"Be the Change!" 2011 Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Celebration

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For 20 years, Craig Bowman and his firm, Common Ground Consulting, have been providing world-class consulting services for community-based, national, and international social profit organizations. As a leading social sector futurist, Craig has spent his career developing a philosophy of learning and management that harnesses passion and trust as a bridge between human potential and social responsibility. Previously, Craig served as the National Director of Education, Training, and Personnel for Public Allies, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of their outcomes-based training curriculum and where he pioneered his innovative Infinity Training Model. While there, he also served as the youngest member of the Corporation for National Service's Summer of Service Design Team, which launched AmeriCorps in 1993.Craig Bowman, President, Common Ground Consulting

  Michigan's AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members.WHO: 

 The 2011 Celebration will conclude with a swearing-in ceremony reaffirming members' commitment to AmeriCorps and national service. Robert Velasco, Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service will lead the swearing-in at this year's Celebration.

 AVAILABLE INTERVIEWS:

 Various Michigan's AmeriCorps members serving in communities across the state·   Robert Velasco, Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
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 Paula Kaiser VanDam, Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission·   
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:2010-2011 Michigan's AmeriCorps Program Information: 

The annual Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Celebration is hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission. It helps prepare AmeriCorps members for their year of service and celebrate the courage of their commitment.

• More than 1,200 individuals served Michigan's struggling communities through Michigan's AmeriCorps. These AmeriCorps members served through 26 organizations at more than 300 nonprofits and schools throughout the state addressing some of Michigan's toughest challenges.
• On average, each Michigan member recruits an additional 20 volunteers to help address the needs in their communities. These volunteers give nearly 150,000 hours of service equating to an additional $3 million of services contributed to Michigan communities.
• As a result of their year of service, AmeriCorps members in Michigan earned an estimated $2 million in education awards to pay for college, vocational training programs, or repay student loans. At a time when many Michigan families are struggling to find employment or pay for college, AmeriCorps can be a solution.
  

For more information on Michigan's AmeriCorps, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc .