Utah #1 Volunteering State in Nation for 5th Year in a Row

SALT LAKE CITY – Lt. Governor Greg Bell, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Provo City Mayor Curtis, Ogden Mayor Godfrey and Salt Lake City Mayor Becker along with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Utah Commission on Volunteers will release the 2010 Volunteering In America report ranking Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation for the 5^th year running during a press conference in the Gold Room of the State Capitol on June 15 at 9 a.m.

 Collected in partnership with the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the most comprehensive set of data on volunteering in the U.S., and tracks volunteering trends in all 50 states and nearly 200 cities.

 This year’s report shows the largest increase in volunteering since 2003, with 63.4 million Americans (age 16 and older) volunteering in 2009, an increase of almost 1.6 million since 2008.

 ”We’ve seen a renewal in the volunteer spirit of our nation,” said Senator Orrin G. Hatch. “It is heartening to see reports that more and more Americans are willingly stepping forward to help in their neighborhoods and communities and, once again, Utah is leading the way.”

 This report ranks Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation with 44.2% of adults volunteering (national average is 22.8%). In addition to this ranking, Utah ranked #1 in eight other categories.

 “These rankings solidify what we already knew about the citizens of our great state,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “They see a need and solve it and when asked they serve.”

 Other #1 state rankings Include:

 Volunteer Hours per Resident: 86.9 hours (#2 ranked Iowa averages 40.1 hours per resident)

• Volunteer Retention Rate:  80.1% (national average is 65%)
• Older Adults (age 65 and older): 40.6%
• Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964): 48.9%
• College Students: 42.3%
• Young Adults (ages 16-24): 40.2%
• Teenagers (ages 16-19): 44.5%
• Millennials (born in/after 1982) 39.4%

 Service is the key solution to many of the challenges facing our state. On average, Utah’s 855,600 volunteers dedicated 168.4 million hours of service with an estimated economic impact of $3.5 billion to our state.

  “The number and quality of Utah’s Volunteers provide positive tangible and intangible economic benefits that contribute to every Utahn’s quality of life”, said Spencer Eccles, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Executive Director.  “If one looks no further than our corporate citizens you will find innumerable examples of companies and their employees that regularly make significant contributions back into our communities.”

 The city of Provo leads our nation ranking 1^st as the mid-size city with the highest volunteer rate in the country at 63.6% with each resident averaging 149.7 hours of service.

 ”Provo residents understand the real value of serving one another as evidenced by the results of this study,” said Provo Mayor John R. Curtis. “But I find it difficult to truly place a dollar value on what volunteering means to the community. These amazing people sacrifice and serve Provo’s residents and by definition aren’t paid, yet they are a priceless part of our City.”

 Iowa City, Iowa ranked 2nd with a 50% volunteer rate averaging just 42.2 hours of service per person. Ogden, Utah ranked 3rd in the nation with 47.7% volunteer rate but averages 90.5 hours of service per person ranking them 2^ndin the nation for hours served per resident. Salt Lake City ranked 3^rd in the nation with a volunteering rate of 35.8% but ranks 1^st within the 51 large cities at 60.8 volunteer hours per resident.

 “We congratulate the citizens of our great state for their passion and dedication for serving others,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director with the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “But we still need your service now more than ever and encourage you to recruit your friends, family and associates to find on-going service opportunities that will help our citizens and non-profits in these most difficult economic times.”

 The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information or to find volunteering opportunities around the state, log ontowww.volunteers.utah.gov.

Access to the Volunteering In America report can be found on the Corporation for National and Community Service’s interactive websitewww.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.

 

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Utah Commission on Volunteers Launches 2010 Summer of Service Campaign

SALT LAKE CITY-This summer, President Obama is calling on all of us – young and old, from every background, all across this country – to participate in our nation’s recovery and renewal by serving in our communities. In Utah, we are excited to be kicking off our 2010 Summer of Service – YOU changing the world. One day, one week, one SUMMER at a time!

 Summer of Service is a statewide campaign in partnership with the Utah Commission on Volunteers and the Volunteer Center Association of Utah. The campaign will encourage and mobilize people of all ages to make a difference in their communities by volunteering over the summer. Simply sign up to participate, volunteer your time, log your hours online, and win a Presidential Service Award signed by the President of the United States. The individual in each age group that logs the most hours of service from June 1 through August 31, 2010 will win lunch with Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell.

WHO: Anyone!

◦KIDS ages 5-14: 50 hours minimum

◦YOUNG ADULTS ages 15-25: 100 hours minimum

◦ADULTS ages 26 and up: 100 hours minimum

WHEN: June 1 – August 31, 2010

WHERE: Anywhere that needs a helping hand

     ◦Nonprofit Organizations

                 ◦Faith Based Institutions

     ◦Community events

     ◦Government Agencies & Schools

     ◦Individuals

 

WHY: To make a difference in your community and win an award

◦Make a difference in the lives of others

◦Learn new skills and build your resume

◦Keep active, stay busy and avoid boredom

◦Earn a Presidential Service Award

◦Earn a chance to win lunch with Utah’s Lieutenant Governor

◦Have fun and make new friends

HOW: Log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov and click on the Summer of Service box. It will provide you with all

the details you need to register and log your hours.

HELP: For help finding volunteer opportunities please visit www.volunteers.utah.gov, call 888.755.8824 or

contact your local volunteer center.

AmeriCorps Night with Real Salt Lake

AmeriCorps members recognized for their service

SANDY UTAH- Real Salt Lake is teaming up with the Utah Commission on Volunteers and the State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service to celebrate AmeriCorps Week when they take on the Houston Dynamo at Rio Tinto Stadium, Thursday May 13 at 7 p.m.

The Utah Commission on Volunteers will participate in Carnival Real prior to the match from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a booth highlighting volunteerism and the AmeriCorps program. In addition, AmeriCorps Week will be featured during a halftime program with key program members participating on the pitch.

Since 1994, more than 9,500 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “Get Things Done for America,” serving more than 8.23 million hours at 87 nonprofit and community organizations. These programs address problems in our communities – from tutoring youth to preparing communities for disaster to helping the medically underserved – they build capacity of the nonprofit sector to better serve Utah.

WHO:

AmeriCorps members, Alumni, State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service staff and Commission on Volunteers staff WHAT:

AmeriCorps Night with Real Salt Lake WHEN:

Thursday, May 13 at 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. WHERE:

Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy Utah INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

are available after the half-time declaration presentation.

Governor’s Declaration Kicks-Off AmeriCorps Week in Utah

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Shines Spotlight on Impact of AmeriCorps Service

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah will join the nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across Utah. Lt. Governor Greg Bell will read the Governor’s Declaration of AmeriCorps Week on Tuesday, May 11^th at 10:30am in the Gold Room of the State Capitol surrounded by AmeriCorps and VISTA members from local programs.

“I am honored to recognize our state’s AmeriCorps members for their outstanding service and extraordinary contributions,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “Through their service lives and communities are being transformed.”

Since 1994, more than 9,500 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “get thing done for America,” serving more than 8.23 million hours at 87 nonprofit and community organizations. These programs address real problems in our communities – from tutoring youth to preparing communities for disaster to helping the medically underserved – they build capacity of the nonprofit sector to better serve Utah.

“AmeriCorps Week is more than a way to honor AmeriCorps members for their great achievements,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “It’s an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact these AmeriCorps programs are making in our state.”

Following the AmeriCorps Week Proclamation members will gather at the Tomato Garden in Salt Lake City for a service project to beautify the community and youth gardens. Additional service projects are taking place around the state.

WHO: Lt. Governor Greg Bell and AmeriCorps members

WHAT: AmeriCorps Week Proclamation

WHEN: Tuesday, May 11 at 10:30am

WHERE: Gold Room at the State Capitol

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES are available after the proclamation presentation with:

• Shar Lewis, Executive Director, Utah Commission on Volunteers – impact of volunteerism in Utah
• LaDawn Stoddard, AmeriCorps Program Manager, Utah Commission on Volunteers – AmeriCorps programs in Utah and member impact
• Jake Murakami, AmeriCorps State Program Director, Corporation for National and Community Service – a national perspective
• April Durrant, AmeriCorps State Program Officer, Corporation for National and Community Service – AmeriCorps VISTA programs in Utah and member impact
• Rich Parks, AmeriCorps Program Manager, Salt Lake County Community Resources and Development – Homeless/Refugee AmeriCorps Program
• Caitlin Jenkins, AmeriCorps VISTA leader, Center for the School of the Future –  impact on Education

 

VISUALS: Lt. Governor and AmeriCorps members at proclamation presentation at the Capitol followed by a service project at the Tomato Garden, 800 South 600 East in Salt Lake City. Contact Caitlin Jenkins at 801.472.1287 for details on the service project and onsite interviews.

PRESS KIT AVAILABLE: A press kit will be provided at the proclamation presentation including a copy of the AmeriCorps Week Proclamation, AmeriCorps Fact Sheet, and a Program List with summary of AmeriCorps and VISTA programs in Utah.

ADDITIONAL AMERICORPS WEEK ACTIVITIES: AmeriCorps Night at REAL Salt Lake on Thursday, May 13^th at 7pm at the Rio Tinto Stadium. Contact at the Commission on Volunteers for more details.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

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Utah Commission on Volunteers Announces $1.4 Million 2010 AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity

A Series of Free Technical Assistance Trainings Offered Statewide

The Utah Commission on Volunteers announces the availability of $1.4 million in funding for the operation of AmeriCorps programs in Utah.  AmeriCorps provides support to nonprofits, community organizations, and public agencies committed to addressing critical community needs in areas such as education, public safety, health, economic opportunity, the environment and other human needs.

“In 2009, Utah’s AmeriCorps members mobilized more than 9,000 volunteers,” said Shar Lewis, executive director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “These volunteers provided over 150,000 hours of service with an estimated economic value of $3.1 million dollars to our state.”

The Commission is conducting a statewide series of free trainings to answer questions, provide technical assistance and explain the application process in detail for those wanting to apply for the funding.

“We encourage organizations that have never received funding from the Commission or AmeriCorps to apply for these grants,” said state AmeriCorps program manager LaDawn Stoddard. “We also encourage intermediaries to apply.”

Grantees and sponsoring organizations are responsible for recruiting, selecting, and managing members.  Program operation will begin in fall 2010. Those interested in applying must attend one meeting:

April 14 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Six County AOG Training Room, 250 North Main: Richfield, UT

April 15 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Five County AOG: 1070 West 1600 South Building B; St. George, Utah

April 19 – 1:00 – 3:00 @ Professional Development Center, 1950 Monroe Blvd; Ogden, Utah

April 21 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ 324 South State #500, Salt Lake City, Utah

April 22 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Grand Center: 182 North 500 West; Moab, Utah                                     

AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corps, engages tens of thousands of Americans nationwide in intensive, results driven direct service each year. For more information, or to reserve a space, please contact LaDawn Stoddard at 801.538.8646 or ldstoddard@utah.gov. Additional information may be found atwww.americorps.gov or www.volunteers.utah.gov.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

Volunteers From Across Utah Donate Hundreds of Hours in Sandy, Utah

Volunteers From Across Utah Donate Hundreds of Hours in Sandy, Utah

WHO:  Hundreds of Utah Volunteers  

  Utah Commission on Volunteers

(Volunteers will be available for interviews)

WHAT:  More than 250 volunteers from across Utah will wrap up the Lt. Governor’s 2010 Conference on Service Thursday when they gather at the Lone Peak Indoor Pavilion in Sandy, Utah to participate in one of several service projects. Volunteers will clean and perform minor maintenance to play areas, pick up litter and help beautify the Dimple Dell Wash area.

WHEN:  Thursday, April 8, 2010

                 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

WHERE:  Lone Peak Indoor Pavilion

                  10140 South 700 East       

                   Sandy, Utah 84094          

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Senator Orrin Hatch To Keynote the 2010 Utah Conference on Service

For Immediate Release

March 3, 2010

Senator Orrin Hatch To Keynote the 2010 Utah Conference on Service

 

SALT LAKE CITY- Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are excited to announce this year’s 2010 Utah Conference on Service keynote speaker will be Senator Orrin Hatch. The conference will be held at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center from April 6-8. Registration for this event is now open. 

The conference is the state’s largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors. This three-day event offers the opportunity to learn, connect, be inspired and make a difference through a wide variety of exciting and informative sessions, workshops, special events, service projects and more.

“We are pleased to partner with the state’s best thinkers and practitioners of service and volunteering to provide the tools service organizations need to be successful during these difficult times,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers.  “Participants will come away inspired, energized and ready to serve.”

Senator Orrin Hatch co-sponsored The Serve America Act, which seeks to expand opportunities for people to serve their communities at every stage of life, from students and working adults to retirees.

Conference and registration information is available at our website: http://www.volunteers.utah.gov/

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.