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DEL.ICIO.USNunns make volunteerism a family affair
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There they were - father and daughter - on the stage together as part of a panel, talking about a topic that is dear to both of them. Volunteerism in America.
Officially, it was the Cohen-Nunn Dialogue on Citizen Service, a high point of this week’s National Conference on Volunteering & Service meeting in Atlanta this week.
Former Sen. Sam Nunn and former Sen. William Cohen have been holding bi-partisan dialogues on various issues facing the United States. Tuesday, the topic was citizen service, and how should public policy encourage people to serve their country.
On the panel was Nunn’s daughter, Michelle Nunn, who is CEO of the Points of Light Institute and the co-founder of both Hands On Atlanta and Hands On Network.
When her father asked her a question, she broke the ice by saying how intimidating it was to be asked a question by her father in front of an audience. (The question was whether community service organizations could handle the influx of volunteers if national service was mandatory).
“We do know what works,” Michelle Nunn answered saying that all the volunteer organizations in the country stand ready to not just grow incrementally but ready to grow “expediently.” “I truly believe we can be bold and be far-reaching.”
Her father joked as she was answering the question: “It’s the first time in 20 years that she’s answered a question.”
What a unique family. And what a unique contribution it has made to the country’s profile.
Colleen Nunn, the senator’s wife and Michelle’s mother, said they are all interested in public service. She said that her husband and daughter have inspired each other in their work on volunteerism and service.
“He’s been a good trooper,” said Michelle, who watched her father’s commitment to public service in its broadest form. “I was familiar with national service because of his involvement. But he’s never channeled me in one direction.”
The proud father put it another way. “She comes up with a bold creative idea, and I tell her it won’t work,” Sam Nunn said. “She disregards my advice and makes it work. That’s our relationship.”
Collen Nunn put it another way. “They are both visionaries, and I’m the realist.”
And one could see the dynamic on stage as the panel brainstormed on the best ways to encourage everyone to some form of national and community service.
“I’m just lucky to get invited to her events,” Sen. Nunn said of his daughter. “I’m very proud of her.”
Photo by Maria Saporta
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Comments
By john
June 5, 2008 6:24 AM | Link to this
ms. nunn was hired/paid by hands on atlanta/hands on network because they wanted to use her last name to garner support. that was her first job out of school. she was not a founder. its easy to be a “visionary” when you have a trust fund…