Iowa Launches First in the National Governor's Council on National Service

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Dear Colleagues,

Iowa can add another “first-in-the-nation” jewel to its crown with yesterday’s  announcement by Governor Terry Branstad of the creation of the Governor’s Council on National Service in Iowa.

Led by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, and developed in partnership with the Franklin Project, the Governor’s Council will engage leaders from state agencies, higher education, and the private sector to make recommendations on how to expand national service and volunteer opportunities in Iowa. 

Iowa Governor's Council

The Council’s goals mirror those of the Task Force on Expanding National Service created by President Obama last summer: identifying policies, developing partnerships, and using technology to expand opportunities for citizens to meet critical needs through service.

I salute Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds for their leadership in establishing this Council, which builds on our work on the national level and is an example we hope other states will follow.

One of the key goals of the Iowa Governor’s Council – and of the President’s Task Force -- is to launch new public-private partnerships to engage citizens in national service, building on the strong foundation created over decades through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and other CNCS programs.  That spirit was on full display yesterday at the Iowa Capitol, with leaders from state agencies, the private sector, and higher education giving examples of how national service is making a powerful impact and is poised to grow through creative new partnerships.

From the halls of Congress to state capitols to city halls across the country, elected leaders from all backgrounds are recognizing that national service is a smart investment. As Governor Branstad said, “Service is an issue that Republicans and Democrats should both wholeheartedly embrace, especially during times of austere budgets.”  We applaud the Governor and all those who are working to expand opportunities for Americans to make our nation stronger through service.

Learn more about this exciting development in my blogpost or the Governor’s press release.

Warmest Regards,

Wendy Spencer, CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service

PS.  Be sure to join me on February 20 for the AmeriCorps and Education Twitterchat.  I look forward to tweeting with you about all the ways AmeriCorps is making a difference in the field of education.