MSU's OCI Receives Honor from Gallatin Valley Food Bank

The MSU Office for Community Involvement was honored by the Gallatin Valley Food Bank in their first ever Nourishing Community Awards Ceremony.  Student volunteers from MSU have been providing valuable services to the food bank for 18 years and the award commended their efforts in "mobilizing campus resources and raising public awareness in order to meet the immediate needs of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank". At the ceremony a number of their contributions were noted including the involvement of the Campus Corps program and the "Can the Griz" Food drive which raised over 56,000 pounds of food donations for the Food Bank this past fall. Congratulations to the MSU OCI and thank you for all that you have done to help combat hunger in your local community!

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Recipients of the Newman Civic Fellows Award!

The national Campus Compact has just announced the 2012 recipients of the Newman Civic Fellows Award.  The state of Montana was well represented in this group of distinguished group of 160 college students across the nation with 7 recipients from our Academic Institutions of higher education here in our home state. 


The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world (http://www.compact.org/initiatives/campus-compact-awards-programs/the-frank-newman-leadership-award/, 2012).

The 2012 Newman Civic Fellows from Montana are:

Kallie Madler,'12, Dawson Community College

Elizabeth Collins,'13, Montana State Univeristy Billings 

Michael Townshend,'14, Montana State University Bozeman 

Sarah Foster,'14, The University of Montana Western 

Catherine Gray,'14, University of Great Falls 

Corey Ledbetter,'12, Flathead Valley Community College

Maureen Karlin,'13, The University of Montana-Missoula

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your service!

Red Cross Month Campus Competition: We've Reached the Final Stretch!

With only a few days left in the month see where campuses stand in the Red Cross Month Competition:

1.) UM-Western: 941
2.) Flathead Valley Community College: 439
3.) M-Tech: 362
4.) MSU-Great Falls: 332
5.) MSU-Northern: 305
6.) MSU-Bozeman: 109
7.) Fort Peck Community College: 170
8.) MSU- Billings: 109
9.) Salish Kootenai College: 100
10.) Aaniiih Nakoda College: 69
11.) UM: 50
12.) Stone Child College: 15

Great work everyone! Keep the momentum up over the next few days!

UM-Western we are so impressed with you guys - AWESOME JOB!!

Red Cross Month Campus Competition Update: Western in the Lead!

Wrapping up the second to last week of March, here is where campuses stand in the Red Cross Month competition:

1.) UM-Western: 700
2.) FVCC: 430
3.) MSU-Northern: 301
4.) MSU-Great Falls: 254
5.) FPCC: 170
6.) M-Tech: 100
7.)MSU- Bozeman: 90
8.) Aaniiih Nakoda College: 69
9.)UM-Missoula: 50

Good luck to everyone in the final week of the competition! I know that there are LOTS more preparedness bags that still need to be distributed so I hope you have plans to go big in this final stretch of the competition!

March 24th is Save A Life Saturday!

As part of a national initiative, the American Red Cross of Montana in partnership with Campus Corps programs throughout the state is working to share with as many community members as possible the knowledge and skills needed to act effectively in an emergency situation. To make this happen, campuses are hosting “Save A Life Saturday” trainings during which attendees will learn how to perform hands-only CPR as well as some basic first aid and disaster preparedness practices. These trainings are being offered free of charge to Campus Corps members, members of the campus community, and many will be open to local community members as well.

The idea for Save A Life Saturday was inspired by the tragic shooting in Arizona in January of 2011, when bystanders that knew CPR and first aid were able to save the lives of a number of victims following the tragedy.  Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford who was injured during the attack owes her life to her intern Daniel Hernandez whose knowledge of CPR and basic first aid kept her alive until medics arrived.  This event reminds us of the value of training our community members in these life saving skills and of the immense impact that doing so is sure to have on our communities.

Contact your local Campus Corps leader to see how you can attend a free CPR training! (*note: Not all campuses will be offering trainings on Saturday, March 24th and have scheduled them on alternate dates)

Aaniih Nakoda College : Ali Graham (agraham@mail.fbcc.edu)
Dawson Community College: Jacob Kilgore (volunteer@dawson.edu)
Fort Peck Community College: Katie Wise (kwise@fpcc.edu)
Flathead Valley Community College: Carson Booth (campuscorps@fvcc.edu)
Montana Tech: Sean Cochrane (scochrane@mtech.edu)
MSU: Alex Black (teamleader@montana.edu)
MSU-Billings: Hazel Todd (hazel.todd@msubillings.edu)
MSU-Great Falls: T.C. Knutson (campuscorps@msugf.edu)
MSU-Northern: Grace Milanowski (campuscorps@msun.edu)
Rocky Mountain College: Jill Washburn (campuscorps@rocky.edu)
Stone Child College: Michael Yegerlehner (myegerlehner@stonechild.edu)
UM- Missoula: Shanna Ungate (shanna.ungate@mso.umt.edu)
UM-Western: Cheyanne Marcy (campuscorps@umwestern.edu)

Campus Corps All-Star Member - Lindsay Kilmer of Montana Tech

                For the past three years Lindsay Kilmer has committed her time and effort to helping some of the most at risk youths in the country. Lindsay’s service site is the Reintegrating Youthful Offenders (RYO) facility. RYO is the highest security juvenile prison in the country, and for many of the offenders, it is their last chance before being sent to an adult facility.

                Two Saturday mornings a month, when the majority of her peers are sleeping in, Lindsay leads a group of AmeriCorps volunteers to the prison in Galen, MT to facilitate discussions with the offenders. Lindsay is very comfortable with her somewhat intimidating surroundings, and confidently leads the offenders in workshops discussing future employment and educational opportunities, anger and stress management techniques, and scholarship applications. Due in large part to Lindsay’s efforts, many of the offenders are now out of jail and leading a productive life.

                Lindsay has been an indispensable part of our team from day one, never failing to volunteer at every opportunity. She is currently studying electrical engineering and looks forward to continuing her dedication to service after she graduates.

Post submitted by M-Tech Campus Corps leader Sean Cochrane

Campus Corps All-Star Member: UM's Clinton Begley

Clinton arrived to Missoula eager to invest himself within the outdoors and community.  He found a great start with his Campus Corps Position at the Watershed Education Network (WEN). WEN seeks to educate the community about water quality and pollution. Clinton goes above and beyond what is required of a Campus Corps member and is one of the most devoted volunteers we have.  At WEN, he expands their reach by creating and cultivating marketing strategies, such as the WEN blog, the WEN website, promotional marketing campaigns and materials for fundraisers.  By utilizing his background in media development, Clinton expands the organization’s capacity to reach a wider population within Missoula.  With Clinton’s assistance, WEN is able to provide volunteer events aimed at teaching the community about water quality and further show the people of Missoula what WEN is doing through updated blogs, videos and photos. 

While non-profits provide much-needed services to communities, often times those services remain muted because of barriers that inhibit reporting results.  Clinton allows WEN to overcome this by enabling the organization to further its reach by accessing social media outlets.  Furthermore, Clinton is an active member within the scope of what the Office for Civic Engagement is doing.  As a Campus Corps leader who plans events like Adopt-a-Family, Can the Cats Food Drive, and events in honor of National Days of Service, I know that I can rely on Clinton to participate and use his amiable persona to engage others in service.

post submitted by UM Campus Corps leader Shanna Ungate

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Samantha Springer from UM-Western

Samantha Springer is a rock star volunteer for the community of Dillon, MT. She came to the campus degree seeking; in the meantime she seeks the honor of volunteering and making her “new” community a better place to live. She explains that joining Campus Corps has provided her with the connections she needed to become active in the community, and to connect with other students, and residents of the Dillon area. She currently serves at the Beaverhead County Museum where there are many duties that keep her busy while volunteering. She assists the other museum volunteers by utilizing her young technologically savvy skills, but also can get lost in a project learning facts of the several historical displays at the museum. Samantha currently is helping centralize the database of all items at the museum.

Not only does the young lady go above and beyond at the local museum, you can find her smiley face at most of the community projects that the UM Western Campus Corps team gets involved in. Not only does she get herself engaged in the community, her volunteerism shines through when she continually recruits volunteers to help with our various projects. Rain or shine, sleep deprived or not Samantha will be there willing and anxious to serve to the community that will be her home for the next 4 years, while seeking a double major in elementary education and human and political social sciences. Watch out Hillary we may have our first female president blooming on the campus of The University of Montana Western.  

post submitted by UM-Western Campus Corps leader Cheyanne Marcy

Campus Corps All-Star Member of the day: Katie Webster from MSU-Bozeman

Meet Katie Webster, MSU Bozeman’s All Star member. New to AmeriCorps, Katie dove into a new service site as coordinator for Safe Routes to School in the Bozeman School District. The Safe Routes program works to get students active in the morning, engage parents in providing alternative ways to school, reduce congestion, remove safety hazards around schools, and educate everyone on the benefits of walking and biking every day.

Rather than tackle one school as planned, Katie worked to implement walking/biking programs in all of the elementary and junior high schools. Let’s do a quick count. That is 9 schools total. We’re talking some serious walking.

So what do safe routes programs look like? In addition to district wide events Katie plans, each school has an individualized program ranging from a “walking school bus” that runs every day of the week to schools that host Walk/Bike to school days each month. Several schools offer incentives for students to walk to school, including one school that will raffle off a bike at the end of the year to students who participated in Walk to School days. 

“Our fall district-wide Walk to School day attracted a tremendous number of students - one school had over 80% of their student population participate - and we're hoping to replicate that success in the spring with multiple bike rodeos and other events... Through our efforts we have brought SRTS to light in the Bozeman community, educated students, parents, administration, and the community about the need for safer and more accessible alternative routes to school, and engaged the students themselves in trading in their morning routine for a more active, healthier, and fun one.”

            What drives Katie’s incredible success? Games of tag, funny comments, the excitement of elementary kids as they join up on the walking school bus each day and priceless memories. “No matter how exhausted or grumpy I am when I wake up, walking to school with the kids completely brightens my day and is a refreshing start to the morning.”

When asked why she was such a dedicated volunteer, Katie responded, “From some tough personal experiences I've learned that it's not always possible to give back to those who help you, but that paying it forward is just as rewarding.”

So what does Katie do when she isn’t getting kids active? She volunteers as a firefighter and EMT for the Rae & Sourdough Fire Departments, leads Service Saturday volunteer projects and is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Her ultimate goal is “To be a kickass member of society.” What a motto to live by! 

Post submitted by MSU Campus Corps leader Alex Black

Billings AmeriCorps Members Come Together to Make Suessville University a Great Success!

Earlier today, the gymnasium at Rocky Mountain

Montana Conservation Corps was "The Lorax"

College in Billings was transformed into "Seussville University".  This annual event, hosted by the Rocky Mountain College's Campus Corps program, invited local elementary school children to participate in a variety of Dr. Seuss-themed educational activities and arts and crafts projects. Coinciding with National AmeriCorps Week, the event fittingly illustrated the immense impact that a service event can have on its local community when members of different AmeriCorps programs come together and work as a team! Campus Corps members from both RMC and MSU-B volunteered at the event, and were joined by members of the Senior Corps and  AmeriCorps VISTA programs. Finally, Montana Conservation Corps was very well represented with 14 members that came out to volunteer their time at Suessville for the day. 

RMC Campus Corps Coordinator Blair with
Commissioner Doug Braun 

The Montana Commission on community service was even present at the event, as Commissioner Doug Braun stopped in to show his support, as did a representative from Senator Max Baucus' Office. Not only were the students treated to a day of fun with an excellent group of volunteers, each also received a free book to take home with them at the end of the day!

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Erin Tieszen of MSU-Billings

           I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to be Erin’s leader this year. Erin served as a Campus Corps member for the first time in the summer of 2011 at the Audubon Conservation Center in Billings. By the time I took over as leader in the fall of 2011, she was an old pro at Campus Corps and had a deep understanding of the value and impact of service. Erin had a great experience serving over the summer and loved the opportunities that Campus Corps provided for her; including providing insight to the needs of the Billings community and reflection of how her service has helped develop her professionally and personally.

            Erin currently serves at Tumbleweed as a member of the Youth Outreach Program, where she works to provide support for homeless and runaway youth. When asked why she volunteers, Erin replied “I find it extremely rewarding and value the importance of giving back to my community.” Erin has been a vital part of the MSUB Campus Corps team. She is easygoing, friendly, dedicated, and always willing to lend a hand to her fellow Campus Corps members and community. In her time away from Tumbleweed and classes, where she is pursuing a degree in elementary education, she has known to be spotted at Service Saturdays, serving youth, senior citizens and helping make the community sparkle. Her energy and passion for serving others is a positive influence for Campus Corps and the Billings community.

Post submitted by MSU-Billings Campus Corps Leader Hazel Todd 

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Jess Beauchamp of MSU-Great Falls

Jess is a rare breed of volunteer. All you have to do is ask, and her answer is always, “Yes!”  She has helped MSU-Great Falls’ Campus Corps in every Service Saturday and opens our campus food pantry three times a week. On top of that she also volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul’s food bank as well as at a church soup kitchen.

Jess thinks that Campus Corps has been very rewarding, “I’ve met so many people that like to help out.  It restored my faith in humanity.  At a food bank, one client came in and said he could only take cans with pull top openers, because he didn’t have a regular can opener.  Another of the volunteers threw in the pantries own can opener.  It was very cool.”

Jess is an outstanding member of Campus Corps, and well worthy of being called a Rock Star!'


post submitted by MSU-GF Campus Corps leader T.C. Knutson

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Christian Smoker of Fort Peck Community College

        Christian Smoker is one of the busiest Campus Corps members at Ft. Peck Community College. She’s in her last semester of our pre nursing program here at FPCC, and over halfway to achieving her goal of becoming a full RN. As a Campus Corps student, Christian has been volunteering her time at North East Montana Health, where she assists nurses and the elderly at the care home in her home town of Poplar. This opportunity allows her both to gain experience for her future career and to give back to the community in which she was raised.

Christian knows pretty much everyone in town, and her reputation as a caring and generous person precedes her. She is also very active in her church community; for instance, over her winter break she signed on to help a mission in Panama improve the housing conditions of its surrounding community. She hopes that her future career will lead to more and more involved missionary work.  

         After graduating this May, Christian plans on attending Crown College in Minnesota to finish her nursing degree. Upon completion she hopes to return to Ft. Peck to work with North East Montana Health, this time as professional nurse. Her life and career are deeply rooted in service, especially to the town of Poplar.  


Post Submitted by Fort Peck Community College Campus Corps leader Katie Wise

Red Cross Month Campus Competition Update

Now in the second week of March, Red Cross month is officially in full swing and campuses across the state have been busy working to make their communities "Red Cross Ready".  Campus Corps student volunteers have participated in a variety of Red Cross Month initiatives including preparedness bag distributions, organizing and taking part in blood drives, and working towards making their campuses certified shelters. 


This of course means that the statewide campus competition is shaping up, as Campus Corps leaders have been reporting the number of points they have accrued from their initiatives. And for the update of the current top contenders: 


UM-Western: 176 
Fort Peck Community College: 101
MSU-Northern: 100
M-Tech: 100


UM-Western certainly has an impressive lead, but there is still plenty of time left for others to catch up! Fort Peck Community College had a very successful bag distribution last weekend, which placed them just ahead of MSU-N and M-Tech who are tied for 3rd.


We're not even half way through the competition, and I have a feeling that campuses are going to pick up the pace as the competition continues. Good luck to all contenders - we can't wait to see what happens next!

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Harvey King of Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harvey King, a long-time resident of Fort Belknap Reservation, has a passion for the Native American culture and wants to preserve their native traditions.  In the past, the reservation had put on a Halloween event so that children and teenagers had a safe place to go, on this holiday that is typically associated with drug and alcohol abuse.  Since there was no alternate activity planned on the reservation, Harvey and another student took it upon themselves to plan an event for the night of Halloween and were able to combine traditional Native American activities with activities a person would normally associate with Halloween. 

With the intention of honoring the way in which their ancestors survived, Harvey and a teacher came up with the idea of organizing a buffalo hunt for students.  He has been working tirelessly to gain access to a buffalo so that students can learn how their ancestors hunted game and used each part of the animal for different reasons.  His hope is give the students an opportunity to learn through first hand experience how their ancestors lived.

He has also helped plan reading days with the Immersion school and Head Start along with other holiday activities to do with the children.  According to Robert Fox, a worker at Head Start, “having college students come into the classroom creates a good mentorship with the Head Start kids and helps create a relationship with the older generation.” The children had fun listening to the books, drawing, and painting pumpkins with the students from Aanniiih Nakoda College.

 With Harvey, we are having a fellow student come and teach the Jump Start students at Aanniiih Nakoda College how to do beadwork and other art activities that are done by Native Americans.  He wants the students to have hands on experience with their culture rather than just learning from the text books.  Harvey is also planning a field trip for the students to visit a culturally relevant site.  


post submitted by Aaniiih Nakoda Campus Corps leader Alison Graham

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Stone Child College's Maggie

I had a pancake breakfast program the other day on campus, and after the program was done later in the day, Maggie, one of my corps members, came by my office to see how I was doing.  When I had told her that the breakfast had been a success despite being planned on rather short notice, she was mad that I had forgotten to ask for her help. Normally, people are frustrated when you DO ask them for help, and not the other way around.  This is one of the reasons that I'm glad Maggie is on my team.

In our first year of having the Campus Corps here at SCC, our team for the whole first semester consisted of just Maggie and me, but I think we've done well. Filling the role of leader of a brand new program does make for an eclectic job, one of 'many hats' so to speak. It also means a lot of hiccups along the way and things not always working out the way you thought they would.  From the confusion that arose in the process of getting stipend checks set up to ever rescheduled meetings, there have certainly been some rocky patches that we have encountered.

Maggie more than exceeded my expectations and I think that she has dealt with those rocky patches better than I have.  She never complained and carried herself with a calm and composure that anyone would be jealous of.  Every time I gave her an assignment or new direction of service, she always faced it head on.  I don't feel anxious when I've given Maggie a task because she doesn't shrink from service.

On top of this, she has managed to balance family and school, getting over a 3.5 GPA  last semester.  I feel very fortunate to have Maggie on my team, and am confident that we will be successful next semester of Campus Corps.


post submitted by Stone Child College Campus Corps leader Michael Yegerlehner

Campus Corps All- Star Member: Dawson's Sarah Williamson

Although all of the Montana Campus Corps members at Dawson Community College are exceptional people and exemplary students, there are a few members who go the extra mile to do good work and rise above the standard expectations. Sara Williamson is one of those students.

After moving from Ooltewah, TN to Joliet, MT about 8 years ago, Sara immediately got involved with church and National Honors Society volunteer activities like Spring Cleanup. She moved to Glendive in order to play volleyball at DCC, but also earned a place on the Dean’s List shortly after arriving last semester. As if academics and sports were not enough to keep her busy, she decided to give back to the community by serving with MTCC.

“The career experience and the scholarship money were big motivators for me,” said Williamson in an interview last Saturday. As with most MTCC members, the place where she will serve the majority of her 300-hours requirement, Makoshika State Park, aligns perfectly with her long-term professional aspirations. For her, the goal is to work at a state or national park in Montana. Upon completing the required hours, she will receive a $1,100 Eli Segal Education Award, which she intends to spend at MSU Bozeman obtaining a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management. Williamson added that having the opportunity to speak with Park Manager, Ryan Sokoloski, and Park Ranger, Tom Shoush, has been one of the most beneficial things about serving at Makoshika State Park.

The service doesn’t end there for Williamson, though. In addition to her primary service site, she also attended the Building Engaged Citizens Conference this year, worked at events like Harvest Festival and Haunted Hollow, regularly volunteers to help with tournaments at DCC and still finds time to spend Friday afternoons at Dawson County Boys and Girls Club where she is able to utilize her knack for creativity by doing arts and crafts with the children.

When asked what the most challenging part of Campus Corps has been so far, Williamson replied, “Honestly, the program has been pretty enjoyable thus far and I actually haven’t encountered anything too difficult.” To be sure, nothing is too hard for an outstanding member like Sara Williamson. The Corps is fortunate to be composed of such dedicated students as her.

Post Submitted by Dawson Community College Campus Corps leader Jacob Kilgore

Campus Corps All-Star Member: Ruth Rickenbacher of Flathead Valley

With a service team of 8 members, it was exceedingly difficult to identify just one individual as an All-Star member.  However, after extensive deliberation and a few coin flips, our office has selected none other than Ruth Rickenbacher, the FVCC Recycling Coordinator and Renewable Resources Director.

Ruth exemplifies what is possible when you find motivated, intelligent individuals and place them into a support framework that allows for focused attention and action through community service.  Ruth has spearheaded a number of initiatives in her brief time as a Campus Corps Member:  Monthly campus-wide can drives, campus-wide recycling of plastic, paper, and aluminum, and the admission of FVCC into the EPA’s waste-not program, which seeks to prevent compostable food waste from being simply thrown into the dump.  Likewise, she has partnered the Renewable Resources Club with FVCC’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, bringing greater focus towards the recycling of building materials. 

Ruth has been and continues to be a colossal asset to the community and to the Campus Corps program.   Her commitment to service is an inspiration to others in the community, and we are truly proud of her and her work!


post submitted by Flathead Valley Community College Campus Corps leader Carson Booth

Campus Corps All- Star Member : MSU-Northern's Maure Murdock!

          Maure is a member of MSU Northern’s Campus Corps and works at our Bio Energy Center.  As a diesel technology student, Maure’s Campus Corps service work deals with important research being done on the process of producing clean biofuels. From fuel testing, seed to fuel processing, engine testing and emissions monitoring, Maure’s work allows her to combine a unique learning experience while contributing to real-life work that is making a difference in our community and our nation.

          While working on biofuel research is Maure’s main Campus Corps work, she is also an active member of the Campus Corps team here at Northern and continually impresses with her dedication, enthusiasm and reliability. With her outgoing personality, her friendliness and warmth, she immediately has an effect on our Campus Corps group that I greatly appreciate as the team leader. Her frank and candid nature puts other members at ease and she helps contribute to a real sense of community in our group.

           Maure makes it obvious that her volunteer work is neither a duty nor obligation but something she genuinely enjoys. She is the first to sign up for helping at events where people are needed and while being a parent, student and Campus Corps member, she surprisingly rarely has excuses not to volunteer. She is a model team member and truly goes above and beyond in everything she works towards.

post submitted by MSU-N Campus Corps leader Grace Milanowski

Campus Corps to Honor "All-Star Members" during AmeriCorps Week!

In honor of this year's AmeriCorps Week the Campus Corps program will be recognizing a handful of our All-Star members who have made significant contributions to their campus' program and who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving their local community. Campus Corps leaders have carefully selected honorable members and have taken the time to share with us a bit about what it is that they do to deserve this recognition. Tune in each day to see who will be named to the team of Campus Corps All-Stars!

Gearing Up for AmeriCorps Week 2012

This year National AmeriCorps week will soon be upon us as this year it is scheduled to take place from March 10th to 18th. A Intended to recognize the commitment of AmeriCorps members and to highlight the extraordinary impact of the work that they do for their communities, the theme for this year's initiative is "AmeriCorps Works". I am excited to report that our Campus Corps programs throughout the state have planned a variety of events and service projects in honor of the event. Check out the list below to see what will be taking place in your local community! 

Aaniiih Nakoda College (Harlem, MT/ Fort Belknap Reservation)
Event: Harlem Seed Show - AmeriCorps volunteers will be helping with Harlem Seed Show, the only seed show in Montana! They'll help with set-up, running events etc. AmeriCorps volunteers will also have an booth to distribute information about various AmeriCorps programs.
When: March 10th, 2012 (10:00am-2:00pm)
Where: Harlem High School
Contact: Alison Graham (agraham@mail.fbcc.edu/ 406-353-2607)


Carroll College (Helena, MT)
Event: Outreach for Volunteers -  Campus Corps members will be recruiting volunteers to help distribute disaster preparedness information to the Helena Valley.
When: March 12th-March 16th, 2012
Where: Carroll College Campus Center
Contact: JoAnn Maffit (jmaffit@carrol.edu/ 406-447-5442)


Fort Peck Community College (Poplar, MT/ Fort Peck Reservation)
Event: AmeriCorps Reunion - AmeriCorps reunion for former and current Americorps members to reconnect.
When:  March 16th, 2012
Where: FPCC Greet the Dawn Auditorium 
Contact: Katie Wise (kwise@fpcc.edu/406-768-6333)


Event: AmeriCorps Outreach - A press Release in the local paper and radio station and a poster campaign highlighting local Americorps members, who they are and what they do. 
When: March 12th - 15th, 2012
Where: various media outlets in Poplar, MT
Contact: Katie Wise (kwise@fpcc.edu/406-768-6333)


Flathead Valley Community College (Kalispell, MT)
Event: Free Cooking Class -  Campus Corps members have helped organize a free cooking class intended for community members currently receiving SNAP and Food Bank Benefits.  The class will offer creative ways to stretch one's dollar in order to provide nutritious non processed meals for their family.
When: March 10th, 2012
Where: Marion Food Pantry
Contact: Carson Booth (campuscorps@fvcc.edu/ 406-756-3372)


Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)
Event: AmeriCorps Week Display: Display highlighting AmeriCorps in the Bozeman area.
When: March 5th- 18th, 2012
Where: Pagoda 104 East Main St
Contact: Alex Black (teamleader@montana.edu/ 406-994-7571)


Event: AmeriCorps Presentations - Presentations to high schools in the Bozeman area
When:TBD
Where: TBD
Contact:Alex Black (teamleader@montana.edu/ 406-994-7571)

MSU-Billings (Billings, MT)
Event: Seussville - Annual event that promotes literacy to 150 local elementary students .
When: March 16th, 2012 (10:00am-2pm)
Where:  Rose Park Elementary School
Contact: Hazel Todd (hazel.todd@msubillings.edu/ 406-896-5817)


Event: AmeriCorps Recognition at MSUB - We will promote AmeriCorps across campus on a rolling promotional board and the display outside our office, which will feature an "all-star" campus corps member every day. We also have a team appreciation dinner planned and one of our members is hosting an Educational Program for the youth she serves that will have four current and alum AmeriCorps members speak. 
When: March 12th-16th
Where: MSU Billings
Contact: Hazel Todd (hazel.todd@msubillings.edu/ 406-896-5817)

MSU- Great Falls (Great Falls, MT)

Event: Do AmeriCorps - In order to re-engage alumni with service, we are doing what AmeriCorps does best, a Service Project.  Join us at the Boys and Girls Club of Cascade county as we hold a St. Patrick’s Day Carnival.  Bring Your favorite kid games  and share the love!
When: March 16th,2012 (3:30pm-6:00pm)

      Where: 600 First Ave SW
   Contact: T.C. Knutson (campuscorps@msugf.edu/ 406-771-4324)


  Event: Project AmeriCorps - Throughout AmeriCorps Week, members and alum will be distributing AmeriCorps fliers to local businesses and high schools.
  When: March 12th-16th, 2012
  Where: Various locations throughout Great Falls
  Contact: T.C. Knutson (campuscorps@msugf.edu/ 406-771-4324)

    

MSU- Northern (Havre, MT)

Event: Carpenter Park Clean Up - AmeriCorps volunteers serving in the greater Havre area will be cleaning up trash in local Carpenter Park.

When: March 17th, 2012 (10:00am-12:00pm)
Where: 11th Ave & 4th street

Contact: Grace Milanowski (campuscorps@msun.edu/ 406-265-3577)

Montana Tech of the UM (Butte, MT)

Event: AmeriCorps Displays - Displays highlighting AmeriCorps will be constructed throughout the Butte Area.

When: March 12th - 16th

Where: Various locations

Contact: Sean Cochrane (SCochrane@mtech.edu/406-496-4692)

Event: AmeriCorps Roundtable on KMSM 103.9 - The CFWEP.org program hosts a radio show every Wednesday from 11-2 on our local campus radio station. AmeriCorps members from Butte will discuss our programs. 

When:  March 14th, 2012 (11:00am - 2:00pm)

Where: The Student Union Building at Montana Tech

Contact: Sean Cochrane (SCochrane@mtech.edu/406-496-4692)

Rocky Mountain College (Billings, MT)

Event: Seussville:  Annual event that promotes literacy to 150 local elementary students .
When: March 16th, 2012 (10:00am-2pm)
Where:  Rose Park Elementary School

Contact: Jill Washburn (campuscorps@rocky.edu/ 406-238-7394)

Stone Child College (Box Elder, MT/Rocky Boy Reservation)

Event: Food Drive:  The campus community will be collecting food for two food banks on the reservation: the pantry at the local Catholic Church and a new food pantry hosted by the Family Resource Center.

When: march 7th-18th, 2012
Where:  Kennewash Hall Foyer, Stone Child College

Contact: Michael Yegerlehner (myegerlehner@stonechild.edu/ 573-822-6171)

University of Montana (Missoula, MT)

Event: Service Saturday at Animal Control - Volunteers will be heading to Animal Control on Butler Creek Road to socialize with animals by walking dogs and playing with cats.

When: March 17th, 2012 (12:00pm-1:00pm)

Where: Animal Control, Butler Creek Rd

Contact: Shanna Ungate (shanna.ungate@mso.umt.edu/406-243-5531)

Event: Service Saturday at Kidsfest - AmeriCorps members will partner with SpectrUM to teach kids about technology with the Nanofest Exhibit. 
When: March 10th, 2012 (9:00am-6:00pm)
Where: Southgate Mall, Missoula
Contact: Shanna Ungate (shanna.ungate@mso.umt.edu/406-243-5531)

Event: AmeriCorps Potluck ath the Loft - Gathering for local AmeriCorps members and Alumni

When: March 13th, 2012 (6:00pm-8:00pm)

Where: The Loft- 119 West Main Street (above Downtown Dance Collective)
Contact: Shanna Ungate (shanna.ungate@mso.umt.edu/406-243-5531)

UM - Western (Dillon, MT)

Event: CASA Ski for Kids Fundraiser - Volunteers will be assisting Director of SWMT CASA with the facilitation of the ski event. Individuals will raise pledges for the amount of ski runs they can make in one day. Campus Corps members will help service the check-in table along with the awards ceremony ending the event. 
When: March 11th, 2012 (10:00am-3:00pm)
Where: Maverick Mountain
Contact: Cheyanne Marcy (campuscorps@umwestern.edu/406-683-7202)

Event: Dillon Tree Board Children's Fishing Pond - Volunteers will be removing weeds around trees and mulching the area

When: March 12th, 2012 (4:00pm-6:00pm)

Where: Swenson Way

Contact: Cheyanne Marcy (campuscorps@umwestern.edu/406-683-7202)

Event: Dillon Tree Board Sidewalk Clean Up - Volunteers will be removing weeds and debris around sidewalks surrounding public park

When: March 13th, 2012 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
Where: East Center Street

Contact: Cheyanne Marcy (campuscorps@umwestern.edu/406-683-7202)

Event: Dillon Tree Board-Jaycee Park/DMS tennis courts - Volunteers will be removing sod and mulching trees.
When: March 15th,2012 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
Where: West Sebree Street
Contact: Cheyanne Marcy (campuscorps@umwestern.edu/406-683-7202)