It's time for a commissioner highlight! Today, we're recognizing Julie Strandlie, who has been serving as a commissioner with Serve Virginia for eight years.

Julie said, "It’s an honor and privilege to serve as an appointed member of the Virginia Governor’s Advisory Board on Service & Volunteerism (Serve Virginia). Volunteerism and national service have always been important to me, starting when I first volunteered in elementary school to collect pennies for Muscular Dystrophy research. National service and volunteerism build and protect communities and bring people together. I believe that recommitting ourselves to service will help bridge deep political divides and save democracy. Whether Virginians volunteer in their individual capacity — helping neighbors, working through a nonprofit, or participating in their employer/business volunteerism program — or serve as an AmeriCorps member, their contributions make a real difference in the lives of many as well as improving their own! As Board Chair for two years, I had the opportunity to initiate proactive board activity, thanks to assistance from ASC’s States for Service program because this activity was previously considered beyond our purview; these efforts include advocating for national funding alongside our board colleagues in other states and participating in the annual advocacy program. Prior to COVID-19, I worked with Governor Northam’s Washington office to secure a letter to Chairman Bobby Scott to support additional funding. In addition, through my contacts from my American Bar Association tenure as legislative counsel for civil legal services, I recruited the law firm Arnold & Porter to provide pro bono lobbying services to S4S to gain support for legislation sponsored by Senators Coons and Cassidy and increased appropriations. At the state level, based on my experience advocating for the Legal Services Corporation, we initiated AmeriCorps educational program site visits for both the Board and state legislators. COVID-19 sidetracked our site visit plans, and I am pleased that these efforts are now going forward and succeeding. The Virginia Service Commission leadership and staff deserve all the credit for the execution! I continue to volunteer in many capacities and enjoy representing the Board and the Virginia Service Foundation, which I chair, at various events around the Commonwealth. I am proud to be a cheerleader for our AmeriCorps programs and members and for service and volunteerism in Virginia."

Thank you for your service, Julie!

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