White House Recruits Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer for President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation
 President George W. Bush announced the appointments of more than a dozen nationally renowned leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and media — including Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer — to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
"I am more than thrilled to be offered this opportunity to assist the President in advancing the volunteer movement in America," said Spencer. "It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to serve because, like the President, I believe that volunteerism strengthens families, communities, and our nation. Plus, volunteering is good for the soul!"
In January of 2002, the President called upon all Americans to give two years or 4,000 hours of their lives to service. The Council, created by President Bush in January of 2003, encourages Americans of all ages and backgrounds to become more engaged in civic activities. Council members provide leadership, serving as "Ambassadors of Service" for the President's vision of fostering a culture of citizenship and volunteer service in our country.
As CEO of Volunteer Florida, Spencer manages $16 million a year in federal, state, and local grants that engage citizens in volunteer activities. Spencer's 23-year career includes serving as Director of the Florida State Park Service and as Resource Development Director for the United Way of the Big Bend from 1991-2001. Spencer has raised more than $35 million to benefit communities and has volunteered on countless boards of charitable organizations. She currently serves on the boards of The Able Trust and the Florida Association of Voluntary Agencies for Caribbean Action. She also is a current member of the XXIV Class of Leadership Florida, an organization dedicated to developing a strong, diverse statewide network of leaders with a shared commitment to make Florida a better place to live.
"Every Floridian can take pride in the exemplary work Wendy has done coordinating the efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, especially in the wake of Florida's recent series of natural disasters," said Governor Jeb Bush. "I can't imagine a Floridian better qualified to serve our nation in this important capacity."
Spencer joins the following list of nationally renowned leaders and celebrities whose appointments were announced by President Bush. New Council members are:
• Stephen Baldwin – Actor
• Jean Case – Case Foundation, President
• Ray Chambers – Philanthropist
• Jerry Colangelo – Phoenix Suns, Owner
• Evern Cooper Epps – UPS Foundation, President
• Myrka Dellanos – News Anchor/Journalist, Univision Network
• Hilary Duff – Recording Artist, Actor
• Sara Evans – Country Recording Artist
• Darrell Green – NFL, Retired
• Patrica Heaton – Actor
• Kasey Kahne – NASCAR, Rookie of the Year
• Art Linkletter – Entertainer
• Mary Jo Myers – Gen. Myers' Wife/USO
• Michelle Nunn – Hands On Network, CEO
• Cokie Roberts – News Journalist
• Michael W. Smith – Recording Artist
• Wendy Spencer – Volunteer Florida, Director
• Roxanne Spillet – Boys & Girls Clubs, President
• Hope Taft – First Lady of Ohio
• Charles Turlinski – Limited Stores, President
• Mark Yudof – University of Texas, Chancellor
|
