Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Handy links to our regional website

Have you checked out the Roots & Shoots New England Regional Website yet?

It's full of ways to help you figure out how to get involved. Click on the links below so you can be sure you have all the information you need, including
  • Staying up to date on local activities and upcoming events with our events calendar.
  • Connecting with other groups in your region on our network page.
  • Browsing through our news & projects to learn more about our past projects and getting involved with our current campaigns.
Be sure to check out the Roots & Shoots New England Regional Website to access all of this information and learn even more about what we're up to!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Visit us at our new Regional Website!

It is now even easier to get involved with Roots & Shoots New England!

The Roots & Shoots New England Office is pleased to announce that our regional website is up and running! We are very excited to be the first R&S regional office to have this opportunity and we are looking forward to all of the great benefits a regional website will provide.

Stay up to date on local activities and upcoming events with our events calendar, connect with other groups in the region, check out news stories and pictures from past events and find out how to participate in R&S campaigns!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Youth Summit and Peace Day 2008 Photos

Click on the links and check out the photos from the Youth Summit and Peace Day 2008. Also, feel free to join the Roots & Shoots New England Facebook group and share your own pictures!

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/shared/28111/hjfsmrgobe0152k

http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/shared/28115/1bneytjza7g6co4

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Roots & Shoots New England Youth Leader Position Description and Application

Roots & Shoots New England Youth Leader

Position Description
Roots & Shoots New England needs a few high-energy, goal-oriented Roots & Shoots youth who seek a deeper commitment to the Roots & Shoots youth network. As a member of the New England Youth Leadership Council, the Youth Leader is responsible for engaging other youth in regional events, programs and youth campaigns. The Youth Leader also supports local Roots & Shoots groups and reaches out to establish new groups. This position fosters connections and friendship among our members.

Qualifications:

Roots & Shoots member, experienced in planning and implementing service projects.

Independent, self-motivated and reliable.

A team player.

Willing to travel locally and within the region to attend required events.

Roots & Shoots offers you:

A local, regional, national and international networking opportunity.

Opportunities for training in leadership, advocacy and other important skills.

Roots & Shoots name tag, business cards and shirt.

An opportunity to apply for participation in the Global Youth Summit.

An opportunity to participate in the Youth Leadership Immersion Experience in Tanzania.

Valuable skills and experience transferable to school, career and life.

You will be required to:

Commit to the Council for two years.

Commit a minimum average of 10 hours/month to your Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership activities.

Work with the Youth Leadership Support Staff to define personal measurable goals as a Youth Leader.

Attend monthly meetings in person or by telephone conference.

Participate as a speaker, facilitator or table representative at presentations, group orientations, events or conferences within your local area.

Participate in regional outreach, events, conferences, campaigns and summits including:

o New England Regional Youth Summit in the fall.

o New England Peace Through the Arts Campaign.

o Presenting Roots & Shoots to the general public, schools and partners.

Participate in national events, campaigns and summits including:

o National Youth Leadership Retreat, a 2-3 day out-of-state trip.

o National Roots & Shoots campaigns such as Rebirth the Earth and Drop of Hope.

Volunteer time to Dr. Jane Goodall’s lecture tour when she comes to New England.

Recruit and support local youth for the Roots & Shoots New England Youth Corps.

Create and lead campaigns such the national Drop of Hope water campaign and the regional Peace Through the Arts campaign.

Receive and respond to council emails a minimum of twice a week.

Support Roots & Shoots fundraising efforts.

You will set personal measurable goals in these areas:

Member Support

Contact and support Roots & Shoots groups in your local area.

Visit local Roots & Shoots groups and participate in their projects.

Contact members to urge them to submit their project reports through the online project database.

Notify the regional office of newsworthy Roots & Shoots projects/stories in your area.

Peer Support

Identify local youth as candidates for the New England Youth Leadership Council and the Roots & Shoots New England Youth Corps.

Help recruit, train, and support other youth leaders and Youth Corps members by participating in presentations, group orientations, events, and conferences.

Networking Support

Participate in networking events annually within your region – the purpose of these events is to develop friendships among groups and members.

Act as a representative for the program at state, regional and national events – including staffing information tables and/or giving presentations as necessary.

Collect email address for the Roots & Shoots enewsletter list.

Support Youth Campaigns

Promote participation in regional and national youth campaigns.

Create and implement service projects related to youth campaigns.

Youth Leader Application and Agreement

PART I: General Information
Name:

Date:

Date of Birth:

Sex:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Cell Phone: Home Phone:

E-Mail Address:

Facebook Name: MySpace ID:

Website: AIM Name:

School Name:

Roots & Shoots Group Name and Location:

Grade:

Race/Ethnicity:

Please list all school or community organizations, clubs, and groups that you belong to:

Do you require special accommodations?

PART 2: Please briefly answer (1-2 paragraphs per question) the following questions.

1. Briefly describe yourself and your interests – what would your personality and presence bring to the Youth Leadership Council?

2. Why are you interested in participating in the Youth Leadership Council? What would you like to accomplish through your participation?

3. What other activities are you involved in? How will you be able to balance these activities, your commitment to your home Roots & Shoots group, Youth Leadership Council and your schoolwork?

4. List some of the key skills that you feel you would want to work on/ develop as a member of the Youth Leadership Council.

5. Discuss a Roots & Shoots project that has affected you in a profound, life-altering way.

PART 3: Additional Requirements

1. Please submit one letter of recommendation from your group leader or teacher, professor or mentor. This should be a non-family member, preferably someone who is familiar with your work with the Roots & Shoots program.

2. Please include with your application a creative piece that highlights your work with the Roots & Shoots program or something that is unique about you that can be used to provide a better sense of who you are. Possible submissions may include: project videos, photo/visual scrap books, an essay saying something unique about yourself or online creations (such as an online photo album or web site). Please contact the Roots & Shoots office with any questions or concerns you may have about your multi-media submission: cellersick@janegoodall.org.

3. If you are under the age of 18, please have your parent/ guardian read and sign the Parental Understanding Agreement in this document. This is required for acceptance to the Council.

4. Please choose a mentor to sign Part 5, Mentor’s Agreement. This mentor should be a trusted adult that you can talk to about your Roots & Shoots commitment and contact in the future, should you need advice. If you choose, this can be the same person that writes your letter of recommendation, your Roots & Shoots leader or another interested adult.

PART 4: Personal Commitment
Name of Applicant:

I understand that that my membership on the Youth Leadership Council is a serious commitment of time and energy. If selected by the membership committee, I agree to work toward the goals of the Youth Leadership Council to the best of my ability. I will:

Serve a two-year term on the council

Receive and respond to council emails a minimum of twice a week

Attend and participate in monthly meetings/conference calls

Commit a minimum of 10 hours per month on projects, committee work and events.

Participate in regional outreach, events, conferences, campaigns and summits including:

o New England Regional Youth Summit

o New England Peace Through the Arts Campaign

o Presenting Roots & Shoots to the general public, schools and partners National Youth Leadership Retreat, a 2-3 day out-of-state trip

o National Roots & Shoots campaigns such as Rebirth the Earth and Drop of Hope

Set and achieve personal measurable goals.

Assist with Roots & Shoots fundraising efforts

I understand that attending a retreat may require fundraising and out-of-state travel (Roots & Shoots staff can assist with fundraising ideas and support. Scholarships may be available.)

Participate in national events, campaigns and summits including:

Applicant Signature: ________________________________________Date: 10/2/2008

PART 5: Mentor’s Agreement

Mentor Name: Date:

Title, Organization

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Cell Phone: Work: Email:

I have read the requirements for participation on the Youth Leadership Council, and I understand that it is a significant commitment of time and energy. I believe that this applicant is able to perform these duties and I agree to support this applicant’s work with the Youth Leadership Council.

Mentor Signature: ________________________________

PART 6: Parents/Guardians Agreement

Parent 1 Name: Date:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Cell Phone: Work: Home:

E-Mail Address:

Parent 2 Name: Date:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Cell Phone: Work: Home:

E-Mail Address:

I have read the requirements for participation on the Youth Leadership Council, and I understand that it is a significant commitment of time and energy for my child. If my child is selected, I agree to support my child in her/his work with the council, and do my best to foster her/his growth with Roots & Shoots. I understand that my child will participate in monthly phone conferences, work on projects, and be required to attend retreats/trips. This may require fundraising and out-of-state travel. (Roots & Shoots staff can assist with fundraising ideas and support. Scholarships may be available.)

1. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________

2. Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________

Send completed application to:

Christine Ellersick

New England Roots & Shoots

89 South St

Boston, MA 02111

FAX: 617-439-0701

Phone: 617- 439-9090

* Or send scanned, signed application in PDF form to cellersick@janegoodall.org

New England Youth Corps Position Description and Registration Form

Roots & Shoots New England Youth Corps Position Description

The Roots & Shoots New England Youth Corps is group of individual youth who will support the work of the New England Youth Leadership Council. The Youth Corps is meant to be the common thread that keeps youth connected with other Roots & Shoots youth as they grow older, as they move from school to school, or community to community. As each youth moves forward, they continue to have opportunities for service, keeping the Roots & Shoots core philosophy within.

The Youth Corps is open to all youth ages 12 to 24 that:

Seek connection with other youth that hold the Roots & Shoots philosophy dear to their hearts.

Are individual members, group members or alumni of Roots & Shoots groups.

Agree to support youth-led national and regional campaigns such as Rebirth the Earth: Trees for Tomorrow, Drop of Hope Water Campaign and Peace Through the Arts.

Want to have fun while taking action to make the world a better place.

In contrast to the Youth Leadership Council:

The Youth Corps is a separate, larger group whose work is supported and guided by the Youth Leadership Council and the Roots & Shoots staff.

Youth Corps members are invited to participate in summits, meetings, events and activities, but are not required to do so.

Youth Corps members do not have a specific time commitment.

Four of the New England Youth Leadership Council’s monthly meetings will be open to Youth Corps members. The purpose is to have Youth Corps members share their ideas with the Council. These face-to-face meetings are not required. They will be held in a variety of locations to promote connection and communication across the region.

The following Roots & Shoots New England Youth Corps Registration Form collects contact information from our Youth Corps members, as well as relevant information regarding their education, skills, expectations and social connections. Members under the age of 18 must have their parents sign this form.


New England
Roots & Shoots
Youth Corps Registration Form

APPLICANT INFORMATION

Name:

Parent/guardian name (If you are under 18):

Street address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Your email:

Home phone:

Cell:

Parent email:

Parent work phone:

Cell:

Date of birth: Race/ethnicity:

Gender*: 0 Female 0 Male

DO YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS? (DESCRIBE)

* TO CHECK BOX DIGITALLY, LEFT CLICK TWICE ON THE BOX, THEN CLICK ON *CHECKED* UNDER *DEFAULT VALUE.*

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Year in school, name of school, city & state :

How are you involved with Roots & Shoots?

Describe any work that you have done for animals, the environment or the human community.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Please list all school or community organizations, clubs, and groups that you belong to:

EXPECTATIONS

What sort of experience do you want to have in the Roots & Shoots Youth Corps? What would you like to do? What do you expect?

Roots & Shoots Mini-Grant Opportunity

Roots & Shoots Mini-Grant Opportunity

Roots & Shoots www.rootsandshoots.org, a youth service program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is excited to announce grants of $250 to $750 to support youth-led service projects in New England. As part of the Roots & Shoots New England Diversity Initiative, up to 10 mini-grants will support youth groups that represent underserved communities or populations.

We encourage youth to address the theme of “Promoting Engagement in World Harmony.” This is based upon a recent initiative of the New England Youth Leadership Council; they seek to translate a vision of World Harmony into speech, art or action.

Three types of mini-grants will be awarded:

1. World Harmony
Your group’s vision of World Harmony can be broadly interpreted; your project should address the interests of your group, important local or global issues and promote harmony with or among animals, the environment and the human community. A maximum of six mini-grants will be awarded in this category.

2. Upcoming Roots & Shoots Water Campaign
The Roots & Shoots National Youth Leadership Council is in the process of finalizing details for the launch of our new national campaign. This new campaign will address issues related to water conservation and quality. Two or more mini-grants will be given to groups that submit applications for projects that address water issues in their community or region. Details of this new campaign will be forthcoming!

3. Peace through the Arts
Two or more mini-grants will be given to groups that submit applications for projects supporting the Peace through the Arts campaign. One goal of this campaign includes inspiring people to promote peace locally, through the use of visual and performing arts. Another goal is to raise money for the Peace through the Arts campaign, which seeks to support eight Roots & Shoots groups at the Lugufu Refugee Camp in Tanzania. (These groups distribute fuel-efficient stoves, help grow organic vegetables for their fellow refugees and raise chickens for eggs and meat.) Eligible service projects include any arts service project addressing issues of living in harmony with the environment, animals or the human community.

Eligibility Requirements

1. An eligible youth group must represent an underserved community: ethnic or racial diversity, immigrant population, youth with disabilities and/or low-income youth. Youth may be aged pre-k through college-age.

2. Individual teachers, Roots & Shoots group leaders, older youth (ages 16-24), and youth-serving organizations are eligible to apply.

3. Projects must be completed between February 1 and May 31, 2009.

4. Grantee youth groups must be either:

· A Roots & Shoots group in good standing (up-to-date membership enrollment and up-to-date project reports) OR

· A group that is willing to become a Roots & Shoots member group upon winning the mini-grant. (A free one-year membership will be provided to grantees.)

Your Project Timeline

Mini-grant proposal due: December 31, 2008

Mini-grant notification date: January 15, 2008

Project period: February 1 – May 31, 2009

Project Report final due date: May 31, 2009

To apply, please contact me at cellersick@janegoodall.org for Mini-grant Application Forms.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Member of Kids Save Apes raises $4K for Great Apes!


After meeting Jane Goodall earlier this year, James, a member of the Roots & Shoots group "Kids Save Apes", has been hard at work saving primates.

Referred to as the "#1 Bonobo fan", James has visited his favorite primate in California, Ohio and Iowa and he recently raised over $4,000 for the Great Ape Trust of Iowa's Bowling for Apes fundraiser! He was interviewed by the site www.bonobokids.com about his passion for saving bonobos, and how he raised $4K to benefit them!

Here is the blog story:

http://bonobokids.com/blog/2008/08/04/11-year-old-raises-43k-for-great-ape/

Great work, James!!