Berry Education’s Post

A bittersweet day... Today marks the end of an incredible chapter for me. After nearly 13 years as a Chair and Governor for some fantastic local schools, I’ve officially handed over the role. Being a Chair of Governors has been one of the most rewarding volunteer roles I’ve had, and has given me a great insight into the challenges of education in the UK. What I’ve learned: 🎓Education: Teaching is such an incredible career – but it certainly comes with its challenges and hard work! 🎯Community: I've seen firsthand how amazing people come together to make great things happen. 🧑🤝🧑Teamwork: Working closely with other volunteers and teaching staff to give children the best outcomes and prepare them for the next stage of life has been incredibly humbling. 📝 Governance: Navigating the complexities of providing good governance in a highly structured framework does not come overnight! 👧🏻 About myself: I absolutely LOVED being a tiny part of the educational journey for so many children and families at our schools. It has provided me with focus on my next volunteer role which I will be seeking in education. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. It’s time for some new hands to steer the ship! We’ve successfully navigated Ofsted inspections in the last few months at both schools I chaired, and the governing body is stronger than ever. 🚀 Now, I need your help! We’re looking for new people to join the Governing Body. No previous skills required – full training and induction provided. It does take some commitment, but like anything, you get out what you put in. Maybe you have someone in your team who could use this as their community contribution or as a development opportunity...🤔 If you’re local to #StAlbans and would like to: - Learn more about being a governor, or - Even better, think you might be interested in joining.... 🙏🏻Please drop me a note! I'd love to chat and tell you more. 💬 #goverance #education #leadership #volunteering #community

2025 AmeriCorps State Competitive Grant Opportunities 🇺🇸 Serve #Washington is pleased to announce the 2025 AmeriCorps State Competitive Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) to meet #state and #local challenges through service and #volunteer action. There are two opportunities for funding: 1. AmeriCorps Continuation Grants 2. AmeriCorps New/Recompete Operational Grants Organizations should pay particular attention to which opportunity to apply for. You may only apply to one opportunity. New/Recompete AmeriCorps Operational Grants are for organizations ready to implement an AmeriCorps program and are not already funded by Serve Washington OR are for organizations that have completed a three-year operational grant and are looking to renew another three-year operational grant. AmeriCorps Continuation Grants are currently funded operational grants entering year two or year three of a three-year cycle. Technical assistance sessions available for both. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gA6pcC9i

AmeriCorps State & National rule update boosts grant flexibility & supports #NationalService programs w/ changes in these areas: ➤ Grantee match requirements ➤ Job readiness and training flexibilities ➤ Removes term limit barriers https://lnkd.in/eEBqm5yV

3rd-9th June is ‘National Volunteers Week’! How many of my connections do voluntary work in their spare time? I can honestly say the time I spend volunteering as Chair of Governors at the school my children attend is so rewarding and I’ve learnt so much that can help me in my personal life as well as in my career. In the last 6 months alone I have been involved with a board of governors and school leaders looking at: -Budgeting and planning the full refurbishment of 6 classrooms. -Planning and the rollout of individual student Chromebooks -Installation of a brand new school library -Safeguarding training -The recruitment of a new Head Teacher -A full SIAMs inspection -SEND/Neurodiversity training I could go on! All of this impacts on the children being able to learn and flourish in their own way every day. They say the role of a governor is to be a ‘critical friend’ …..high challenge, high support! Has there been tough conversations? Yes, absolutely! But has the impact of those conversations resulted in our children receiving the education they deserve? Yes, absolutely! Never underestimate what you could learn in a voluntary role! I have found it to be SO rewarding! During ‘National Volunteers Week’ have a think where you could make a difference by volunteering…..and how volunteering could make a difference for you! #volunteer #education #schoolgovernors #impact #makeadifference #growthmindset #reward #volunteersweek

Many don't understand the level of impact school governance volunteers have. Words like 'strategy' and 'challenge' too often sound abstract, removed from the every day of classroom life. But let's be clear - good governance means better outcomes for children and young people. Here, Vassilena demonstrates how thoughtful governance connects the dots between board-room decisions and their impact on students. School visits are an opportunity to ensure resources are directed towards those who need them most. With an estimated 20,000 school governor vacancies nationwide, we need more volunteers to translate strategy into better outcomes. So if there are people in your network who can make an impact, please share this post. 💫 Become a school governor: https://lnkd.in/exb7WrPZ 📹 Watch Vassilena's full interview, with thanks to KPMG: https://bit.ly/3YJKDPF #25YearsOfGovernance #CommunityImpact #Education #Volunteering

As I take my pen off the paper, I can still remember the moment I join the National Service Scheme (NSS) for the past two years. From being a volunteer which I became at the beginning of the year and moving on to become the volunteer secretary has been a wonderful learning experience which has changed the way I perceive community service as well as the values that I cherish. 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏: 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 Understood the meaning of work in team and determination. I was involved in projects for different purposes, and goals that are serve to improve our community. Developed good interpersonal relations with fellow volunteers as well as the mentors. 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐: 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 Also fulfilled the leader role during the sessions and in managing the activities and new comers.Main areas rely on strategic planning and delivery of value projects.Supervised junior volunteers, taught them what they can learn and encouraged volunteering. Now it is time to pay the society back and that is the sole idea behind philanthropy. To my junior volunteers...I want to say: #𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬: Continuity in education and expanding knowledge of new possibilities of blessing other people. #𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝:This will make a tangible difference due to your commitment. #𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝: You are not alone and depend on your team members,thus develop good working relationships with them. To all who have been with me up to this point, I say thank you very much,especially for my Core team. Let’s keep on going and make the difference we are capable of, together! #NSS, #communityservice, #leadership, #mentorship, #volunteerwork, giving back

State leaders, advocacy organizations and higher ed institutions are rallying students to submit their FAFSAs as fast as possible, and high schools are doing all they can to answer the call. But with counselors stretched thin and less than two months until high school graduation season, time is running out. #HigherEd #collegeadmissions #financialaid #collegeenrollment

According to our JA Alumni Survey, over three-quarters of alumni remember volunteers teaching them about money, jobs, or business, with 64% recalling the concepts taught. Our impact extends beyond the classroom, with JA alumni reporting significant influence on their education, careers, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial aspirations. #JuniorAchievement #Education #FinancialLiteracy #Volunteering

🌟 In this article we unlock 9 key strategies that will elevate your volunteer program to new heights. Read our latest article now and take your organisation's impact to the next level. 👥✨ #VolunteerProgram #SuccessTips #CommunityImpact https://lnkd.in/gJaXtBx5

If you enjoy learning about individuals doing diverse community service across our state, and if you enjoy celebrating incredible people, you're our type of person! Serve Washington needs community reviewers from across the state of #Washington to help us select this year's Volunteer Service #Awards recipients. Time commitment: - A one-hour virtual training Dec. 3 to familiarize you with what to look for in a nomination and answer any questions you may have.  - You’ll be assigned a group of nominations to review during the first week of December. Reviews will be done on your own time. We estimate the total review time will not exceed eight hours. - All community reviewers will attend a final virtual meeting for approximately one hour on Dec. 18.  Interested? Know someone who may be? Know someone interested in getting more involved in the community? Complete this quick form and let ServeWA know you are interested. Interest Form: https://lnkd.in/gnfxkQph Click the share button and help us spread the word throughout the state. Celebrating community service and the people doing it is what we're all about!