The LEAGUE (nonprofit)

The LEAGUE (officially Community League) is a nonprofit, school and web-based program for service learning. The organization was founded in 2005 and as of July 2008, 189 schools, representing 1,833 classes and 110,535 students in 21 states nationwide were actively participating in The LEAGUE. The organization is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices in New York, Detroit, Indianapolis and Austin. The LEAGUE is a 501© 3 public charity. [cite web|url=http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=amex&ein=42-1661464|title=Community League Inc.|publisher=GuideStar|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-24]

The mission of The LEAGUE states: The LEAGUE is a school and web-based program for schools that builds character and empowers young people to “do good” in their community, the nation, and the world.

In the program, youth participate in service throughout the school year. The LEAGUE offers educator resources online to prepare students in the classroom for service in the community. The LEAGUE provides access to more than 1,300 K-12 classroom lessons on philanthropy, service-learning and character education. All lessons are coded to and searchable by each state's core academic standards. Students demonstrate what they’ve learned by engaging in community service projects, called LEAGUE Events. Young people choose and develop the projects that they want to engage in. The LEAGUE is youth-led. Classes and students earn points for thoughtful civic engagement in the various LEAGUE events.

History

The LEAGUE was founded in 2005 by a group of business, education, government, media and non-profit leaders who created a model for developing the next generation of philanthropists.

In early November 2007, The LEAGUE launched nationwide with corporate and media partners to invite all schools to participate in service of their community, the nation, and the world. The national launch was help in Fall 200 and at Midtown West School in Manhattan (PS 212) with a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings and special guests Melinda Doolittle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Doolittle, singer, and Harlem Globetrotter Eugene “Wildkat” Edgerson.cite news|url=http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/11/11052007.html|title=Secretary Spellings Delivers Remarks at the League Town Hall Meeting in New York|last=Ruberg|first=Casey|coauthors=Yudof, Samara|publisher=U.S. Department of Education|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-24]

Focus Areas

LearningThe LEAGUE provides access to more than 1,300 K-12 classroom lesson plans on giving, service and civic engagement. Educator resources are developed by its curriculum division, Learning to Give, the worlds leading curriculum on youth service and character education. Through a contract with EdGate's correlation services [cite web|url=http://correlation.edgate.com/|title=EdGate|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-24] , each classroom lesson is teacher-created and coded to every state’s academic standards and is searchable by these standards. Each LEAGUE Event Lesson also includes Learning Links – 10 five-minute activities that reinforce the lesson, and a selection of post-service reflection activities.

Service The LEAGUE event season calendar (major events, LEAGUE Wildcards and Open Wildcards) provides the class, school and students ways to get involved in making a difference in the community. The LEAGUE encourages service experiences for students to be engaged in service-learning.

The major events include:

Participants can also conduct WildCard events by developing a service project specific to the needs of their community.

TrainingMarjorie S. & Max M. Fisher Training CampThe LEAGUE provides professional development for teachers on how to engage in The LEAGUE program, service learning, civic engagement, and character education. Training is offered online through The LEAGUE website.

Recognition The LEAGUE Award System is a threshold-based model in which everyone can achieve success and recognition. Acknowledgment starts with the most minimal participation level, encouraging students to practice service and giving. The LEAGUE is a registered certifying organization for The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) [cite web|url=http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov|title=Presidential Service Awards|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-24] Verify source|date=September 2008 and therefore able to present this award opportunity to students nationwide. This celebrated national award recognizes Americans who are making a difference in the lives of others through volunteer service.

Accomplishments

At The LEAGUE's First Annual Awards & Recognition Luncheon in NYC in June 2008, Queen Latifah served as MC and host [cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20207156,00.html|title=Queen Latifah Achieves Weight-Loss Goal|last=Tapper|first=Christina|date=June 17, 2008|publisher=People|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-24] . Students were recognized for their achievements in service during the 2007-20008 school year.

As of July 2008, 189 schools, representing 1,833 classes and 110,535 students in 21 states nationwide were actively participating in The LEAGUE. According to The LEAGUE's website metrics, these LEAGUE teams contributed the equivalent of $2,711,327 in time, talent and treasure to their communities. [cite web|url=http://www.leagueworldwide.org/index.php?option=com_standings&view=homepage&Itemid=75|title=The League Worldwide|accessdate=August 7, 2008]

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS The LEAGUE has national partners in all sectors. Partners include: JetBlue Airways; W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; Family Circle; John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates; Cartoon Network (United States); CAA Foundation (Creative Artists Agency; Daniels Fund; RGK Foundation and TMG Promo/The Marketing Group.

LEADERSHIPAs of Fall 2008, the following individuals serve on The LEAGUE's Board of Directors.

Dave Barger, Chair, JetBlue Airways Chief Executive Officer; Dorothy A. Johnson, Vice-Chair, W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trustee; Lee Kravitz, Secretary, Media Executive; Van Nguyen, Treasurer, Laurel Ridge Partners; Dave Allan, ?What If!; Doug Becker, Laureate; Morgan Binswanger, Lance Armstrong Foundation; C. David Campbell, McGregor Fund; Robert S. Collier, Council of Michigan Foundations; Shakim Compere, Flavor Unit Entertainment; Julie F. Cummings, Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation; Mark J. Gordon, Mark J. Gordon Foundation; Susan Hassan, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Bill Hoogterp, The LEAGUE; Beth Hurvitz, Visa, Inc.; James A. Kelly, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (Founding President); Michelle Kydd Lee, CAA Foundation (Creative Artists Agency); Ethan Penner, CB Richard Ellis; Gerry Tirozzi, National Association of Secondary School Principals; George H. Walker, Lehman Brothers.

External links

* [http://www.leagueworldwide.org Official Site]
* [http://www.learningtogive.org LearningToGive.org]
* [http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=amex&ein=42-1661464 GuideStar information]

References