First Lady calls for volunteers, young Americans answer

Michelle Obama asked for more community service Monday, but rising volunteerism among Generation Y suggest it has already caught the spirit.

By Michael B. Farrell

So, what are you doing this summer?

The drive to involve more middle-school youth in service during the summer months got a big boost today from the Corporation for National and Community Service as the agency announced grants totaling $900,000 to six national and local organizations.

Volunteerism - the Strength of a Community

Volunteers are one of the most important groups in any community. If you want something to happen, just put together some volunteers and get out of the way.

Mike Sloan
Bounary County Chamber of Commerce VP 2009

Volulnteerism and teens

Volunteerism is a valuable lesson and powerful tool for the youth of today – it empowers them, connects them to the community and is a huge asset on college applications.

Deirdre Ward
Newark Parenting Teens Examiner

Dedicated to volunteerism - 14 new members join the youth board YAPPERS

She joined because it would look good on all of her college applications.

She stayed because it allowed her to make a difference in the life of the people in her community.

STACEY BECKERTH, Staff Writer

Beverly student starts summer as volunteer

When Beverly resident Lizzie Chaps finished her last final exam at the University of Illinois this spring, she could easily have said, "Goodbye freshman year and hello summer vacation."

Instead, Chaps plunked down $300 in travel expenses, picked up her suitcase and said, "Goodbye freshman year and hello Gesundheit! Institute," where she chose to work for a week as an unpaid volunteer.

Bellingham Explorations grad found volunteerism and herself

BELLINGHAM - When Heidi Johnson graduates from Explorations Academy, she knows her next step will be attending Western Washington University in the fall.
Just don't ask her what she'll study - she has too many interests to decide on just one....

KIRA MILLAGE - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

The Role of Volunteer Resources Managers in the Serve America Act: Stay Up-to-Date and Lead

After so many months of anxious build-up, the signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in April may feel like a signal to volunteer managers that now is the time to relax.

Not so fast. Successful policy is a product of good legislation and good implementation both -- and there’s still plenty left to do before the hopes of volunteer managers can be fully realized.

A recent Energize Inc. article by nonprofit management consultants Paula J. Beugen and Susan Ellis makes the precarious state of things clear. Beugen and Ellis do a terrific job explaining where the Act is today and what nonprofits can and should be doing now to prepare to tap into new funding the Act provides.

Governor's "Smart, Green and Growing" Initiatives

On behalf of the Governor's office, the Maryland Higher Education Commission is collecting names and contact information for student volunteers to assist with promoting the Governor's "Smart, Green and Growing" Initiatives. These students would be contacted by MHEC to attend various fairs, festivals and cultural events throughout the state to discuss the State's "green" initiatives. Many of these are outlined on the Governor's website at: http://www.green.maryland.gov/ . If you have students interested in assisting the Governor in promoting these initiatives and policies, please forward the name and contact information to:

Christopher Falkenhagen
Director of Communications
Maryland Higher Education Commission
839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400
Annapolis, MD 21401-3013
Phone: (410) 260-4511
Cell: (443) 758-7644
Fax: (410) 260-3201
cfalkenh@mhec.state.md.us

Charity and children

Amidst the multitude of problems clouding today’s American horizon, there is a ray of hope. A wonderful trend is taking place in communities around the country: children are grasping the concept of being good, contributing members of society. As the need to extend a helping hand to neighbors continues to grow, our children are helping by donating their time, energy, and even their allowance money—and these many contributions have added up.

By Kimberly Spaulding
Hartford Special Interests Examiner

More Americans turning to Peace Corps

With President Obama extolling the volunteer agency as an exemplar of public service and U.S. diplomacy, applications have jumped. The idealism is tinged with pragmatism, amid joblessness at home.

By Chris Kraul
June 2, 2009