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The Points of Light Blog
Your Review Requested – Reimagining Service Report
For the last several months, I have worked with a group of national leaders in the nonprofit, government, philanthropy and business communities on the Reimagining Service Task Force, and now we need your help! With the growing momentum behind American’s commitment to serve, this Task Force is focused on increasing the impact of those who serve. Our work is targeted against all sectors with the goal of positioning volunteers to drive real, positive outcomes that address our communities’ toughest problems.
We aim to convert good intentions into greater impact.
As a first step, we have created a report outlining our specific ideas for Reimagining Service, along with suggested strategies for implementing the ideas. The report is accessible on our Web site: www.ReimaginingService.org. The Web site also includes an online opportunity to provide comments for all of the identified ideas, as well as add others for the group's consideration.
Please visit the site, review the Report, and provide us with your input on our ideas and strategies by November 20th. We are interested in your thoughts on making the ideas actionable, your experiences in the field, and your lessons learned.
We look forward to your feedback and ideas on Reimagining Service.
Presidents Engage in Dialogue on Service, Inspire New Generation
View the Presidential Forum on Service Summary and Resources Page
History was made Friday evening, October 16, at Points of Light Institute’s Presidential Forum on Service at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
President Obama joined President Bush in honoring individual service and celebrating volunteerism’s tremendous gains during the past two decades under the Points of Light leadership. The unique gathering highlighted the immeasurable value of service and served as a moment for President Obama and former President George H.W. Bush to inspire a new generation to serve.
"In the end, service binds us to each other and to our community and to our country in a way that nothing else can," Obama said.
Bush, introducing Obama, said he “is absolutely right. There isn't a more important time than now for us all to get involved."
During the forum, Mallory Meyers of Texas A&M was presented a Daily Point of Light Award for organizing more than 1,500 service projects involving 13,000 students in a single day. Approximately 150 of more than 4,000 other past Daily Point of Light winners attended the forum.
Points of Light Institute orchestrated a Service Leaders Roundtable earlier in the day during which Points of Light Institute CEO Michelle Nunn announced a goal to increase national volunteerism to 100 million people a year by 2020.
Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of The Aspen Institute, chaired panels at the Service Leaders Roundtable and Presidential Forum. Panelists included Gregg Petersmeyer, who implemented Points of Light as staff member for President Bush; Harris Wofford, former U.S. Senator and former CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service; Stephen Goldsmith, Corporation for National and Community Service; and Sonal Shah, head of the White House Office of Social Innovation. Their discussion led to innovative ideas such as using new technology in service, utilizing the increasing number of retirees in the population and helping children improve their performances in math and science through new program for teachers.
Other speakers included Bobbi Silten, chief officer of the Gap Foundation and Robert Marbut, Jr., Board Chairman of OneStar Foundation.
The legacy of President George H.W. Bush was honored at the event, as well as the inspirational ideas of President Barack Obama. The event served as a key moment in time to look back collectively and be inspired and enthused about the future of service.
After Two Tough Years, New Points of Light Charity Emerges
When Michelle Nunn was just out of college in 1989, she became what she calls the "glorified intern-slash-executive director" of a volunteer organization in Atlanta that was created by a dozen people who chipped in $50 each.
Today, Ms. Nunn presides over a nonprofit group with a $30-million-plus budget and more than 250 affiliates across the country — and she is one of the most visible faces of the country's burgeoning movement to promote volunteerism and national service.
Tune in today to watch history!
Tune in to CSPAN today at 4:30 CST to see coverage of the Presidential Forum on Service. The George Bush Foundation will also stream the event live from its Web site, www.georgebushfoundation.org beginning at 3:30 CST. The event may also be aired on http://kamu.tamu.edu.
Re-released: The 1993 President's Report to the Nation
The 1993 President’s Report to the Nation is a comprehensive review of the important initiatives in service and volunteering launched by President George H. W. Bush during his Presidency. It provides valuable documentation of the critical progress in promoting and recognizing the value of service made during that time, including the creation of the Points of Light Foundation.
The President’s Report also includes the stories of the first 1020 Daily Points of Light Award winners.
- View the President’s Report to the Nation (not including the 1020 Daily Points of Light Stories)
- Daily Point of Light Award Winners - 1 through 334
- Daily Point of Light Award Winners - 335 through 684
- Daily Point of Light Award Winners - 685 through 1,020 and Reflections of Points of Light
- The entire President's Report to the Nation
