Winter 2009
Recap of National Mentoring Month 2009
Aaron Eilerts Day of Service February 24
College Student Helps Document the Impact of AmeriCorps Members in the Spring Disasters
Governor Culver, Lt. Governor Judge Thank Iowans for Service on MLK Day
2009 Learn and Serve Community-Based Funds and Applications are Available
Service Spotlight- AmeriCorps Member Norma Boge
Governor’s Volunteer Award Nominations due March 9
4th Annual Volunteer Awareness Day to be held in Capitol on Feb. 25
Federal Issue - Serve America Act
Federal Issue - AmeriCorps funding in the House Economic Stimulus Plan
Other Federal News - President Obama Urges Service
Federal Issue - Serve America Act
On January 16, Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the “Serve America Act,” a bill to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans. The goal of the legislation is to encourage 175,000 more Americans to give a year of service to address specific national challenges such as strengthening our schools or increasing economic opportunities, thereby expanding the number of such service participants to 250,000. The legislation will also increase opportunities for individuals to serve at any stage of their life, from childhood through retirement, and will support social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to tackle our most pressing problems.
“President Obama has called on Americans to serve, and they've already shown they 're ready to answer the call, with hundreds of thousands signing up to volunteer on Martin Luther King Day of Service. I'm delighted to join Senator Orrin Hatch in introducing this important bill. Our legislation will make it possible for many more Americans to continue to serve – to devote a year or longer to contribute to their country and their community,” said Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which oversees existing service programs. “The Serve America Act will increase service opportunities for Americans of all ages, from young people helping to improve their own communities, to retiring professionals who can apply the skills they've gained over a lifetime to some of our greatest challenges. It will enable many more Americans to be part of the solution to major national challenges, such as the lack of health care in our needy communities, the problems in our schools, and the energy and environmental crises that threaten our planet. With the current economic crisis hitting our families and communities so hard, it's as important as ever that we help each other.”
Senator Hatch said, “For many years, I have advocated for increased opportunities for volunteer service. The Serve America Act represents an effective and fiscally responsible approach to providing private citizens with an opportunity to help their communities. Investing in the commitment and ingenuity of the American people is a mutually beneficial way of addressing our nation's most pressing problems. Indeed, as private citizens begin to do more in their communities, in the long run, it will mean that the government will have to do less to provide for those in need. I'm proud to join my colleague Senator Kennedy and a bipartisan group of Senators in supporting this important legislation.”
A summary of the Serve America Act.
If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, at 1.800.308.5987 or icvs@iowa.gov .