The Concert Corps office is located in the heart of downtown Manchester, NH, which also happens to be home to the official campaign headquarters of the next President of the United States.  How do we know?!  The largest city in the Granite State is already bustling with activity, preparing for the quadrenniel first-in-the-nation Presidential Primary in January 2008.  Candidates are coming and going, shaking the hands and catching the ear of any prospective voter who will take the time to chat.  It's the first time in over 80 years that the race is wide open and it's exciting to think about what that will mean for big ideas like National Service! 

  (wikipedia.com/Mike Spenard)

At the Concert Corps, we are hard at work, fully participating in the democratic process.  We're showing up at Town Hall Meetings and asking candidates about their vision and platform for expanding National Service - USA Freedom Corps, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, etc.. - specicifically for young Americans.  We've already had some pretty great conversations and we've begun sharing our experiences to the right.

In August, we will begin officially inviting each and every candidate to visit us in our millyard office and experience the power of the Concert Corps before the Primary.  We'll share ideas for growing National Service and let you know what we learn from our political leaders of the Movement!

ServeNext.org 

For more on National Service as an issue in the 2008 Presidential Election, please visit our friends with ServeNext.

U.S. Senator Chris Dodd
(AP/Cheryl Senter)

6/23 - Before announcing his National Service plan in Nashua, Sen. Dodd (also a Peace Corps alum) was introduced by Matt - and the Concert Corps got a shout out in his remarks! 

Then, prior to leading the Senator in service with other City Year alumni, Bobby and fellow Concert Corps founders Angela & Lyric shared their thoughts on the Senator's plan...

Mrs. Michelle Obama (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

5/27 - Following Sen. Barack Obama's Town Hall in Conway, his wife Michelle (the former Executive Director of Public Allies Chicago, an AmeriCorps program) gave Matt advice on starting a non-profit organization.  "Hire someone to do development right away - even if only part-time." 

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, Mrs. Obama!  We'll see you soon and look forward to hearing your husband's National Service plan in the coming days...