Last year, I was dedicated to watching the presidential debates, avoiding the news and making an informed decision for myself. In the middle of it all I was pleased with the ‘time out’ both candidates took to turn the country’s focus to community service.

On 9.11.2008 Obama used his stint as a community organizer and McCain pointed to his military service as examples of their mutual call for renewed service to country and community. I’ve been thinking about it since then and even signed up at ServiceNation.org. I’ll admit I haven’t done much beyond just thinking about it since and looking at some of the 152 YouTube videos like the one above.

But then I got this email last week to get me thinking even more…

Rick — President Obama has been calling on Americans to work together — street by street, town by town — to tackle our country’s biggest challenges.

Yesterday, that service got a lot easier when President Obama signed the Serve America Act, the largest expansion of national service since the creation of the Peace Corps. Yesterday’s signing opens up new service opportunities for millions of people across the country.

Join your fellow Americans in putting our country back on track. Visit the White House website to find a service opportunity in your community, and tell us how you’re delivering on President Obama’s call to service.

Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Rosalyn Carter and Senator Ted Kennedy all joined the President at yesterday’s signing ceremony. They all wanted to be among the first to answer the President’s call to serve.

Now it’s your turn. The Serve America Act triples the size of AmeriCorps over the next eight years, and focuses on our country’s toughest challenges — including clean energy, health care, and education.

It gives students, seniors, and everyone in between the resources to serve. And it strengthens nonprofit organizations to expand opportunities for everyone to pitch in.

You’ve already taken the first step by signing up at USAservice.org. We’re so grateful for the work you’ve done since the National Day of Service in January.

Take the next step. Join President Obama’s official White House initiative to renew America: http://www.usaservice.org/whitehouse  

We hope you’ll use this historic legislation to enrich both your own life and the lives of others across this country.

Thanks, USA Service

Working with Dave Kelly and his “Building Leaders Through Service Network” I’ve seen that the spirit of community service is alive and well. I guess it’s time for me to get back into it. Although I was active in the past I haven’t done any community service in years. I’m no longer interested in sitting on someone’s board and want to do something much more fun and interactive. Any suggestions?

PEACE. Rick