What would a State of Service look like in MA? What would be different? How would it impact the state?

-I think there could be a focus on small scale sustainability in ways that are individually attainable so that as an individual you can see or feel the difference. Sustainable family farms vs. industrial energy modification. -I think there could be a recruitment effort of the unemployed to rally in a time of economic hardship, acknowledging them as having significant value to a climate of change and honoring them as front line soldiers as this wheel begins to turn. -We could remember that bigger isn't necessarily better and create a service industry of support for the little man. -We could put the elderly at ease with support and services that would make all of us more comfortable growing old. -We could make health of all kinds a priority.

My table discussed mechanisms to encourage collaborations between different organizations and different communities across the state. For example, urban/rural partnerships, or two organizations in different parts of the state that are addressing a similar issue (hunger, health care access, etc.) in different ways. An organization with a wealth of experience and capacity could be encouraged to partner with an organization in another part of the state that has less experience and/or more limited capacity. The two organizations could submit a joint application for grants or for an AmeriCorps program.

A "State of Service" in MA would mean changing the attitudes and perceptions of volunteerism in the people of Massachusetts. It means instilling an ethic of volunteerism in the younger generation and teaching them how to be civically engaged- and this has to start in the schools. Building mentoring programs and ongoing service projects into schools will allow us to raise a generation of young people who are conscious of the state of service here in MA. It also means equipping young people with the ability to think critically about how to problem solve and engage the challenges that face our state- problems around educational access, health care, violence, etc. Children need to understand political processes and governmental structures in order to begin thinking about how to make change. A "State of Service" would begin with the youth and then become engrained in citizenship across the state.

At our table, we discussed the importance of a State of Service having real representation from across the state, not just Boston and a few other sites, and how partnerships among service providers might promote this.