Did you know.....

More than 100 million people in this country volunteer theit time, talent and energy to help others solve social problems and build strong communities. These volunteers represent all backgrounds and beliefs and all age ranges, but share one common goal of working to make a difference.

About Massachusetts Service Alliance

About the initiative

Welcome to Connect and Serve, the Commonwealth,s initiative to increase volunteerism i Massachusetts. We believe that when you volunteer, you strengthen your community. Connect and Serve will allow you to learn about different types of volunteer activitiesand to locate volunteer board opportunities.

About The Massachusetts Service Alliance

The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private nonprofit organizationthat serves as the state commissionon community service and volunteerism. Appointed by govenor William Weldunder executive order 314 www.lawlib.state,ma.us/eoindexc-d.html#commservice.our mission is to generate an ethic of service throuhgout the Commonwealth by creating and supporting diverse, high quality service and volunteer opportunities for all age groups, resulting in stronger communities and more active citizens.

Specifically, we...

invest public and private funds in community-based organizationsin a fair and equitable manner. Programs are funded in these areas: AmeriCorps, Mentoring and Service-learning Youth Councils.

convene and mobilize individuals. non-profits, corporations and governmental entities to link strategies related to community service, community service learning and volunteerism. We achive this through conferences, networking meetings, the United States Plan and promotion of community service,

build capacity of nonprofit agencies by providing training and technical assistance that supports program development and improves the effictive use of volunteers.

Advocate for the development and promotion of public and private policies initiatives that incorporate service, community service learning, and volunteerism as effective strategies to address community challenges. Call To Service, the Citizen Service Guide, the Govenor's Points of Light Award, and this website are just a few of the resources we use in this process.