FREE EVENT: For Arts Educators on 8/25 10a-noon @ Scarab Club in Detroit

The Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan has announced the following opportunity for Cultural Arts Educators:

"We are very fortunate to have John Williams (South East Macomb Educational Consortium and Career Pathways founder) presenting our next free GLEC and Michigan Standards Seminar on August 25, 2008 from 10 a.m.-12 noon at the Scarab Club in Detroit--public parking lot adjacent ($5--pay attendant at booth).

He will talk with us about the current state of Career Education in the state and nation and speak in particular about how our wonderful Cultural Arts organizations are prime examples of how to incorporate and understand careers in many fields including programs such as mentorships, internships, and community-service base projects!

Please RSVP by August 21 (see Amy's contact info below), if you plan to attend.

Amy J. DeWys-VanHecke
313-330-8324
amy@culturalalliancesemi.org"

RESOURCE: Social Media for Dummies

The folks at BrainGain Marketing based in Troy, MI have launched BrainStorm, a new online resource to help many of us 'net novices and web-tool wallflowers become more savvy when it comes to utilizing "social media" (tools which allow us to have "online conversations" such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

BrainGain understands that the world of new media can be an intimidating one. That's why we invite you to check out BrainStorm - BrainGain's redesigned blog all about "Social Media Savvy" to help you step into the world of new media and Marketing/PR 2.0.

While browsing through BrainStorm, I immediately followed a link to a great resource called The Common Craft Show. These guys explain everything from Social Networking to Zombies "in plain english". Check out their short introduction to blogs, how they work and why they matter below!

RESOURCE: Strategies for Sustainable Development (PDFs)

Strategies that help communities better control their destiny are more important now than ever.

"What simple, but effective, concepts or strategies are recommended for Michigan communities?"

Presenters respond uniquely from their respective philosophies and their collective thoughts are now being presented as the Strategies for Sustainable Development Series, available (in pdf format) on the Consumers Energy website.

Click here to view the PDFs.

I attended the Smalltown and Rural Development conference this year at Crystal Mountain and this group is a great resource communicating the many different ways communities can take control of their own destinies and future economies. I believe the strategies discussed are useful to all communities regardless of urban, suburban or rural location.

Lansing-area Online Marketing Firm Hosts Contest for Nonprofits

I read today that a Lansing-area Online Marketing Firm is hosting a contest for nonprofits:

Are you a non profit organization that could use some help marketing your web site? Netvantage Marketing is accepting applications to provide six months of free search engine optimization and web analytics services to qualifying companies.

Just click to read the article or to download the application from Netvantage's site.

RESOURCE: Publius, Aug.5 Primary Ballot and Info

Publius and The League of Women Voters of Michigan have teamed up for for this nonpartisan collaboration, http://lwv.publius.org, which provides ballot information for the August 5 primary.

At http://lwv.publius.org Michigan voters can find:
· Individualized ballot information, including salaries for many offices
· Candidate information, including campaign websites
· League of Women Voters of Michigan candidate survey responses
· Current voter registration status
· Maps to polling locations

ARTS ED: Visual, Performing and Applied Arts in MI High Schools

This blog is an incredible resource of information for those in Michigan trying to cultivate creativity in our children through the public school system. It is dedicated to doing this by using the Michigan Merit Curriculum Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts Credit , which is now required for high school graduation here in our state.

A learning community to maximize Michigan's capacity to support creativity through the 1-credit graduation requirement in the visual, performing, and applied arts.

http://mivpaa.blogspot.com/

RESOURCE: Metropolitan Group

Nonprofits from all sectors are being forced to think broader not only in terms of partnership potential but also the pivotal role that 'public will' plays and who they need to get 'buy-in' from in order to achieve the necessary momentum to actually affect change. The Metropolitan Group are experts in terms of assisting nonprofits with these daunting taks:

Metropolitan Group is a social change agency that crafts strategic and creative services that empower social service organizations to build a just and sustainable world.

Click here to see their section on Heritage, Arts & Culture.

RESOURCE: Staying Legal for Michigan Nonprofits

A one-stop shop for state and federal laws and regulations affecting Michigan nonprofits, great resource! http://www.stayinglegalmi.org/