Serve America Act

Britt Bravo — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:47:41 -0500

I don't know if this addresses your desire for short-term opportunities, but one aspect of the Act would be to, as I wrote above, "Support short-term international service opportunities and strengthen the Volunteers for Prosperity program, which supports short-term international service opportunities."

It is...

nelle2nelle — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:23:37 -0500

and think we should look at shorter term efforts as well.

The thought just struck as I started to say what a great idea this Act would be... but after getting it in my head, think there is a nice place for less than a year stints.

nelle

llhaesa

Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Hatch Introduce Serve America Act of 2008 at Service Nation Summit

Britt Bravo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:27:02 -0500

This morning at the Service Nation Summit, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), represented by his niece, Caroline Kennedy, announced that they are introducing the Serve America Act of 2008. Barack Obama and John McCain have both agreed to co-sponsor the bill. They will be joined by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT).

Some of the elements of the Act are:

Build on the AmeriCorps and create new "Corps" focused on areas of national need. Ask 175,000 Americans to give a year of service through these Corps.
Improve opportunities for low income young people to be of service in their communities.
Establish a tax incentive for employers who allow employees to take paid leave for full-time service.
Enhance incentives for retirees to give a year of service through the Corps,and establish "Encore Fellowships" to help retirees who wish to transition to longer-term public service.
Establish a "Volunteer Generation Fund" to help nonprofit organizations recruit and manage more volunteers.
Establish a Commission to study and improve how the federal government, nonprofits, and the private sector work together to meet national challenges effectively.
Establish a network of "Community Solution Funds," venture capital funds for the nonprofit sector to support innovation in the sector.
Support short-term international service opportunities and strengthen the Volunteers for Prosperity program, which supports short-term international service opportunities.

Pretty cool, huh? If you think this is a good idea, let your Congressperson know.

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BlogHer - Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Hatch Introduce Serve America Act of 2008 at Service Nation Summit - Comments

Serve America Act

It is...

Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Hatch Introduce Serve America Act of 2008 at Service Nation Summit