Chapter 848 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 2265

Relating to Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) There is established the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service within the Housing and Community Services Department.

(2) The commission shall consist of at least 15 members appointed by the Governor and may consist of up to 25 members appointed by the Governor.

(3) The term of office of each member is three years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor whose term begins on the first day of the next following month. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

(4) The appointment of the members of the commission is subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner prescribed in ORS 171.562 and 171.565.

(5) A member of the commission is entitled to receive actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as provided in ORS 292.495.

SECTION 2. The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall:

(1) Develop programs and provide oversight and administration of programs granted to this state by the Corporation for National and Community Service under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, as amended, (P.L. 103-82).

(2) Prepare state applications to the Corporation for National and Community Service for financial assistance for state-based service programs.

(3) Develop a statewide plan that is designed to meet or exceed the Oregon benchmark on volunteerism.

(4) Develop projects, training methods, curriculum materials and other materials and activities related to state service programs that receive assistance directly from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

(5) To engage citizens in service and to strengthen communities, create statewide access for all Oregon citizens to a variety of volunteer opportunities by:

(a) Evaluating the status of volunteerism in the public, private and nonprofit sectors of this state;

(b) Examining methods to strengthen the capacity of volunteer organizations to support citizen involvement; and

(c) Educating all citizens about the importance of citizen involvement and voluntary action.

(6) Encourage youth and young adults to engage in their communities through voluntary action by:

(a) Assisting efforts to inform young Oregonians about opportunities for involvement in the public, private and nonprofit sectors;

(b) Promoting the value of service learning as an educational strategy in the kindergarten through higher educational systems; and

(c) Collaborating with groups to advocate for youth voice in the public, private and nonprofit governing structures.

(7) Promote recognition of volunteerism and service into the daily operation of public, private and nonprofit sectors throughout the state by:

(a) Promoting a statewide volunteer recognition plan open to all sectors; and

(b) Assisting efforts by Oregon communities to encourage citizen involvement in volunteerism.

SECTION 3. (1) The members of the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service must be citizens of this state who have a proven commitment to community service and who have a demonstrated interest in fostering and nurturing citizen involvement as a strategy for strengthening communities and promoting the ethic of service in all sectors of this state.

(2) The Governor shall appoint as members of the commission at least one person from each of the following:

(a) An individual with experience in educational, training and development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth.

(b) An individual with experience in promoting involvement of older adults in service and volunteerism.

(c) A representative of community-based agencies or organizations within this state.

(d) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.

(e) A representative of local governments in this state.

(f) A representative of local labor unions in this state.

(g) A representative of business.

(3) The Governor may appoint as members individuals from the following groups:

(a) Educators.

(b) Experts in the delivery of human, educational, environmental or public safety services to communities and individuals.

(c) Members of Native American tribes.

(d) At-risk youths who are out of school.

(e) Entities that receive assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.).

(4) In making appointments of members described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the Governor shall ensure that:

(a) No more than 50 percent of the appointed members are from the same political party; and

(b) No more than 25 percent of the appointed members are state employees.

SECTION 4. (1) The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall select one of its members as chairperson and another as vice chairperson, for such terms and with duties and powers necessary for the performance of the functions of such offices as the commission determines.

(2) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(3) The commission shall meet at least once every three months at a place, day and hour determined by the commission. The commission shall meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the commission.

SECTION 5. (1) The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall appoint a director to serve at the pleasure of the commission. The director must have experience and education in public administration or nonprofit management.

(2) The designation of the director must be by written order, filed with the Secretary of State.

(3) Subject to any applicable provisions of the State Personnel Relations Law, the director shall appoint all subordinate officers and employees of the commission, prescribe their duties and fix their compensation.

(4) The director shall cooperate with the Housing and Community Services Department in the development and administration of nonpolicy making activities, including but not limited to rules for commission personnel, fiscal practices and purchasing of commission supplies.

SECTION 6. In accordance with applicable provisions in ORS 183.310 to 183.550, the Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service may adopt rules:

(1) Establishing standards and guidelines for applications for grants; and

(2) Establishing standards and requirements for administration of programs funded by grants.

SECTION 7. (1) The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service may establish such advisory and technical committees as it considers necessary to aid and advise the commission in the performance of its functions. These committees may be continuing or temporary committees. The commission shall determine the representation, membership, terms and organization of the committees and shall appoint their members.

(2) Members of the committees are not entitled to compensation, but at the discretion of the commission may be reimbursed from funds available to the commission for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their official duties, as provided in ORS 292.495.

SECTION 8. The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service may apply for and accept grants, contributions and assistance from any federal, state or local government agency and any foundation, individual or organization for the purposes of performance of its duties under section 2 of this 2001 Act.

SECTION 9. (1) The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall act in all respects as the successor to the Oregon Commission for National and Community Service formed in response to the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.

(2) The Oregon Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall act at all times in compliance with the requirements imposed upon a state commission by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 in effect on the effective date of this 2001 Act.

SECTION 10. This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect July 1, 2001.

Approved by the Governor July 27, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 27, 2001

Effective date July 27, 2001

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