VOTE for START!

START has been nominated for the 2010 Be More Awards!

You can vote one time/day now through March 31.

The award ($500, which START would donate) will be presented on April 27th at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre.

To vote visit the following link:

http://bemoreawards.wufoo.com/forms/peoples-choice-award/

All you have to provide is your e-mail address and a quick click to vote!

Note: Many of the organizations START and SPEA partner with are also nominated for this award. Besides this "People's Choice" nomination, START is in the running for a "formal" student organization award. Please take the time to read through the list of nominees.

Daffodil Days!

Daffodil Days Fundraiser

The American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser will be coming to Bloomington March 22-26. Individuals will have the opportunity to order daffodils as a means to bring spring a little early while contributing to a great cause. The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers – anyone from students to faculty and staff – to assist in taking orders for daffodils among friends, co-workers and peers now through March 12. There is also a need for assembly and delivery drivers to help deliver these delightful flowers on Wednesday, March 24. To help make a difference in the fight against cancer through Daffodil Days, contact Andrea Curtis French, American Cancer Society Staff Partner, at andrea.curtis.frech@cancer.org or 812.336.8423.

Congrats to Your New 2010-2011 Officers!

Thanks to everyone who sent in new officer nominations! Your nominations were unanimous. Susanna Foxworthy and Lindsay Walker will be taking over the reins as your new Co-Presidents, and Caleb Baker is heading up Blood Drives, along with assisting Lindsay and Susanna throughout the year.

Blood Drive February 15

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive(s):

· February 15, 2010 at School of Public and Environmental Affairs from 10:00 AM-03:00 PM (Sponsor Code: 3544)

For your convenience, we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online. Please click here and enter the sponsor code listed above. Or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to schedule your blood donation appointment.

Your blood is needed more than you think. Please help change a life, starting with your own.

Kathy Smallwood

Volunteer Blood Drive Coordinator

speastart@gmail.com

January Announcements:

*Full member meeting Monday, January 25th, 5-5:30pm, SPEA Room 270 - please RSVP! We're going to discuss new officer elections and the big spring event "Rally for Service!"

**Submit nominees for February VOLUNTEER of the MONTH by midnight, Wednesday, January 27th

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Also, see message below about a service opportunity with Bowl for Kids' Sake. The interest meeting is Tuesday, January 26th.

SPEA START,

My name is Hani Bashour and I'm a first-year MPA candidate. My Service Corps placement is Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, and we are in the middle of our largest annual fundraiser, the Bowl for Kids' Sake. I passed out some fliers which may have reached START already, but I thought I would email you to be sure.

We are deseperately looking for teams of students to participate in the event, where participating means forming a fundraising team, raising money together, and then bowling as a team in the IU Bowl for Kids' Sake in early March. It's hard work, but it will be a lot of fun.

The callout meeting is next Tuesday, January 26th at 8:30 p.m. in Ballantine 149. Any START speons who think they might be interested and would like to learn more are welcome and needed! If the time/date doesn't work, though, please email me. I would be happy to provide details by email or in person to anyone who might be interested.

Thanks,
Hani

"A Day On" MLK Day of Service - January 18, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Response Fund

We are collecting donations from the entire SPEA commuity for the Haiti Earthquake. All donations will be sent to Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 100 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice. Oxfam America is an affiliate of Oxfam International. Oxfam has a staff of 200 stationed in Haiti, including a highly trained emergency response team of between 10 and 15 members who are well-versed in urban work. Oxfam affiliates have been working in Haiti since 1978. Oxfam America is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, a four-star charity from Charity Navigator, and received an "A-" from Charity Watch's American Institute of Philanthropy. For more information on Oxfam America, or to make a donation by credit card, please visit their website at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/.

Please donate any amount within your means to one of the two collection cans located in the MPA/MSES Program Office and the Graduate Student Lounge. All donations will be promptly sent to Oxfam America for Haiti Earthquake disaster management and to assist victims of the earthquake. Please make checks payable to Oxfam America with "Haiti Earthquake Response Fund" in the memo line. Thank you for your compassion and support as we stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti.

MLK Day of Service, January 18, 2010

Consider giving back on our day off! To sign-up for a project at The Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, or Bloomington Parks & Rec, please e-mail speastart@gmail.com.

START Caroling/Kettling for the Salvation Army

Diana, Suzzy, Kathy, Rachael, & Ann

"Doing the Most Good"

12/12/2009

College Mall: Bloomington, IN

Fa la la la la...la la la la!

Join us Saturday, December 12th from 5-8pm at the Macy's Entrance to College Mall for caroling, "kettling," and eventually hot chocolate!

For information on carpooling, please email speastart@gmail.com.