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Deadline Extended to 5:00 P.M. EST on February 26, 2010.
New Grant Opportunity for $500 Now Available!
In addition to extending the deadline for submissions of the Better Communities Include Everyone Questionnaire, Volunteer Florida is pleased to announce the availability of two $500 grants that will be awarded to organizations that submit questionnaires judged to be exemplary.
$500 Grant to be Awarded for Submission of Exemplary Practices
Share Your Best Practices
The Better Communities Include Everyone (BCIE) Questionnaires were developed as a way of sharing, promoting and supporting the effective practices of not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities that recruit and include individuals with disabilities in volunteer and national service opportunities.
Be recognized for your accomplishments by the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida.
If your organization has effective practices for including persons with disabilities in volunteer opportunities, please make a submittal by February 26, 2010. Organizations judged exemplary (one organization with a disability focus, one without a disability focus) will be recognized at the Spring 2010 meeting of the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.
Additionally, your agency’s practices will be published in a compendium of effective practices that will be shared statewide with not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities, as well as colleagues in the national and volunteer service field throughout the nation.
Submitting is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Select and Complete the appropriate questionnaire.
Two different questionnaires have been developed to solicit information from organizations that are working to include persons with disabilities:
Questionnaire for Non-Profits or Governmental Entities without a Disability Focus - Organizations that choose to submit this questionnaire do not primarily serve persons with disabilities. Organizations that fall into this category include: abuse shelters, guardian ad litem chapters, Boys and Girls Clubs, or local elementary schools.
Questionnaire for Non-Profits or Governmental Entities that have a Disability Focus - Organizations that choose to submit this questionnaire serve people with disabilities as their primary mission. Organizations that fall into this category include: Centers for Independent Living, a local Light House for the Blind, United Cerebral Palsy chapters, Vocational Rehabilitation, or similar organizations.
2. Add your agency name to the end of the file name.
Important: Once you complete the application you must add your agency name at the end of the filename. For example: “2009BCIEDisability Focus_Florida Parks.” Be sure to save it on your computer where you can access it later.
3. Submit the survey to Volunteer Florida by the deadline of February 26, 2010.
When you are ready to submit, send the completed questionnaire and any supplemental information to
Better Communities Include Everyone
The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Volunteer Florida
The Elliot Building
401 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32301
or e-mail it to:
Organizations being recognized will be notified no later than March 19, 2010. For additional information please contact Paul Martell, Accessibility Program Manager, at 850-414-0093 voice/tty or
using the subject heading BCIE.
In 2008, the first BCIE survey was launched. As a result, the Department of Environmental Affairs Florida Park Service was recognized for their Effective Practices of Including Persons with Disabilities in Park Service Volunteer Opportunities during a statewide event hosted by Volunteer Florida.
“We are very grateful to be recognized by Volunteer Florida for inclusion practices within the park service’s volunteer programs,” said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “Working alongside park staff, volunteers play a significant role in achieving the mission of the Florida Park Service and it is important that people from all walks of life are included in the great volunteer opportunities State Parks offer.”
“I congratulate Florida State Parks for their commitment to including persons with disabilities in volunteer service activities,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer. “The environment is a priority for Governor Crist and Florida State Parks has shown that everyone can contribute to preserving and restoring Florida’s natural treasures.”
Congratulations Florida Park Service for your exemplary efforts to include individuals with disabilities in volunteer initiatives throughout the state!
Additional Information
The BCIE survey was developed and is administered by the Volunteer Florida Inclusion Council’s Traditional Volunteer Strategies Committee.
For further information contact Paul Martell, Accessibility Program Manager, at 850-414-0093, Erin Pantoja at 850-414-0095or email
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