Serve Illinois Seeks Input on Volunteer Plan

SPRINGFIELD – The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is hosting a series of listening sessions throughout the state to seek community input on Illinois’ State Service Plan, the state’s blueprint for encouraging and supporting community service.

The commission will hold six listening sessions – including two online webinars – to assist in updating a three-year-plan to increase participation in community service.

“These listening sessions will help Serve Illinois gain valuable insight on community needs that will, in turn, help inform volunteer efforts,” said Serve Illinois Executive Director Brandon Bodor. “The sessions will also help us inform local residents on how Serve Illinois can better support their volunteer initiatives.”

Currently, Serve Illinois is following the 2009-2012 State Service Plan. To ensure that all Illinoisans can contribute to the Service Plan, the commission annually hosts a series of listening sessions throughout the state to encourage an open dialogue on the process.

All who wish to provide input are invited to attend a listening session.. The sessions will be held from 1pm to 4pm at the following locations:

August 16th - Chicago
Metcalfe Building
Room 331
77 W. Jackson St
Chicago, IL 60604
August 17th – Online Webinar
Information on joining the webinar is available at www.Serve.Illinois.gov

August 28th – Springfield
Illinois Department of Transportation
Hanley Building Auditorium
2300 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764

August 30th- Mt. Vernon
Epworth United Methodist Church
401 Main St.
Mount Vernon, IL 62864

August 31st – Online Webinar
Information on joining the webinar is available at www.Serve.Illinois.gov

September 5th- Rock Island
Broadway Presbyterian
710 23rd Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

For those who are unable to attend a listening session, Serve Illinois welcomes written feedback. Feedback may be submitted by email or fax to Deputy Director Scott McFarland at Scott.McFarland@Illinois.gov or 217-557-0515. Residents may also provide feedback through a survey on the Serve Illinois website at www.Serve.Illinois.gov. Click on the “2012 Listening Tour” link in the middle of the page to access the survey.

In addition to the survey, the current Service Plan can be viewed on the Serve Illinois website, which is a valuable tool for getting information on volunteer opportunities statewide. The website offers information about volunteer agencies, trainings, nonprofit resources and national service programs including AmeriCorps. Serve.Illinois.gov allows visitors to search for volunteer opportunities in their area.  Currently, there are more than 100,000 volunteer opportunities available.

The Serve Illinois Commission administers the AmeriCorps* State programs in Illinois. Serve Illinois is funded by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. The Serve Illinois Commission currently supports 30 AmeriCorps programs throughout the state.

For more information on AmeriCorps or Serve Illinois, visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov or call 800-592-9896.