Last week I attended the Presidential Forum on Service in College Station, TX. I was very excited to attend this event because not only was our President, Barack Obama was scheduled to speak but Service was the main theme of the event. It brought together both sides of the isle to celebrate former President George H.W. Bush and the 20 year anniversary of the thousand Points of Light initiative. Our national partner, Points of Light Institute and Hands On Network hosted the event that included people working in the service field, nonprofits, businesses and regular people who volunteer. Both Presidents discussed the value of service & volunteerism at the national level to the local level. President Obama emphasized how real change can happen by citizens doing their part in their communities and that government can not do it alone. I believe that to be true; change happens at the local level with people, in neighborhoods, connecting and making change happen. As the director of Community Engagement at United Way Capital Area and Hands On Central Texas I see first hand – people are changing communities, they are volunteering, giving back, taking on leadership roles and making sure their communities are connected. Taking this conversation to the national level is a great step for communities because “service and volunteering is not just a nice thing to do, but a necessity to achieving our national priorities” and tacking our communities most pressing issues.

While I was there I was able to take some video with my handy dandy pocket cam. Check out these short videos from President Obama’s speech. I hope my trembling hands don’t make you dizzy! 😉

Presidential Forum on Service: President Obama honors former President George H.W. Bush

Presidential Forum on Service – Obama – Service is integral to achieving our national priorities

I leave you with these questions: Will you be the change? How will you make change happen?

Want to get started? Let Hands On and United Way Capital Area help you. Go to www.handsoncentraltexas.org to volunteer, take Volunteer Project Leader course and get involved!

Adelante,

Mando

*Photo Credit: Points of Light Institute