One big thing
Governor Spencer Cox says Utah has a “superpower” and it’s the crucial role volunteerism plays in the state’s unique culture.
Why it matters
- Utah leads the nation in per capita volunteering.
- This emphasis on service signifies a deep-rooted ethos of community in Utah, one the governor is keen to preserve and enhance.
- The initiatives he outlined, including department-wide service projects for state employees and service hour requirements for businesses receiving state economic development incentives, are aimed at integrating this ethos more seamlessly into both public and private sectors.
Go deeper
- Utah’s status as the nation’s leader in volunteering is not accidental but a product of the state’s culture and values. The Governor’s new initiatives aim to ensure that this legacy of service continues.
- The Year of Service fellowship, launching this fall, will offer a stipend to college students and young adults who dedicate a year to serving in the state. This move aims to instill the habit of service in the younger generation.
- The Governor’s focus on service as a means of community building and happiness aligns with research by Harvard Business School scholar Arthur Brooks, who posits that work serving others is one of four key ingredients to a happy life.
