The logos highlight the agency's mission of service to community and nation, while showing the connections between its three programs. The use of stars and stripes call to mind the U.S. flag, demonstrating that service is a patriotic duty and an obligation of citizenship. A new feature of the logos is that they will allow for customization by state and local organization name. This will prove popular among the several thousand national and community nonprofits, faith-based groups, schools, and local agencies that participate in the Corporation's programs.

The new look came at the request of the Corporation's board of directors and was the result of a comprehensive review. Given its large family of programs, some of which date back to the 1960s, the Corporation inherited a wide-ranging and inconsistent set of program logos. The new logos give a fresh and consistent look while keeping brand equity built up over the years. The logos will appear on all new publications, service gear, and websites of the Corporation, and grantees are strongly encouraged to use them when producing new materials.

"We wanted logos that reflected our mission and highlighted service as a patriotic duty," said Leslie Lenkowsky, chief executive officer of the agency. "Our members and volunteers take great pride when they serve their communities and country, and this new look enhances that pride."

"This is an exciting time for national and community service, and these logos build on that excitement," said Juanita Sims Doty of Mississippi, chair of the communications committee of the Corporation's board of directors. "The changes are evolutionary and not revolutionary. We wanted to modernize while keeping intact the history and equity of the national service marks."

To accompany the logos, the Corporation released "Graphic Standards: A User's Guide," a comprehensive booklet to show local programs how to use the new logos. The guide is available at www.cns.gov/resources/index.html, and printed copies will be mailed to programs this fall. Electronic versions of the logos are available at www.nationalservice.org/logos/index.html.

"We are thrilled to unveil this new look, and especially pleased to allow local programs to customize the logos," added Christine Benero, director of Public Affairs. "By definition, national and community service is local. The thousands of local organizations involved in national service have their own proud history and identity. With these new logos, we provide a way for our grantees to express their own identity while being part of a national program."

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. The Corporation and its programs are part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility, and help all Americans answer the President's Call to Service. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.org.