2008 Highlights
The 2008 National Conference on Volunteering and Service was a major success as more than 4,500 change-makers came together in Atlanta to explore ways to expand the ranks and effectiveness of volunteers across the United States. During the three-day conference, attendees shared best practices, connected with peers, and learned the latest information on volunteer management and civic engagement. With 175 workshops, six immersion-learning sessions, several special events, a large interactive exhibit hall, and two community "hands on" service projects, there was something for everyone at conference!
The theme of the 2008 conference, "The Urgency of Now," served as an ever-present reminder of the need for bold civic action. With energy and enthusiasm, attendees learned that "now" is a time of big challenges for our nation and our world. With these challenges comes a time of profound opportunity. With growing recognition from Congress, the campaign trail, and corporate America, it is clear that service and volunteering are the keys to tackling our nation’s toughest problems. Among the many highlights of the 2008 Conference:
Plenary Speakers. The 2008 plenary sessions featured inspirational remarks from a wide range of speakers, including Congressman John Lewis, former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Sam Nunn, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, USA Freedom Corps Director Henry Lozano, Corporation for National and Community Service CEO David Eisner and Board Chair Stephen Goldsmith, Points of Light Institute CEO Michelle Nunn and Board Chair Neil Bush, Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter, corporate CEOs, and many others. View videos of selected remarks.
Immersion Learning Sessions. New this year, “Immersion Learning Sessions” offered attendees the opportunity to go into the local community, roll up their sleeves, and explore issues in an intensive way alongside local leaders and topic experts. Six different sessions were offered, with several taking place at historic sites around Atlanta, including the New Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Carter Center, and Spelman University. The 2008 sessions focused on current topics, including:
- “Building Communities from the Inside Out”
- “Engaging the Poor and People of Color in Organized Service”
- “Leaders of Now: Rocking the World One Community at a Time”
- “University-Community Partnerships: A Mutually Beneficial Alliance for Students and Community”
- “Nonviolence to Service for Social Justice”
- “Volunteering in America: Innovative Strategies for Plugging the Leaky Bucket, Reinventing Volunteer Talent, and Thriving.”
Feedback from attendees was very positive, with most feeling that these sessions greatly enhanced the Conference experience.
Special Events. In addition to the workshops and plenary sessions, Conference attendees in 2008 had a chance to kick up their heels and get a real taste of Southern hospitality. Following the opening plenary at the Georgia World Congress Center, the Celebrate Now! Festival, hosted by Target, had everyone on their feet dancing to the sounds of the Atlanta Drum Line, dueling pianos and DJ’s, and an amazing jam session with local Atlanta bands. Just down the street, the fun continued at a Welcome Reception hosted by Delta Air Lines at the Georgia Aquarium. The Business and Funders Reception at the New World of Coca-Cola, presented by KPMG and The Coca-Cola Company, also gave visitors a refreshing taste of Atlanta.
Brand Launch. After much anticipation, the new brand identity and structure of the Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network—the largest volunteer network in the country—were unveiled. The dynamic new brand builds on the equity of both the HandsOn Network and the former Points of Light Foundation and positions the network firmly at the forefront of the movement towards civic engagement in America and around the world. The Conference provided an opportunity for more than 200 HandsOn Network Action Centers to come together for the first time since the 2007 merger to discuss membership integration, fundraising, strategic planning, and other ideas for launching the new brand in local communities. (For more information, go to www.handsonnetwork.org)
Senior Corps Conference/AmeriCorps Grantee Meeting. For the first time since 2002—and for the first time ever as part of the National Conference—all 1,500 Senior Corps project directors met as a whole. Highlights including the announcement of a new partnership with the Administration on Aging, a Town Hall discussion, and the unveiling of brand new marketing materials. AmeriCorps program directors and State Commission executive directors and staff also gathered at the Conference and at pre-Conference sessions to discuss issues of particular interest to AmeriCorps grantees.
Corporate Track. More than 400 corporate partners and key business leaders demonstrated the positive benefits of marrying social responsibility with business goals, proving that pro-bono service improves their communities and strengthens their bottom line. CEOs of major corporations—including Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Ben & Jerry’s, ChoicePoint, and Manning Selvage & Lee—gathered for a CEO Roundtable to discuss the importance of inspired corporate leadership around civic engagement. Moderated by CNBC’s Trish Regan, the “CSR Now!” roundtable set the tone for one of the most robust business tracks in conference history. In addition, attendees were exposed to a variety of workshops and forums, including an in-depth conversation hosted by Jean Case, Chair of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, on “The Evolution of Corporate Engagement.”
Award Recipients. At plenary sessions and at smaller group settings throughout the Conference, a number of awards were presented to individuals, nonprofit organizations, and corporate partners who exemplified excellence in their respective areas of volunteering.
Corporate Spirit of Service Award
Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- ChoicePoint
- Genworth Financial
- The Walt Disney Company
HandsOn Network Awards
- George W. Romney Excellence Award to the Affiliate of the Year: Volunteer Connection of Northwest Ohio
- Leadership Award: Boston Cares
- Innovation Award: Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley
CNCS Spirit of Service Awards (Senior Corps)
- RSVP: Joel Becker
- Foster Grandparent Program: Thelma King
- Senior Companion Program: Patricia Gratton
- Partnership: The Pinkerton Foundation
CNCS Spirit of Service Awards (AmeriCorps)
- State/National: Antonio Almeida
- NCCC Team: Team Blue 4 (Western Region, Class 14)
- NCCC Member: Ashley Sloan, Greg Loushine, Jackie Smith (Southeast Region, Class 13)
- VISTA: American Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter VISTA Team
- AmeriCorps Alums: David Karst
- Partnership: Pearson
CNCS Spirit of Service Awards (Learn and Serve America)
- Student: Nicholas Metrakos
- Grantee: Monforton School 7th Grade (Bozeman, Montana)
- Educator: Wendy Doromal
- Inspirational: State Farm
AmeriCorps Alums
- Eli Segal Awardee: Rhonda Ulmer
Cohen-Nunn Dialogues. National service was the topic of a standing-room-only panel discussion led by former Secretary of Defense William Cohen and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn. The session was part of a series of “dialogues” on important issues they are conducting across the country under the auspices of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Gilman Foundation. After opening remarks by Corporation CEO David Eisner, the panelists, including HandsOn Network CEO Michelle Nunn, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei, and author Westley Moore, candidly and provocatively discussed how public policy can be used to achieve a new threshold of civic and national service. Highlights of the discussion also were presented by Senator Nunn at the Closing Plenary.
View streaming video of the Cohen-Nunn Dialogues.
Service Projects. Conference-goers proved that they can walk the walk by participating as volunteers for two local Atlanta service projects. Over 100 attendees braved the Atlanta heat to provide much-needed assistance with painting, landscaping, and general building repairs at the Samaritan House of Atlanta, which helps the homeless, and the KIPP WAYS Academy, which offers college preparatory services to low-income youth.
Next Generation Service. Throughout Conference, the positive impact of Generation X, Y and Millennials was on display. In addition to workshops and learning sessions geared to younger audiences, the Conference hosted the first Youth Leadership Academy, which provided a framework to empower young leaders by committing to annual service and the completion of a project.
Exhibit Hall. Sporting a new high-tech look and feel, this year’s exhibit hall, called “The Exchange,” provided both a showcase for 75 exhibitors and a forum to share ideas to drive forward the national volunteer movement. Attendees were able to check their e-mail at the IBM Cyber Café, explore the new brand of Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network, and learn more about national service programs and resources at the Corporation for National and Community Service booth. The Exchange also boasted the first “Walk of Fame”—which showcased on video the Conference award winners within a mini theatrical hallway—as well as the Now! Network TV, an in-house network featuring interviews with attendees, volunteer stories, and more.
Sponsors. The 2008 Conference could not have taken place without the strong support of our corporate sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsors Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot Foundation, Target, and UPS. Other sponsors included Accenture, AGL Resources, Altria Group, Cartoon Network & Turner Broadcasting System, Chrysler Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company, Georgia Natural Gas, IBM, ING Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group, Kaiser Permanente, KPMG, L'Oréal Paris, Macy's, State Street Corporation, and WaMu. Our corporate sponsors were also featured in several Wall Street Journal ads that ran in the Money & Investing section on April 25, May 9 and May 30.
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