Join Us, Be A Voice
Letter from the Co-Chairs
of Voices for National Service
Dear Friends:
Join Voices for National Service and help us to educate our nation’s leaders and the public about national service’s impact and potential.
It has been 16 years since the passage of the National and Community Service Trust Act. There have been no new service initiatives, and the growth and program enhancement of AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps have been limited to changes implemented either through rulemaking or through the appropriations process. This past year marked a major shift with Congress introducing more than 9 bipartisan bills aimed at growing existing programs, increasing incentives for service, and creating new pathways for service and volunteerism. In the recent presidential campaign, both candidates championed service, appearing together at the Presidential Summit on National Service in New York City on 9/11. Many of the policy changes the candidates promoted through their campaigns mirrored the recommendations our coalition gathered from the field in June 2007. Now we have an exciting opportunity to leverage the long support of President-Elect Barack Obama who has called on Americans to serve and declared his intention to triple AmeriCorps, double the Peace Corps, and provide other service opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds.
We know that the momentum to pass new legislation, which could shape national service for the next 15 years, will not be realized without the continued mobilization of national service supporters. Now is the time to join Voices for National Service, a member coalition that represents the field of national service programs, state service commissions, and individual champions committed to growing opportunities for Americans to serve their community and country. Founded in 2003 in response to major cuts in federal funding, Voices for National Service found immediate success in uniting the national service field and in building strong bipartisan support for service and volunteerism. Voices for National Service has continued to safeguard national service appropriations and affect policy changes by maintaining open channels of communication between the field and policymakers in Washington, DC.
As dues-paying members, service programs and state service commissions are helping to develop this alliance into a sustained and proactive voice. In return, they enjoy a broad range of benefits, including participation in an active group of though-leaders, admission to annual events, representation on Capitol Hill, and ongoing access to information on national service funding and legislation.
Individuals are staying informed by subscribing to receive the Voices for National Service e-newsletter and pledging to educate policy makers and the public about the impact and potential of service. Individuals are invited to join the Friends of National Service sponsorship circle by pledging a donation.
The time to engage America’s leaders and policy makers about the future of national and community service is now. Please read further for information on how to join. Your membership will help ensure the viability of our work, and together, we can set the future direction for national service in America.
Sincerely,
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Bill Basl
Chair
Association of State Service Commissions
Co-Chair
Voices for National Service
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Nelda Brown
Executive Director
National Service-Learning Partnership
Co-Chair
Voices for National Service |
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Paul Schmitz
President and CEO
Public Allies
Co-Chair
Voices for National Service |
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- Click
here to learn more about Voices for National Service.
- Click
here to become a member organization of Voices
for National Service.
- Click
here to join the Friends of National Service sponsorship
circle.
- Click
here to find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about membership.
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Benefits
of Membership
When you become a member of Voices for National Service,
you help to leverage and grow nearly $1 billion in federal
funds annually invested in citizen service. Your membership
supports our education and policy efforts and connects
you to up-to-date information about legislation and policies
affecting your program and the national service field.
Admission to Annual Events
- National Service Capitol
Hill Day, More than 100 member organizations
gather in Washington DC each September for a day of
visits to congressional offices to discuss the importance
of national service and share stories of impact from
local communities.
- Friends of National Service
Reception, As many as 400 guests attend this
Washington reception where we recognize distinguished
elected leaders and private citizens for their work
to protect and expand national service opportunities.
- Policy Forums, Voices
for National Service hosts regular gatherings of national
service participants, thought-leaders, and academics
to discuss the impact and future of national service.
Representation on Capitol Hill
Voices for National Service initiates, monitors, and supports
legislation that strengthens national
service. Your membership dues support a government affairs
committee, which works with public
policy leaders and decision makers to inform legislation
and agency regulations that affect
national service programs and their participants.
Ongoing Access to Information
A monthly E-Newsletter, Action Alerts, and www.voicesforservice.org
provide up-to-date information on national service funding
and legislation. The website also serves as an information
portal to research and other resources on the impact of
national service.
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Benefits
of Steering Committee Membership
Governance
Steering Committee Members shape public messages and legislative
strategies for Voices for National Service. They provide
oversight of all events and determine the annual agenda
and budget.
Branding
Voices for National Service has considerable recognition
on Capitol Hill. Steering Committee Members officially
represent the coalition at public events, and they are
listed on all official documents, correspondence, and collateral.
Special Committees
The Steering Committee appoints individuals to serve on
subcommittees to address issues of concern to its membership.
Participation in an Active Group
of Thought-Leaders
Steering Committee Members serve as thought-leaders for
the national service field, proposing ideas for new programs
and strategies to strengthen and expand national service.
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Dues Information
Membership is open to service organizations and state
service commissions seeking to expand opportunities for
all Americans to serve. Dues are calculated based on the
size of the organization’s operating budget and are
applicable for one calendar year.
Membership Type |
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Annual Dues |
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Steering Committee Member
Member (Organization Budget over $5 Million)
Member (Organization Budget $1 Million to $5 Million)
Member (Organization Budget less than $1 Million) |
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$10,000
$1,000
$500
$250 |
Click
here to become a member organization of Voices for
National Service.
Service organizations and current
participants in service programs wishing to contribute
to the work of Voices for National Service should familiarize
themselves with the rules set by the federal government
and the Corporation for National and Community Service
governing advocacy and lobbying activity. For more information click
here.
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Friends of National
Service
Corporations, foundations, and individuals wishing to
contribute to the work of Voices for National Service may
join the Friends of National Service sponsorship circle.
Friends of National Service receive the benefits of free
admission to annual events and up-to-date information on
national service funding and legislation through our E-Newsletter
and Action Alerts.
Friends of National Service |
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Contribution |
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| Corporation and Foundation Partners |
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$5,000 |
| Champion’s Circle (listed as individual) |
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$1,000 |
| Citizen’s Circle (listed as individual) |
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$100 |
| National Service Alumni/Teachers |
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$25 |
Click
here to join the Friends of National Service sponsorship
circle.
Corporations and foundations wishing to sponsor an event
should email info@voicesforservice.org for more information.
Our
2009 Members Include
Voices for National Service is supported by a diverse
membership of national service organizations, state service
commissions, local community initiatives, and alumni.
Our 2008 Friends of National Service
Champion's Circle
Citizen's Circle
- Diana Rodriguez Algra
- Gene Sofer
National Service Alumni/Teachers
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For additional information on Voices for National Service’s
history & accomplishments, click
here. |