Did You Miss Our National Service Hearings? Check Out the Highlights!
By: Archive, National Commission On Service
Tags: Hearing, Government, National Service, Volunteering, Volunteer

In March, the Commission held two hearings on national service in College Station, T.X., each featuring a panel of experts. The Commission was proud to partner with the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University to host the national service hearings. President George H.W. Bush served as a champion of national service and with that in mind, it was an honor for the Commission to host both hearings at the Bush School. President Bush lived his life in service to others and as a strong leader who believed service could unite Americans.

Photo of Commissioners, panelists, and public at the hearing in the Hagler Auditorium of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the Bush School of Government and Public Service on March 28, 2019.

A study commissioned by Service Year Alliance in 2015 demonstrated that fewer than one third of 14 to 24-year-olds are aware of service year options. The Commission wants to assure aspiration, awareness, and access to these opportunities for all Americans. To do this, we are focused on addressing barriers, such as the limited compensation and benefits. Access also includes expanding overall diversity of national service volunteers and members to be reflective of America.

In 2015, nearly a third of Americans (62.6 million) said they volunteered in their community through an organization. While many Americans are inspired to serve their communities — they are also unaware of how participation in national service programs can build skills, assist with career opportunities, keep individuals healthy, etc. in addition to strengthening their community.

National service provides a platform for Americans who aspire to serve their country in a dedicated and short-term capacity. The goal of these hearings was to hear from experts on how to ensure the national service system is the best it can be.

What is national service? National service is “civilian participation in any non-governmental capacity, including with private for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations (including with appropriate faith-based organizations), that pursues and enhances the common good and meets the needs of communities, the states, or the nation in sectors related to security, health, care for the elderly, and other areas considered appropriate by the Commission.” This includes programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and YouthBuild.

The first hearing discussed how to improve current national service policies, infrastructure, and processes. Commissioners and panelists addressed the challenges of the current national service system in America and discussed options to improve policies and processes, ensuring access to, awareness of, and aspiration for national service.

Panelists included:

Michelle K. Brooks, Chief of Staff, Peace Corps

Chief of Staff, Peace Corps Chris Bugbee, Chief Operating Officer, OneStar Foundation

Chief Operating Officer, OneStar Foundation AnnMaura Connolly, President for Voices for National Service and Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of City Year, Inc.

President for Voices for National Service and Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of City Year, Inc. Pierre Nguyen, Disaster Response Programs Manager, Texas Conservation Corps of American YouthWorks

Disaster Response Programs Manager, Texas Conservation Corps of American YouthWorks Barbara Stewart, CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service

Video recording of National Service Hearing: Improving Current National Service Policies and Processes.

The second hearing discussed how to create more national service opportunities, exploring options to support an expansion of national service in America, including access to new sources of funding, new programs, and/or innovative partnerships.

Panelists included:

Kaira Esgate, CEO, America’s Service Commissions

CEO, America’s Service Commissions Brian Larkin, Program Officer of Flint, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Program Officer of Flint, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Natalye Paquin, Esq., President and CEO, Points of Light

President and CEO, Points of Light Shirley Sagawa, CEO and Founder, Service Year Alliance

CEO and Founder, Service Year Alliance Jaime Ernesto Uzeta, CEO, Public Allies

Video of National Service Hearing: Creating More National Service Opportunities.

As always, the Commission is committed to keeping the conversation about our mission open and transparent. Time in each hearing was held for public comments from those in attendance. If you couldn’t make it to our hearings, we encourage you to watch them on YouTube or read the transcripts and leave a comment on our website.

So what do you think?

How can we create more national service opportunities for Americans

How can we improve the current national service policies and processes?

Share your thoughts and feedback on the staff memorandum on our website.