Volunteer Opportunities at Schooner Inc.

Volunteer activities with Schooner include working as deckhands on board the Quinnipiack, staffing booths at conferences and festivals, and assisting in the office. No experience is necessary. Training is provided by Schooner Inc’s staff.

Come learn how you can help at a Volunteer Pot Luck Supper on Tuesday March 10 at 5:30 pm at the Schooner office, 60 South Water St., New Haven. Current members are also invited. Meet the captain, staff and other volunteers and learn how you can help Schooner to protect Long Island Sound. RSVP 865-1737 or manager@schoonerinc.org.

National Organizing Conference on Foreign Military Bases Feb. 27–Mar. 2

Representatives of 13 organizations have organized a national conference at American University, Washington, D.C., on the closing/withdrawal of U.S. military bases. Base opponents from many “host” nations and leading activists will be keynote speakers, panelists and workshop facilitators. Monday, March 2, will be a lobbying day on Capitol Hill, with conference attendees participating. http://www.afsc.org/cambridge/ht/d/sp/i/72158/pid/72158

submitted by Seth Godfrey, sgodfrey@nhfpl.org

Watch Online: Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

These 11 videos are designed to help board members, chief executives, and senior staff understand the fundamental elements of service common to most boards, including board member responsibilities, how to structure the board in the most efficient manner, and how to accomplish governance work in the spirit and mission of the organization. View at www.boardsource.org/Spotlight.asp?ID=35.430

submitted by Lee Cruz, Community Foundation for GNH

Literacy Volunteers Matching Grant Opportunity

Did you know that 43% of New Haven's residents are functionally illiterate?*

Literacy Volunteers of GNH has until Feb. 28 to receive matching grants for private contributions. If you are considering a donation, please do it soon to take advantage of this special matching grant! The New Haven Scrabble Challenge is coming up on April 22, and sponsorships and ticket sales are eligible for this matching grant. Details at www.lvagnh.org or call 776-5899.

*2003 National Center of Education statistic

Jenny Jones Foundation grants

Jones awards up to $25,000 to individuals to use as part of community projects like free dental services, nursing home upgrades, school computers, library books, coats for children in shelters, etc. Details: http://jennysheroes.com/

Beulah Heights Winter Cafe Offers Life, Health and Job Skills Help

Winter Cafe is offered each Saturday 8:30 am-1pm at Beulah Land Development Corp.,
Beulah Heights Church, 782 Orchard St., New Haven. The group provides breakfast and lunch and transportation to/from the shelter. Call Joseph Edwards for information at 865-2640.

Choral Workshop Series Starts Feb. 28

Greater New Haven Community Chorus will offer a series of four Saturday workshops to learn, experience and sing African-American gospel music. The workshops will follow the oral tradition of gospel singing, applying the principles of Call and Response under the leadership of Marcella and Dudley Flake at Varick A.M.E. Zion Church, 246 Dixwell Ave., New Haven.

Workshops run Feb. 28-Mar. 21, 9am-1pm. Registrations due by Feb. 21. Series Fee is $20 advance/$25 at door (Feb. 28). Details: www.ghncc.org or Tomás at 203-530-6620.

Event Collaborator Wanted

New Haven choral group seeks organizational partner for Spring fundraising event. If interested contact Martha Tyrone at vpdevelopment@newhavenoratorio.org or 203-809-5139.

Metro Chamber Federal Issues Symposium slated for Washington, D.C. April 29 & 30

Each of Connecticut's eight Chambers of Commerce will meet with Congressional leaders and policy makers to discuss key economic and policy issues. Rooms are being held at the Hotel George (800-576-8331) and the Washington Court Hotel (800-321-3010); both are walking distance to the Capitol and all events.

Registration is $200. For more information contact Joan Thornton at (860) 728-2263.

National Entrepreneurship Week at Gateway Community College

The US House of Representatives established the first National Entrepreneurship Week in 2006 to raise the nation's awareness about the impact of small businesses. This year’s celebration is planned by Gateway’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) in collaboration with Gateway’s Entrepreneurial Studies Program, Gateway’s Business Department, the Gateway Small Business Center and SCORE. Scheduled for Long Wharf Campus, Room 160, and open to everyone:

Monday, Feb. 23, noon–1pm--WOW Marketing, with Roy Snider, Director of marketing for Stew Leonard’s stores.
7-9pm--Effective Advertising for the Entrepreneur, a panel discussion with guests from WTNH, the New Haven Register and CBS Radio.
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 7-9pm--Getting Green in Business, a panel discussion of business leaders from UI, CBIA, Stew Leonard’s, and the Regional Water Company.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2:30-4 pm--Credit Awareness Seminar
7:30-9 pm--Communication Skills for Business Success, with speakers from WTNH Channel 8, Kaplow Studios and Telemundo Television.

Details: Rose Bednarz, multinational@snet.net

Downtown New Haven Ice Sculptures

This weekend and next sculptors will transform 300 pounds of block ice (donated by Elm City Ice) into temporary public art throughout downtown New Haven. The sculptures will remain in place through February at the following locations: The Green, Broadway Island, Temple Street Garage, The Shubert Theater, and Temple Plaza. Details: KFutrell@newhavenct.net

Picturing Obama: New Haven Reflects on the Inaugural

Yale's American Studies Program and the New Haven Museum will create an evening of commentary, reflection and pictures from the largest public gathering in American history, the recent inauguration of President Barack Obama. If you or anyone you know attended the Inaugural and captured the experience photographically in a way you'd like to share, please email either Bill Hosley at info@newhavenmuseum.org or Prof. Matthew Jacobson matthew.jacobson@yale.edu a max. of 8 images (Tiff files perferred) for possible inclusion.

Selected images will be printed, matted and displayed as part of a public program (date TBA) at New Haven Museum. Chosen photographs may be added to the museum's permanent digital photography collection. Deadline for submission is Feb.12.

Apply for senior property tax freeze in New Haven

The tax freeze has a $2000 cap on yearly benefit. Any amount over $2000 can either be paid or put into deferral. The tax free benefits end when the property is sold or transferred. Seniors who earn $50,000-$75,000 qualify for a deferral program that allows taxes to be deferred until the property is sold or transferred out of their name.

Applications for the program can be picked up at any of the city’s six senior centers or by calling 946-2272. Application help is available at 946-7854.

Read full story: www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/a3-neeldertax.txt

Lots of Ways to Participate in Emergency Fundraising Program

United Way of GNH and The Jewish Federation of GNH have joined together to help the growing number of families and individuals who face food and housing insecurity in this economic downturn. Their joint project is called Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine and there are a variety of ways to get involved. Details at www.n2nlifeline.org.