ServiceNation Puts Service on the Election Agenda

This fall, ServiceNation — a coalition of more than 100 local, regional, and national organizations — is working to place national service, volunteerism, and service-learning on the agenda of the 2008 presidential campaigns. NYLC plays a key role as service-learning advocate and advisor to the new coalition.

Behind this initiative is a nationwide goal of involving 100 million Americans in service and 20 million youths in school- and community-based service-learning each year by 2020. NYLC will be in attendance as the coalition jumpstarts the initiative with a presidential candidates forum on Sept. 11 in New York City. NYLC’s President and CEO Jim Kielsmeier, NYLC Board Chair Jim Scheibel, and Program Coordinator Amanda Larson will also join a nonpartisan gathering of 500 leaders on Sept. 12 to ratify a Declaration of Service, emphasizing the belief that service should become a more integral part of who we are as a nation.

The service-learning component of the ServiceNation agenda seeks expanded support for district-level service-learning initiatives; increased funding for competitive grants to strengthen school-community partnerships; a focus on the needs of minority, urban, and at-risk youths; and opportunities for a middle school Summer of Service experience for more young people.

Following the summit, ServiceNation will coordinate a nationwide Day of Action on Sept. 27 that will develop grassroots energy behind the new legislation and begin work toward the ServiceNation goal of engaging more people in volunteer service. ServiceNation organizers seek to coordinate 1,000 service events involving tens of thousands of people across the United States to highlight the power of service.

To learn more about NYLC’s role in ServiceNation and about the role of service-learning in preparing young people for academic success and civic engagement, join NYLC in a conference call on Sept. 4, 2008, at 10 a.m. To participate, call 1-866-740-1260 and log on to http://www.readytalk.com, access code: 8991249. (We recommend testing your computer for compatibility prior to the conference: http://test.readytalk.com.)