[United States Government Manual] [June 01, 2002] [Pages 373-377] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525 Phone, 202-606-5000. Internet, www.nationalservice.org. Board of Directors: Chair Stephen Goldsmith Members Amy C. Achor, Juanita Sims Doty, Thomas Ehrlich, Christopher C. Gallagher, Mark D. Gearan, Dorothy A. Johnson, Arthur Naparstek, Marc Racicot, Robert B. Rogers, Alan D. Solomont, (5 vacancies) Members (ex officio) (Secretary of Agriculture) Ann M. Veneman (Secretary of Defense) Donald H. Rumsfeld (Secretary of Education) Roderick R. Paige (Secretary of Health and Human Tommy G. Thompson Services) (Secretary of Housing and Urban Mel R. Martinez Development) (Secretary of the Interior) Gale A. Norton (Secretary of Labor) Elaine L. Chao (Attorney General) John Ashcroft (Director, Peace Corps) Gaddi H. Vasquez (Administrator, Environmental Christine Todd Whitman Protection Agency) (Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Lenkowsky Corporation for National and Community Service) Staff: [[Page 374]] Chief Executive Officer Leslie Lenkowsky Chief Financial Officer (vacancy) Chief Operating Officer Wendy Zenker Senior Aide to the CEO Susannah Washburn Director, AmeriCorps Rosie Mauk Director, Congressional and Intergovernmental Charles Konigsberg Relations Director, Research and Policy Development David Reingold Director, Human Resources Phyllis Beaulieu Director, Service-Learning Amy Cohen Director, National Senior Service Corps Tess Scannell Director, Planning and Program Integration Gary Kowalczyk Director, Public Affairs Christine Benero General Counsel Frank Trinity Inspector General (vacancy) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Corporation for National and Community Service engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service that addresses the Nation's educational, public safety, environmental, and other human needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In so doing, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service. The Corporation for National and Community Service oversees three major service initiatives: AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps. The Corporation was established on October 1, 1993, by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 12651 et seq.). In addition to creating several new service programs, the act consolidated the functions and activities of the former Commission on National and Community Service and the Federal agency ACTION. The goal of the Corporation is to address the Nation's most critical problems in the areas of education, the environment, public safety, and other human needs, while fostering a service ethic in participants and beneficiaries. The Corporation's programs are a major part of the USA Freedom Corps, established January 29, 2002, by Executive Order 13254. The USA Freedom Corps, through its participating agencies and programs-- AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Peace Corps, and the newly created Citizen Corps--will work with local officials and community groups to offer expanded service opportunities for Americans at home and abroad. The Corporation is a Federal corporation governed by a 15-member bipartisan Board of Directors, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretaries of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Labor; the Attorney General, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, the Peace Corps Director, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation serve as ex officio members of the Board. The Board has responsibility for overall policy direction of the Corporation's activities and has the power to make all final grant decisions, approve the strategic plan and annual budget, and advise and make recommendations to the President and the Congress regarding changes in the national service laws. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps,the domestic Peace Corps, engages more than 50,000 Americans in intensive results-oriented service. Most AmeriCorps members are selected by and serve with local and national organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Others serve in AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in [[Page 375]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T189864.047 [[Page 376]] Service to America)and AmeriCorps*NCCC (the National Civilian Community Corps).After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards that help finance college or pay back student loans. Many AmeriCorpsgrants are awarded through State commissions and other approved entities that submit State plans built on existing service initiatives. Public and nonprofit organizations can apply to the State commissions for subgrants, implement and operate service programs, and obtain education awards for eligible participants. National and multi-State nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education can apply directly to the Corporation for AmeriCorps funding. In addition, organizations and public entities that manage their own nonfederally funded community service programs can apply directly to the Corporation for AmeriCorps education awards for their participants. All AmeriCorps grants require matching funds. Learn and Serve America Learn and Serve Americahelpssupportmore than one million students from kindergarten through college who meet community needs while improving their academic skills and learning the habits of good citizenship. In addition to providing grants to schools and community organizations, the Corporation for National and Community Service also promotes student service through the President's student service challenge. Grantsare awarded through State educational agencies, State commissions, and directly by the Corporation. School-based programs receive grants through State educational agencies, while community-based programs apply for funding through the same State commissions that coordinate AmeriCorps grants. Higher education institutions apply directly to the Corporation for grants. National Senior Service Corps Through the National Senior Service Corps (Senior Corps), more than half a million Americans age 55 and older share their time and talents to help solve local problems. As foster grandparents, they serve one-on-one with young people with special needs; as senior companions, they help other seniors live independently in their homes; and as volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP), they help meet a wide range of community needs. Other Initiatives The Corporation's mission to develop and support an ethic of service in America involves initiatives, special demonstration projects, and other activities, in addition to the three major program areas. These include promoting literacy, supporting homeland security, helping faith-based and community-based organizations accomplish their missions, bridging the digital divide, including more disabled participants in Corporation activities, responding to disasters, promoting the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through the Day of Service program, and supporting research on national service. The Corporation also carries out an extensive training and technical assistance effort to support and assist State commissions and service programs. Through partnership with the private sector, other Federal agencies, the Points of Light Foundation, and America's Promise, the Corporation further advocates and advances service in America. Sources of Information Electronic Access Information regarding the Corporation's programs and activities is available on the Internet, at www.nationalservice.org. Information for persons interested in joining AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org. Information on the USA Freedom Corps is available at www.usafreedomcorps.gov. General Information To obtain additional information regarding AmeriCorps, call 800-942-2677 (toll free). For Senior Corps programs, call 800-424-8867 (toll free). For USA Freedom Corps, call 877-872-2677 (toll free). Grants Notices of available funds are published in the Federal Register for most programs. State program offices and State commissions on national and community service are located in most [[Page 377]] States and are the best source of information on programs in specific States or communities. Recruitment Persons interested in joining AmeriCorps should call 800- 942-2677 (toll free). Internet, www.americorps.org. To participate in other national service programs, contact State offices or State commissions on national and community service. For further information, contact the Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525. Phone, 202-606-5000. Internet, www.nationalservice.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------