SAN FRANCISCO—In what might be a response to the troubled economy first lady Michelle Obama told thousands of volunteers in San Francisco that Americans can transform the country by doing something for others and integrating community service into their lives.
Obama spoke to a crowd of more than 4,500 at an opening ceremony for the National Conference on Volunteering and Service which kicked off at the Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco, on Tuesday evening.
The annual meeting which drew the largest turnout ever with keynote speaker, Michelle Obama, acknowledged the attendees for their leadership with the opening words, “I feel like I am with my people.”
“You are an inspiration to me and to all the people. The only way to build that new foundation for our economy is to establish a new role for service in this country,“ she said. Many Americans view service as ”Icing on the cake, but not necessarily part of the cake itself,” Obama said.
The First Lady also promoted her husband’s new initiative “United We Serve.” She said the initiative seeks to change the perception that change comes from government halls and corporate offices. A newly established Web site www.serve.gov will connect volunteers with opportunities. The project is intended to match “Needs with deeds,” according to Obama.
Obama pointed out that throughout our history it was the people who chose to serve the country who really did the work of making this country what it is. She said that President Barack Obama sees volunteering as a “force to transform this nation” and believes that it would be established in a new role.
Statistics showed that many people have recently turned to service. Applications to service organization AmeriCorps have skyrocketed, and the Peace Corps saw three applications for every available spot last year.
The leaders acknowledged the ground-breaking work California Governor Schwarzenegger had done in establishing a cabinet position especially for handling community service issues. In his speech Governor Schwarzenegger credited his original involvement with volunteering to his wife, Maria Shriver, of the Kennedy family, saying that service was a part of the family’s life.
“We are on the verge of important changes. Recognizing the power and spirit of regular men and women to pull our country through in its darkest times we really need them now. You here are the people to mobilize them. Are you ready?” Gov. Schwarzenegger told attendees.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California first lady Maria Shriver also spoke to the assembled volunteers.
Each speaker received rounds of applauds, but when Obama came to the stage audience members jumped up to their feet, and a wave of cell phones and cameras rose in the air to snap a picture of the first lady.
“You’ve done everything in your power to make giving back cool again,” Obama said to the atendees. “You have helped to make service once again a nationwide movement.”
She also announced that the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Hollywood organization that helps charitable causes, will support the president’s call to serve. During the week of October 19 the TV networks will air the usual shows but they will have themes of volunteering so that viewers can see it as a part of life, and they will show the difference it makes in the lives of others.
Talking more about the EIF plans and his own commitment to making a difference in the community singer Jon Bon Jovi spoke about the lessons he learned in attacking the ongoing issues of homelessness and poverty with his Philadelphia Soul Foundation. He and his band took the stage and sang songs in celebration of the conference.
Obama spoke to a crowd of more than 4,500 at an opening ceremony for the National Conference on Volunteering and Service which kicked off at the Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco, on Tuesday evening.
The annual meeting which drew the largest turnout ever with keynote speaker, Michelle Obama, acknowledged the attendees for their leadership with the opening words, “I feel like I am with my people.”
“You are an inspiration to me and to all the people. The only way to build that new foundation for our economy is to establish a new role for service in this country,“ she said. Many Americans view service as ”Icing on the cake, but not necessarily part of the cake itself,” Obama said.
The First Lady also promoted her husband’s new initiative “United We Serve.” She said the initiative seeks to change the perception that change comes from government halls and corporate offices. A newly established Web site www.serve.gov will connect volunteers with opportunities. The project is intended to match “Needs with deeds,” according to Obama.
Obama pointed out that throughout our history it was the people who chose to serve the country who really did the work of making this country what it is. She said that President Barack Obama sees volunteering as a “force to transform this nation” and believes that it would be established in a new role.
Statistics showed that many people have recently turned to service. Applications to service organization AmeriCorps have skyrocketed, and the Peace Corps saw three applications for every available spot last year.
The leaders acknowledged the ground-breaking work California Governor Schwarzenegger had done in establishing a cabinet position especially for handling community service issues. In his speech Governor Schwarzenegger credited his original involvement with volunteering to his wife, Maria Shriver, of the Kennedy family, saying that service was a part of the family’s life.
“We are on the verge of important changes. Recognizing the power and spirit of regular men and women to pull our country through in its darkest times we really need them now. You here are the people to mobilize them. Are you ready?” Gov. Schwarzenegger told attendees.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California first lady Maria Shriver also spoke to the assembled volunteers.
Each speaker received rounds of applauds, but when Obama came to the stage audience members jumped up to their feet, and a wave of cell phones and cameras rose in the air to snap a picture of the first lady.
“You’ve done everything in your power to make giving back cool again,” Obama said to the atendees. “You have helped to make service once again a nationwide movement.”
She also announced that the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Hollywood organization that helps charitable causes, will support the president’s call to serve. During the week of October 19 the TV networks will air the usual shows but they will have themes of volunteering so that viewers can see it as a part of life, and they will show the difference it makes in the lives of others.
Talking more about the EIF plans and his own commitment to making a difference in the community singer Jon Bon Jovi spoke about the lessons he learned in attacking the ongoing issues of homelessness and poverty with his Philadelphia Soul Foundation. He and his band took the stage and sang songs in celebration of the conference.
