NLSC Staff and Charter Members meet in DC

We became excited as the time came … June 8 and 9 ... forty of our Charter Members were coming to join us in Washington for presentations on where things were and where they were going. It was great to hear their thoughts and enthusiasm about the program (see below for many of those comments). We unveiled the new video about the program, which we’ll post to the nlscorps.org site and YouTube soon.

We also interviewed several members and staff on-camera. We'll be posting that video soon as well. See pictures of the event here.

We plan to have more gatherings like this in the future.

Some comments from our Members:

On being part of the NLSC:

• I like it and I encourage it and I became a member of it to serve my community, the United States of America and worldwide … I'm ready to contribute my language skill.
• There are a lot of people who would be blessed to be part of it and a lot of people will benefit because of the people who join this organization.
• I love languages. I love using languages. I think it [the NLSC] is something whose time is way overdue, so I'm really glad to see it happening.
• I find that there is a great need for [the NLSC] … when then said that the government was setting up a program like this, I thoiught it was wonderful.
• I thing this program is really important, especially in emergency situations and especially in such a diverse country like the United States.
• This is something exciting and new … because now in America we have [multilingual] people and we can make use of it, and America is in the forefront of helping the world. Often we notice because of … language problem[s] that here is mis-communication, so if they have knowledge of [the] local language, that helps.
• It's a great program. I love it… the energy and enthusiasm of all the volunteers. And I think that's what we need … people who are willing to help in case of any events, not just in disasters, any kind of assistance … people need to feel that bond, that closeness, and with language we can bring that.
• I found the organization by accident actually. One of the recruiters contacted me thru LinkedIn and she explained to me what they're trying to do. I'm always looking for ways to give back to this great country so once I found out the mission of the program, it just seemed to be the right fit.
• We're here because the government and school system basically have always been working at cross purposes. The government sees a practical need and the school system sees a rather academic sort of pursuit. And never have we been able to put these two together in any way so that we could get really good people that the government needs in critical situations and the whole society needs in critical situations ... [we're showing that] you can not only learn a language, you can use a language [in a way] that really has an effect.
• Not only does this group actually do good, but it sets a model for Americans, because all of our research says that Americans believe that language is too hard to learn, it takes too long to learn. Look around. You are seeing people who didn’t think it was too hard and are really good at language and can really do some good with language.

About the chance to serve

• The fact that you can speak to that [a non-English-speaking] community and understand both sides … I find that satisfying.
• It's a chance to use my skills for the greater good. If there's a need outhere that I can help meet, that I can help foster intercultural communication be it in a crisis or be it in some other type of mode, then that's very powerful and very appealing.
• What's in it for me is working with a really exciting organization that has a great message, a great mission and being a part of something bigger that has great things on the horizon. What's in it for me is the opporutnityh to use my language skills to helkp people. Language is a muscle. if you don't use it, you lose it … so the opportunity to practice my lanaugae and put it to good use is really a rewarding opportunity.
• … Hopefully I can be of service and of help when need be for facilitating understanding between Marshallese and English speakers and … I enjoy meeting people.
• I hope that I'll be called on and am able to help whatever the circumstances may be, wherever it may be.
• I've been given a great opportunity in learning Indonesian at the University of Hawaii but also in Indonesia, and the oppportunity to give back is a heck of a reward.
• Not just doing the translation but translation and cultural communication for me is really interesting.


• I speak English and Swahili and other tribal languages so it's good to put your talent for languages to bring people together.
• Language people get so hooked, not only on the language, but on the culture and the people, and generate so much enthusiasm … for the first time in their careers, they're actually putting it to use. They say "I've spend 30 years studying this language, and now it can do some good", and that's exactly why we're here.
• I'm usually looking for people around the office and contacts I have, to say "here's a really great thing to do with your spare time … If you know anyone who is retired or is staying at home and really want to help people in their community with their language skills”, I'll write down the web site and give it to them.

Comments from our staff after spending time with these Members:

• We didn't know when we recruited most of the folks we recruited them sight-unseen and we've been very pleased with the quality of the invidiauls, the attitute of the inviduals. Evey one that joins the [NLSC] joins with the perspective of service, and it makes a big difference.T
• The enthusiasm of the people in our program is way more than we expected.
• I got involved with the NLSC because I was interested in service, and in the past I've volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Make A Wish Foundation and Americorps. And when I came upon the NLSC I thought it would be a great opporunity to be involved with a service program.
• [The NLSC] is a realization that we have 45 million people in this country who don't speak english as a primary language in their homes. It’s an acknowledgement that there's a vast reservoir of talent, skill and resources among all cultures … resident in the United States so [the NLSC] is an opportunity for Americans to leverage that resource among ourselves to communicate more effectively throughout the world and amongst ourselves.
• It blows me away the willingness of people to volunteer and help each other out. People are just amazing that they're willing to help each other in a time of crisis.