Your Action Needed!
The Maryknoll Lay Missioners have the opportunity to obtain a dollar-for-dollar match for funds spent on living costs and travel of their missioners! But, they need you to act.
The Serve America Act has express provisions that provide direct stipends to U.S.A. citizens to "offset the travel and living costs of volunteering abroad." But, the Act has not yet passed the U.S. Senate. Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the GIVE Act.
Now, additional action must be taken in order for the Serve America Act to pass when it is voted on in the Senate before the Congressional Recess on April 6.
You can voice your support:
Call or e-mail your Senator. (Click on Read More for a sample letter that you can copy and paste into an email to your senator.) Find out who your senator is and how to contact her by visiting: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm When you locate your senator from that website, it is recommended that you use the link titled: “Web Form.”
The Maryknoll Lay Missioners face an unprecedented challenge for future funding. This Serve America Act would provide non-profit organizations such as the Maryknoll Lay Missioners with a dollar for dollar match for funds spent on living costs and travel of their overseas workers.
For more information, visit: www.thomas.gov.
Don’t forget to also encourage every U.S. citizen you know to join the effort to pass the Serve America Act.
Sample letter:Dear Senator (insert name):
International volunteerism plays an important role in conveying the American values of friendship, understanding and assistance to millions of citizens around the world.
I urge you to vote in favor of Senate Bill 277, the Serve America Act. Although many of the provisions of this legislation enable and encourage volunteer service in the United Sates, under sections 201 through 204 of this legislation, motivated citizens meeting application criteria for fellowships could receive a modest stipend to offset the travel and living costs of volunteering abroad. Since this is a dollar for dollar matching stipend, the U.S. citizen will have to raise the matching portion – a requirement that ensures that the U.S. government gives a hand-up and not a hand-out. The increased engagement with citizens and cultures will improve the lives of many, while enhancing U.S. standing in the world. S. 277 is a cost-effective and wise investment for our nation.
I hope you will support this initiative to maximize the potential for U.S. citizens to serve our nation by voting in favor of the Serve America Act, S. 277.
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
(insert your name and your U.S. home address here)
