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N.Y. volunteerism low, but ready to improve

    Re July 27 AP article, “Report: Miami residents least likely to donate time to others”: A recent study on volunteerism throughout the country by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) ranked New York state as having one of the lowest rates of volunteer service by its residents. Of the 51 jurisdictions surveyed, New York ranked 50th. Clearly, New York state needs to address this issue
    Under Gov. Paterson’s direction, a coalition of partners was recently selected to participate in a technical assistance program by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices entitled “Policy Academy on Civic Engagement of Older Adults [Academy].” The Academy is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies. The Academy’s mission will be to focus on helping states improve the health and lives of older adults, and strengthening communities statewide by developing strategies for training and retaining older adults in the work force or retired adults who want to engage in a second career. The academy will also work to develop strategies to utilize the skills, knowledge and talents of older adults by enhancing meaningful volunteer activities that will help address many community problems. Only five other states — Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania — were selected to participate in the Academy.
    The residents of New York have proven throughout our nation’s history that they are our greatest resource. From battling through economic hard times of the Depression, restoring our state as the economic capital of the world, to moving forward after the devastating attacks of 9/11, New Yorkers have always answered the call in difficult times. Now we have another opportunity at hand, and once again the people of our state will be the engine that brings about progress.
    I will be leading a working group, composed of civic-minded public and private organizations at the state and community level, which will report to Gov. Paterson throughout the next year and help identify key strategies and actions that will guide the implementation of civic engagement, volunteerism and workforce initiatives for older New Yorkers. By the end of the program, state teams, along with our partners, will be working toward the common goals outlined in the successful grant application.
By the time the CNCS conducts its next survey, the strength of our citizens will be evidenced by a higher ranking by New York. For additional information, check out: http://www.aging.ny.gov/ News/PressReleases/2008/CivicEngagementNGA.cfm.
MICHAEL J. BURGESS
Albany
The writer is director for the state Offi ce for the Aging.

keep moving......keep thinking.....keep reasoning......etc......