Grants, Grant, Grants

Dear Friend,  How Come That Money Doesn't Come My Way? Ever wonder why the grant opportunities that cross your desk never quite match what you are looking for? Does it seen like every grant is written for someone other than you and your organization? Are you getting discouraged with the whole funding scene? Well, have I got a deal for you!!!

CVNHP A couple of years ago, we were approached by the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership to serve as a Regional Stakeholder Coordinator for the CVNHP grant program. That means that we are directed to identify organizations within Franklin County who might be interested in grant monies the CVNHP receives from the Lake Champlain Basin Program - think; history, conservation, education, commerce and community. Things that are important to most of us. The Cool Part So this is where it gets fun. Once we have identified interested groups - we invite them to a party! And at that party - you get to tell the CVNHP coordinators how you would like to see the LCBP money spent in the future. I know you are thinking that's the fun part but wait for it... then they listen and actually write down every one of your ideas. I know, right? Could It Get Any Cooler? These parties take place on all three sides of the lake; NY, VT & QC. Once all the ideas are collected, the regional stakeholder coordinators and other LCBP/CVNHP steering committee members gather to review and rank your ideas. And I can tell you that they all get looked at. Some float to the top and get approved for grantshipdom, while others that fall a bit short might get shelved for another time and place. But again, every idea gets attention. Oh yeah, then, these grant opportunities show up on your desk and they look more appealing and a whole lot more like your organization - you apply for them and the rest is history or conservation or education, you get the picture. How Do I Sign Up? The next Stakeholders meeting is June 14th - Click Here for all the Details. Did You Know? In 2015, the LCBP awarded the CVNHP $37,948 for eight Local Heritage Grants and $25,000 for five Conservation & Community Grants.  Read More

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Join or Renew Today. And, thank you for investing your support in the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

Global Big Day = STEM

Dear Friend,  Global Big Day = STEM, WHAT? OK, stick with me, I am going to get to a point or you can jump ahead and read the punch line. Definitions: in the bird watching (birding) world a "Big <insert period of time>" is the total number of different species of birds you see in that period. For example, a Big Year is all the different birds you see in a year. See the movie. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - an educational movement to increase our student's involvement and interest in these disciplines. Now here we go!

Birding This past Saturday, May 14th was designated as the Global Big Day. Which you now understand to mean, that it is a single day where birders from around the globe (Global) record all the different birds they see. That's a lot of binoculars. Results: 13,869 people turned in 36,945 check lists, identifying 5,826 different birds. And I helped. I checked out my backyard feeders, then joined a group at the St. Albans Town Forest and then drove around a bit. All told, I saw (or heard) 46 different birds, including a Yellow-rumped Warbler - while not necessarily rare, is certainly fun to say.  STEM Two days earlier, I was able to attend the STEM Challenge Initiative Recognition Night. This is a gathering of students, teachers and local businesses who are expanding STEM awareness in our area. We saw creative, bright students celebrate their projects and accomplishments. We listened as energetic, enthusiastic educators shared their ideas for engaging more students in STEM. We applauded the business leaders for their contribution to this wonderful movement. And, we gave a standing ovation to Christine Depatie, from the Swanton Elementary School, as she was handed the Mary S. Babcock Award for Excellence in all things STEM. Dena St. Amour, Swanton principal, described Ms. Depatie as "a cross between Miss Frizzle and Bill Nye the Science Guy." I was impressed that she is getting elementary students to turn off the lights. A BIG STEM Night.  Punch Line: The Connection Tim Smith, Chair of the STEM Challenge Initiative, warned that next year the number of STEM challenge project entries would be greater and that the number of students participating would jump and that the number of educators would multiply. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yes, a GLOBAL STEM BIG DAY! Could you imagine a night where we celebrated 5,826 different STEM initiatives. Now we're talking. Did You Know? In 2012, 7.4 million employees reported working in a STEM-related field. By 2018, we could be expected to see more than 8.6 million people pursuing careers in STEM, not counting those that are self-employed. Fun facts: Mechanical engineering is the #1 major chosen by students who want to pursue a career in STEM. American Indians have the highest interest compared to other minorities in STEM subjects and careers. Females who show an interest in STEM studies choose to focus more on science education.

Dave Southwick