Happy September!

I hope everyone has had a great summer and are enjoying these early days of fall.  I've been somewhat MIA as a result of a heavy work load, and moving, but I plan to jump right back in to posting and am starting with this fantastic opportunity.

Building grantwriting skills has truly been the most important and valuable professional decision that I have made.  To all those who seek success in public service, I would recommend learning grantwriting, or becoming a grant reviewer.  Please see this fantastic opportunity below...or others as you won't regret learning about the world of grants!

Community Grant Reviewers Needed Do you want to participate in a decision-making process that will strengthen communities across the Commonwealth?   Do you want to gain valuable insight into a grant application and review process?     Want to network with civic leaders and fellow community members?    Consider volunteering as a Community Grant Reviewer!

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) seeks individuals to serve as community grant reviewers for the 2015-2016 AmeriCorps State grants. Community grant reviewers are critical to the integrity of MSA's grant-making process by ensuring that public funds are invested in high-quality programs that address critical needs in Massachusetts through an equitable and transparent process.      Grant reviewers are individuals who represent the public and private sectors and reflect the diversity of Massachusetts' communities. Prior AmeriCorps and/or grant reviewing experience is preferred, though it is not required.    Individuals affiliated with applicant organizations are not eligible to participate in the review, and all reviewers will be asked to sign a conflict of interest certification form.   Commitment of a Community Reviewer Participate in a webinar training session (approx. 45-60 minutes) Tuesday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. OR Thursday, September 18th at 11:00 a.m.   Read 4-6 proposals (est. 45-60 min/proposal). (Proposals will be accessed electronically.) Score each proposal and determine funding recommendations prior to the review day on the worksheet provided Discuss the proposals and recommendations with other reviewers during a half-day review session The community grant review will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2014 from 9:00am - 12:30pm at a Boston location. Reviewers must be available for the duration of the review.   To volunteer as a reviewer, please  click here. If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Virginia Frias at vfrias@mass-service.org   AmeriCorps   AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations to recruit, train, and  manage AmeriCorps Members who address unmet community needs. Members are individuals who engage in community service. Members will help hundreds of community nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies meet local needs in education, the environment, public safety, disaster preparedness, and other critical areas.

Please help us spread the word about this volunteer opportunity by forwarding this email and posting it on your Facebook and Twitter pages!   Sincerely,   Lindsay Snyder  Director of External Relations and Development