Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of a cabinet position to address issues related to national and community service. Susan Stern, Chair of the State Commission on National and Community Service, will be elevated to the Governor’s cabinet. She will produce a report for the administration within 90 days to make New York State a national leader for service and volunteerism.

Governor Paterson made this announcement at the ServiceNation Summit, convened by Be the Change, Inc., City Year, Civic Enterprises, and Points of Light Institute. The summit is the largest service event in a decade bringing together prominent leaders from the fields of business, non-profits, universities, as well as elected officials including presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, to discuss volunteerism and citizen service. Governor Paterson kicked off the one-and-a-half day summit at Columbia University in New York City.

“We all know that true civic engagement will require more than short-term plans. We must inspire lifelong commitments from our citizens,” said Governor Paterson. “That is why today I am elevating Susan Stern, Chair of the State Commission on National and Community Service, to a cabinet level position within my administration. I also want to commend the work of Mark Walter who, as the Executive Director of the New York State Office on National and Community Service, works diligently to elevate service and civic engagement in our state.”

“Here in New York, nearly three million volunteers contribute an annual average of over 366 million hours of service. This is a tradition worth fighting for because the value of such service translates into stronger communities, healthier families and a more hopeful nation. I look forward to Susan’s recommendations to ensure that New York State emerges as a national leader for service and volunteerism,” added Governor Paterson.

To aid in this effort, the New York State Office of National and Community Service will today launch a new website, www.newyorkersvolunteer.org, which will, among other services, provide a comprehensive link to match those looking to volunteer with opportunities across the State.

About Susan Stern

Susan Stern is a community activist in New York and nationally. She is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of UJA-Federation of New York, the nation’s largest local philanthropy, where she also served as Campaign Chair. Nationally, Susan is the immediate Past President of National Women’s Philanthropy of United Jewish Communities serving over 155 local federations around the country. She was the secretary of United Jewish Communities and past Chair of the Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Appeal. Additionally, Susan serves on the Executive Committee of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and has served on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel. She is a Trustee of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and was a member of the Women’s Leadership Forum of the Democratic Party. At the University of Michigan, she serves on the LSA Dean’s Advisory Committee and the Organizational Studies Advisory Group. At Hebrew Union College she serves on the President’s Advisory Board. Susan was selected as a Wexner Heritage Foundation Fellow and currently serves on the Foundation’s Alumni Council.