Notes from the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, Part I

June 24th, 2009 - Posted by Elizabeth Darling - No Comments

The kickoff for the 2009 Conference on Volunteering and Service could not have been more appropriate. The event was bookended by First Lady Michelle Obama, passionate champion of national service, and Jon Bon Jovi, proponent of community service, philanthropy and civic engagement! The crowd of 5,000 was inspired to see reflected in our national leadership, a commitment to and acknowledgment of the power of civic engagement through service.

This year’s theme—“Civic. Energy. Generation.”—speaks to the momentum generated around the issue of civic engagement: being involved in community, and being part of the solution. This is a unique moment in our nation’s history, as national service and the power of volunteer involvement is recognized at the highest levels:

  • The White House with the President’s renewed call to service;
  • Congress and the passage of the Serve America Act;
  • Major corporations integrating robust pro bono skilled professional volunteer programs;
  • Philanthropists rethinking their funding decisions to incorporate measurable impact;
  • Social entrepreneurs implementing innovative solutions to age old problems;
  • Many nonprofits beginning to shift emphasis from symptomatic problems to root or systemic causes;
  • More K-12 schools embedding service learning into their curriculum and
  • Universities committed to infusing student service throughout the academic experience.

As Texans, we know civic engagement is the cornerstone of what makes our state great. OneStar is committed to promoting social responsibility and volunteering as indicators of the healthy communities. If you are not involved locally, consider making an investment in your community through service—it’s good for you!

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