Voices for National Service Capitol Hill Day 2010
September 15-16, 2010
Washington, DC

Each September, national service alumni, program staff, service partners, and corporate sponsors convene in Washington, DC, for one day of coordinated meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs. The National Service Capitol Hill Day helps to establish and strengthen relationships with our legislators and provides an excellent opportunity for constituents to explain how federal funds are used locally. The meetings on Capitol Hill are a critical opportunity to share with Congress how national service participants are helping to address the country’s most pressing needs during this economic downturn.

This fall, as pressure builds to control spending and cut the deficit, Congress will be forced to make really tough decisions about funding priorities. It is critically important that we meet with our legislators, stress the impact of national service in our communities, and urge them to fully fund the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.42 billion. This appropriation – recommended by President Obama – is a 23% increase for the agency, and we must demonstrate that there is a significant need and a strong demand for this level of funding.

The Capitol Hill Day will start on the afternoon of September 15 with an orientation session. Participants will learn tips for conducting successful meetings, receive an update on current policy issues, and collect issue briefs and background material that will help them prepare for their meetings. On September 16, there will be a Kick-Off event in the Capitol building, followed by a full day of office visits.

Due to the limited amount of meeting space in many congressional offices, we may need to set limits on the number of Hill Day registrants from certain congressional districts. We encourage you to register early to secure your place and to give us sufficient notice of your planned participation. We want to maximize interest and schedule a productive day of meetings for as many as possible.

Schedule of Events (tentative):

Click here to register for the Voices for National Service Capitol Hill Day 2010.

If you have any questions about the Voices for National Service Capitol Hill Day, please e-mail info@voicesforservice.org or call 202-742-7374.

Presenting Sponsor:

Event Sponsor:

	Click here to read the flyer for the 2010 Friends of National Service Reception.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2010, friends and supporters of national service gathered in the nation’s capital to celebrate and honor elected officials and private citizens who have worked to protect and expand national service opportunities for all Americans.  The seventh annual Friends of National Service Awards Reception was co-hosted by Voices for National Service and The Corps Network and presented by the Comcast Corporation, National Grid, and the Academy for Educational Development.

In spite of the severe weather affecting the area, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Paulsen of the Entertainment Industry Foundation were present to accept their respective awards and address the crowd of service champions in attendance.  Remarks were also heard from our sponsors: David Cohen, Executive Vice President of the Comcast Corporation, and Rick Carter, Vice President of Federal Affairs for National Grid.

For more information, including images from the event, press coverage, and a full list of honorees, click here.

Presenting Sponsors:
Event Sponsor:

Voices for National Service Capitol Hill Day 2009
September 14 – 15, 2009
Washington, DC

Event sponsored by

On September 14th and 15th, national service alumni, program staff, service partners, and corporate sponsors from 35 states and the District of Columbia visited 150 congressional offices to educate members and their staffs about national service legislation and the federal investment in AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps.  The participants used this important opportunity to inform congressional leaders about the role national service has played – and should continue to play – in seeing our nation through these challenging economic times.

To kick off the Hill Day, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa addressed the assembled participants to express his appreciation for the impact that national service is having across America, including Iowa in the wake of the devastating floods of 2008.  Senator Harkin explained his new role as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, succeeding the late Senator Edward Kennedy – a position that places Senator Harkin in the chairmanship of both the authorizing committee for national service and the appropriating subcommittee, Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.  Earlier this month, Senator Harkin’s extraordinary leadership was recognized at a “Service Salutes Senator Harkin” celebration in Cedar Rapids, IA.  (For more information on the Harkin event, co-hosted by Voices for National Service, ServiceNation, and America Forward, click here.)

• Click here to view photos from the Kick-Off event.

• Click here to read a flyer distributed by Voices for National Service during Hill visits.

Service Salutes Senator Harkin
September 3, 2009
Cedar Rapid, IA

On September 3rd, 2009, Voices for National Service, ServiceNation, and America Forward co-hosted an event in Cedar Rapids, IA, to thank Senator Tom Harkin for his long-standing support of national service.  The event also recognized the thousands of volunteers and national-service participants who have assisted with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts in Iowa after 2008’s severe storms and flooding.  “Service Salutes Senator Harkin” took place at the Community Recovery Center, which houses local agencies and organizations that have provided assistance to Iowans impacted by those floods.

After speeches from Iowans and members of the service community – including Voices for National Service Steering Committee member AnnMaura Connolly – Senator Harkin and the actor Brandon Routh, an Iowa native, participated in a service project with local volunteers and VISTA members.

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Photos courtesy of Rachel Shatten, America Forward