Amity Tripp, Executive Director of AmeriCorps Alums words have really resonated with me. I am going to be a part of history on January 20, 2009. But this opportunity also gives AmeriCorps the opportunity to brand itself as a household name. When I first took on this position as a volunteer, I would say to family and friends that I was an AmeriCorps Volunteer, and they would say, huh! I would then reply by saying that I am a federal contractor in Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships. Until NOW!
By being the first EVER national service related organization to march in a Presidential Inaugural Parade, AmeriCorps will be all over the media. AmeriCorps has NEVER gotten this kind of recognition before. Out of 1400 applicants, AmeriCorps Alums was one of the 100 selected. We only had 150 slots that we could fill and had over 1200 alumni who wanted in. This is truly a remarkable opportunity for branding ourselves as a national player in everyday American lives.
We will carry AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Alums banners and carry flags from all 50 states and territories. As Amity states, "we will mirror our Returned Peace Corps neighbors who already are a household name – in the hope and expectation that AmeriCorps will soon be a household name and a year of service will soon be a norm for all Americans."
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I am an AmeriCorps alum and now the director of an AmeriCorps program and think that this opportunity is AWESOME! While I cannot be there, I will be watching and feeling really proud of AmeriCorps! I am hoping for a renewed spirit of community service under Barack Obama!
ReplyDeleteShannon Bailes