Click here to read about the AT&T corporate partnership.

July 13, 2007

To all FGP, RSVP and SCP Project Directors, Staff and Supporters,

Visit the NSCA Booth in Philadelphia!
Attending the National Conference on Volunteering & Service in Philly next week? We look forward to meeting you in person! Visit booth #427 and learn more about the new National Senior Corps Association. Special thanks to our corporate partner AT&T, for booth sponsorship, a variety of fun promotional items and free phone cards.

2008 Appropriations
Congratulations -- our hard work on the appropriations front has really paid off so far. In January the President released his budget for 2008 calling for cuts in funding for FG and SC while increasing funds for RSVP (through the proposed establishment of Boomer Corps). I am pleased to announce that contrary to this recommendation, the Appropriations Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have restored funding for Senior Corps programs approving funding at 2007 levels. This is a great victory - so far. But we must remain vigilant because the funding is not final; there are several other steps in the Appropriations process before we can rest. The full House and the Senate must vote on the Appropriation bills and that will probably happen in the fall or winter of this year.

Thank you for the countless number of calls, e-mails and faxes from project directors, staff, volunteers, advisory council/board members and volunteer stations to your Representative and Senators! We especially appreciate your extracorrespondence with us to inform us of your communication with elected officials. Our Washington Representative, Priscilla Chatman, was also instrumental in carrying our message to key members of the Appropriations Committees and following up your correspondence with personal visits.

Although restored funding is a victory for 2008, what our programs need is increased funding. That will be our agenda for FY 2009 funding.

Reauthorization ~ "Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE) Act" (H.R. 2857)
Thank you for sending a unified voice through calls, e-mails and faxes to your elected officials opposing the language in the Reauthorization bill regarding "recompetition" of RSVP programs. FGP and SCP project directors are encouraged to continue defending RSVP on this issue. Once again, thank you for informing NSCA of your correspondence.

NSCA is currently working closely with our Washington Representative and Voices for National Service to determine priority modifications to improve the bill. The House plans to bring the bill to the floor the week of July 23. Thank you to project directors who have been providing input on Reauthorization issues outlined in previous updates. Your feedback is critical in determining our course of action! We continue to work toward passage of this important bill which contains many elements that will enhance and strengthen Senior Corps programs.

Congressional Recess ~ Meet with your Representatives and Senators at Home!
Congress will be in recess during the month of August. Senators and Representatives will be in their home districts. This is an ideal time to meet with your member of Congress to educate them about the Senior Corps programs. Please note: start working on getting an appointment now! It takes a long time to schedule a meeting with a member of Congress and they will only be in their district office for one month. Many people will be bombarding them with requests forappointments. Immediately call your members' offices, get the fax number and the name of the scheduler. Ask for an appointment, but they will probably instruct you to first fax in a letter of request. Be sure tokeep copies of the letter! When you call the office to follow up, they may ask for a duplicate copy of the letter.

To make it more likely that you will get a favorable response include some or all of the following:

• "I am a Project Director for the (FGP, RSVP, SCP) program(s) in your district. We are located at XXXX (if the address is within the district). We have XXXX number of volunteers and service XXXX children/clients/community initiatives."
• If there are other Senior Corps programs in the legislator's district, please contact them and work together! If there are other Senior Corps programs include that in your correspondence. For example: There are XXX Senior Corps Programs including FGP, RSVP and SCP with XXX volunteers and we collectively serve XXXXX children/clients/community organizations.
• Tell the legislator when you meet you will discuss the value the Senior Corps program(s) brings to his/her constituents and you will discuss funding for the programs.
• Fax the letter to your representative and your two senators, depending on how many appointments you can handle. The team approach works very well. Consider taking other people with you to the meeting: a team of project directors, other staff members, or volunteers, or recipients of the volunteers' service.

More Work on Your Behalf
NSCA Interim Board members have been participating in a variety of efforts, discussions and workgroups to benefit FGP, RSVP and SCP projects. Topics include Marketing and Public Relations, Income Eligibility Forms, Training and Technical Assistance, Conference Planning, Operations Handbook Review and Models for Performance Measurement.

Board Openings!
What you've read about NSCA is true. It's an organization based on unity, collaboration, negotiation and collegial professionalism. That means members are encouraged to get involved and take on leadership roles. NSCA's first Board election this Fall offers an exciting opportunity to serve on the national level. FGP, RSVP and SCP project directors who are NSCA professional members are qualified to run. Please visit www.nscatogether.org for more information on our board structure and board positions. To obtain more information about serving on the NSCA board, please email Dwight Rasmussen at drasmussen@slco.org.

NSCA Website
Be sure to visit our new website: www.nscatogether.org. As always, we welcome questions, feedback, and most importantly, your membership.

Yours in National Service,
NSCA Interim Board