The Obama Administration has been calling for a new era in American public life defined by a spirit of community and the volunteer efforts that express our common struggles and further our search for solutions. Yesterday, the President signed into law a bill that is both symbolic and practical, encouraging voluntary action and providing the means to find opportunities and share successes. During his speech at the signing, President Obama said:
“We need your service, right now, at this moment in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I’m asking you to stand up and play your part. I’m asking you to help change history’s course. Put your shoulder up against the wheel. And if you do, I promise you – your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century.”
Volunteering is already rewarding because you feel like you’re part of a larger effort to help others, to make the world a better place. But at this point in history, we can truly be part of a national effort, something so much larger than ourselves. President Obama is asking all Americans to make a commitment to service in the next eight days, before his 100th day in office.
An email I received today from www.usaservice.org provides guidance on how to take action:
“President Obama has been calling on Americans to work together — street by street, town by town — to tackle our country’s biggest challenges.
“Yesterday, that service got a lot easier when President Obama signed the Serve America Act, the largest expansion of national service since the creation of the Peace Corps. Yesterday’s signing opens up new service opportunities for millions of people across the country.
“Join your fellow Americans in putting our country back on track.
“Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter and Senator Ted Kennedy all joined the President at yesterday’s signing ceremony.
“They all wanted to be among the first to answer the President’s call to serve.
“Now it’s your turn. The Serve America Act triples the size of AmeriCorps over the next eight years, and focuses on our country’s toughest challenges — including clean energy, health care, and education.
“It gives students, seniors, and everyone in between the resources to serve. And it strengthens nonprofit organizations to expand opportunities for everyone to pitch in.
“You’ve already taken the first step by signing up at USAservice.org. We’re so grateful for the work you’ve done since the National Day of Service in January.
“Take the next step. Join President Obama’s official White House initiative to renew America:
http://www.usaservice.org/whitehouse
“We hope you’ll use this historic legislation to enrich both your own life and the lives of others across this country.
“Thanks,
“USA Service”
You can learn more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act through a fantastic organization called “Service Nation.” Their full coverage of the bill, the transcript of the ceremony and actionable opportunities can be found here.
The White House blog post on the event found here, including a promise to review your stories of voluntary service and “highlight some of the best of what we hear” over the coming weeks and months.
