The holidays are here, and we wish everyone peace, happiness, and good cheer. Change/Wire will be on holiday, too, returning January 5th. That’s a nice, big gap so we have to leave you with some iconic music. Happily, there is plenty of that about. Here’s are two classics.

ServiceNation is partnering with the Harvard School of Public Health, and Mentor, to promote one of the most rewarding, important, activities we can all do to help build a better future: mentoring. We are doing it because January is National Mentoring Month, and here’s how you can get involved. Thanks to the brillian Jay Winsten at Harvard, the ad below will run in Newsweek and other publications. The fact that we got clearance from President-elect Obama to use him in the ad caught the attention of the New York Times, here. We are hoping to be able to run a video ad, too. Stay tuned. And while you do, go ahead and sign up for some mentoring!

These aren’t just gift ideas; these are movies that can plant the spark to start change!  Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of Hollywood blockbusters based around an AmeriCorps or City Year volunteer (though there should be), but these movies are definitely inspiring.

But!  There is a reportedly fantastic movie on the Peace Corps.  Jimi Sur: An American Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal is great for the PCV or RPCV in your life.

That same volunteer - or anyone who volunteers abroad, or wants to - may also enjoy War Dance, a spectacular documentary that follows Ugandan teens as they prepare to compete in a national dance competition.  I cannot recommend this film enough.

Moving from dancing into, well, dancing, Mad Hot Ballroom is fantastic for teachers (Teach for America, perhaps?) or anyone who’s interested in poverty and education.  Also great for kids; several of my younger cousins were engrossed.

A few more unconventional picks for the education-focused - try The Hobart Shakespeareans, Stand and Deliver, and Lean on Me (the last two packed in an inexpensive - $10 - box set).  There’s cheesy moments to be found in the second two, but they pack a whole lot of insight into a traditional movie.  Hobart Shakespeareans is a documentary, and is in my Netflix queue!

For volunteers who work or worked in New Orleans, When the Levees Broke is a spellbinding documentary by Spike Lee from HBO.  I haven’t had a chance to see this yet, but have heard rave reviews.

With a little help from Amazon, those are the movies I could pull off the top of my head.  Any suggestions for additions?

Today is the beginning of 2008’s Project 4 Awesome. Haven’t heard of it?  Well, they say:

Every year, YouTube’s Community takes over YouTube for a day…and instead of being stupid or funny or informative…we promote charities. Just one day a year…we’ll get back to being silly tomorrow.

Or, by video:

Video uploads are going to culminate today, so start watching! You can stay up to date on P4A here.

Here’s the next installment in what was an unplanned but now a makeshift series of posts on giving for good!

The Case Foundation has a huge, comprehensive list called a Guide to Good Giving.  It’s divided into three sections: Gifts that Give, Staff Picks, and Out of the Box.

Gifts that Give shows you a list of products you can give as gifts that have a positive impact! The gifts on the list fit all of my gifting criteria: thrifty, appropriate (something I would buy without the “good” behind it, but prefer to give with the good), and does something for good!  From iPods to hiking shoes, you’ll find something there for most people on your list.

Staff Picks lists concrete, huge-impact ways to pledge money to good causes with a range of prices.  And Out of the Box takes what you can give, time and / or money, and tries to maximize that - good for those of us on extremely limited budgets.

Previously: Books for the Volunteer, Giving Change

USA Today has a strong story about service for debt programs, which forgive or reduce debt for students who work in public service for a specified amount of time. We’ve discussed these ideas before - several times, in fact - but it’s always great to see a well-written, popular article on the subject.
Here’s some interesting new initiatives:

This fall, for instance, eight 2008 Princeton University graduates are the first group to begin two-year, federal jobs as a pre-condition for pursuing a free Princeton master’s degree. Harvard Law School said earlier this year it will, starting in 2010, waive one year’s $41,500 tuition for third-year students who commit to work five years in government or non-profit fields. Tufts became the nation’s first university this year to offer loan repayment assistance to all its graduates, not just those from a particular professional school.

Undergraduates at 15 colleges are for the first time this fall receiving stipends to discuss their federal internship experiences and recruit classmates to work for the federal government. Meanwhile, the year-old Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eventually will discharge outstanding balances on federal student loans for anyone who, after October 2007, works full-time for 10 years in government or non-profit groups.

Sounds good to me - massive debt (or even nearly-massive-debt) can restrict students from choosing jobs that have a huge social impact, but don’t pay a lot. However:

Not everyone is convinced, however, that financial incentive programs have a big impact on career decisions. Don Heller of the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Pennsylvania State University reviewed scholarly literature on the subject last year for the College Board and found evidence to be inconclusive. It’s unclear “whether … all you’re doing is forgiving the loans of students who would have gone into (a public service) profession anyway,” Heller says.

Well, Mr. Heller, I’m not sure that’s bad. If students would theoretically go into public service without this incentive, why not free them from crippling debt? You make it far more likely that these students don’t move to a higher-paying, private sector job as a response to debt. It seems that the purpose of “service for debt” programs is to encourage students who would like to go into public service, but cannot because of financial concerns. Service for debt makes a big difference, then.

Thoughts? Leave them in the comments!

President-Elect Obama has spoke about his plans for service and the Peace Corps in the past. And the National Peace Corps Association has written a letter outlining four main recommendations on how to pick the new director. The first:

The Director needs to be a forward thinking innovator, prepared to adapt the Peace Corps to better meet the needs of the 21st century. While we believe that the Peace Corps is as important now as it ever has been, the world has changed in dramatic ways since the Peace Corps was created nearly half a century ago. Despite monumental global changes, the Peace Corps model and approach remains essentially unchanged. Thus, the next Director must bring the Peace Corps into its next 50 years, taking advantage of new opportunities, such as utilizing the skills sets provided by older volunteers and developing strategic partnership with other best of class organizations, while maintaining its core values.

The NPCA also advocates that:

• The Director needs to be a passionate advocate for the independence and integrity of the Peace Corps.
• The Director must emphasize the success of volunteers.
• The Director should embrace the greater Peace Corps community as a collaborative partner with common interests and goals.

You can read the entire letter in pdf here.
via Peace Corps Polyglot

First: City Year New York is in contention to win a $10,000 grant from a New York radio station! But they need your votes. 101.9 RXP (”The New York Rock Experience”) wants to assist local charities that help their communities, and thinks its work is especially important in light of the financial crisis (it is!). Vote here to help City Year NY win the funds. You can vote every day from now until January 30!
Click here to vote for City Year!
(via City Year New York blog)

Second: Atlas Corps (a ServiceNation coalition partner!) is also up to win $10,000 on Ideablob, a website that allows visitors to vote for the best social change idea, and then funds the program. But that’s not all: Because Atlas Corps is an Advanta customer, their prize will double to $20,000! Atlas Corps is an international exchange program that sends fellows abroad and brings fellows to the US, all to create the very best civilian sector leaders. Vote for Atlas Corps to win on Ideablob by clicking below!
(via The New Service)

The Earth Onders AmeriCorps*NCCC volunteers finished up their term of service a few weeks ago, and they posted this fantastic vlog to YouTube today, full of reflections and contemplations:

And also from the Earth Oneders - Katie’s House (check out Sam’s House too!)

You can check out their blog chronicling their adventures from the past year here.

The holiday season is upon us (if you’ve missed it, somehow) and the scramble for gifts is very much in full swing. If you’ve still got a service lover on your list, consider a book - and here’s some suggestions:

All You Can Eat: How Hungry Is America? Joel Berg
Joel Berg of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger explores hunger in America.
Check out last week’s post summing up the Boston Book Party for Mr. Berg.

Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America
Geoffrey Canada, the head of Harlem Children’s Zone, wants to change the lives of children who live in poverty. What will it take?
See Mr. Canada face off with Stephen Colbert in a post from last week.

The Call of Service
Robert Coles explores volunteerism from a variety of perspectives, as well as his life in service. Non-fiction, good for adults who volunteer or work in the nonprofit sector.

Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul
A collection of stories, anecdotes, meditations, and poems. You’ve seen the books before, but this one is specifically aimed at those of us who serve.

The Busy Family’s Guide to Volunteering
Exactly what it sounds like! Jenny Friedman discusses how to incorporate volunteering - and with it, compassion, empathy, and responsibility - in the lives of busy families. Definitely pass this on to the parents in your life!

The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Kids Who Want To Make a Difference
After you’ve given their parents the book above this, pass The Kid’s Guide on to their kids. There’s ideas for both long- and short-term volunteering, and enough opportunities for any kid to get interested.

So You Want to Join the Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go
Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Guide of Global Volunteering Opportunities
How To Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas
Pick one, or get them all - if you have someone in your life (a recent grad or retiree, perhaps?) who wants to volunteer abroad, these are the books for them. The second two books list long-term and short-term volunteering opportunities.

Make a Difference: America’s Guide to Volunteering and Community Service
While there’s websites that will match you with volunteering opportunities, this book is another great resource to have on hand, whether it’s for someone who wants to start volunteering or someone looking for new ground.

Recommended by commenter Darius:
Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World
Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World celebrates more than a dozen men and women that have gone beyond making a difference-rather, they are the difference. A number of these individuals suffered hardships and overcame significant adversity to use their triumphs and successes to help others. Some followed a life-long passion, and still others became so frustrated with a problem or issue in their community that they were compelled to action. Despite the different paths they took, each took a dynamic approach to serve their fellow man. On a bold and heartfelt mission, this book exemplifies the idea that nothing is impossible and that acts of generosity can and will change the world.

I’m a huge proponent of books as gifts - what else can your recipient take on public transportation, to waiting rooms, or just lie on the couch and flip through? Consider one of the above for the volunteers you know!

Previously: Giving Change, a guide to charitable giving during the holidays
Literary Notes: Books on Service