Serve Illinois seeks input on volunteer plan

Listening sessions aimed at developing new state plan

[August 08, 2012]  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 conduct 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 Brandon Bodor, executive director of Serve Illinois. "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 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 are from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following dates at the locations listed:

• Aug. 16 -- Chicago
  Metcalfe Building
  Room 331
  77 W. Jackson St
  Chicago, IL 60604

• Aug. 17 -- Online webinar
  Information on joining the webinar is available at www.serve.illinois.gov.

• Aug. 28 -- Springfield
  Illinois Department of Transportation
  Hanley Building Auditorium
  2300 S. Dirksen Parkway
  Springfield, IL 62764

• Aug. 30 -- Mount Vernon
  Epworth United Methodist Church
  401 Main St.
  Mount Vernon, IL 62864

• Aug. 31 -- Online webinar
  Information on joining the webinar is available at www.serve.illinois.gov.

• Sept. 5 -- Rock Island
  Broadway Presbyterian
  710 23rd St.
  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 Scott McFarland, deputy director, at [e-mail] 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, or click here.

In addition to the survey, the current 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.

[Text from Illinois Department of Human Services file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]