Ask Congress to Invest in
Service and Volunteering!
Funding for CNCS fuels the Civic Response to our Economic and Social Challenges
In 2011, the House of Representatives produced two bills to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service. Congressional champions on both sides of the aisle protected funding for national service, and we are deeply grateful to President Obama for ensuring that national service has remained an Administration priority, even in these difficult economic times.
Unfortunately, the budget battle of 2012 has already begun. On March 29, the House of Representatives passed a Budget Resolution that once again calls for the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service. While the Resolution is a budget blueprint without the force of law, it does guide Congress through the annual appropriations process.
Now is the time to raise your voice and call on Congress to reject the Ryan Budget and to invest in the Corporation for National and Community Service. Your voice matters, and below are easy tools that can help you contact your legislators:
Send a Letter to Your Senators and Congressperson
Please write to Congress and say thank you for making national service a priority in FY12. Share your stories of service and sacrifice. Remind them how important the Corporation for National and Community Service is for our country and ask them to make national service funding a priority in FY13.
With congressional support, we can ensure that citizens in need have the support of national service for years to come - and that Americans who want to roll up their sleeves to bring help and hope can put their energy and talents to work for our country.
Please use these links that will make emailing Congress quick and easy.
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Attend
a Town Hall Meeting
You can directly share your concerns with Congress about national service funding by attending a town hall meeting in your community. Members of Congress often hold public meetings in their communities when Congress is not in session. The meetings occur at community centers, schools, religious institutions, and other public spaces, allowing voters to share their views and concerns directly to their elected officials.
Contact your Representative and Senator’s local district offices to find out when they are holding a town hall meeting in your area. To prepare for the meeting click here to read a Guide to Town Hall Meetings. |
Invite
Your Elected Official
to Visit Your Program
Engaging our public leaders in service is a wonderful way to build support for national service and convey the impact that your program is having on your community. We hope that you will contact your public leaders, including your mayor, governor, city council members, and Members of Congress, and invite them to visit your program or participate in a day of service.
- Click here for a sample invitation letter
- Click here for tips on how to schedule a visit with an elected official
- Click here for tips on promoting your service day to the media
Please help us keep track of how many Members participate in site visits by emailing info@voicesforservice.org<mailto:info@voicesforservice.org> or calling 202-742-7374 once participation is confirmed. We would also love to receive a copy of any photos you take with your Members of Congress. Photos can be emailed to the address above. |
Write
to Your Local Paper
Locate instructions for how to write to the Opinion Editor of your paper. Instructions often appear on the Opinion page of the newspaper or you can visit the newspaper’s website.
You can then write your own Letter to the Editor or Op-Ed. Write about your personal experience with national service programs and call for elected officials to support full funding for national service. It is best to be specific about recent legislation (see Legislative Updates) and what action you want taken. |
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