Upcoming Events

Apprenticeships and National Service Webinar Series

Join us for our in-progress webinar series about apprenticeships and how AmeriCorps programs can incorporate apprenticeships into their program model, featuring speakers from the Urban Institute, FHI 360, the US Department of Labor, and Serve Colorado. Open to all national service grantees. Email us for the registration links.

Events in Review

National Service Training

We hosted our 2023 National Service Training events in San Diego, New Orleans, and Charleston, as well as virtually. We had over 1,600 attendees this year, who gave overwhelming positive feedback about the events — 93% agreed or strongly agreed that they could apply what they'd learned at the event to their work. Thank you all for the amazing turnout! We hope, as always, that these trainings were useful for you. 

View National Service Training photos.

Volunteer Generation Fund Convening

We had a great time at our annual Volunteer Generation Fund Convening, held in Chicago as a pre-event before the 2023 Points of Light conference. There were many wonderful conversations with new and renewed connections! It was awesome to be able to connect in-person around volunteer engagement, and we're grateful to all who attended.

Public Policy Updates

FY24 Appropriations

With the recent passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 which rescinded billions of dollars in unexpended COVID-19 related funding, the annual appropriations process is underway. In the coming weeks, both the House and Senate will begin marking up appropriations bills.

Earlier this year, the President released his FY24 request for the AmeriCorps agency. The President’s request calls for a $160 million increase to the agency’s budget over FY23, including a sizable increase for AmeriCorps State and National to fund increases to the minimum member living allowance.

ASC and our States for Service coalition will be advocating for an additional $300 million over the FY23 enacted level to support increases in member living allowances and maintain the number of member positions. Given the budget caps included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the FY24 appropriations process will be a challenging one. We encourage national service champions to join our States for Service coalition to learn more about how you can become an advocate for national service funding and legislation at the federal and state levels.

State Legislation

We're happy to share that the following state legislation has PASSED!

• Maryland HB0546/SB0551 — Establishes a new service year program for recent high school graduates
• Minnesota Governor's Budget — Expands GreenCorps with a budget of $1.95 million
• Minnesota SF1799/HF1811 — Provides $1 million in funding for the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA)
• Nevada SB87 — Provides that a state position can be filled without competition if the applicant is a service alum
• Washington HB1176/SB5247 — Creates a Washington conservation corps

We are continuing to track the following state legislation:

• Ohio Operating Budget — Removes the state tax on the Segal Education Award
• Oregon HB3032/SB2 — Creates a state tax benefit for those who rent a room in their home to service members
• Nebraska LB111 — Makes the state service commission statutory
• Texas HB2179 — Adds AmeriCorps to a state program that gives local school districts a bonus of up to $5,000 for every graduate that enrolls in college, completes a job training program, or enlists in the military

In This Issue

• Upcoming Events
• Events in Review
• S4S Public Policy Updates
• Announcements & Reminders
• Commissioner Highlight
• 25th Anniversary Philanthropy Corner

Announcements & Reminders

MAP Enrollment Open

Interested in enrolling (or re-enrolling) in our AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program? Enrollment is now open for the 2023-24 program year! Visit our website for details — including a link to watch our recent informational webinar, or to register.

Last Call: TTA Directory Mid-Year Update

Calling all national service trainers and consultants! Join our 2023 TTA Directory for our mid-year update, to be released in July. If interested, please complete our online application TODAY! If you are already in the 2023 TTA Directory, you do not need to do anything at this time.

Commissioner Highlight

Lauren Palmer, Serve Kentucky

"I serve as a commissioner because service has been part of my personality since the age of 10 when I gave up half of my lunch hour to assist children with disabilities in gym class. I learned early that service is truly a win-win experience. I often take away from the experience as much as I give, and it feels wonderful! This win-win is a little-known secret until you volunteer. I have volunteered for over 20 years as a special education advocate for families; I served 22 years mentoring middle and high school students in Youth in Government clubs; and I served over 15 years for my local school district. Through my volunteerism, I have met incredible people of service, many of whom served on the Serve Kentucky Commission. As a younger volunteer, I set out to change the world, and now as an older volunteer, I better understand that changing the world starts with changing my corner of the world. Serving on the Serve Kentucky Commission provides another opportunity to change my corner of the world." —Lauren Palmer

25th Anniversary Philanthropy Corner

Monthly Giving

Wondering how you can support ASC's work and the work of commissions? Monthly giving enables us to pursue excellence beyond what partner service fees cover. By making a monthly, personal gift, you honor the role ASC has played in your professional life and help strengthen the organization for the benefit of others. Your generosity truly makes an impact as we lead and elevate the state service network and embrace service as a strategy to build community in solving local challenges.