Join Us, Be A Voice
Let’s Get Back on Track to Deliver on the Promise of the Serve America Act
Letter from the Co-Chairs of Voices for National Service
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Dear Friends:
We invite you to join Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national service programs, state commissions and individual champions committed to expanding opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve and volunteer. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped position national service as a viable policy solution to tackle unmet needs, expand opportunity, and leverage social capital. In 2009, just two years ago, we celebrated the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that ushered in a new and exciting platform for service and social innovation in America. Over a relatively short period of time, this sector has made tremendous progress. But our work is far from done and we need your help. We hope you will consider joining Voices for National Service at this unprecedented moment of need and opportunity for national and community service.
In 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced two bills to eliminate funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and to end national service programs like AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, Learn and Serve America and more. Voices for National Service led a nationwide mobilization effort to defeat the deepest and most devastating cuts. While we were successful in saving 92% of the Corporation’s funding, the CNCS budget was still reduced by $100 million over two appropriations cycles and the Learn and Serve America program was completely eliminated.
We understand the difficult choices our nation's policymakers face in a time of great economic turmoil, but we were disappointed to see lawmakers scale back investment in CNCS programs that provide cost-effective and innovative solutions to our nation's challenges by leveraging private sector and public dollars to ensure Americans receive the services they require. We are grateful to our champions for working to ensure that most of the national service programs were saved from total elimination, but in the end American communities lose when national service funding is reduced.
Educating our nation’s leaders about the power and potential of national service and the need to expand opportunities for all Americans to service has been a priority for Voices for National Service since the coalition’s inception. Moving forward, we must do even more to show the great economic benefits to keeping pathways open for Americans to serve their country in the hopes that all of our leaders will recognize the value they provide.
CNCS and its programs were built by Republican and Democratic presidents, from President George H.W. Bush to President Obama, governors and mayors, as well as leading philanthropies and corporate partners. Today, CNCS funds are being leveraged locally – matched with private contributions – to deliver a wide array of services. National service members infuse nonprofit organizations with the human capital they require to provide the vital services Americans need and local communities can no longer afford like disaster response, educational support and enabling senior citizen to live independently rather than enter costly nursing homes. To disinvest in CNCS now, in this time of economic uncertainty, risks our nation's health and economic recovery.
If we are going to get back on track to deliver on the promise of the Serve America Act, we need your help. We encourage you to join Voices for National Service to help educate our nation’s leaders and the general public about national service’s impact and to ensure that the federal government remains a strong and robust partner. Please read further for information on how to join Voices for National Service. Your membership will support the viability of our work, and together we can set the future direction for national service in America.
Sincerely,
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David Mallery
Executive Director
Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service |
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Paul Schmitz
President and CEO
Public Allies |
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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.
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Our
Members
Voices for National Service is supported by a diverse
membership of national service organizations, state service
commissions, local community initiatives, and alumni.
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Bellflower Unified School District/AmeriCorps/APPLE
EOC Fresno Local Conservation Corps
Southern Association of RSVP Directors
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Our Friends of National Service
Champion's Circle
Citizen's Circle
- Diana Rodriguez Algra
- Michelle Hynes
- Gene Sofer
National Service Alumni/Teachers
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For additional information on Voices for National Service’s
history & accomplishments, click
here.
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