Monthly Archives: March 2009

03.18.09
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Musician and Artist Service Corps Amended into House Legislation

The Music National Service Initiative, which is in its start-up phase, got the backing of legislators today through an amendment to the national service legislation that passed on the floor of the House.

Rep. Crowley was able to include following language, stipulating an artist and musician corps, in Rep. George Miller’s Manager’s Amendment to the GIVE Act, H.R. 1388.

“(Q) A musician and artist corps program that trains and deploys skilled musicians and artists to promote greater community unity through the use of music and arts education and engagement through work in low income communities, education, healthcare and therapeutic settings, and other work in the public domain with citizens of all ages.”

To learn more about Music National Service, MusicianCorps, and MusicMentors, check out the Idealist podcast featuring founder Kiff Gallagher.

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03.18.09
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With Bipartisan Support, the House Passes GIVE Act

Update, April 21, 2009: President Obama signs the Serve America Act into law. To take effect October 1, 2009.

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a major overhaul and expansion of national service.

The House passed H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act bill by strong bipartisan vote of 321 to 105. According to Alan Khazei, the founder of the Service Nation movement, this represents a 75% super-majority and broad bi-partisan support.

The vote came after a floor discussion where both Democratic and Republican Members of Congress cited numerous examples of volunteers and national service participants helping Americans in need through mentoring at-risk youth, building homes, teaching in under-served schools, caring for veterans and seniors, and helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.

According to Voices for National Service, here are some amendments to the legislation:

Amendment offered by Rep. Hill (D-IN) to make sending care packages to soldiers Continue reading →

03.18.09
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New Podcast: AmeriCorps for Legal Experts – Equal Justice Works’s Cole McMahon and Marty Costello

picture-6In 2009, hundreds of emerging legal experts across the United States will offer assistance in helping people who face mortgage foreclosure and other problems through the Equal Justice Works 2009 Summer AmeriCorps program and the one-year AmeriCorps Legal Fellows program.

Every year in this country, four out of five low-income people in need of legal assistance are denied services because of overwhelming case loads at legal services offices and a dire shortage of attorneys who can help them.

Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps plays a crucial role in closing the gap between the supply and demand of legal assistance. AmeriCorps attorneys secure affordable housing, lost wages, orders of protection, health care, public benefits, adoption services, and education for low-income and underserved communities.

Today’s guests on Idealist podcast are Marty Costello, Program Manager, and Cole McMahon, Senior Program Manager, from Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps. They joined me to talk about the Summer Corps, a 300-hour AmeriCorps Education Award program for law school students, as well as its one-year, full-time AmeriCorps Legal Fellows program.

Download the podcast and listen!

The Equal Justice Works 2009 Summer Corps application opens today Wednesday, March 18 and closes Continue reading →

03.17.09
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Lawmakers, Volunteers to Hold Press Conference to Urge Passage of Service Legislation

Update, April 21, 2009: President Obama signs the Serve America Act into law. To take effect October 1, 2009.

U.S. people of all ages who serve and volunteer will join members of the Congress for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, March 18, at 10:30 am EST.

The House of Representatives will consider H.R. 1388, the GIVE Act, on the floor Wednesday, March 18th. You can watch the voting take place on C-SPAN.

The Congress members and volunteers will urge the House to pass the legislation that aims to “launch a new era of national service to help the nation get through the economic crisis.”

The bill will significantly expand national service (if enacted). Read more (PDF) about the bill. Follow the progress of the bill on Open Congress.

People to appear at the press conference include volunteers and national service participants; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman House Education and Labor Committee and co-sponsor of legislation; U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), cosponsor of legislation; U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV); and Capt. Scott Quilty, U.S. program manager, Survivor Corps.

The Senate is expected to consider similar legislation soon.

03.17.09
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Politicorps Launches Application for Summer 09

The fellowship program for emerging activists and campaigners based here in Portland, OR, is accepting nominations and applications for this summer.

PolitiCorps is looking for “hotshot young activists ready to run a campaign, polish up her public speaking skills, and manage a volunteer team.” 

Fellowships provide a total of 24 young activists a free 10 week training in high impact grassroots organizing skills and next generation leadership skills. Fellows are college juniors or seniors, or recent grads (up to age 24).

Two applications periods exist for Summer 2009.
Round 1: Applications due March 20th (12 Fellows)
Round 2: Rolling admissions until the program is full (12 Fellows)

To apply or to nominate someone else, find  a nomination form here.

This national Fellowship offers:

  • A cleared path toward a career in the public interest
  • Training in communications, community organizing, public policy analysis, networking, data management, and project management
  • Round-table conversations with nationally-known politics, wonks, strategists, and change-agents
  • Housing and cost of living stipends are offered on top of tuition for the 10 week training

Check out the Idealist podcast show featuring the folks at Politicorps.