U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) recently introduced two bipartisan bills supporting increased volunteerism and service opportunities across America.
“Civic engagement and giving back to one’s community are woven into the fabric of the American spirit. Service brings forth positive change and promotes unity across the nation,” Sen. Young said on July 1. “These bipartisan bills will help modernize our federal programs, establish new online platforms to help people find service opportunities, and provide more opportunities for volunteers to impact their communities, all while wisely using taxpayer dollars.”
Sen. Young on June 24 sponsored the Volunteer Innovation Act, S. 2240, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) to establish a national and community service pay for results program within AmeriCorps, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Young’s staff.
Specifically, S. 2240 would create an open format for community-based entities to submit an application demonstrating how to achieve measurable, clearly defined outcomes that result in federal savings and social benefits and would require the chief executive officer for AmeriCorps to select between four and six projects reflecting the geographic diversity of the nation, the summary says.
Selected participants would be required to meet outcomes to receive payment, according to the summary.
Also on June 24, Sen. Young signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Unity through Service Act, S. 2282, which is sponsored by Sen. Reed to establish in the Executive Office of the President a Council on Military, National, and Public Service to promote and expand opportunities for military service, national service, and public service for all people of the United States, according to the congressional record bill summary.
The council would advise and coordinate action on policies and initiatives designed to foster an increased sense of service, promote and expand service opportunities, develop and oversee cross-service initiatives, and cultivate pathways for Americans to develop critical skills to address national needs, according to Sen. Young’s bill summary.
Additionally, S. 2282 would promote cross-service marketing, recruitment, and retention through joint advertising campaigns, shared market research, and cross-service referrals and would create a service platform to enable individuals to learn about the full range of available service opportunities and match them with programs that fit their interests, qualifications, and goals, the summary says.
Both bills have been endorsed by Kristen Bennett, chief strategy officer at Service Year Alliance, and Marc McAleavey, executive director of Serve Indiana.