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National Service & Volunteering

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Overview

Service cultivates citizens. Service compels young people out of their comfort zones, allowing them to serve alongside people of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and beliefs toward a shared goal. Through service and volunteering, individuals also build skills for future careers—an understanding of others, the dignity of work and discipline, a sense of personal agency to effect change, and an ability to work in teams. Making national service an expectation—a new American rite of passage from youth to adulthood—will renew and redefine for this generation the role of citizens in our democracy, promote an understanding of rights and responsibilities, and cultivate the leaders that our communities and nation need to tackle our toughest challenges across our differences.

Target Milestones:
Events
January 8, 2024

Why We Serve Symposium with Utah Governor Spencer Cox

The Why We Serve Symposium served as a platform for leaders, policymakers, and citizens to engage in a dialogue about the transformative power of service and explore innovative solutions for building stronger, more resilient communities and restoring the fabric of American democracy.
Initiatives

Expanding Youth Community Service Opportunities

Through a new national plan, More Perfect aims to create a more efficient and effective way to expand paid service opportunities for young people of all backgrounds in communities nationwide. The effort will leverage the expertise and experience of community service programs such as City Year, YouthBuild and The Corps Network.
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Activity

Why We Serve Symposium with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox

The event featured experts on the importance of service to democracy and the release of the State Innovations in National Service report

Let’s put service at the center of national renewal

Co-Authored by More Perfect CEO John Bridgeland and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox

State Innovations in National Service & Volunteering

More Perfect, America’s Service Commissions, and Service Year Alliance's bipartisan report on state innovations in service and volunteering

Ask and All: A Rallying Cry to the Nation

More Perfect has collaborated with 10 leading organizations on an inspiring plan to make national service and volunteering a rite of passage for millions of Americans.

More Perfect Leadership Series: Michael Brown and Alan Khazei

Alan Khazei and Michael Brown discuss founding of City Year with John Bridgeland

More Perfect Leadership Series: Judy Guskin

Judy Guskin, affectionately known as the "Mother of the Peace Corps," talks with More Perfect CEO John Bridgeland about efforts to reignite national service across America to strengthen democracy.

More Perfect Co-Chair Testifies to Support Community Service Program

Gen. McChrystal testifies for Maryland Corps

President Clinton at the National Service Bill Signing

President Clinton delivers remarks at the National Service Bill signing ceremony, which would lay the foundation for what would become AmeriCorps.

President George W. Bush on Overcoming Evil with Greater Good

George W. Bush, during his 2002 State of the Union, calls Americans to give back suggesting participation in the USA Freedom Corps.

President George H.W. Bush on Timeless American Values

George H.W. Bush's first inaugural address emphasized the timelessness of national programs.

President Obama on the Meaning of Citizenship

Barack Obama shared how he discovered the importance of citizenship and how the Americorps leads Americans to this same discovery.

Reagan on the American Spirit

Ronald Reagan spoke about how service is ingrained in the history of the United States, and how a dedication to giving back should be restored.
Press
Events
January 8, 2024

Why We Serve Symposium with Utah Governor Spencer Cox

The Why We Serve Symposium served as a platform for leaders, policymakers, and citizens to engage in a dialogue about the transformative power of service and explore innovative solutions for building stronger, more resilient communities and restoring the fabric of American democracy.
Partner:
Partners:
,
,
,
,
Initiatives

Expanding Youth Community Service Opportunities

Through a new national plan, More Perfect aims to create a more efficient and effective way to expand paid service opportunities for young people of all backgrounds in communities nationwide. The effort will leverage the expertise and experience of community service programs such as City Year, YouthBuild and The Corps Network.
Partner:
Partners:
,
,
,
,