I serve, you serve... WE SERVE

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, there are over 600,000 national service alumni... and we've only been able to reach about 1/5.

Most AmeriCorps members don't know that they have to register with AmeriCorps Alums. Most believe that like after college you are automatically in the alumni group. But because AmeriCorps is a government-managed program, we don't have access to invite all alumni to become a part of our community.

Just fill out the form below, even if you are already registered with americorpsalums.org, to join the WE SERVE campaign! (subject to verification of your service)

Once verified, you will be emailed a coupon code for 15% off the AmeriCorps Alums store and entered to win one of ten gift cards to Target worth $100 a piece.

To be entered into the Grand Prize drawing we need you to tell people! Simply copy/paste the sample email here and send to your alum friends! At the conclusion of the contest, the top 25 referrals will be put in a drawing for the CELEBRITY GRAND PRIZE! The WE SERVE contest kicks off June 7th and will end at 5pm EST, June 30th. You only need to fill out the form once, as duplicate entries will be discarded. Contest rules are here.

GET SAMPLE EMAILS, FACEBOOK STUFF, AND TWEETS TO SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS HERE!

State of Service event draws big crowd to build up community service in the Bay State

courtesy of MassINC.org

Making connections was the theme of the day as approximately 100 people gathered this morning at the sold out MassINC Associate Board and AmeriCorps Alums Boston event, “State of Service: Massachusetts Leading the Nation’s Call to Serve” at the UMass Club.

The event, the first in a series about improving service programming in Massachusetts, brought together key service organizations to build on the state’s active and deep-rooted service community. Organizers hope to leverage this event series to create a blueprint of best-practices and turn Massachusetts into a model of service for the nation. MassINC Director of Finance and Operations and founder of the Associate Board, Aimee Ward, said today’s discussion was an excellent start.

“We had a room full of energetic stakeholders generating new ideas and sharing their successes today. We hope this discussion and our upcoming State of Service events will guide developing leaders in the local and national service community,” said Ward.

The breakfast event was kicked off with a keynote address by Joseph Porcelli, Chief Executive Neighbor of Neighbors for Neighbors, and was followed by discussion among participants with topics ranging from best practices for volunteer recruitment to what can be done to improve collaboration among organizations and individuals.

The use of technology to facilitate collaboration among organizations was a recurring point as attendees shared their thoughts with event moderators. In particular, improved online networks and a web portal that includes all sectors and organizations were cited as lacking in Massachusetts.

Known nationally as a hotbed for service enlistment and innovation, with examples such as City Year and Citizen Schools, Massachusetts has much to offer other states hoping to step up their service efforts. With the landmark Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act fueling new organizations around the country, event organizers said now is the time to turn discussion into action.

“Ultimately, this is about improving the communities in which we live. These discussions are a great way to establish the connections that provide these individuals and organizations the resources they need to make a difference,” said Ward.

The State Of Service!

The MassINC Associate Board and the AmeriCorps Alums Boston Chapter, are hosting a State of Service discussion on June 8th, 2010 from 8 to 10 am at the UMass Club in Boston. The event will feature a keynote and facilitated discussions led by community leaders in the private sector, nonprofit sector, government, and philanthropy.

The State of Service event will be the first in an ongoing series through the summer and fall of 2010 which will bring together leaders from across the service community to discuss their experiences and develop a blueprint of best practices with a goal of improving service in Massachusetts and establishing a state service model for the nation.

To Register, Click here:

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WHAT:
The State Of Service

WHEN:
June 8th, 8:00am-10:00am

WHERE:
The UMass Club
225 Franklin Street, 33rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110

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Only A few spots left! Register Today!

Make sure to note that you are an AmeriCorps Alum and will be given special preference!

Check out AmeriCorps Alums in Ted Kennedy Tribute Video

Last month, Be The Change and Service Nation put out a video response request to a Tribute Video of the Late Senator Edward Kennedy and several AmeriCorps Alum, Staff, and current members submitted their own stories (including Boston AmeriCorps Alums Board member, Sean mcDevitt). To view the original video, check out their YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/bethechangeinc

Let's keep the momentum going!

Today is day 6 of voting for AmeriCorps Alums in the Pepsi Refresh Project. We're currently ranked #24, but need to be in the top 10 by the end of the month to earn the $50K so don’t forget to vote and remind your friends to vote. We really appreciate your efforts in helping us to build healthy communities through your leadership!



Here's how you can help:

- Vote once a day here: www.refresheverything.com/americorpsalums

- Pledge your daily vote and sign up for reminders here: www.americorpsalums.org/?PepsiVote

- Share with your friends! Here’s a nice quick link to use: http://pep.si/bPDkTF

- Not sure what to say to encourage your friends? Check out our handy pre-made reminders for Facebook, Twitter, and Email here:


Remember, there are lots of winners and you get 10 votes a day so don’t forget to also vote for our partner, City Year!



Thank you for all you do and for supporting us and service!

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act Gains a new Co-Sponsor

Rep. Laura Richardson [D-CA37] became the 64th Co-sponsor of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2009 last week. This bill would amend the tax code to "exclude from gross income for income tax purposes AmeriCorps educational awards awarded under the National and Community Service Act of 1990." Meaning, the Ed Award wouldn't be taxed. This bill has been in the works for quite a while and is still in only the first stage of the legislative process, but any news is good news on this front!

Feel free to thank Rep. Richardson for standing with AmeriCorps Alums!

You can read the full text of the bill, if you're interested, here

Spring In Boston -Come Join Us

Hi Boston AmeriCorps Alums,

Global Youth Service Day is coming up April 24th. We are encouraging alums to volunteer with City Year Boston in helping clean up and transform the John Marshall School in Dorchester. If you are interested in volunteering, email Morgan Parnell at mparnell10@cityyear.org.

On April 27th, join AmeriCorps current Corps Members and Alums for a Life After AmeriCorps Fair at Wheelock College (43 Hawes St Brookline). This event is being hosted by the InterCorps Council and funded by the Mass Service Alliance. For more information, check out the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112483485444497&ref=nf

Another great event is coming up on Aril 29th. Join Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN), MassINC, New Prosperity Initiative and Net Impact Boston for a night of networking. At least 10 AmeriCorps Alums have already signed up, and we are hoping to have a large presence there. The event is being held 4/29 from 7-10pm at Ned Devine’s in Fanieul Hall. To sign up, go to: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/634032408

AmeriCorps Week is coming up May 8-15th. AmeriCorps Alums will be hosting a special event on Tuesday, May 12th on financial literacy, put on by Onein3 at City Year Headquarters on 287 Columbus Ave. Look for a Facebook invitation to come in the next week or two.

City Year is also holding their annual Serve-A-Thon Fundraiser on Saturday, May 22nd. For more information, contact the Serve-A-thon team at serveathonboston@cityyear.org or call 617-927-2300.

Finally, we have some exciting updates about the Serve America Act coming up soon. Keep checking in for the latest updates!

If you haven’t already, please join our Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=2231449160&ref=ts