Public Policy Chat: Julie Murphy

April 18, 2012

As part of NCoC.net’s Public Policy Chat, each month we will post a Q&A with an expert discussing policies and legislation that affect NCoC’s focus areas. This month, NCoC Communications Fellow Alice Murphy talks to Julie Murphy about volunteerism and how the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has progressed since President Obama signed it three years ago. Julie Murphy is the Senior Director of Government Affairs and the head of the Washington, DC Office for Points of Light Institute. In this role, she is responsible for relationship management and communications with public policymakers in the promotion of volunteerism, service and policies that encourage civic engagement. She joined Points of Light Institute in January of 2008. Alice Murphy: When did you first start volunteering and what was your motivation? Julie Murphy: I was an avid volunteer even when I was relatively young. I grew up in a small town in rural Georgia in the 1960s. The world was changing rapidly and my family tried hard to be instruments of good during those challenging times. I remember my father taking all five of us to the parking lots of local factories to put campaign material on the cars of the workers. He was himself a public servant and I remember sensing the value of service and the obligation we have to give back. I also recall putting on a Muscular Dystrophy carnival a la Jerry Lewis in my backyard. I roped my siblings into helping with the games and I fear my poor Dad financed the bulk of our earnings from that day! My motivation was actually somewhat selfish – it felt good to volunteer and to choose to become part of something positive in my little town. Alice Murphy: What has been your most memorable service experience? Julie Murphy: My year as a VISTA volunteer would have to be my most memorable experience. I wish I could point to a lasting impact attributable to my work in the poor communities north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana but, honestly, I have to say I derived more than the working families I tried to assist. What remains so powerful for me from that one year of national service was the reality of how harsh poverty can be but, simultaneously, how universal human desires and aspirations are: good schools, safe neighbor hoods, a decent job. I remember we were trying to raise money for a film projector for one of the day care centers for low-income working families where I was assigned. We decided to have a pageant featuring all of the children dressed in bunny costumes. By some series of now-forgotten connections, we were able to get a local women’s prison there in Louisiana to sew the costumes. As a thank you, we took a busload of teachers and children to the prison. I will never forget the joy on the faces of those women as these 3 and 4 –year olds tumbled off the bus wearing their bunny outfits! Alice Murphy: Why volunteer? What’s the strongest policy argument you have heard in support of volunteerism and service? Julie Murphy: The strongest policy argument for volunteerism from my point of view is that solutions to public problems rooted in citizen action are the most cost effective, the most relevant and the most lasting. One of the primary functions of democratic government is ensuring the public good. Investing in and promoting policies that leverage individuals to be a part of that good are sound policies from my perspective because they promise a greater likelihood that the intervention will be rooted in real solutions and will empower individuals to create change. Alice Murphy: Who in Congress or politics in general has really stepped up to support the cause? Julie Murphy: We have had an array of strong leaders in support of service and volunteering not the least of which is the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, President Obama. We were also fortunate to have the steady hand of Senator Teddy Kennedy for many years until his death just a few years ago. Senator Orrin Hatch has also been remarkable in his support for expanding AmeriCorps and investing in volunteer infrastructure. Senator Mikulski of Maryland is another stalwart. The modern volunteer movement owes a huge debt to the vision of President George H. W. Bush and his vision was carried on and enlarged by President Clinton who created AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Alice Murphy: Towards the beginning of his term, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act expanding national service. How has the Obama administration maintained this Act’s momentum throughout his term? Is this Act progressing as hoped? Julie Murphy: Since the enactment of the Serve America Act, President Obama has exhibited his commitment to expanding opportunities for both national and community service. The Act was passed by large, bipartisan margins in both houses of Congress and the Administration has responded by requesting increases for the Corporation for National and Community Service every year since enactment. Unfortunately, federal budget constraints coupled with opposition to the programs encompassed by the Serve America Act among some Members of Congress have meant that we have not realized the annual goals set forth in the Act. AmeriCorps, VISTA and NCCC have not grown at the rate we had hoped and thousands of young Americans have had to be turned away from service opportunities because of these budget limitations. Alice Murphy: What kind of effect do you think the upcoming presidential election will have on volunteering and service? Julie Murphy: I hope both candidates will make service and volunteering a hallmark of their campaigns and both will articulate a vision of the future of the country that includes smart, impactful citizen engagement in meeting the challenges of the country in areas like education, the environment, disaster response and other social challenges. Americans have always itched to play a role in solutions, both domestically and internationally. From the Civilian Conservation Corps to the Peace Corps to the millions of traditional volunteers who step out of their busy lives to play active roles in improving their communities, we are a nation of compassion doers. Governor Romney and President Obama would both find a very receptive audience among many Americans if they were to beckon our best natures in the common pursuits we need to undertake as a people. Alice Murphy: There’s always room for improvement. What are your concerns with the current status of volunteering and service in America? Are there major barriers? Julie Murphy: 1) We need to think about volunteer infrastructure the way we think about roads and bridges. The mechanism for getting from A to B safely and efficiently is essential to the forward progression of our commerce. It is the same with volunteerism. If we can recruit, screen, train and manage a cadre of committed volunteers to meet the challenges of our nation through a sound volunteer infrastructure, then we can see real progress! 2) We have to expand opportunities to serve and ensure that those opportunities are not just meaningful but are an aspect of proven solutions. Young Americans are flocking to programs like Teach for America. Baby boomers are retiring in record numbers and are not content to sit on the sidelines as our nation’s needs go unmet. Employees of corporate America have expertise that can be readily applied to the challenges of our nonprofit sector in the form of skill-based volunteering. All it takes is opening up the portals to serve. 3) We need to put aside our differences in this highly charged political environment and recall the days following 9/11 when what mattered was giving comfort, helping those in need, and uniting as a people. I think most Americans are ready to be a part of real change but I fear the tenor of our political discourse discourages citizen participation and dampens the spirits of those who long to serve.