Orlando Hosts First-Ever Florida AmeriCorps and National Service Conference May 20 and 21, with Keynote Speakers Including Katie Loovis, Associate Director of Public Liaison for USA Freedom Corps, and National Service Experts From Across the Nation.

Either directly or indirectly, volunteers touch everyone’s lives. Whether providing relief services to hurricane victims, care for the elderly, mentoring to children, services to faith-based organizations, or general services to communities, volunteers are vital to our quality of life. That’s why The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Volunteer Florida) is bringing together the hundreds of National Service Members from the AmeriCorps*NCCC, AmeriCorps*VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America programs, from close to 50 Florida counties, for the Florida AmeriCorps and National Service Conference.

The conference, to be held May 20-21 at the Rosen Centre Hotel located at 9840 International Drive in Orlando, is the first time Florida’s National Service Members have had the opportunity to gather, learn more about volunteering, share their experiences, and gain inspiration from nationally renowned experts in volunteerism and community service.

The approximately 800 conference participants will gain inspiration from keynote speakers including:

• Florida Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings
• Rosie Mauk, National Director of AmeriCorps
• Dr. Robert Ingram, Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs
• Katie Loovis, Associate Director of Public Liaison for the USA Freedom Corps office at the White House
• Robert K. Goodwin, President and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation

In addition to a distinguished and dynamic line-up of motivational speakers, conference participants will also have the opportunity to attend training sessions and workshops specifically designed to increase their effectiveness and to improve their service experiences. Exhibits by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Florida Association of Volunteer Centers (VAVC), the Florida Department of Education, the Peace Corps, and USA Freedom Corps, to name just a few, will enhance the learning experience for Florida’s AmeriCorps and National Service Members.

“By bringing Florida’s AmeriCorps and many other National Service Members together all at once, we’re able to create a sense of excitement for their participation in this nationwide movement that is sweeping the country. Plus, the motiviational speakers they will hear and the trainings they will attend will re-energize them into continuing their service to communities in Florida,” said Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Wendy Spencer.

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