WHEREAS, the State of Washington has a long and distinguished history and is a recognized leader at implementing national model efforts that promote the ethic of citizen service; and
WHEREAS, the passage of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 by the Congress requires the Governor to establish a state Commission on Service to be eligible for federal support of national service efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation for National and Community Service has established short timelines for states to develop grant requests; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington and the Office of the Governor will be active participants in our state and nation's rebirth of national service;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Lowry, Governor of the State of Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby create the Washington Commission on National and Community Service.
I. The Commission is charged with the following duties:
- Comply and implement Title II, Sec. 201-205 of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 pertaining to the State Commission on National and Community Service;
- Seek additional sources of non-federal funds, especially private funds, to meet matching requirements and build upon existing service initiatives;
- Provide recommendations to the Governor including those pertaining to legislative or policy initiatives that promote the ethic of service;
- Initiate activities or projects that expand and promote the concept of service beyond the scope of federal resources available from the Corporation on National and Community Service;
- Provide the leadership and vision with local volunteer organizations, civic and community groups and units of government to make service a part of the lives of all Washingtonians.
II. The Commission shall have 25 voting members appointed by the Governor including at least one individual with expertise in training youth, one individual with experience promoting-volunteerism among older adults, one representative of community-based agencies, the Superintendent of Public Instruction or her designee, a representative of local governments, a representative of local labor organizations, a representative of business, a youth, and a representative of a national service program. Other members may include local educators, representatives of Indian tribes, and out of school youths.
The Washington state Director of ACTION, the directors of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, the Employment Security Department and the Department of Ecology, or their designees shall serve as non-voting members of the Commission.
Members of the Commission shall be appointed to three year terms, however, of the initial appoints, one-third shall be appointed to one year terms, one-third shall be appointed to two year terms and one-third shall be appointed to three year terms.
III. Commission members shall elect the Chair of the Commission.
IV. The Executive Director of the Commission shall be selected by the Governor and shall serve at his pleasure.
V. The Office of Financial Management will provide funds from federal grants for the staffing and support of the Commission. Members of the Commission shall receive per them and travel expenses in accordance with OFM policies.
VI. This executive order shall take effect immediately.