to volunteer in the community - email her at jspangler@mtech.edu

You can also check out a couple of facebook albums that she's posted on our Campus Corps page, Here and Here!

Gearin' up for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2011

Well, as much as we loved looking at Mr. Stephen Johansson as Santa Paws...I think it's time for a blog update!

MLK Day of Service 2011 is fast approaching, and I thought it would be great to see the variety of projects going on throughout the state! You can also search for projects around your area by visiting mlkday.gov. Here are the projects by location:

Billings, MT (Rocky Mountain College) – Contact: Jill Washburn – jill.washburn@rocky.edu

Billings will host a Habitat for Humanity build in commemoration of MLK Day. The event will happen on January 22^nd, 2011. Student volunteers will have a team meeting prior to the event to discuss the importance of MLK service day. A reflection activity will engage the group at the end of the presentation.

Billings, MT (MSU – Billings) – Contact: Anne Grady – anne.grady1@msubillings.edu

In Billings, MSU-Billings (MSUB) will kick-start MLK week with an educational workshop and a documentary about the Billings community’s response to racism called Not In Our Town. The film will screen on Saturday, January 15^th followed by a banquet that evening. On Sunday January 16^th, there will be an interfaith service at St. Andrews. On Monday, the King Holiday will commence with a city-wide bell ringing at 10am and a bell ringing ceremony at MSUB, where Campus Corps and community members will talk about their own commitments to service. Following the bell-ringing ceremony, MSUB will host volunteer leader training in collaboration with the United Way and other non-profit groups. The MLK evening program will begin at 6:30pm and include a candle light vigil, a march simulation, speeches from government officials, a speech reenactment, and a keynote speaker. During the Power of One Week multiple offices and organizations will coordinate events and presentations to discuss and contemplate issues concerning diversity. On Saturday, January 22^nd, Power of One Week will conclude with various service opportunities. The Campus Corps members and Americorps VISTAs of Billings will work together at a Habitat for Humanity build, and the Office for Community Involvement will hold its monthly Service Saturday project at Sage Tower Retirement Apartments.

Bozeman, MT– Contact: Stephen Johansson – teamleader@montana.edu

Bozeman will host its MLK Day at the Wilson Gymnasium. Children in the Latino migrant community of Bozeman will share stories and experiences. Tios y Tias, a local nonprofit which tutors the children of migrant workers in the community, will provide a presentation for the MLK event as a venue for the children and families to share their stories. On the perimeter of the gym/auditorium, various nonprofits will showcase, using booths, the talents of the Latino community (selling of products and/or skills) in order to create awareness of the Latino community-owned businesses. Volunteers will be helping set up, hosting, and the taking down of the event.

Browning, MT/Blackfeet Reservation – Contact: John Davis – rezski.09@gmail.com

Blackfeet Community College (BCC) will hold a luncheon for students, staff and faculty. The event will host local elders and other speakers who will address issues currently facing the Blackfeet Community and encourage community members to take action, and get involved. BCC Campus Corps members and other student volunteers will speak with youth about diversity at the local schools. They will also lead students in a clean up effort in their school groups, emphasizing the importance of environmental and the Blackfeet Reservation. Additionally, the event will feature Native games that will incorporate healthy exercise, lifestyles, and encouraging teamwork.

Butte, MT – Contact: Julia Spangler – jspangler@mtech.edu

Montana Tech Campus Corps members will be showing the movie, Great Americans for Children; Martin Luther King, Jr. to students from two local elementary schools known to serve disadvantaged youth. Montana Tech will host this on January 14^th at the schools (because schools will be off on the 17^th). Following the movie, Campus Corps members (in conjunction with the school teachers) will host a reflection workshop uniquely geared towards each grade level.

Dillon, MT – Contact: Jonathan Stephani – campuscorps@umwestern.edu

In Dillon, student volunteers will plant native trees in the local community park to commemorate MLK Jr. The trees will be planted in April during the statewide Campus Corps Spring Summit, hosted this year in Dillon. Each tree will be marked with a plaque that states “In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and Civic Engagement.” Energy Corps and Industrial Technology volunteers will help build benches that will accompany the trees and plaques. Leading up to the April tree planting event, Campus Corps members will host several screenings and discussions of the documentary film called Taking Root during the month of January in honor of MLK Day. This film is a documentary about a Kenyan woman who received the Nobel Peace Prize for planting trees. The film’s subject, Wangari Muta Maathai, inspired women in her country to begin planting trees in 1977 to help promote environmental stewardship, democracy and equality. The film will be shown within the school system, the community and at the University. Each screening with include a facilitated discussion about civic engagement, Martin Luther King Jr. and the planting of the trees in April.

Glendive, MT – Contact: Jacob Kilgore – volunteer@dawson.edu

Dawson Community College students will visit Jefferson Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Washington Middle School, Dawson County High School, and the Boys and Girls Club to give multi-visual presentations on Martin Luther King Jr. at each location. The presentation will include an abbreviated version of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, an historical description of who MLK was and the impact that his movement had on our nation, a hands-on activity illustrating the diversity of each classroom, and an open forum on the importance of diversity. Students will complete pre and post surveys concerning their knowledge of MLK and understanding of diversity to earn a prize having to do with the presentation. The prize will also serve as a conduit by which parents and other family members will hear about the event, opening windows of discussion about the topic within homes.

Great Falls, MT – Contact: Catherine Avery – Catherine.avery@msugf.edu

Great Falls will host readings geared to children at the Children’s Museum. The readings will address the reason for the observance and include a reflection activity for the children and their parents. Movies will be shown to the children on the day as well. The MSU Campus Corps Carpenters will build an installation at the Children’s museum to honor the day and groups including early education, abused women and children, homeless woman and children, disabled people, and American Indians will be included in plans to decorate the portion of the museum dedicated to the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. A healthy snack and follow-up with dental care provided by MSU Health Sciences volunteers will be provided.

Havre, MT – Contact: Delme Mundell-Watson – campuscorps@msun.edu

Campus Corps members will be coordinating events in Havre during the week of MLK Day. One project will include Campus Corps Team members and other volunteers reading to children at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line. The books will focus on diversity and civic engagement to help educate the youth on both subjects. Each child at the Club will receive a bookmark with a picture and quotes of MLK Jr. Another project will engage Youth Build -a local program helping high school dropouts attain GEDs and carpentry skills- students to shovel snow for senior citizens and will be coordinated with the Hill County Senior Center. A third project will be an on-campus challenge in coordination with the Associated Students of MSU – Northern. Campus clubs will be given the challenge of each developing a service project during the week of MLK Day. The clubs will participate in a competition with each participating club receiving Senate Points and the best project receiving a prize. The Havre-Hill County Library will be partnering with Campus Corps to sponsor short radio programming on local radio stations to educate the general public about MLK Jr. and the importance of diversity and civic engagement.

Helena, MT – Contact: Natalia Potrzuski (VISTA) - NPotrzuski@helena.K12.mt.us

Helena will host several events on and leading up to MLK Day. On Jan 7^th at the Lewis and Clark Library Local national service members will screen the movie Hairspray, a movie addressing racial reconciliation and social justice themes. On Jan 12^th, Kevin Connolly, a Helena High graduate, published author, photographer, world traveler, and x-games athlete will speak. Kevin was born without legs and will speak about diversity and social justice. His book, Double Take, will be for sale and Kevin will be available to sign them after his presentation. On January 13^th Carroll College will host a film and discussion at the Simperman Auditorium. On January 15^th the MLK Youth Music Splash event will feature youth musicians of all varieties. A “Music Petting Zoo” will also feature top of the line musical equipment for testing. Volunteer opportunities for youth will be highlighted and students will have the opportunity to sign up for opportunities that interest them. On Jan 17^th a Shovel Brigade volunteer snow shoveling event will meet at Bryant school and will shovel surrounding areas. In the absence of snow, volunteers will salt sidewalks and pick up trash. The group will enjoy a hot chocolate break halfway through their work. Participants will finish at Bryant school, just in time for lunch at the Diversity Fair.

The Diversity Fair will highlight local diverse arts including Native American drummers and dancers, Irish dancers, dance performances from local studios, martial art performances, art by local students and more. Food will be available from 11:30 to 1pm and a keynote speaker will address the crowd.

Kalispell, MT – Contact: Wendy Jeschke – wjeschke@fvcc.du

MLK Day projects in Kalispell will focus on providing outreach to homeless teens and collecting cold weather clothing for local beneficiaries. Project Homeless Connect will connect Flathead Valley homeless teenagers with resources and services needed to live healthier lives. These teens will be connected with representatives from local or alternative high schools, GED programs, as well as workforce training programs. Volunteers will be recruited from among the senior community.

Missoula, MT – Contact: Katie Koga – Katie.koga@mso.umt.edu

In Missoula, the University of Montana’s (UM) Diversity ContinuUM project will be expanded from UM’s campus to include a site in the Missoula community. The nature of this project, a photo and dialogue-spurring event, is to invite as many people from different backgrounds and experiences as possible to participate. On campus, the Diversity ContinuUM committee will collaborate with American Indian Student Services, Foreign Student and Scholar Services and the Diversity Advisory Counsel in addition to engaging other departments and groups. Off campus, the committee will be working with Missoula residents and may specifically target school-aged children, older residents, or disadvantaged youth. For both sites, participants will be asked to share what diversity means to them and how they are contributing to their communities. The project results, along with the participants’ photographed portraits, will be displayed in a high-traffic location for community members to view.

Pablo, MT/Flathead Reservation – Contact: Jenny Wilson – Jennifer_wilson@skc.edu

Salish Kootenai College (SKC) will hold a week-long series of events to commemorate MLK Day. SKC Campus Corps members will implement an environmental stewardship project, connecting Native Heritage, social issues and environmental issues facing their community. Throughout the week, SKC will host tribal elders and veterans as guest speakers, and will be organizing a Native Games Tournament honoring various tribes and their cultures. Campus Corps members will facilitate a recycling awareness presentation and competition on the SKC campuses – engaging teams of students to think critically about the importance of getting involved in larger global sustainability efforts. Additionally the campus will host presentations, talks and other reflection opportunities for students to discuss the importance of embracing diversity in this country.

Poplar, MT/Fort Peck Reservation – Contact: Marina O’Brien – mobrien@fpcc.edu

Campus Corps members and student volunteers from Fort Peck Community College will provide important maintenance on a low-income family’s home on the reservation. This home desperately needs remodeling, interior painting and cleaning. Campus Corps members are seeking additional homes and families, and may be added in time for MLK Day.

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Some of these campuses are participating in what's called the MLK Challenge. The Challenge was created by the North Carolina Campus Compact. We've adopted the Challenge and proposed it to our campuses. To take a look at what the challenge looks like, follow this link: http://org.elon.edu/nccc/resources/documents/ToolKit08-FINAL.pdf.

Looks like Catherine Avery at MSU-GF has already started uploading some pictures onto our Facebook Page. Check those out here!