FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Earlier this week we kicked off our series of listening sessions on the implementation of the Serve America Act and our next five-year strategic plan. We have already received many helpful ideas and look forward to hearing more.

We wanted to let you know about other ways that you can share your input. We have launched a new web page at www.NationalService.gov/feedback/serveact that allows you to share your thoughts and see what others are saying in real time.

In order to maintain focus and review the input we will receive, we have developed a series of five key topics. They are Expanding Opportunities to Serve, Combining Assets for Greater Impact, Demonstrating Impact, Spurring Innovation and Supporting the Nonprofit Sector, and Achieving Growth through Simpler Grantmaking. The web tool allows you to share your reflections on those topics or leave more general comments.

We also have scheduled three listening session conference calls in early June. All will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Please click on the links below to register to participate and to reserve a slot to speak.

June 2, 2009 -- https://www.regonline.com/63377_735620M

June 4, 2009 -- https://www.regonline.com/63377_735765M

June 5, 2009 -- https://www.regonline.com/63377_735777M

In order to hear from as many of you as possible on the conference calls and at the upcoming listening sessions in Washington, DC; Boston; Salt Lake City; and New Orleans; we ask that you limit your comments to three minutes. You are welcome to bring a longer written statement, which will be made part of the record.

Also, due to popular demand, the Washington DC listening session has been extended until 4:30 pm to give more of you the opportunity to provide input. This session, which is being held in conjunction with our Board of Directors meeting, has been moved to the Almas Shrine Center at 1315 K Street NW to accommodate more attendees.

We are at the dawn of a new era in national service, and we need your input on how to make the most of the opportunities before us. We can’t do it without you.

In Service,

Nicola Goren
Acting CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.