July 31, 2009
From Our Friends at United We Serve
Here is more information about the United We Serve initiative from our friend Phil Martin!
News Roundup: July 31, 2009
Today is the last day of July. I cannot believe that we are getting so close to the end of summer. This is a great time to start thinking about and planning your service-learning activities, projects, etc. for the 2009-2010 school year! Check out the National Learn & Serve Challenge's website for more details.
Moving on to the news. We have been inundated with news stories in the last few days since the Volunteering in America report was released. My apologizes for not being as up to date - that just means more stories for today! For the most part, the stories have been positive. However, there are always opponents to the work we are trying to push forward. I will try not dwell upon them, and instead focus on the "wins" we have made!
The press continues to tout the great efforts of those in their communities: Portland News (Oregon), Utah (#1 for the 4th year in a row), and Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle is #4). Other newspapers chide their communities for not doing more and to use these rankings as an opportunity to get more involved. Los Angeles and El Paso rank 7th to last and last in their respective rankings (based off of population size). Will this make a difference? Only time will tell!
On with other news:
Portland Press Herald (Maine), July 29, 2009 - Some speculate that with harder economic times, volunteering would decrease. However, as this article points out, people are pouring their energies outside of their own immediate families and selves to help others in need.
NonProfit Times, July 28, 2009 - The NonProfit Times highlights the volunteering efforts of young adults, which makes up a large part of the spike in volunteerism. It is especially reassuring for me, as a millennial, to see others in my generation embracing the work we are trying to hard to advance. Click here for the full article.
Moving on to the news. We have been inundated with news stories in the last few days since the Volunteering in America report was released. My apologizes for not being as up to date - that just means more stories for today! For the most part, the stories have been positive. However, there are always opponents to the work we are trying to push forward. I will try not dwell upon them, and instead focus on the "wins" we have made!
The press continues to tout the great efforts of those in their communities: Portland News (Oregon), Utah (#1 for the 4th year in a row), and Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle is #4). Other newspapers chide their communities for not doing more and to use these rankings as an opportunity to get more involved. Los Angeles and El Paso rank 7th to last and last in their respective rankings (based off of population size). Will this make a difference? Only time will tell!
On with other news:
Portland Press Herald (Maine), July 29, 2009 - Some speculate that with harder economic times, volunteering would decrease. However, as this article points out, people are pouring their energies outside of their own immediate families and selves to help others in need.
NonProfit Times, July 28, 2009 - The NonProfit Times highlights the volunteering efforts of young adults, which makes up a large part of the spike in volunteerism. It is especially reassuring for me, as a millennial, to see others in my generation embracing the work we are trying to hard to advance. Click here for the full article.
July 28, 2009
News Roundup: July 28, 2009
The release of the Volunteering in America report has created more buzz around service and service-learning. It's really great to see different states and communities taking pride in volunteerism being high in their states. The Denver Post, Nebraska TV, and Governor Culver of Iowa all proudly announced their rankings. This is great and all of the states should keep up the good work! Great job in promoting your home states!
Here's the original press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service on the Volunteering in America report:
Corporation for National and Community Service, July 28, 2009 - Check out the press release for the Volunteering in America report!
Other news around service-learning:
United Press International, July 28, 2009 - In this economy, non-profit organizations are suffering just as much, if not more than other organizations. This article is about these non-profits leaning on volunteers to stay afloat.
examiner.com, July 27, 2009 - Another opinion piece about service-learning. This one is from a Chicago K-12 Education Examiner!
Here's the original press release from the Corporation for National and Community Service on the Volunteering in America report:
Corporation for National and Community Service, July 28, 2009 - Check out the press release for the Volunteering in America report!
Other news around service-learning:
United Press International, July 28, 2009 - In this economy, non-profit organizations are suffering just as much, if not more than other organizations. This article is about these non-profits leaning on volunteers to stay afloat.
examiner.com, July 27, 2009 - Another opinion piece about service-learning. This one is from a Chicago K-12 Education Examiner!
Volunteering in America
Today, the Corporation for National and Community Service released the annual Volunteering in America report, which provides civic activity rates and statistics for every state and nearly 200 cities.
Along with the release of Volunteering in America, the Corporation also updated the website. The information is great and will hopefully help us in our efforts to keep service rolling!
Along with the release of Volunteering in America, the Corporation also updated the website. The information is great and will hopefully help us in our efforts to keep service rolling!
July 27, 2009
News Roundup: July 27, 2009
There seems to be a lot of energy buzzing around service lately - especially with the United We Serve initiative. We, at the Partnership, are aiming to keeping this energy moving forward through service-learning. Please watch in the coming weeks as we provide more information and suggestions about how you can get involved!
Baltimore Sun, July 27, 2009 - Service learning is different from community service! This article shows some of the confusion in the Baltimore schools. A great time to educate the public, parents and community about service-learning is during the National Learn & Serve Challenge (October 5-11, 2009)! Learn more at www.learnandservechallenge.org.
Eagle Tribune, July 26, 2009 - Good op-ed in favor of a United States Public Service Academy.
WMU News, July 24, 2009 - Western Michigan University anthropologist, Dr. Michael S. Nassaney, co-edited a book with Franklin & Marshal associate professor of anthropology, Mary Ann Levine. The book, Archaeology and Community Service Learning showcases the mutual contributions of archaeology and community service learning. Read the press release here.
Baltimore Sun, July 27, 2009 - Service learning is different from community service! This article shows some of the confusion in the Baltimore schools. A great time to educate the public, parents and community about service-learning is during the National Learn & Serve Challenge (October 5-11, 2009)! Learn more at www.learnandservechallenge.org.
Eagle Tribune, July 26, 2009 - Good op-ed in favor of a United States Public Service Academy.
WMU News, July 24, 2009 - Western Michigan University anthropologist, Dr. Michael S. Nassaney, co-edited a book with Franklin & Marshal associate professor of anthropology, Mary Ann Levine. The book, Archaeology and Community Service Learning showcases the mutual contributions of archaeology and community service learning. Read the press release here.
July 25, 2009
Don't Shortchange National Service
Editorial in the New York Times about national service! Read here.
July 24, 2009
News Roundup: July 24, 2009
The summer is really heating up! People and organizations from all around the country are coming together and answering President Obama's call to service. We will continue to try and update everyone with events and news. Stayed tuned, as next week is Education Week for United We Serve, and there are sure to be some great announcements and events!
NFL Players Association, July 23, 2009 - NFL Players Association joins President Obama in the United We Serve initiative. See the PSA and the press release here.
Arizona Republic, July 23, 2009 - Read about how students in Valley, AZ spent their summer serving!
July 20, 2009 - Representatives from the HandsOn Network Youth Action Center helped ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell. Read about it here.
NFL Players Association, July 23, 2009 - NFL Players Association joins President Obama in the United We Serve initiative. See the PSA and the press release here.
Arizona Republic, July 23, 2009 - Read about how students in Valley, AZ spent their summer serving!
July 20, 2009 - Representatives from the HandsOn Network Youth Action Center helped ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell. Read about it here.
July 20, 2009
House Funding Attention: Full Court Press on the Senate
Dear Service-Learning Colleagues:
On Friday evening, the House Appropriations Committee approved their FY10 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that includes $160.7 billion in discretionary spending, $5.6 billion more than in 2009 and $52 million less than what President Obama requested. As we reported earlier, this bill includes $1.059 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is a $169 million increase to implement the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
The House mark, however, is $90 million below the President's request. The $90 million difference is largely across four accounts: AmeriCorps State and National, the National Service Trust, the Social Innovation Fund and CNCS's Operating Budget. Learn and Serve America received $39.5 million, which is consistent with the president's request of an additional $2 million, but far less than we'd hoped to put us on the path to truly expanding service-learning in our nation's schools and communities.
Now our full attention shifts to the Senate, which begins deliberations this week (with congressional staff already preparing recommendations, etc.). I'm going to borrow words from our colleague AnnMaura Connolly of Voices for National Service:
"We need media, lots of media, especially in the states where the senate appropriations subcommittee members are from. We have to push for the entire President's request. After all of the incredible work and effort by everyone on this email and many others, we managed to pass major new legislation in the first 100 days of this administration. We have to push hard to realize the promise of The Edward M. Kennedy Act. We can't just let Congress-after that historic vote-slide by with an appropriation that doesn't get as close as possible to the first year of the Serve America Act."
For those of us that care about the funding for service-learning, this is our last chance to push for a bigger increase for Learn and Serve America. While the House supported the president's increase of $2 million, we're still no where close to being where need to be to dramatically expand opportunities for all young people to learn and serve.
The list of Senate Appropriators is below (subcommittee members indicated with an *). Scan the list now to see if there is a member from your state or if you have programs or local affiliates in these states.
--Who can help contact these offices? We should reach out to the entire Appropriations Committee, with a special emphasis on members of the Labor-HHS subcommittee (indicated by an *).
On Monday, we'll send a call to action with talking points and contact information to help supporters make calls and send e-messages to these members. But we also need to know who can make "high level" calls directly to the senators (or senior members in their offices).
--Who can help generate local media in the states where these senators are located?
FULL APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Chairman*
ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia
PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont
TOM HARKIN, Iowa*
BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland
HERB KOHL, Wisconsin*
PATTY MURRAY, Washington*
BYRON DORGAN, North Dakota
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois*
TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota
MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana*
JACK REED, Rhode Island*
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey
BEN NELSON, Nebraska
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas*
JON TESTER, Montana
ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania*
THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi, Vice Chairman*
CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri
MITCH MCCONNELL, Kentucky
RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama*
JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire*
ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas*
SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas
LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee*
SUSAN COLLINS, Maine
GEORGE VOINOVICH, Ohio
LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
Now is the time to pull out all of the stops. Once you call or send an email, please let us know by emailing Ace Parsi.
Thanks for everything you are all doing already, and let's bring it home!
Nelda Brown
National Service-Learning Partnership
Service-Learning United
On Friday evening, the House Appropriations Committee approved their FY10 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that includes $160.7 billion in discretionary spending, $5.6 billion more than in 2009 and $52 million less than what President Obama requested. As we reported earlier, this bill includes $1.059 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service. This is a $169 million increase to implement the new Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
The House mark, however, is $90 million below the President's request. The $90 million difference is largely across four accounts: AmeriCorps State and National, the National Service Trust, the Social Innovation Fund and CNCS's Operating Budget. Learn and Serve America received $39.5 million, which is consistent with the president's request of an additional $2 million, but far less than we'd hoped to put us on the path to truly expanding service-learning in our nation's schools and communities.
Now our full attention shifts to the Senate, which begins deliberations this week (with congressional staff already preparing recommendations, etc.). I'm going to borrow words from our colleague AnnMaura Connolly of Voices for National Service:
"We need media, lots of media, especially in the states where the senate appropriations subcommittee members are from. We have to push for the entire President's request. After all of the incredible work and effort by everyone on this email and many others, we managed to pass major new legislation in the first 100 days of this administration. We have to push hard to realize the promise of The Edward M. Kennedy Act. We can't just let Congress-after that historic vote-slide by with an appropriation that doesn't get as close as possible to the first year of the Serve America Act."
For those of us that care about the funding for service-learning, this is our last chance to push for a bigger increase for Learn and Serve America. While the House supported the president's increase of $2 million, we're still no where close to being where need to be to dramatically expand opportunities for all young people to learn and serve.
The list of Senate Appropriators is below (subcommittee members indicated with an *). Scan the list now to see if there is a member from your state or if you have programs or local affiliates in these states.
--Who can help contact these offices? We should reach out to the entire Appropriations Committee, with a special emphasis on members of the Labor-HHS subcommittee (indicated by an *).
On Monday, we'll send a call to action with talking points and contact information to help supporters make calls and send e-messages to these members. But we also need to know who can make "high level" calls directly to the senators (or senior members in their offices).
--Who can help generate local media in the states where these senators are located?
FULL APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Chairman*
ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia
PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont
TOM HARKIN, Iowa*
BARBARA A. MIKULSKI, Maryland
HERB KOHL, Wisconsin*
PATTY MURRAY, Washington*
BYRON DORGAN, North Dakota
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois*
TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota
MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana*
JACK REED, Rhode Island*
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey
BEN NELSON, Nebraska
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas*
JON TESTER, Montana
ARLEN SPECTER, Pennsylvania*
THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi, Vice Chairman*
CHRISTOPHER S. BOND, Missouri
MITCH MCCONNELL, Kentucky
RICHARD C. SHELBY, Alabama*
JUDD GREGG, New Hampshire*
ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas*
SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas
LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee*
SUSAN COLLINS, Maine
GEORGE VOINOVICH, Ohio
LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
Now is the time to pull out all of the stops. Once you call or send an email, please let us know by emailing Ace Parsi.
Thanks for everything you are all doing already, and let's bring it home!
Nelda Brown
National Service-Learning Partnership
Service-Learning United
July 17, 2009
News Roundup: July 17, 2009
I hope that everyone is enjoying the news roundups. This week has been filled with very interesting stories documenting the energy around service and service-learning. Please send any interesting articles that I have missed to Christina Kwon or the National Service-Learning Partnership. Also, visit the NSLP page on facebook! On with the news!
Politico, July 17, 2009 - John Bridgeland and Alan Khazei, in their roles as leaders in ServiceNation, offer their opinions about service in There's no stimulus like service.
CNN, July 16, 2009 - Before I saw this story, I did not know that Cathryn Berger Kaye and Terry Pickeral were leading seminars on Harry Potter and service-learning. I will definitely have to look into this! Please see this very interesting article about how lessons in the Harry Potter books have carried over into real life.
Heartland Connection, July 16, 2009 - Senator Schmitz writes in her column that Iowa and Iowan are continuing their involvement in service! Read more.
The Journal-Register, July 17, 2009 - The idea began in Eastern Tanzania in the small village of Kambi ya Simba. The children there began documenting their everyday life, putting it into a book entitled “In Our Village: Kambi ya Simba Through the Eyes of Its Youth.” Our friend and service-learning leader, Cathryn Berger Kaye, was given a copy of a book entitled "In Our Village: Kambi ya Simba Through the Eyes of Its Youth." Children in the small Tanzanian village of Kambi ya Simba documented their everyday life. The students at Albion have continued the "Our Village" series. Read about what happened!
5 Towns Jewish Times, July 16, 2009 - Twenty-one students from select U.S. universities will serve as counselors for fourth annual Counterpoint Israel program. This service-learning initiative, July 23–August 23, aims to empower and build the next generation of Israeli youth by providing them a summer camp experience filled with important life skills. Click here to read more.
Warwick Beacon, July 16, 2009 - Marilyn Swierk, who received the 1993 National AAFCS Teacher of the Year honors for her Service Learning Program at Vets, was recently elected president of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She has authored many books, including "A Guide to Service Learning." Please see the full article for more information.
Politico, July 17, 2009 - John Bridgeland and Alan Khazei, in their roles as leaders in ServiceNation, offer their opinions about service in There's no stimulus like service.
CNN, July 16, 2009 - Before I saw this story, I did not know that Cathryn Berger Kaye and Terry Pickeral were leading seminars on Harry Potter and service-learning. I will definitely have to look into this! Please see this very interesting article about how lessons in the Harry Potter books have carried over into real life.
Heartland Connection, July 16, 2009 - Senator Schmitz writes in her column that Iowa and Iowan are continuing their involvement in service! Read more.
The Journal-Register, July 17, 2009 - The idea began in Eastern Tanzania in the small village of Kambi ya Simba. The children there began documenting their everyday life, putting it into a book entitled “In Our Village: Kambi ya Simba Through the Eyes of Its Youth.” Our friend and service-learning leader, Cathryn Berger Kaye, was given a copy of a book entitled "In Our Village: Kambi ya Simba Through the Eyes of Its Youth." Children in the small Tanzanian village of Kambi ya Simba documented their everyday life. The students at Albion have continued the "Our Village" series. Read about what happened!
5 Towns Jewish Times, July 16, 2009 - Twenty-one students from select U.S. universities will serve as counselors for fourth annual Counterpoint Israel program. This service-learning initiative, July 23–August 23, aims to empower and build the next generation of Israeli youth by providing them a summer camp experience filled with important life skills. Click here to read more.
Warwick Beacon, July 16, 2009 - Marilyn Swierk, who received the 1993 National AAFCS Teacher of the Year honors for her Service Learning Program at Vets, was recently elected president of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She has authored many books, including "A Guide to Service Learning." Please see the full article for more information.
2009 Service-Learning Institute (DC Area)
We are finishing the second full week of July. Where has all the time gone? Well, it's about time to start gearing up for the National Learn & Serve Challenge. I was just chatting with Kristen Henry from ServeDC, and she reminded me that their 2009 Service-Learning Institute is coming up in August. This is a great opportunity to start thinking about the Challenge and the upcoming school year. So, for all of those DC area service-learning practitioners, school teachers and community based leaders, this is one for you!
The Mayor's Office on Volunteerism, presents the 2009 Service-Learning Institute in partnership with America's Promise Alliance. The 2009 Service-Learning Institute (SLI) will engage 75 Learn and Serve America and AmeriCorps sites, faith and community-based programs, and DC public school system educators and administrators. We believe SLI will be a catalyst and the first of many opportunities for youth practitioners and educators to institutionalize service-learning as a formidable approach to educate youth in the District of Columbia.
SLI will provide service-learning practitioners with an introduction to the K-12 Quality Standards for Service-Learning; strategies for environmental service-learning; best practices for making the case for service-learning programs; and the opportunity to network and share ideas with colleagues in the field. Attendees will also learn about national and local resources to support service-learning programming.
More information contact Jaime Spilken, Learn and Serve Program Officer for more information at 202-727-7949 or Jaime.Spilken@dc.gov.
Registration is free but you MUST register to attend! Please visit the website!
The Mayor's Office on Volunteerism, presents the 2009 Service-Learning Institute in partnership with America's Promise Alliance. The 2009 Service-Learning Institute (SLI) will engage 75 Learn and Serve America and AmeriCorps sites, faith and community-based programs, and DC public school system educators and administrators. We believe SLI will be a catalyst and the first of many opportunities for youth practitioners and educators to institutionalize service-learning as a formidable approach to educate youth in the District of Columbia.
SLI will provide service-learning practitioners with an introduction to the K-12 Quality Standards for Service-Learning; strategies for environmental service-learning; best practices for making the case for service-learning programs; and the opportunity to network and share ideas with colleagues in the field. Attendees will also learn about national and local resources to support service-learning programming.
More information contact Jaime Spilken, Learn and Serve Program Officer for more information at 202-727-7949 or Jaime.Spilken@dc.gov.
Registration is free but you MUST register to attend! Please visit the website!
July 16, 2009
News Roundup: July 16, 2009
This week, the American Federation of Teacher's Quality Educational Standards in Teaching conference took place at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC. NSLP manned a booth in the exhibit hall with the people from United We Serve. It gave us the opportunity to talk with teachers (and some students) about service-learning and the National Learn & Serve Challenge. While it was refreshing to meet those already involved in service-learning, it was even better exposing new people to the concept. Some were already doing service-learning, and did not know it! The teachers were spoke with are all looking for new ways to engage their students, and the stories below show this in action at all levels of education.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 14, 2009 - Students with Amizade Global Service Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, live and work in communities around the world for both cultural experience and college credit. Read more about the students and the program here.
The Express Star, July 13, 2009 - This is a great spotlight on service-learning and an overview of Service Learning/Civic Engagement program at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
University Daily Kansan, July 9, 2009 - The University of Kansas is certifying more students in transcript certification programs, such as Global Awareness, Research Experience, and Service-Learning, than ever in the university history. Read about the programs here.
Vermont Business Magazine, July 9, 2009 - The Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the launch of a new initiative, the Guard Card Project. This service-learning project will provide free Verizon telephone cards to all deployed Vermont National Guardsmen and women. Learn more about this project here.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 14, 2009 - Students with Amizade Global Service Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, live and work in communities around the world for both cultural experience and college credit. Read more about the students and the program here.
The Express Star, July 13, 2009 - This is a great spotlight on service-learning and an overview of Service Learning/Civic Engagement program at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
University Daily Kansan, July 9, 2009 - The University of Kansas is certifying more students in transcript certification programs, such as Global Awareness, Research Experience, and Service-Learning, than ever in the university history. Read about the programs here.
Vermont Business Magazine, July 9, 2009 - The Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the launch of a new initiative, the Guard Card Project. This service-learning project will provide free Verizon telephone cards to all deployed Vermont National Guardsmen and women. Learn more about this project here.
July 15, 2009
Service-Learning in My Own Backyard: Earth Force Students in Action
July 15, 2009 - How cool is this? After spending a hard day at work working with so many talented people to promote service-learning nationwide, I just found out that service-learning is literally taking place in my own backyard.Check out this article to learn more about the middle school students who were honored for the using their education to make a difference for the Holmes Run watershed in Alexandria, Virginia. These students participated in Earth Force as part of their 7th grade science classes.
My building overlooks Holmes Run. As condo dwellers, Holmes Run Park is my pseudo front lawn. It's where my neighbors cookout and garden and where my five year old and I play football in the fall, blow bubbles in the summer, and make snow angels in the winter. Until I read about the work of these middle schoolers, I never knew it played such an important role in the environmental health of our community.
So hats off to Ms. Bort's 7th grade students at Hammond Middle School from someone who believes in the power of service-learning to improve education and communities--and from a grateful neighbor of the Holmes Run watershed.
July 07, 2009
Support Service-Learning Funding: Serve America Act Funding Debate Begins Tomorrow
A message from Service-Learning United:
In April, President Obama signed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law. The Act gives permission to significantly increase authorized spending levels for service-learning and Learn and Serve America as a first step toward creating a new era of service and civic engagement in America. Your grassroots support was essential to getting this legislation passed. Now, we need your help one more time to let Congress know how important it is to fully fund the Serve America Act.
While the Kennedy Serve America Act gives permission to establish new programs and additional spending, it does not actually provide the funding. The budget process is separate, takes place each year, and is happening now!
TOMORROW, July 8, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin deciding how much to invest in service and service-learning throughout our nation. This is a critical moment in the legislative process. It is important that we call on Congress and urge them, as a first step, to support President Obama's budget request for the Corporation for National and Community Service. In addition, as service-learning advocates, we also need to encourage Congress to provide an additional $10 million for Learn and Serve America for a total of $50 million and additional funds to support the Summer of Service Initiative. These programs are critical to ensuring a foundation for a lifelong commitment to service and need to be adequately funded.
It's important to act now. Please call and ask your legislators to fund the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.159 billion for the following fiscal year, which would provide at least $50 million for Learn and Serve America.
Your outreach is extremely important as Congress faces some tough decisions on national funding priorities. House Appropriators are scheduled to hold their first markup session on July 8 and the Senate Committee is expected to meet on July 20.
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
1. To determine the members of your congressional delegation, visit here. This database will provide you with contact information for your elected officials.
2. You can call your Congressperson directly or be connected through the House Operator (202-225-3121) or Senate Operator (202-224-3121).
3. Once connected, identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant in change of national service and education issues.
4. Let the Legislative Assistant know that you strongly support funding the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.159 billion. Urge them to make sure K-12 age youth have the chance to give back as well by providing at least $50 million for Learn and Serve America and additional funds to support the Summer of Service Initiative.
5. Finally, forward this message to 5 friends and encourage them to speak up for service-learning as well.
Thank you so much for all that you do to give young people the opportunity to engage in service-learning.
****************************
Service-Learning United is a national grassroots alliance of local, state, and national organizations committed to educating our nation's leaders and citizens about the positive and powerful impact service-learning has on young people, schools, and the communities they serve. Service-Learning United is supported by the State Farm Companies Foundation and is managed by the National Service-Learning Partnership at the Academy for Educational Development.
In April, President Obama signed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law. The Act gives permission to significantly increase authorized spending levels for service-learning and Learn and Serve America as a first step toward creating a new era of service and civic engagement in America. Your grassroots support was essential to getting this legislation passed. Now, we need your help one more time to let Congress know how important it is to fully fund the Serve America Act.
While the Kennedy Serve America Act gives permission to establish new programs and additional spending, it does not actually provide the funding. The budget process is separate, takes place each year, and is happening now!
TOMORROW, July 8, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin deciding how much to invest in service and service-learning throughout our nation. This is a critical moment in the legislative process. It is important that we call on Congress and urge them, as a first step, to support President Obama's budget request for the Corporation for National and Community Service. In addition, as service-learning advocates, we also need to encourage Congress to provide an additional $10 million for Learn and Serve America for a total of $50 million and additional funds to support the Summer of Service Initiative. These programs are critical to ensuring a foundation for a lifelong commitment to service and need to be adequately funded.
It's important to act now. Please call and ask your legislators to fund the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.159 billion for the following fiscal year, which would provide at least $50 million for Learn and Serve America.
Your outreach is extremely important as Congress faces some tough decisions on national funding priorities. House Appropriators are scheduled to hold their first markup session on July 8 and the Senate Committee is expected to meet on July 20.
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
1. To determine the members of your congressional delegation, visit here. This database will provide you with contact information for your elected officials.
2. You can call your Congressperson directly or be connected through the House Operator (202-225-3121) or Senate Operator (202-224-3121).
3. Once connected, identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant in change of national service and education issues.
4. Let the Legislative Assistant know that you strongly support funding the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.159 billion. Urge them to make sure K-12 age youth have the chance to give back as well by providing at least $50 million for Learn and Serve America and additional funds to support the Summer of Service Initiative.
5. Finally, forward this message to 5 friends and encourage them to speak up for service-learning as well.
Thank you so much for all that you do to give young people the opportunity to engage in service-learning.
****************************
Service-Learning United is a national grassroots alliance of local, state, and national organizations committed to educating our nation's leaders and citizens about the positive and powerful impact service-learning has on young people, schools, and the communities they serve. Service-Learning United is supported by the State Farm Companies Foundation and is managed by the National Service-Learning Partnership at the Academy for Educational Development.
News Roundup: July 7, 2009
Many news stories came out over the holiday weekend. Below is a sampling of some intriguing stories. Also, check out the Partnership's page on facebook, see the badge to the right of your screen.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6, 2009 - Alyssa Schwenk, a senior of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote an op-ed piece in favor of the US Public Service Academy. Please click here to view it.
eNews Park Forest, July 3, 2009 - Prairie State College (PSC) wins the League of Women Voters Award. The school received the award from the National Student/Parent Mock Election for organizing a mock election with sixth grade students at Washington-McKinley School in Chicago Heights as part of the school's service-learning initiative. To view the press release, click here.
Jewish Exponent, July 2, 2009 - An interesting op-ed on service-learning and future leaders by Jeffrey A. Barrack. The field needs more pieces like this!
Vanderbilt University News Network, July 1, 2009 - Vanderbilt professor, Marshall Eakin, was named the director of the Ingram Scholars Program. Eakin has been a long supporter of service-learning initiatives. To see the full article, click here.
The Journal Times, June 29, 2009 - A recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Statewide Service-Learning Award, the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will host the 2009 Environmental Survival Challenge. For more information, visit here.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 6, 2009 - Alyssa Schwenk, a senior of the University of Pennsylvania, wrote an op-ed piece in favor of the US Public Service Academy. Please click here to view it.
eNews Park Forest, July 3, 2009 - Prairie State College (PSC) wins the League of Women Voters Award. The school received the award from the National Student/Parent Mock Election for organizing a mock election with sixth grade students at Washington-McKinley School in Chicago Heights as part of the school's service-learning initiative. To view the press release, click here.
Jewish Exponent, July 2, 2009 - An interesting op-ed on service-learning and future leaders by Jeffrey A. Barrack. The field needs more pieces like this!
Vanderbilt University News Network, July 1, 2009 - Vanderbilt professor, Marshall Eakin, was named the director of the Ingram Scholars Program. Eakin has been a long supporter of service-learning initiatives. To see the full article, click here.
The Journal Times, June 29, 2009 - A recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Statewide Service-Learning Award, the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside will host the 2009 Environmental Survival Challenge. For more information, visit here.
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