Volunteer Conference underway

Hundreds of volunteers and community leaders from across Iowa are meeting in Des Moines today and tomorrow for the Governor’s Conference on Volunteer Service. Jody Benz, of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, discusses one of the meeting’s goals.A new statewide “Community of Promise” initiative is being announced and towns across the state will be recruited to take part. Benz was asked if she’s seeing an upturn in the number of volunteers since President Bush’s plea during his State of the Union Address in January for more Americans to An awards ceremony will honor winners of the 2001 Iowa Community Betterment contest and induct the four new members of the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame. Benz says there are many places Iowans can turn to learn more about donating their time and skills to worthy causes. She names one website in particular, “www.volunteeriowa.org” or call 800-308-5987.