Author Archives: Amy Potthast

11.24.09
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America’s Service Commissions Launches a Wiki to Help State Groups Replicate Effective National Service Models

This week, America’s Service Commissions (ASC)—the independent association of state commissions on voluntary action and service—and ServeMinnesota — the Minnesota commission on volunteering and service — have announced the launch a new resource, the AmeriCorps State Program Replication Wiki.

The Kennedy Serve America Act, signed into law in April, offers the national service community an unprecedented opportunity to expand service at the local level and offer far more citizens a chance to serve in their communities. The Act also poses a huge challenge to national service programs — the opportunity to increase the number and size of individual corps without weakening the impact of service, or diluting support for corps members, host organizations, etc.

State service commissions—appointed by state governors and responsible for the bulk of AmeriCorps funds distribution Continue reading →

11.24.09
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Next City Year Application Deadline Fast Approaching

Cross-posted from the City Year Tumblog by Michael Messina.

Young people are increasingly psyched about giving back and making a difference.

Over the past year or so, interest in programs like City Year has skyrocketed. Applications to City Year tripled last year! That’s great news for all of us.

On the flip side, increased applications + limited slots = increased competition for those that want to serve.

That brings us to the point of this post…. the benefits of applying early to City Year.

Meet City Year corps member Bert Rivera! He’s 23 and a recent college grad from Chicago. He currently serves as team leader in a middle school in Los Angeles.

Last year, Bert submitted his application by the Nov. 30 deadline.

Check out his video to get his take on applying early to City Year.

11.19.09
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Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco Passes Away After an Illness

Peace Corps suffers the loss of a vibrant Volunteer So-Youn Kim.

This week, Peace Corps announced the death of a young Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Morocco.

The 23-year-old So-Youn Kim — a 2007 Stanford grad — passed away Monday, November 16th, after an illness. The announcement from Peace Corps doesn’t specify the illness, and says the exact cause of death is unknown. She was about half-way through her term of service as a youth development worker in Tamegroute, a small village within the Zagora province of Morocco.

This Saturday, the Peace Corps community in Morocco will hold a memorial service for the young Volunteer.

From the blog of fellow Peace Corps Morocco Volunteer Joy:

Monday night, I received shocking news that So-Youn Kim, a YD volunteer who arrived with my staaj (training group), passed away unexpectedly. I only briefly knew her. She had a fiery spirit, that was both polarizing and admirable. This past month, she organized two well-received pottery workshops. My heart ached not being able to attend. My heart aches for her passing, her community (both in Morocco, Peace Corps and the States) and her family.

And from fellow Peace Corps Morocco Volunteer “oclynn”:

I just received very disturbing news from Peace Corps in Rabat. So-Youn Kim, the YD PCV who put Continue reading →

11.19.09
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Roosevelt Scholars Act Introduced in the Senate

Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have recently introduced the Roosevelt Scholars Act of 2009 (S. 2789) to enable and attract highly qualified people to work for the federal government.

The legislation would fund Roosevelt Scholars to pursue degrees in high-skill, high-need fields while receiving tuition, room & board, and a stipend in exchange for a commitment to serve in the federal government – the civilian equivalent to the military’s successful ROTC program.The Roosevelt Scholars program is one effort in response to these looming workforce issues within the federal government:

  • 273,000 mission-critical positions in federal agencies that need to be filled by 2012
  • $20,056 average debt of 2007-2008 undergraduates who took out loans
  • $47,503 average total loan debt after completion of a graduate or professional degree program, effectively pricing many of our most talented students out of public service

Over 140 college and university presidents as well as leaders of associations and good government groups have endorsed the Roosevelt Scholars Act since Representatives David Price (D-NC) and Mike Castle (R-DE) introduced the bill in the House (H.R. 3510).

The Partnership for Public Service, an independent organization that educates people about federal government careers, is asking supporters to sign the online petition and send it to five friends who care about affordable education and a talented federal workforce, to call their Senators at 202-224-3121 and Representatives at 202-225-3121 and urge them to cosponsor the Roosevelt Scholars Act of 2009.

Read The Washington Post pieces by E.J. Dionne and Joe Davidson on Roosevelt Scholars.

11.11.09
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Service Nation launches Mission Serve to Strengthen and Create Civilian-Military Service Partnerships

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden help kick off the Veteran’s Day launch of the new Service Nation initiative Mission Serve.

Today we pause to think of our veterans who have served our country in the Service. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Service Nation — the campaign to expand service opportunities — launches a new initiative, Mission Serve, to connect civilians and the military community in service.

Service Nation aims to strengthen the bonds between the military and civilian service worlds — two overlapping Continue reading →