Harris Wofford: The Corporation for National and Community Service Needs Patrick Corvington

by Harris Wofford · 2009-10-02 15:12:00 UTC
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Harris Wofford is a former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and was CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service under President Bill Clinton.

Today President Obama announced his selection of Patrick Corvington to head the Corporation for National and Community Service, a nomination I whole-heartedly applaud. As one who was there when President Kennedy and Sargent Shriver raised high the Service banner, I am enthusiastic about the President’s vision for service and innovation. I believe he has chosen a leader who has the ability and experience to help take national and community service -- and social innovation -- forward in the 21st Century.

To address the issues of our day, the President has called for a new social contract between citizens and their government, asking all Americans for their service and active citizenship. He asked Congress to put on a fast track legislation authorizing a great expansion of opportunities for citizen service by Americans of all ages and walks of life, and in President Obama's first hundred days Congress passed, by extraordinary bi-partisan support, the Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act. It calls for national service to grow from 75,000 annual members to 250,000 by 2017.

The President has assured Americans that he will match this large new commitment with a government that is more innovative, efficient, transparent, and accountable.  The Social Innovation Fund, which will be administered by the Corporation, is one of the key new initiatives of the Obama Administration. It has the potential to increase the quality and quantity of community solutions--a quantum leap in programs that work-- and to strengthen the whole nonprofit sector.

Patrick Corvington has leadership and management skills needed as the Corporation for National and Community Service (www.nationalservice.gov) develops and implements ambitious new plans, redefining service in the 21st Century. As a respected leader at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Patrick has the networks and experience to create a bolder partnership between the public and private sector, working with diverse groups including faith-based and community-based organizations.

Government of the 21st century needs to reflect the President’s call for a new collaborative and results-based approach to problem-solving.  Patrick has the vision to see that the Corporation works across silos, sectors, and agencies to build and strategically deploy the human capital necessary to meet pressing social challenges – ushering in a new area of citizen engagement.

To fulfill the promise of the Kennedy Serve America Act, the Corporation needs Patrick Corvington now, so let's join in urging Congress to put his confirmation on another fast track.

Photo credit: Muffet

Harris Wofford
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