The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (or simply Serve Illinois ) is a 40-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor . Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps programs.
46-499: The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps programs. The Commission's vision
92-439: A 2007 study released by AmeriCorps, a majority of AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, and NCCC alumni within the study period claimed they had gained life and job skills, such as leadership, teamwork, time-management, and hands-on experience in a field of interest. The study further reported that 71% of alumni were incentivized to join by the prospect of earning a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ; 41% of members went on to receive
138-770: A four-year college degree within three years of entering AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps programs have been criticized as being exploitive of their volunteers, being "voluntourism", and serving to privatize or de-professionalize public services. In 2018, a A CBS News Radio did an investigation into years of complaints about AmeriCorps programs which found multiple allegations of sexual harassment, abusive behavior and mismanagement since 2013. National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD, or NVOAD)
184-510: A majority vote. Serve Illinois oversees the annual grant competition that awards funding to AmeriCorps State and handles administration of those grants after they are awarded. On October 7, 2013, Governor Pat Quinn and Serve Illinois announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) had awarded $ 7.5 million to enable 900 volunteers in 29 AmeriCorps programs to better serve Illinois communities. The announcement comes at
230-629: Is "to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering". It was created by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. In September 2020, the agency rebranded itself as AmeriCorps, although its official name is unchanged. AmeriCorps delivers several programs designed to help communities address poverty, the environment, education, and other unmet human needs. The programs include: AmeriCorps VISTA, or Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA),
276-554: Is a coalition of the major national voluntary organizations in the United States that have made disaster-related work a priority. National VOAD member agencies provide skilled direct services along the continuum from disaster prevention and preparation to response, recovery, and mitigation. NVOAD is the only nationwide organization of VOAD members in the United States. National VOAD was founded in 1970 in response to
322-616: Is a full-time, residential team-based program for men and women ages 18–26. Members serve at one of four regional campuses located throughout the United States (Vicksburg, Mississippi; Vinton, Iowa; Aurora/Denver, Colorado; and Sacramento, California). Each campus focuses efforts on states within its region but may travel to other areas in response to national crises. Former campuses were located in Washington, DC; Charleston, South Carolina; San Diego, California; Baltimore, Maryland; and Perry Point, Maryland. AmeriCorps State and National
368-602: Is an Illinois where all citizens recognize their ability and responsibility to help strengthen their communities through voluntary service. It works to expand volunteerism throughout rural, suburban, and urban Illinois, involving people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ages. The enabling legislation of the Serve Illinois Commission (PA91-798, 20 ILCS 710) charges the Commission to promote and support community service in public and private programs to meet
414-507: Is involved in other networks that engage volunteers such as Volunteer Centers of Illinois and Illinois's state chapter of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster . Four conferences planned for summer 2014: Serve Illinois operates under several federal statues including: Serve Illinois also operates under the Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Act (P.A. 91‑798). The enabling legislation of
460-482: Is or was a participant or a supervisor in a program. All members are appointed based on criteria of being people who have extensive experience in volunteer or service activities, which may include programs funded under one of the national service laws, and in State government; who represent a broad range of viewpoints; who are experts in the delivery of human, educational, environmental, or public safety services; and so that
506-732: Is the largest of the AmeriCorps programs, and provides grants to local and national organizations and agencies, including faith-based and community organizations , higher education institutions, and public agencies . Public Land Corps programs and Urban Youth Corps are specifically authorized for funding. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act authorizes Education Corps, Health Futures Corps, Clean Energy Corps, Veterans Corps, and Opportunity Corps programs as qualifying for AmeriCorps programs. Grants assist these groups in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members to meet critical community needs in education , public safety , health , and
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#1732786671635552-510: The American Red Cross . AmeriCorps is reported to increase the effectiveness of community service. Successes for individual AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, and NCCC members include increasing their commitment to community service , increasing community-based activism , connection to their communities, knowledge of community problems, engagement in the political process, and voting participation. Additionally, according to
598-734: The Commission on National and Community Service . 1992: Enacted as part of the 1993 National Defense Authorization Act , the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is created as a demonstration program to explore the possibility of using post-Cold War military resources to help solve problems here at home. It is modeled on the Depression -era Civilian Conservation Corps and the United States military. 1993: President Bill Clinton signs into passage The National and Community Service Trust Act, formally merging
644-538: The Corporation for National and Community Service or CNCS ) is an independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in service through a variety of stipended volunteer work programs in many sectors. These programs include AmeriCorps VISTA , AmeriCorps NCCC , AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps Seniors , the Volunteer Generation Fund, and other national service initiatives. The agency's mission
690-643: The Seventh-day Adventist Church , Southern Baptist Convention , Mennonite Disaster Service , St. Vincent de Paul Society , Christian Reformed World Relief Committee , the National Disaster Relief Office of the Roman Catholic Church , and the American Red Cross . Annual meetings were held from 1971 onward, and National VOAD was established in 1975. National VOAD is a leader and voice for
736-735: The South Lawn of the White House . Employers participating in the initiative connect to the talent pipeline of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps , and other service year alumni, by indicating in their hiring processes that they view national service experience as a plus. The initiative is a collaboration between AmeriCorps with the Peace Corps , Service Year Alliance , AmeriCorps Alums , and the National Peace Corps Association . To date, over 500 employers have joined
782-612: The U.S. Secretary of Education , the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services , the U.S. Secretary of Labor , the U.S. Secretary of the Interior , the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture , the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development , the U.S. Secretary of Defense , the U.S. Attorney General , the director of the Peace Corps , the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency , and
828-561: The USA Freedom Corps . 2020: The agency is rebranded as "AmeriCorps". Past CEOs of the agency include: The board of directors is composed of 26 members, 15 of which are appointed by the president of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate . Of these fifteen, one is an appointee between the ages of 16 and 25 who has served in a school-based or community-based service-learning program or
874-457: The Board is diverse according to race, ethnicity, age, gender, and disability characteristics. No more than eight of the appointed members may be affiliated with the same political party. Members are appointed to terms of five years, but they may continue to serve on the board until a successor is confirmed, though for a maximum of one year after expiration. In addition to the 15 appointed members,
920-470: The CEO of AmeriCorps serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board. The board elects a chairperson and a vice chairperson from among its membership. A majority of the appointed members of the board constitutes a quorum. The current board members as of September 27, 2024: President Biden has nominated the following to fill seats on the board. They await Senate confirmation. Seats are ordered in
966-608: The Commission and the Department of Human Services as needed. The Vice Chair will assume the responsibilities of the Chair in the event of the Chair's absence or resignation. When the Vice Chair permanently assumes the responsibilities of the Chair, an election will be held to identify a new Vice Chair who shall serve until the next election. Serve Illinois has four standing committees: Additional committees may be established by
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#17327866716351012-519: The Committee on Education and Labor was there to help push the bill out there. From there it was introduced to the Senate on April 19, 1993. From February to September it was a process where it went between the senate and house floors to different committees as well as going between different committees. Then finally on August 6, 1993 the conference report passed in the house and then on September 8, 1993
1058-498: The Corporation for National and Community Service was created by merging another agency, ACTION , and the Commission on National and Community Service together, thus ending the Commission. 1990: President George H. W. Bush signs the National and Community Service Act of 1990 into law, ushering in a renewed federal focus on encouraging volunteering in the U.S. This legislation created the new independent federal agency called
1104-563: The Foster Grandparents program, through which volunteers teach and mentor children; Senior Companions, through which volunteers help older adults live independently in their homes; and RSVP, through which volunteers can serve in a variety of roles to meet their communities' needs. On September 12, 2014, President Barack Obama launched the Employers of National Service initiative at the 20th Anniversary of AmeriCorps event on
1150-642: The Serve Illinois Commission (PA91-798, 20 ILCS 710) charges the Commission to promote and support community service in public and private programs to meet the needs of Illinois citizens, to stimulate new volunteerism and community service initiatives and partnerships, and to serve as a resource and advocate within the Department of Human Services for community service agencies, volunteers, and programs which utilize state and private volunteers. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner AmeriCorps List of Illinois state agencies AmeriCorps AmeriCorps ( / ə ˈ m ɛr ɪ k ɔːr / ə- MERR -ih-kor ; officially
1196-631: The State Corporation Representative to serve as an ex officio (nonvoting) member. Serve Illinois has two officers: a Chair and a Vice Chair. Both are elected by the Commission, and serve two-year terms. The Chair is responsible for facilitating meetings of the Commission and the Executive Committee, assisting the Executive Director in planning the agenda for Commission meetings, and representing
1242-472: The beginning of a yearlong 20th anniversary celebration for the program. AmeriCorps programs receiving funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service are: Serve Illinois has taken an active role in connecting municipal leaders in the state with Cities of Service, a national, bipartisan coalition of more than 170 mayors committed to addressing critical city needs through impact volunteering. Rapidly expanding outreach in 2013 helped Illinois become
1288-592: The challenges many disaster organizations experienced following Hurricane Camille , which hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969. Prior to the founding of National VOAD, numerous organizations served disaster victims independently of one another. These included both government and the private, nonprofit sector. As a result, help came to the disaster victim haphazardly as various organizations assisted in specific ways. Unnecessary duplication of effort often occurred, while at
1334-429: The conference report passed in the Senate. Provisions Made: There was not many provisions that had to be made for this act. There was a pattern between funding and finding private sectors. They made provisions in the budget, but found a way to incorporate possible private sectors to this to help provide more funding as the republicans took concern to the program getting too much money to fund this act. Another provision
1380-507: The environment. AmeriCorps State operates through Service Commissions in each state, such as Volunteer Florida and the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service ; South Dakota is the only state without a Service Commission. Each state's Service Commission dispenses funding from AmeriCorps to organizations in their states through annual grant competitions. Since the program's inception, thousands of organizations across
1426-470: The federal offices of ACTION and the Commission on National and Community Service, including Serve America and NCCC, to form the Corporation for National and Community Service, along with the addition of the new AmeriCorps program. History Timeline: The act was passed on September 21, 1993 when it was signed by President Clinton. Prior to this it had its first hearing with the House on February 25, 1993 where
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1472-545: The following oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)
1518-536: The following pledge: I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done. The AmeriCorps Seniors umbrella includes three programs that engage seniors aged 55+ in volunteerism:
1564-408: The full Pell Grant for the year in which service was approved. The Education Award can pay for additional college or graduate school courses, or it can pay off existing student loans. Full-time members typically complete 1,700 hours of service over 11 months; they also receive a living allowance, health benefits, and child care assistance during their term. AmeriCorps State and National members take
1610-414: The initiative. The Commission on National and Community Service was a new, independent federal agency created as a consequence of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 , signed into law by President George H. W. Bush . The Commission was intended to bring about a renewed focus on encouraging volunteering in the United States and was charged with supporting four streams of service: In 1993
1656-524: The members are from the city of Chicago, and no more than 50% may be from the same political party. Members of Serve Illinois are appointed by the Governor to serve three-year terms. Members may not serve more than three full consecutive three-year terms, except for those specifically mandated by the enabling state legislation. Both voting and nonvoting ex officio members are allowed to serve on committees. The Serve Illinois by-laws stipulate that voting commission members must include: The by-laws also require
1702-449: The nation have been awarded AmeriCorps State and National grants. AmeriCorps State and National members engage in direct service activities, such as after-school tutoring or homebuilding, and capacity-building activities, such as volunteer recruitment, for the organizations they serve. After successfully completing their term of service, AmeriCorps State and National members may be eligible for an Education Award of up to $ 6,095 or equal to
1748-536: The needs of Illinois citizens, to stimulate new volunteerism and community service initiatives and partnerships, and to serve as a resource and advocate within the Department of Human Services for community service agencies, volunteers, and programs which utilize state and private volunteers. In July 2014, Serve Illinois Commission was relocated to the Illinois Department of Public Health . The move
1794-783: The nonprofit organizations and volunteers that work in all phases of disaster — preparedness, response, relief, recovery, and mitigation. National VOAD is the primary point of contact for voluntary organization in the National Response Coordination Center (at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters) and is a signatory to the National Response Plan. Since the initial seven founding organizations convened in 1970, National VOAD's membership has grown to 110 Members total, including 55 National Member organizations and 55 State/Territory Members. In 2010, FEMA and National VOAD signed
1840-694: The number one state in the nation for Cities of Service. In December 2013, Campton Hills, Illinois , became Illinois's first city to be awarded funds from the Impact Volunteering fund. Mayor Patsy Smith will use the award to help residents prepare for emergencies. Serve Illinois co-sponsors several annual conferences around the state that build skills and networks among volunteer managers and coordinators. Offering training through workshops and keynote speeches, topics covered at past conferences include volunteer retention, navigating grants, volunteering after disasters, and program evaluation. Serve Illinois
1886-573: The order in which they were initially filled by the senate. While discussion has occurred about the range and efficacy of evaluating the successes of AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, and NCCC programs, there has been a variety of documentation supporting the programs. AmeriCorps provided fiscal resources and personnel to support the start-up of national programs, including Public Allies and Teach For America . It also brought vital resources to established programs, including City Year , Boys and Girls Club , Big Brothers Big Sisters , JusticeCorps and
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1932-472: The same time, other needs were not met. People who wanted to volunteer to help their neighbors affected by disaster were often frustrated by the variety of organizations in some areas of service and the total lack of opportunities to serve other needs. Further, there was only limited availability of training for potential volunteers. Information for victims on services during disasters was woefully inadequate. Likewise, communication among voluntary disaster agencies
1978-675: Was aligned with Governor Quinn's increased focus on helping communities recover from disasters following a record setting period of disasters. Serve Illinois is led by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor. With the concurrence of the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Executive Director administers the activities of the Commission. Scott McFarland is Serve Illinois' current Executive Director. Serve Illinois consists of up to 25 voting members and 15 nonvoting ex officio members. At least 25% of
2024-506: Was founded in 1965 as a domestic version of the Peace Corps . The program was incorporated into AmeriCorps and renamed AmeriCorps VISTA to create AmeriCorps in 1993. VISTA provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations , and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. There are currently over 5,000 VISTA members serving in 1,200 VISTA programs nationwide. VISTA members take
2070-413: Was giving more power to the local governments as the republicans raised concerned that it will be too "big government" ideas if the federal government had full control over this act. They also raised concern that what if the idea of building and strengthening communities did not focus on what each specific community needed if it was all ran by the federal government. 2002: President George W. Bush creates
2116-430: Was very limited and coordination of services was negligible. In fact, mechanisms for this were non-existent. The seven founding organizations met on July 15, 1970 in the American Red Cross headquarters to establish a unified response to national disasters, committing to fostering the 4Cs—cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration — in order to better serve people impacted by disasters. In attendance were
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