(CNSNews.com) - Speaking at a campaign event in Pierce, Florida on Friday, Hillary Clinton said that if she she is elected president, she wants to make a "major push in support of more national service."
"How many of you have performed some kind of service of some sort for your community, for other people?" she asked.
"I believe one of the jobs of the president is to encourage more service, to help more Americans answer President Kennedy's call. You know it: 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.'"
At a time when job creation looms as a major campaign issue, she is advocating volunteerism.
"But what's so great is that national service can take many different forms and it's something that I believe in so deeply that every stage of our lives gives us a chance, from grade school through grandparenthood, to find a way to give back," Clinton said.
She noted that "too often," volunteering is something done only by people with lots of time and financial security. "But that's not how it should be. Everyone should be able to contribute. So what if we, as a country, made it easier for everybody to do that? For everybody to give back.
"What if we created more service opportunities for Americans of all ages, invested in programs that work, and encouraged entrepreneurs to add a social component to their businesses? What if we strengthen the culture of service in America?" she asked.
Clinton laid our her plan:
She called a tripling of AmeriCorps, the volunteer program started by her husband in 1993 when he was president. "And then I want to double the college scholarships that AmeriCorps members earn through their service," she said. "If you do National Service, we will begin a program to forgive your loans because you are giving back to your country."
Clinton called for expanding the Peace Corps, which sends American volunteers to other countries.
She wants more businesses to create a "social component," such as "dedicating a portion of their profits to a charity, giving employees time off to volunteer, or adopting a school or community center as a pro bono project for the whole company." She wants to forgive student loans for people who launch a social enterprises or start a business in an under-served community.
"And finally, I want to create a new means for people to serve in serious, meaningful ways without a full-time commitment. You know, AmeriCorps is a full-time commitment. The Peace Corps is a full-time commitment. The armed forces are a full-time commitment. But the armed forces has another model; the Reserves. Right? It gives people the chance to make a high-impact contribution while still building careers and pursuing their dreams in other ways.
"So let's do something like that in the civilian space. Let's call it the National Service Reserve. And here's the idea: If you join the National Service Reserve, you will receive some basic training just like you would in the military reserves. And then when your city or state needs you, you'll get the call.
"Say a natural disaster strikes and the Red Cross needs all hands on deck or maybe like the crisis in Flint and clean water has to be distributed every day to a lot of families or maybe your city launches a major public health campaign to reduce drug abuse or promote mental health. You will then be sent into action.
"Now, some of these assignments may be just for a few days a month. Some might be longer term. But they will directly address a vital need in your own community. And what are the other advantages? Because you can help meet that need while still being a full-time student, having a job, taking care of your family. You won't have to make service your only priority."
Clinton said her goal is to get 5 million people signed up for the National Service Reserve.
She also suggested a new national slogan: "And by the way, AmeriCorps has one of the best swearing-in pledges I have ever heard. Here is how it starts: 'I will get things done for America.' Isn't that great?" she asked.
"I think we should make that a national slogan."