All Forums > Featured Story
The Serve America Act is through Congress!
Apr 01, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner
Yesterday in a roll call vote, the House of Representatives voted to amend the Serve America Act with the newer Senate version. The vote was 275-149, fulfilling the super majority and bipartisan efforts.
This only leaves one step to make this official, signing the bill into law. While President Barack Obama is in Europe right now, there will be no reason for him to sign the Serve America Act as soon as he lands in the states.
After the Serve America Act is on the books of US Code, we still need your support. We need to make sure that Congress fulfills their promises laid out in the bill. Appropriations will occur to physically fund the bill, and this is definitely not the easiest process. ServeNext will keep you updated with all of that.
But for now…it is time to celebrate our success! Thank you for your continued support and efforts. Without you we could not have succeeded!
Congress, vote, House (all tags)
What Happens Next? A Series of Personal Stories
Mar 30, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner
With the most difficult tasks behind us, we now look forward to the effects the Serve America Act will have on the nation. The legislation joins together numerous service organizations to increase their resources, numbers, and funding. But what does that really mean?
I am in the process of collecting stories and expectations for the Serve America Act from these organizations and individuals involved in service at all levels. These stories will explain how a piece of legislation will improve national service in the very near future.
Keep an eye out for this series coming to a computer screen near you!
In the mean time check out the White House reaction to the Serve America Act passing through Congress on the White House blog.
If you would like to share a personal story or reaction to the Serve America Act, please email, kim@servenext.org.
Organizations, Serve America Act (all tags)
Service in the Media
Mar 27, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner
While the Serve America Acts awaits a vote in the Senate, Time Magazine and the New York Times published pieces urging its approval.
In the past weeks we have seen a surge of media around the Serve America Act and GIVE Act. This includes the Boston Globe piece.
Time Magazine’s most recent issue includes an opinion piece written by President Barack Obama explaining his personal experiences with service for America and why this legislation needs to go through. A personal call from the President of the United States shows the importance of this legislation and necessity for its approval.
And the New York Times carries a piece stating that “This is a chance to constructively harness the idealism of thousands of Americans eager to contribute time and energy to solving the nation’s problems — a chance not to be missed.”
All of these pieces show the public interest in the Serve America Act, and you can show yours as well. Write a letter to the editor or opinion piece to your local newspaper to show your support for the Serve America Act.
Times, New York Times, Obama (all tags)
Service Legislation Gains Momentum, Big Week Ahead
Mar 25, 2009 Posted by Kim Wollner
Last week, the House of Representatives voted on the GIVE Act (HR 1388). The vote was a huge bipartisan victory with 321-105. You can see the press conference held outside the Capitol after the vote here on YouTube.
We are halfway there in our fight for service for America, but we cannot coast through what we have left.
The Senate has the Serve America Act (S277) on its agenda this week (the Senate companion to the GIVE Act). After years of hard work, this is our week to get the bill passed! We are hoping that we have as big of a bipartisan victory in the Senate as we did in the House to show that this legislation is not a party issue.
You can read an opinion piece about the Senate legislation at
The Boston Globe.
While our country is in a difficult economic state, some may be questioning why now for this service legislation. Honestly, there is no better time for the Serve America Act to be passed. This bill would help pull our nation out of this crisis by creating jobs and opportunities for scholarship for citizens of all ages. We have seen with recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, that service is a necessary asset in our communities and we must increase the population of people serving. Everyday people talk about how they want to get involved with service, but they do not know where to turn for opportunities. This bill will clearly lay out all of the service opportunities available. All in all, this legislation will help pull our nation together to help one another.
Now it is your turn! You can help in this crucial week by making a short phone call to your Senator. We need as much grassroots support as possible so we are asking all of our supporters to take a second and visit The Youth Policy Action Center. There are simple instructions on where and how to call you Senator.
Every call is important so we also ask that you spread this call to your networks, no matter where they are from.
Thank you for your continued support!
Senate, Serve America Act, House (all tags)
Arizona Republic: Service act will help unite country
Nov 26, 2008 Posted by Aaron Marquez
Nov. 23, 2008 12:00 AM
President-elect Barack Obama, the 111th Congress, our country and world face great challenges as we await Inauguration Day.
The economy, energy, climate-change and education inequity: these are just a few of the profound tasks that confront us. These challenges can only be solved with the sacrifice of every American working together - Democrats and Republicans. Nothing is more important than first uniting our country.
With Sen. John McCain's leadership, there's a piece of legislation the might lead the way to unity: The Serve America Act. Both McCain and Obama co-sponsored this bill during the midst of the heated presidential campaign.
Arizona Republic, Serve America Act, John McCain, ServeNext (all tags)
Be the first member to post to our blog!
Jun 10, 2008 Posted by zach maurin
We are looking forward to lively and informative conversations. Be the first to post a Members' Voices entry!
(all tags)
Welcome to the ServeNext Public Square!
Mar 19, 2007 Posted by test_user
This is the central location for the growing ServeNext community of National Service supporters and advocates that will join this grassroots movement to make service and volunteerism a key part of American culture.
The purpose of the ServeNext Public Square is to enable anyone from any location get involved in expanding service opportunities. Each citizen and supporter of service plays a critical role in taking action to make service a central part to American culture. The Public Square is a place where this will happen. Over time this will become an increasingly vibrant location to learn about issues effecting national service, how you can take action, and to meet other people who share the same interest in expanding service. The success of this movement depends on more people getting involved and taking action. Join today!
ServeNext In Action
Youth, Education & National Service
Road Trip With a Mission: Expanding National Service. AmeriCorps alumni and ServeNext.org members, are traveling the country by bus for the National Service Express Tour, hitting 30 cities in 60 days.
Read More...Find a ServeNext event near you:
No upcoming events
Recent Tags
Blogroll
YouTube
Facebook
FlickrCopyright 2008 ServeNext
Powered by ARCOS | Design by Plus Three