FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 23, 2009

Leaders kick off local planning for world's largest volunteer gathering, June 28-30, 2010

New York City – Signifying the growing high-level momentum for service, organizers of the 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service today announced a dynamic and influential group of national leaders to serve on the host committee for the annual conference, taking place June 28-30 in New York City.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will serve as chair of the host committee, which held its kick-off meeting today at Gracie Mansion. Convened by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Points of Light Institute, with local convenors NYC Service and New Yorkers Volunteer, the conference is the world's largest gathering of service and volunteering leaders.

"It is fitting that New York City will host the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. New Yorkers have proven time and time again that they step up and do even more during times of crisis. Simply put, service is ingrained in our city's DNA," said Mayor Bloomberg, who this year launched NYC Service to dramatically increase volunteerism in the city. "We've pulled together a tremendous host committee and look forward to helping the Corporation for National and Community Service and Points of Light Institute have the most dynamic and impactful conference ever."

The Mayor announced the following individuals to serve on the host committee members, with others expected to be named later:

  • Tom Arrix, Vice President of U.S. Sales, Facebook
  • Lucia Ballas-Traynor, Publisher, People en Español
  • Cathie Black, President, Hearst Magazines
  • Julie Fisher Cummings, Managing Trustee of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Family Foundation
  • Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co
  • Stephen Friedman, General Manager, MTV
  • Mark D. Gearan, President, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
  • Edward Lewis, Co-founder & CEO, Essence Magazine
  •  Ann S. Moore, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Time Inc.
  • Susan Stern, Chair of the New York State Commission on National & Community Service
  • Laurie M. Tisch, President Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund

The volunteer host committee helps guide the planning, execution, and promotion of the conference. Other New York and national leaders from the nonprofit, national service, education, foundation, corporate, and philanthropy sectors will serve on working committees to support the conference's operations, program, fundraising, external relations, and community engagement efforts.

“Guided by this extraordinary host committee, fueled by the boundless energy of New York, and inspired by a new vision for service, this conference will help drive new levels of collaboration, expansion, innovation, and impact for service,” said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“Mayor Bloomberg has paved the way for a new and unprecedented level of leadership in service at the city level—the frontline of service,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of the Points of Light Institute. “We are grateful for his support and anticipate that this year's conference will take on new significance as city leaders from across the nation join us in defining and implementing strategies that place people at the center of change through volunteerism and service.”

 

Coming at a pivotal time for the service and nonprofit sector, the conference has received important, early support from corporate and foundation leaders in volunteerism and civic innovation including Target as title sponsor, as well asthe Shinnyo-en Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Pfizer,and Accenture.

The economic downturn has put increasing hardship on families and communities and strained the nonprofit and community organizations that serve them. But tough times have also generated a surge of compassion from Americans who are reaching out to help their neighbors. Last year 61.8 million Americans volunteered in their communities, up one million over the previous year, giving more than 8 billion hours of service.

New legislation and growing cross-sector support are helping to fuel a new era of expansion and innovation in the service field. On the national level, President Obama signed the most sweeping expansion of service programs in 75 years, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, and issued a national call to service through his United We Serve initiative. Mayor Bloomberg launched NYC Service last April to engage residents in all five boroughs in addressing the city's most pressing needs, and Governor David Paterson created a cabinet-level position for service and launched the NewYorkersVolunteer.org website to make it easy for New Yorkers to find volunteer opportunities in their communities.

"Volunteerism and civic engagement translate into stronger communities, healthier families and a more hopeful nation," said Governor David A. Paterson. "The fact that so many leaders have come together to inspire others to engage in service means so much for the future of volunteerism in New York State and across the country. I commend Mayor Bloomberg and all of the other committee members for their dedication to this issue and particularly, for working to bring this conference to new levels of participation."

Conference organizers expect record turnout for the 2010 conference, driven by growing interest in citizen service, the opportunity sharpen to skills and make contacts, and the attraction of New York City as a vibrant host city. More details about the conference will be coming soon, including registration information and key speaker announcements, at the official conference website VolunteeringandService.org.

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.