Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Council - Posting #22

“We are not in the charity business; we are in the human development business.” – Bill Strickland

Hello, Rachel Cush again, welcome back to the blog. This past week, the Member Council was asked to attend the Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference to represent and promote the work of Michigan’s AmeriCorps. The theme of this year’s conference was “Fueling Efficient Nonprofits,” with the intent of giving information and tools to Michigan nonprofits to operate more effectively in a time of economic uncertainty.

There were workshops ranging in topics from Volunteer Management, Marketing, Public Policy, and more. Each workshop was led by highly effective and knowledgeable speakers. Each session I went to provided me with valuable information I believe will help to greatly enhance my service. I especially appreciated the session on how important humor is in non-profit work. In an area of work where service can be draining and at times seemingly hopeless, it was helpful to be reminded to stop taking ourselves so “seriously,” and to remember to find the joy in our work.

During the breaks, the Member Council sponsored a service project where fleece blankets were made to be given to children being put into foster care through the Wayne County Department of Human Services. With the help of many of the conference attendees and a few friendly blanket making contests we were able to reach our goal of 50. While our project made an impression on the people at the conference, the most memorable and thought-provoking moments of the conference came from our opening keynote speaker, Mr. Bill Strickland.

Mr. Strickland is the founder of Manchester Craftsman Guild, a nonprofit agency located within the heart of Pittsburgh, which strives to provide opportunities for education, life skills, and jobs to the impoverished through the arts and technology. His is a story of hope and passion for social justice. His message is even more powerful. He calls for making the impossible, possible; for radical change, and for not just wishing but actively participating in creating a better and brighter future.

With humorous vignettes and self deprecation, Mr. Strickland talked about his theory that all people are assets, not liabilities, and that every person has the potential to accomplish the impossible. His answer to solving many of the problems facing society and nonprofits today was not simply more money and more programming, but instead he said, “I'm talking about respect, about common sense and decency, about the dictate that our best hopes must always be acted upon, that all people everywhere possess an innate hunger for, and right to, what is sustaining, good, and beautiful.”

His message was an inspiring one for all of us in Member Council, and was one that I thought all people involved in volunteerism could appreciate. Our service can be overwhelming at times, and it is helpful to be reminded that every day we are making a difference one small step at a time, and in our own unique, and individual ways. So today, remember to dream big, enjoy each moment, and get things done for America.