The Idealist.org Podcasts

In 2010, a new national service corps is getting off the ground. Blue Engine, based in New York City, aims to recruit a corps of about a dozen fellows for the 2010-2011 school year to facilitate daily, differentiated, small-group instruction for high school freshmen.

 

Our guest is Nick Ehrmann—Blue Engine's engine and a Teach For America alum— who says that we know how to get high-needs kids into college, or getting them "college eligible" — nonprofits and schools have been targeting and tackling hurdles like high school completion, college admissions, and financial assistance.

 

But, while the high school drop-out problem is far from solved, groups are paying far less attention to college completion rates for high-needs kids, or "college readiness."

 

Blue Engine aims to close the gap between college eligibility and college readiness.

 

After graduating from Northwestern University in 2000, Ehrmann began his career in education as a Teach for America corps member in Washington D.C. In 2002, he joined forces with local philanthropists to launch the nonprofit “I Have a Dream” Project 312, a youth development program for Nick’s fourth-grade students. In the fall of 2003, he began doctoral work in sociology at Princeton University as a William G. Bowen fellow.

 

Over the past three years, Nick spent months shadowing his former students in high school classrooms, living with their families, and conducting extensive interviews in the local community, where he has witnessed firsthand the negative effects of academic underperformance on the transition from high school to college. His dissertation—Yellow Brick Road—is scheduled for defense in the spring of 2010. Ehrmann currently lives in New York City.

 

Idealist’s Amy Potthast talks with Nick about the Blue Engine fellowship, its application deadlines (March 10 and April 28, 2010); the gap between college eligibility and true college readiness; and why it’s crucial to expect more out of high schoolers in order to prepare them for high school and college success, and beyond.

 

In this episode we hear from Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light Institute and Co-Founder of the HandsOn Network.

Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. In 2007, the Points of Light Institute grew out of the merger between the Points of Light Foundation and the Hands On Network, creating the largest volunteer management and civic engagement organization in the nation. HandsOn Network includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers around the United States and ten other countries.

Idealist’s Amy Potthast chats with Michelle Nunn the Friday before MLK Day about the first-ever national MLK Day Virtual Town Hall Meeting, how people throughout the United States can take action in their own communities through Hands On Action Centers, how people can respond to the Haiti earthquake of January 12th, and the upcoming National Conference on Volunteering and Service to take place in New York this summer.

In this episode we feature one of the winners of the 2009 Purpose Prize. The Purpose Prize awards up to $100,000 to social innovators in their encore careers who are creating new ways to solve tough social problems. The Prize is an initiative of Civic Ventures' Encore Careers campaign which aims to engage millions of experienced adults in work that makes a difference in their communities and the world.

In this interview we hear from Connie Siskowski who started The Caregiving Youth Project, which provides support groups, classes and resources for youth who are the primary caregivers for ill or disabled family members.

If you'd like more information on encore careers or mid-career transitions, go to idealist.org/midcareer

In this episode we feature one of the winners of the 2009 Purpose Prize. The Purpose Prize awards up to $100,000 to social innovators in their encore careers who are creating new ways to solve tough social problems. The Prize is an initiative of Civic Ventures' Encore Careers campaign which aims to engage millions of experienced adults in work that makes a difference in their communities and the world.

In this interview we hear from Judith Broder who, in her late 60's, created The Soliders Project which provides free psychological support to returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

If you'd like more information on encore careers or mid-career transitions, go to idealist.org/midcareer

In this Questions With episode, we hear from Rafa Cancel of the organization La Asociación Nacional de Derecho Ambiental (ANDA).   After witnessing the activism against the US Navy's use of the island of Vieques as bomb training site, Rafa was inspired to provide the people of Puerto Rico with the legal tools to protect their environment.   His organization is the first environmental law center in Puerto Rico, connecting residents with the resources and people to legally engage businesses and government.

Rafa is also a 2008 Echoing Green fellow.  Echoing Green "invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions."

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Listen to more shows in this series.

Today’s guest is Heather Calverase, Executive Director of Teach For America’s Newark, New Jersey region where she is responsible for growing sustainable base of financial, community, and district awareness and support including cultivating and stewarding donations, building strong ties with local school districts, and recruiting corps members.

Prior to her position with Teach For America, Heather worked in the business sector, including nearly a decade with Kaplan, best known for its test preparation books and classes.

Amy Potthast chats with Heather about what is appealing about what Heather brings to the nonprofit sector from her business sector experience, as well as her background on educational issues.

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Listen to more shows in this series.

Today's Nonprofit Career Month podcast guest is Debbie Bower, Executive Director of Senior Resources Inc., a South Carolina nonprofit that provides seniors services, resources, transportation help, and Meals on Wheels so that they can live healthy and independent lives.

Debbie started her career with a Bachelor's degree in recreational therapy and soon found herself working as an activity director at for-profit and nonprofit assisted living facilities throughout the Midwest. When she relocated to South Carolina, she was drawn to the mission and programs of Senior Resources because the organization allowed her to continue to working with seniors, on issues that matter to their lives. She started there as a volunteer administrator and program director and over the course of many years has worked her way up to the Executive Director position.

Amy Potthast and Debbie talk about the skill sets required to lead an organization; the inspiring nature of nonprofit work and the passion it takes to sustain a career in the sector; what it means to make a difference in the lives of other people through your daily work; and Amy's grandfather who contributes his own poems to other seniors through Senior Resources programs.

Today's Nonprofit Career Month podcast guest is Elizabeth Droscher, Executive Assistant at Phoenix School. Phoenix School is a nonprofit charter high school in Roseburg, Oregon, whose staff works hard to see students realize their potential and to graduate, by offering alternative learning approaches and opportunities to engage in the community.

As the Executive Assistant, Elizabeth supports the school’s director and its Board, writes grants, builds community partnerships, and coordinates events. She’s honed her communications and planning skills on the job in past county government and business work, as well as in the nonprofit sector.

Amy Potthast and Elizabeth chat about the importance of volunteering in the lives of young people, and the ongoing need for professional development to gain new expertise and expand what you’re capable of doing in a job.

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector.

Today’s Nonprofit Career Month podcast guest is Krista Kelley, Vice President of Development at Adelante Development Center in Albuquerque, one of the largest nonprofits in New Mexico. Adelante offers community-based services for people who are physically or mentally disabled, who have chronic neuromuscular diseases, and who are disabled simply due to the aging process.

Krista has designed and led Adelante’s development department which has included lobbying, government relations, media campaigns, capital campaigns, direct mail campaigns, donor development, planned giving, in-kind donation programs, special events, private foundation, city, state, and federal grants.

Prior to working for Adelante, Krista worked in both domestic and international business development and marketing and in business and operations analysis.

Amy Potthast talks with Krista about developing a new department at a nonprofit, the adjustment to working in a nonprofit after working in a business, and the family-friendly potential of many nonprofits that value work-life balance for their staff members.

Listen to more Nonprofit Career Month podcasts, or subscribe to the Idealist podcast in iTunes.

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Today’s guest is Margaret Ambler Salamon, Research Specialist and wearer of many other hats at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Albuqueque, NM. The Center for Nonprofit Excellence is a collaborative effort of the United Way of Central New Mexico and the Albuquerque Community Foundation and aims to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector through building collaborations, educating donors, and increase the effective management of nonprofits. Margaret’s passion for nonprofit organizations began in 2000 with a ten-month term with Public Allies, a national apprenticeship program focused on building young leadership while strengthening communities. Amy Potthast chats with Margaret about her career path, the excellent work that the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Public Allies are doing to strengthen the nonprofit community, and what it's like to work at the hub of many community organizations.

Posted as part of Nonprofit Career Month, featuring the diversity of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector.

Today’s guest is Abby Flottemesch, a mid-career nonprofit professional and Minnesota native who is currently engaged in a job search. Abby recently completed a year-long fellowship in Bogota, Colombia, with Atlas Service Corps where she worked with the Saldarriaga Concha Foundation—a Colombian foundation that provided resources to organizations that worked with disabled individuals and the elderly.

Prior to her Atlas Corps Fellowship, Abby worked for five years in program and fund development in Minneapolis and in Washington, DC, with The Campus Kitchens Project (CKP)—a national, student-powered hunger relief organization connected with the innovative DC Central Kitchen. Abby also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, organizing community development efforts in Puerto Rico.

Amy Potthast chats with Abby about the important skills required in a fund development role at a nonprofit; her recent Atlas Corps Fellowship, and her job search strategies.

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Mirna Guha, the founder of Project OBO: Our Bodies, (Our) Opinions in India. Originally working on issues related to sexual and domestic abuse, Mirna found that many problems originated in a lack of communication about gender, sexuality and identity. She explains how she is now trying to create workshops and safe spaces for young people in Kolkata to come together to discuss issues of sexual identity, abuse and gender stereotypes through conversation and art.

Today’s guest on the Nonprofit Career Month podcast is Arlene Siegel Cogen, a Charitable Gift Planner with The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) in Portland, OR. At OCF, Arlene’s main focus is individuals, families, professional advisors, and businesses who would like to establish current or testamentary charitable funds or deferred gifts.

Arlene entered her nonprofit career after 20 years of working in the corporate sector. As a Certified Financial Planner, Arlene worked for companies such as West Coast Trust and Allen Trust, Citibank, US Trust and First Union before finding her "dream job" with the Oregon Community Foundation.

Idealist's Amy Potthast chats with Arlene about the process of changing careers at mid-life, the crucial role of networking, and finding work that aligns with your financial goals as well as your values.

October is Nonprofit Career Month, a month of activities to promote the diversity of career opportunities in the nation's nonprofit sector. Driven by the collective contributions of the nonprofit community, the campaign dispels common myths about nonprofit work, provides you with entry points to the sector, and allows current and aspiring nonprofit professionals to share expertise.

Launching our Nonprofit Career Month podcast series is a discussion with Mac Bennett who shares his experiences and insights from 30 years of nonprofit leadership. Since March 2005, Mac Bennett has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Midlands in Columbia, SC.

Mac studied finance and management at the University of South Carolina, and then blazed a career in public service, first holding a variety of leadership positions with the University of South Carolina and then serving as Executive Director of the Central Carolina Community Foundation.

Bennett is also a founding director of the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO). Throughout his career, Bennett has been instrumental in efforts to improve training and education for people working in the nonprofit sector.

Idealist's Amy Potthast chats with Mac about making a difference while making a living; how Mac got started as a volunteer in the sector; the variety of ways to serve your community; and Jim Collin's book Good to Great and the Social Sectors.

A continuing problem in developing countries is that small business people, like farmers and craft workers, still live in poverty and cannot expand their businesses. In this episode we speak with Adarsh Kumar, who started the group AICA which helps connect producers in India with larger markets. In addition to this work, he wanted to do more and started a new venture, Livelihoods Equity Connect (LEC). With LEC, he hopes to create a new development model that helps these producers expand their businesses while also providing practical management advice. Adarsh tells us about his project, starting a new organization and his hope for the organization.

As Peace Corps nears it's 50th Anniversary in 2011, applications are on the rise, fewer Volunteer positions are getting funded, the Senate just confirmed a new agency director, and the number of Peace Corps  alumni is nearing 200,000. Helping connect the dots among the agency's fiscal needs, and Volunteers past, present, and future is the National Peace Corps Association—the independent organization of former Peace Corps Volunteers, known as Returned Peace Corps Volunteers or RPCVs.

The National Peace Corps Association offers the Peace Corps community tools and resources to stay informed and engaged, and advocates for Peace Corps funding and support.

Today’s guests are Erica Burman and Molly Mattesich of the National Peace Corps Association. Erica Burman is the Director of Communications at NPCA, and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in The Gambia in the late 80s. Molly Mattesich manages the Africa Rural Connect project at NPCA, as well as the Peace Corps Connect online social network. Molly served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali from 2002-2004.

Idealist's Amy Potthast talks with Erica and Molly about NPCA's initiatives like the More Peace Corps Campaign, Africa Rural Connect, the RPCV Mentoring Program, and Global Teachnet. They also talk about the new online social network for the Peace Corps community Peace Corps Connected, the Peace Corps Polyglot blog, and World View magazine. Finally, they discuss the new Peace Corps director — and departing NPCA board member — Aaron Williams, and how online communication tools are changing the Volunteer experience.

In this Questions With episode, Douglas speaks with Heather Cronk about her work at the New Organizing Institute (NOI).  NOI is progressive training organization focused on utilizing online outreach strategies, from micro-blogging to video.  Heather talks about how she entered this career and some advice she has for nonprofits and advocacy groups to effectively use new communication technologies.

In the latest Questions With podcast, Douglas speaks with Nancy Mahon the Executive Director of the MAC AIDS Fund and Senior Vice President at MAC Cosmetics. The MAC AIDS Fund is the charitable arm of MAC Cosmetics which raises money for HIV/AIDS programs through their Viva Glam line of products. Nancy talks about her professional path from law clerk to HIV/AIDS work as well as why and how her company continues to contribute to the fight against the disease.

In this episode of the Idealist.org Podcast, a panel of graduate admissions representatives talk about the graduate admissions application process and financial aid. Recorded during the summer Washington, D.C. Idealist.org Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good hosted by the American University School of Public Affairs.

Hear answers to the following questions (in order):

• How do teaching assistantships work?
• Should I get a second masters?
• What are some of the issues that prospective students be thinking about?
• How do I transition from one area of study to another, eg, biochemistry to policy?
• Do your programs prefer or require professional work experience in your applicants?
• Would volunteer work related to my graduate field of interest count as experience in the application?
• What are some practical tools I should be using right now to pay for grad school?
• If I don't have a 4.0, how does that affect my scholarship eligibility?
• Are the different parts of the application weighed consistently across schools?
• How much time is spent reviewing each application?
• On the personal essay, what should I write about?
• How should I decide between full-time and part-time?
• What do you expect in regards to recommendations for applicants who have been out of school for more than five years?
• What is more important? The name on the recommendation letter or how closely they have worked with you?
• What if you are not working in the specific field that you want to study at grad school?
• Can you talk about a candidate that stood out for you in positive and negative ways?

This episode is an enhanced podcast file that allows you to skip ahead to specific questions within the episode.

Find dates and locations of upcoming Graduate Degree Fairs for the Public Good

Find more information on Grad School at the Public Service and Graduate Education Resource Center

Check out the original video of the panel discussion.

In this week's Questions With podcast, Douglas interviews Ben Smilowitz, founder of the Disaster Accountability Project. While helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Ben realized the deficits in disaster planning and overview in New Orleans and across the country. We cover the importance of emergency planning, the far reaching nature of disaster work and how you can help prepare your own community.

This episode is part of series where we'll be featuring 2008 Echoing Green fellows.  Echoing Green "invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions."