Mayor William Flanagan hosted a Mayoral Roundtable Discussion on Service in the City on March 2, 2011 to discuss the potential for the City to develop a comprehensive service plan and a coordinated strategy focused on matching volunteers and established community partners to the areas of greatest local need. The brainstorming session challenged participant to not only describe how volunteers are currently engaged in various projects but to also think about how volunteers might be engaged in developing the city's assets and meeting its challenges. Cities of Service is a national bi-partisan coalition of the mayors of large and small cities from across our country who work together to engage citizens in addressing these challenges. Founded in New York City in 2009, the national coalition is responding to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act’s historic call to action by finding new and innovative ways to harness the power of volunteers to help solve pressing local challenges. The project is being developed by UMass Center for Civic Engagement student interns Jen Genot and Laura Long who will work to develop an initial plan of action. For further information, contact neighborhood outreach coordinator Perry Long at 508-676-0324.
 

(Top row, left and center) Greater Fall River Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Million, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School faculty member Marta Montleon, Saint Anne's Hospital vice-president Susan Oldrid, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts president Craig Dutra, and Director of Neighborhood Outreach Perry Long join Mayor William Flanagan at the table to hear UMass interns Laura Long and Jen Genot describe the project as Southcoast Hospital's director of community benefits Kerry Mello and Boys and Girls Club executive director Peter McCarthy listens. (Top row, right) Mayor Flanagan asks the group to suggest ways to improve the ways that volunteers are recruited and supported in their work throughout the city. (Middle row, left) Saint Anne's Hospital president Craig A. Jesiolowski talks about the importance of volunteers to their operation as Community Development Recreation (CD-Rec) program director Jamison Souza listens. (Middle row, right) CD-Rec executive director Grace Gering, YouthBuild program director Terry Moran and Fall River youth Services director Christian McCloskey listen as United Neighbors of Fall River director Wendy Garf-Lipp talks about the importance of providing opportunities for young adult volunteers. (Bottom row, left) Marta Montleon makes a point as Susan Oldrid listens. (Bottom row, right) Deirdre Healy, UMass-Dartmouth director of service learning in the Office of Civic Engagement listens as assistant provost for academic affairs Matt Roy describes what is already in place in Southeastern Mass. to support volunteer services. Not pictured are Cecilia Porche of the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and Frank Duffy of the YMCA who also participated in the discussion.