“The Power of We ” Can Transform Lives

By Todd Potochnik

Ten years ago, four of the nation’s presidents, along with Nancy Reagan, convened in Philadelphia with members of the Points of Light Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the United Way to address the quality of life for the country’s youth. Known as the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future, the gathering of service leaders resulted in the creation of America’s Promise, the Alliance for Youth.

A decade later, the Foundation and Corporation will once again converge on Philadelphia to convene the 2007 National Conference on Volunteering and Service, July 16-18, 2007. As many as 2,600 service leaders from around the globe, including former President George H.W. Bush, will assemble to share ideas about the culture of service in this nation, as well as to recognize the important contributions of America’s Promise.

The theme of this year’s conference, “The Power of We,” declares the power of collective action to solve serious social problems — considered a hallmark of the country’s character since its founding. Keynote addresses from former President and America’s Promise co-founder Alma Powell will inspire prominent volunteer leaders, advocates and experts during three days of unparalleled education and networking for professionals in the volunteering and service sectors.

With more than 130 workshops that offer CEU credits, a half-dozen service projects around the city and a networking opportunity at one of Philadelphia’s greatest new attractions, the National Constitution Center, the conference will deliver vital resources to all attendees. The National Conference on Volunteering and Service is the largest annual gathering of volunteer leaders in the United States. For further information, visit www.volunteeringandservice.org.