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Study Reveals Civic Attitudes in Rural America
A survey conducted by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change describes current attitudes of rural and urban residents and identifies differences and commonalities between both communities. Running counter to common perceptions of isolation and real physical detachment, rural residents were more likely to feel connected to their communities than urban residents and equally optimistic about their community's prospects for the future. Percentages of volunteering, voting, and charitable contributions for rural residents were approximately equal to those in urban communities while eighty percent of rural residents indicated that they feel that their community's best years might be ahead, not behind. For more information, visit the Pew Partnership.

Articles Debunk Myths about Youth Engagement in Civic Life
A series of articles on youth engagement in civic life is available in the most recent issue of American Prospect magazine. Debunking the myths that many young people in the United States are distrustful and indifferent, these articles highlight many of the concerns that today's youth face, including leadership development, education, job security, and wages and environmental issues. These articles also inform teachers, parents, and civic officials about ways to increase political engagement among young people. Read more in American Prospect.

National Community Leadership Programs Proven Effective
The J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership at the University of Georgia has completed research on curriculum change and effectiveness of local adult leadership programs. Building on research supporting the effectiveness of leadership programs by the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Fanning Institute surveyed members of leadership programs to find out if these programs were emphasizing traditional orientation programs or if they had shifted to a combination of skill training and community issues. Results from the surveys reveal that both skill development and identification of community issues are now a crucial component of adult leadership development programs.
Read more about the research.

Cost of Volunteer Programs Examined
The Grantmaker Forum on Community & National Service, a network of grantmakers dedicated to expanding volunteer opportunities for all Americans, recently published The Cost of a Volunteer. This insightful document summarizes the findings from an examination of 21 volunteer programs nationwide and attempts to ascertain the true financial cost of organizing a high quality volunteer program. The implication of the President's call to service for the nonprofit sector is also examined.
Get a copy of the study.

Events

Georgia Center for Nonprofits Provides Training and Workshops The Georgia Center for Nonprofits offers leadership assistance, training, consulting and other technical assistance to Georgia's nonprofit community. The Center offers several workshops and special events that assist those in the nonprofit field to strengthen skills, develop professionally, and manage their organizations well. Workshop topics include financial management, governance, human resource management, leadership, marketing, planning, volunteer management, and technology. For a schedule of upcoming workshops, visit the Georgia Center for Nonprofits: Training and Events.

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