Utah Residents Mark the Beginning of a Year of Service on MLK Day

Volunteers across the state serve as part of a National Day of Service
 
[Salt Lake City] – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, marks the beginning of the 2012 year of service as millions of Americans honor the memory of Dr. King by contributing their time, talent, voice and money to improve their communities.
 

The Utah Commission on Volunteers and the Corporation for National and Community Service are encouraging local residents to join the hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in making the holiday “a day on, not a day off”, by serving others.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. committed his life to service and to ensuring that all people are treated with respect and fairness,” said LaDawn Stoddard, Acting Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “By serving today and throughout the year, we honor Dr. King and help realize his dream of equality and opportunity for all.”

The Utah Commission on Volunteers is working with seven volunteer connector organizations this January to provide opportunities for Utah residents to serve on this year’s MLK Day.

 

MLK Day Activities will be held between Jan 14^th and Jan 24^th

 

The Cache Valley Volunteer Center and the Utah State University PALs mentoring program will be hosting an “I Have a Dream” reception for at-risk youth in local mentoring programs and students at in the Logan School District will be invited to submit their “I Have a Dream” service project idea based on something they would like to see improved at their school.

 

Volunteers for the Thayne Learning and Service Center at Salt Lake Community College will participate in one of several projects that will include sorting through food donations, assembling food boxes distributed to low-income seniors in the Salt Lake Valley and mobile food boxes distributed to rural parts of the state of Utah. The projects will take place January 16, 2012, 9:00am- 12:00pm.

 

United Way of Northern Utah will partner with Ogden City schools to sponsor an essay contest for 5^th graders to complement the core requirement for a five paragraph essay on a US History subject. The topic will highlight a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.. Winners will be published in a publication of Martin Luther King quotes. 

 

The United Way of Salt Lake is partnering with several organizations including the Maliheh Free Clinic, where staff and volunteers will conduct volunteer awareness and recruiting events at various locations. Playworks Salt Lake City will hold a Community Night for training students and families on games they can play with kids for basic conflict resolution strategies.  

 

The Friends of Washington County Volunteer Center, through their Upward Bound program, will host a carnival for veterans and their families, including games, food and a short service by some veterans. The Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Washington and Iron Counties will be collecting the food from the stations and packaging it to the appropriate food pantries.

 

Weber State University Community Involvement Center (CIC) will partner with National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in hosting a community breakfast and a Freedom Walk. CIC will also partner with St. Anne’s Homeless Shelter, Anything for a Friend, LINUS Project and Habitat for Humanity for various projects throughout the week.

 

The United Way of Utah County will be hosted a Community Outreach Day on January 16th. Volunteers will come to the BYU Wilkinson Center and sign up for a project between 8:30-9:30 AM, with a devotional from 9:30-10:00 AM and projects lasting until about 12 noon. There will be nearly 30 service projects that people can choose to participate in during the event.

 

To learn more about and participate in these MLK Day activities please visit volunteers.utah.gov.

 

The Corporation for National and Community Service, in partnership with State Service Commissions, sponsors annual MLK Day of Service projects, through local nonprofits. Projects are taking place in all fifty states and include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, reading to children, promoting nonviolence, and more. 

 
The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteerism. For more information visit our website www.volunteers.utah.gov

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Lt. Governor Greg Bell Honors Utah’s Top Summer of Service Volunteers

Summer of Service Winners Receive Private Luncheon and Presidential Service Award

SALT LAKE CITY – In recognition of receiving the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Lt. Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are honoring three outstanding Utahns on September 27^th, 2011 with a private luncheon held in their honor. The awardees contributed the most hours of volunteer service in their age category between June 1 and August 31 as part of the Utah Summer of Service. This year over 650 volunteers participated in the program and between them they served over 20,000 hours.

Daniel Ovard age 13, Shannon Babb age 23, and Dale Greenland age 53, recorded the most service hours in their age categories over the past three months, earning both a Presidential Service Award and lunch with Lt. Governor Bell.

“Volunteering is at the heart and soul of Utah and it is with great personal pride that I recognize these three Utahns for their service this summer,” says Bell.  “Let their examples serve as inspiration for all of us to increase our level of volunteerism in our local communities”.

Thirteen year-old Daniel Ovard volunteered 236 hours with the Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake City. He was the lead youth volunteer at the aquarium for the summer responsible for leading the youth volunteer program. He also spent considerable time doing research on a praying mantis project, evaluating its cost, time requirements, and feasibility for the volunteers to manage at the aquarium.

“I chose to volunteer at the Living Planet Aquarium because I was interested in marine biology and wanted to give something back to the community,” says Ovard. “I found volunteering a fun way to spend my summer.”

Twenty three year-old Shannon Babb, a student at Utah State University, volunteered over 400 hours with the Living Planet Aquarium as well. During her service Shannon discovered that there was a lack of knowledge relating to Utah Waterways. Shannon stepped in and over the summer did all of the research to design several dozen Utah tanks. She also was involved in calculating how many fish and of what species should go in which tank, as well as gathered all of the source data that would be needed for future signage.

“As a student at Utah State University, I feel lucky to live in a state that emphasizes both service and education in our communities,” says Babb. “Volunteering at the Living Planet Aquarium gave me the unique opportunity to not only give back that community, but to teach the public about the importance of water quality, and hopefully inspire the next generation to become interested in a subject I am very passionate about, exploring the natural world.”

Dale Greenland, age 53, from Magna, volunteered his time with the Community Action Program Food Bank in Magna. At the CAP of Magna, Dale could be found separating food into individual orders for incoming clients, unloading trucks with new supplies for the day, and separating the food into categories. Recently the local church organizations in Magna held a food run and collected 7 truck loads of food for the Magna office. This required some additional hours from Dale on Saturday’s but he felt like it was well worth his time.

“The Magna community donated huge quantities of non perishables and I would like to personally thank them,” says Greenland. “The Magna Community Action Program has been great to volunteer for and I enjoy giving back.”

In addition to the three top volunteers, all volunteers ages 5 to 14 who logged more than 50 hours of service, and those ages 15 and older who served more than 100 hours will also be honored with a Presidential Service Award and Recognition Pin.

Interviews Opportunities are available at the press conference with:

·         Lt. Governor Greg Bell

·         Dale Greenland, Adult Award Winner

·         Shannon Babb, Young Adult Award Winner

·         Daniel Ovard, Youth Award Winner

·         Melissa Bowers, The Living Planet Aquarium Volunteer Coordinator

·         Shar Lewis, Executive Director Utah Commission on Volunteers

 

Visuals Available at Press Conference

·         Lt Governor presenting awards to top volunteers

 

Press Kit Available

·         Summer of Service Fact Sheet

·         Award Winner Biographies & Photos

·         Commission on Volunteers Fact Sheet

·         Press Release

 

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.

Commission on Volunteers Celebrates National Senior Corps Week

Commission on Volunteers Celebrates National Senior Corps Week
Seniors Take the Lead in Volunteerism

SALT LAKE CITY -The Utah Commission on Volunteers, in partnership with the State office of the Corporation for National and Community Service, will join the second annual nationwide celebration of Senior Corps Week, September 19-23, 2011, shining the spotlight on the impact of Senior Corps Programs in Utah.

More than 6,700 seniors in Utah contributed 1,218,985 hours of service in one of three Senior Corps programs last year: RSVP with 689,785 hours, Senior Companions with 237,514 hours, and Foster Grandparents with 291,686 hours. This age group provides the highest percentage of volunteer hours, helping keepUtah#1 in volunteerism in the nation.

“This second annual Senior Corps Week gives us the opportunity to say thank you and shine the spotlight on our 55 and older adults,” said Jake Murakami, State Director for the Corporation for National and Community Service said. “These volunteers continue to make an enormous impact in our communities throughout our state.”

Senior Corps works through existing organizations – RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions – to engage age 55 and older volunteers in service to meet critical needs. RSVP volunteers provided services, such as safety patrols for local police and tutoring for youth, to more than 670 groups across Utah. Foster Grandparents served one-on-one as tutors and mentors to14,000 special needs young people. Senior Companions helped 1,300 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes.

“We are proud to be part of Senior Corps and grateful for the service they give to their communities,” Dwight Rasmussen, Program Manager for Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion of Salt Lake Aging Service said. “Older adults in Utah provide solutions to some of our communities most needy individuals. The services these members provide are not only critical to Utah’s economy, but also in setting the example for the next generation on the benefits and joys of volunteering.”

To mark Senior Corps Week, the Utah Commission on Volunteers is celebrating the efforts of senior volunteers across the state. Volunteers like Joe McQueen, 92 and Deanna Ince, 66, are examples of Senior Corps members making a difference in their communities.

Joe McQueen lives in Ogden and will celebrate 12 years as a Senior Companion on September 8^th. His kind and easy going manner puts his clients at ease and his thoroughness keeps them on schedule. You can spot Joe daily at Wal-Mart, either taking someone shopping or doing it for them. He helps folks get to doctor and hair appointments and especially likes taking them to his favorite fresh spring water well. Joe says what he does is not earth shattering, he just simply likes “doing for people who need help.” He truly believes it’s the small things that make a difference. He serves his clients with grace, humility and style, and through his service, helps them continue living in their own homes.

Deanna Ince is a Foster Grandparent in Sandy, and “grandma” to many of the at-risk children she serves at the FamilySupportVillage. She has worked with over 500 at-risk children, providing emotional support to children who are often victims or have been witnesses to domestic violence or abuse in their homes. She gives the children, and the parents, a sense of stability because they recognize and know they are leaving their children with a familiar and caring adult. Deanna organizes crafts, reads and plays with the children. Everyone is always excited to see “grandma Deanna” with her cheerful attitude and infectious laugh.

In addition to Senior Corps programs, there are numerous opportunities for older adults to serve their communities. In commemoration of the 10^thAnniversary of 9/11, we are asking seniors to join Utahns across the state and people throughout the country by serving and thanking our active soldiers, military families, veterans, and first responders in the week leading up to and culminating on September 11, 2011. Opportunities and ideas are posted on the Utah Commission for Volunteers website www.volunteers.utah.gov.

 “Every community has critical social needs that can become opportunities for older adults to serve,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “Their valuable life experience and skills can directly help someone in need and make a significant impact in our communities.”

For more information on Senior Corps programs visit www.seniorcorps.gov or contact Jake Murakami at 801.524.5411. For statewide volunteer opportunities visit www.volunteers.utah.gov or contact your local volunteer center.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. It furthers its mission by administering federal funds for AmeriCorps and National Service programs and increasing volunteerism by promoting community collaboration, volunteer recognition, youth and older adult service and providing training and resources for those working with volunteers. For more information or to find volunteering opportunities around the state, log ontowww.volunteers.utah.gov.

Utah Residents Mark 10th Anniversary of 9/11 by Serving Others

Volunteers across the state serve as part of a National Day of Service

[Salt Lake City] – September 11, 2011, marks the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country.  This is the perfect opportunity for Utahns to honor those who died and those who served during this time in our country’s history.

Who can forget the morning of September 11, 2001, when nineteen members of al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners. Shortly after taking control, the hijackers crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA and a fourth into a rural Pennsylvania field after passengers attempted to retake control of the plane.  Over 3,000 people lost their lives that day along with many more fighting to protect our freedoms and keep us safe.  Some of our Utah friends and family lost their lives in these attacks and many Utahns volunteered their services in the aftermath.

"I, along with the Utah Commission on Volunteers, would like to personally invite you to join us in honoring Utah’s heroes, our shining examples of service and sacrifice, by participating in Utah’s 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell.  “This is your opportunity to serve those that so selflessly serve us by getting involved.”

The focus of service for the 9/11 National Day of Service is on active soldiers, military families, veterans, and first responders in the week leading up to and culminating on September 11, 2011.  There are a number of opportunities available to people of every age. 

First, check our website, volunteers.utah.gov, and either 1) Sign On and Sign Up online to show your support, share your story, and print a certificate of participation, 2) Volunteer and Serve by organizing a service project or volunteering with the organizations that serve these groups, 3) Say “Thank You” by writing a letter, making a visit, or doing a good deed.

 

The Utah Commission on Volunteers is also working with seven volunteer connector organizations throughout the state to provide opportunities for Utah residents to serve on this year’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.  These activities will take place between September 7-11, 2011.

 

In Cache Valley volunteers will focus on providing direct services to the children of military families and providing an avenue for increased community awareness.  Military children will be invited to participate in outdoor activities and team building exercises.  This event is the beginning of an ongoing mentoring program in Cache Valley.

Volunteers in Washington County are working with the Veterans Coalition with a focus on homeless veterans and military families.  The community wants to raise awareness about veterans’ issues and will do this through a series of projects targeted at veterans.

Volunteers in Weber County, working through United Way of Northern Utah, are teaming up with local schools to read stories to children about local first responders and military personnel.  Included in each book will be stories about Brady Howell, a young man from Ogden who lost his life on 9/11 at the Pentagon.  Books will be given to each of the children.  The Ogden Standard Examiner will video tape and record stories being read by parents who are being deployed and given to their children to enjoy while they are on deployment.

A variety of opportunities are available with the United Way of Salt Lake and their partners.  Daylilly Arts Inc will involve children in creating art that represents military and display these in libraries and city/county buildings. Letters to Soldiers will have volunteers collect needed items for care packages for soldiers and write cards to accompany them.  Kostopulos Dream Foundation will transport veterans to and from a trail ride site where they can ride horses or a pony cart along scenic Settlement Canyon and enjoy a barbeque afterwards. The Memorial Hill Veterans Restoration Project in Midway, Utah will finalize their veterans memorial and need volunteers to help with engraving and last minute preparations.  The Salt Lake County Volunteer Services volunteers are building a memorial to military and veterans at the county complex. 

Volunteers from the Six County areas (Sevier, Sanpete, Millard, Piute, Wayne, and Juab counties) will make quilts for the Triple Deuce, activated on June 1, 2011 and deployed to Iraq in August, 2011.  These light weight, durable blankets are made with camouflage fabric and can be used as a pillow for concealment or for shade.  Organizers will collaborate with local schools to have school children make cards to attach to each of the blankets.

Residents in Duchesne, Daggett, and Uintah counties will work with the Uintah Basin Association of Governments and RSVP will dedicate a day of service to veterans in their communities.  The day will consist of a food drive in collaboration with the local elementary schools, yard clean up and beautification for each of the American Legion Posts located within these counties, and will culminate with a dinner at the park for veterans and their families.

 “In commemoration of this event Utahns across the state and people throughout the country will be serving and thanking our active soldiers, military families, veterans, and first responders in the week leading up to and culminating on September 11, 2011,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.  “There are so many activities taking place throughout the state, and so many opportunities, that everyone can participate on some level.”

To learn more about participating in a variety of projects and events in commemoration of 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, please visit volunteers.utah.gov.  For interview and photo opportunities, please contact:

• Sherilee Griffiths, Cache Valley Volunteer Center, 435-770-0748 or 435-753-1745
• Carol Hollowell, Volunteer Center of Washington County, 435-674-5757
• Leslie Herold, United Way of Northern Utah, 801-399-5584, Ext. 111
• Amy Bosworth, United Way of Salt Lake, 801-746-2576
• Shara Bastian, Six County areas (Sevier, Sanpete, Millard, Piute, Wayne, and Juab counties), 435-893-0735
• Sandy Whalen, Uintah Basin Association of Governments and RSVP, 435-722-4518

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. It furthers its mission by administering federal funds for AmeriCorps and National Service programs and increasing volunteerism by promoting community collaboration, volunteer recognition, youth and older adult service and providing training and resources for those working with volunteers. For more information or to find volunteering opportunities around the state visit www.volunteers.utah.gov.

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Lt. Governor Bell to Announce New Federal Report Ranking

Lt. Governor Bell to Announce New Federal Report Ranking

Utah #1 Volunteering State in Nation for 6th Year in a Row
Provo, Ogden and Salt Lake City rank as the top 3 cities in their categories nationwide.

Salt Lake City - Lt. Governor Greg Bell and key state partners will announce the findings of the 2011 Volunteering in America report ranking Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation for the 6th year running.

"It's not at all surprising to me that Utah is ranked first in the nation for its state volunteerism rate again this year," said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. "Our state has long been known as a national leader in volunteerism and service. These volunteerism rankings are a representation of the character of Utahns, and I am proud that our residents are committed to serving their neighbors and communities."

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 51 states and over 200 cities. The data shows that as the nation works to tackle some of its toughest challenges and expand opportunity for all Americans, volunteers are resolute in their commitment to their neighbors and communities, with 62.8 million adults serving almost 8.1 billion hours in local and national organizations in 2010.

This report ranks Utah as the #1 volunteering state in the nation with 44.5% of adults volunteering. This volunteering rate is significantly above the national average of 26.5%. In addition to being ranked the #1 volunteering state in the nation, Utah ranked #1 in six other categories.
 

Other #1 state rankings Include:

• Volunteer Hours per Resident: 89.2 hours (up from 86.9 hours in 2009)
• Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964): 49.2% (up from 48.9% in 2009)
• Generation X (born 1965 to 1981): 47.0% (national average 29.2%)
• College Students: 44.9% (up from 42.3% in 2009)
• Young Adults (ages 16-24): 39.9% (down from 40.2% in 2009)
• Millennials (born in/after 1982) 39.9% (up from 39.4% in 2009)

"Service continues to be a powerful force for good across the state," said Gov. Gary Herbert. "In devoting time and energy to meet local needs, volunteers provide a model for fellow citizens—fostering lifelong habits of leadership, problem-solving, empathy and self reliance."

Using service as a key solution to many of the challenges facing our state is economically advantageous for Utah. On average, Utah’s 884,000 volunteers dedicated 177.1 million hours of service in 2010.

"One of Utah’s unique economic ingredients is the valuable contribution that our citizens make within their communities," said Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. "In our office, we always look at return on investment, and Utah volunteers contributed about $3.8 billion in service last year alone; I consider that a significant economic driver."

The spirit of Utah’s volunteerism is exemplified in individual cities as well. The city of Provo leads our nation, ranking 1st as the mid-size city with the highest volunteer rate in the country at 61% with each resident averaging 151.9 hours of service. This is nearly four and a half times the national average of 34.1 hours per resident.

"Provo residents understand the real value of serving one another, as evidenced by the results of this study," said Provo Mayor John R. Curtis. "The value of giving back and taking care of our neighbors cannot be overstated, and I am pleased that Provo is being recognized as leading the nation to ensure that community service continues to thrive."

Ogden, Utah ranked 2nd in the nation with a 52.2% volunteer rate in the mid-size cities, and averages 108.5 hours of service per person. This percentage helped Ogden jump from the a 3rd place ranking in 2009 to 2nd place in 2010. Salt Lake City ranked 3rd in the nation in the larger cities category with a volunteering rate of 34.1% and 54.5 volunteer hours per resident.

"As volunteers fill critical voids in our community’s infrastructure, state and local leaders increasingly recognize the key role volunteers play in addressing economic and social challenges at time of fiscal constraint," said Shar Lewis, executive director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. "I encourage Utahns to continue their leadership and strong civic mindedness by stepping up to meet our communities needs with renewed enthusiasm and engagement."

 

AmeriCorps Week Shines Spotlight on Impact of AmeriCorps Service in Utah

Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell thanks Utahs AmeriCorps Members for their significant accomplishments and service in our state.

SALT LAKE CITY – Everyday across Utah, citizens are finding solutions to local problems through national and community service efforts. From increasing high school graduation rates and grade level reading proficiencies to mentoring at-risk youth, providing healthcare to the medically underserved, and restoring public lands, these everyday heroes are strengthening Utah communities as they transform their own lives. These people are AmeriCorps members.

This week, May 14th 21st, is national AmeriCorps Week and people all across the country and here in Utah are thanking the AmeriCorps members who serve in their communities, often at great personal sacrifice, to meet some of our states most critical needs. Because of Utahs AmeriCorps members 5,648 children are mentored by caring adults. Over 10,000 youth are receiving tutoring in math and reading. Approximately 15,000 youth are given safe places to learn and play after school and nearly 3,300 have participated in leadership development trainings.

In 2010 members trained over 12,000 Utahns on how conserve energy and how to be good stewards of our natural resources. Last year members educated 28,000 people in preventative health methods and how to access options to health care.

AmeriCorps members are also tasked with bringing community volunteers into the organizations in which they serve. In 2010 AmeriCorps members across Utah recruited and trained over 13,000 community volunteers who served over 156,000 hours. These recruited volunteers bring an estimated $2.9 million dollars worth of service into Utahs economy.

AmeriCorps members also tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters. They also focus on building the capacity of nonprofit groups to become more self-sustaining, among many other activities.

Since 1994, more than 10,000 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to get things done for America. I want to personally thank each and every one of our past and current members for their dedicated service and commitment to get things done in Utah, said Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell. The impact of their service, addressing real community needs, is outstanding and I am honored to recognize them for their great achievements.

In exchange for a year of full-time service, members earn an education award equal to the maximum amount of the Pell Grant that can be used to pay for educational expenses at qualified institutions of higher education, or to pay back qualified student loans.

AmeriCorps Week is more than a way to honor AmeriCorps members for their great achievements in communities across the state. Its an opportunity to trumpet the impact of AmeriCorps service to transform lives and communities.

In a time of great fiscal constraint we are glad that programs like AmeriCorps exist, said Shar Lewis, Executive Director with the Utah Commission on Volunteers. AmeriCorps is a highly cost effective and competitive grant where every $1 granted $1.60 is matched by the grantee organization. It is a model for how government and local community organizations can partner for success.

Utahs State AmeriCorps programs utilized over 300 AmeriCorps members to address critical unmet needs in our communities. In 2010 the Commission was awarded $2.2 million in federal grant funding that was passed through to 10 State AmeriCorps Programs. These programs matched the federal dollars with over $3.5 million.

AmeriCorps members mobilized more than 8,000 volunteers who provided over 130,000 hours of volunteer service with an estimated economic value of $2.9 million dollars to Utahs economy.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES Utah State AmeriCorps Programs & Members Please see list and summary of Utah State AmeriCorps Programs with contacts for interviews. AmeriCorps Program Managers, their AmeriCorps members and the organization where they serve are available for interview. Utah Commission on Volunteers Shar Lewis, Executive Director and LaDawn Stoddard, AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Utah Commission on Volunteers are available for interview during the week. ###

Utah Commission on Volunteers The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. It furthers its mission by administering federal funds for AmeriCorps and national service programs and increasing volunteerism by promoting community collaboration, volunteer recognition, youth and older adult service and providing training and resources for those working with volunteers. The Lt. Governors Conference on Service, State Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet, Summer of Service, and the Statewide Volunteer Matching Website www.volunteers.utah.gov are also premiere programs of the Utah Commission on Volunteers.

For more information, visit www.volunteers.utah.gov or call 1-888-755-UTAH. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps is commonly described as the Domestic Peace Corps. Individuals, called members, commit to a specific term of service usually one year- and are housed in nonprofit organizations, schools or other agencies. Members range in age from 17 to 70+ years of age and represent a wide spectrum of other demographics. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn an education award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. During their service, members may also be eligible to receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, childcare, and student loan deferment.

The Corporation for National and Community Service The Corporation plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. They are a catalyst for change and champion for the ideal that every American has skills and talents to give. The Corporation is the nations largest grant maker supporting service and volunteering.

Through the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Service America programs, they provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to express their patriotism while addressing critical community needs.

Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell Declared Utahs AmeriCorps Week in 2010

Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service General Session

Shirley Sagawa to keynote Conference Luncheon on Wednesday

SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Commission on Volunteers, in collaboration with the Utah Nonprofits Association, the Utah Society of Fund Raisers and the Nonprofit Academy for Excellence at the University of Utah, is pleased to host the Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service. In keeping with the conference theme, “Partnering for Impact”, the day has been planned in partnership with various agencies throughout the Wasatch Front.

 On April 20, Lt. Governor Greg Bell will kick off the 2011 Conference on Service general session day with his keynote address, “Partnering for Impact”. The general session day will be filled with over 30 workshops for the 700 attendees to choose from, each of which was chosen to represent the varying needs of conference attendees.

Lt. Governor Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are pleased to announce that the 2011 luncheon keynote speaker will be Shirley Sagawa, co-founder of Sagawa/Jospin Consulting and a fellow at the Center for American Progress. She played instrumental roles in the creation of AmeriCorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Social Innovation Fund. Newsweek magazine names Sagawa a “Woman to Watch in the 21st Century”.

Sagawa will be addressing national service and volunteerism as a strategy during difficult economic times and is scheduled to speak at 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. Directly following the luncheon there will be a book signing with Shirley Sagawa, author of The Charismatic Organization: 8 Ways to Grow a Nonprofit and The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers are Transforming America.

“We are thrilled to have such an influential keynote speaker for this year’s Conference on Service,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers. “Shirley is uniquely able to speak to national service and volunteerism in a way that will appeal to all of our attendees.”

Media are encouraged to attend any of the conference’s events. 

 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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