You can study government and politics in school but the best way to really understand the process is to volunteer your time.

I am proud to represent these men and women who empower people in developing nations and promote the Peace Corps mission of peace and friendship. These volunteers are making major strides to improve the lives of people and communities around the world.

Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?

We all have a responsibility to volunteer somewhere and I'm lucky that I get the education and get taken to places to see what's out there and see what's happening and to then be a part of it in hopefully an impactful way.

Jews know this in their bones. Our community could not exist for a day without its volunteers. They are the lifeblood of our organizations whether they involve welfare youth education care of the sick and elderly or even protection against violence and abuse.

The art world is an all-volunteer force. No one has to be here if he or she doesn't want to be and we should be associating with anyone we want to.

And in my own life in my own small way I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.