Chapter 6 Oregon Laws 2007

 

AN ACT

 

SB 60

 

Relating to Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service; creating new provisions; amending ORS 458.568 and 458.575; and declaring an emergency.

 

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

 

          SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2007 Act may be cited as the Oregon Volunteer and Community Service Act.

 

          SECTION 2. (1) The Legislative Assembly declares that the purpose of this section is to promote the development of better communities by using citizen participation and volunteerism to foster greater civic responsibility.

          (2) The Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service shall identify goals to develop and facilitate the initiation of public and private entity programs that will encourage and reward citizen participation and volunteerism. The Housing and Community Services Department may adopt rules and develop procedures appropriate to foster the initiation of programs that fulfill the citizen participation and volunteerism goals recommended by the commission. The programs developed and facilitated by the commission goals and department rules and procedures must have one or more of the following objectives:

          (a) To place increased priority on citizen participation and volunteerism as a means for addressing complex problems facing Oregon communities.

          (b) To encourage community leaders to implement strategies that recognize community volunteers as a valuable and much-needed asset for expanding civic responsibility.

          (c) To promote the concept and practice of business and corporate volunteering, with emphasis on communities where business and corporate volunteering initiatives are less developed.

          (d) To increase the enthusiasm, dedication and combined expertise of citizens and public and private entities for creating new ways to effectively use citizen participation and volunteerism in meeting the current and future challenges facing Oregon communities.

          (e) To increase the alignment between community volunteer resources and the goals of the state.

          (f) To implement policy and administrative changes that encourage and enable citizen participation and volunteerism by individuals.

          (g) To encourage nonprofit agencies to increase effectiveness and efficiency by including the use of volunteers in their service delivery systems.

          (h) To promote and support the concept of participation and volunteerism by all citizens as an effective means to address community needs and achieve a collective commitment to lifelong community service.

          (i) To recognize National Volunteer Week as a time for encouraging citizens to participate in community service projects.

          (j) To recognize the importance of individual volunteers and of volunteer and service organizations and to honor and celebrate the success of volunteers.

 

          SECTION 3. ORS 458.568 is amended to read:

          458.568. The Oregon Volunteers 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.

          (8) Biennially submit a report to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly as provided under ORS 192.230 to 192.245:

          (a) Detailing commission activities during the preceding two-year period;

          (b) Reviewing and summarizing, to the extent the commission deems relevant, the content of reports accepted by the commission on behalf of the Governor;

          (c) Assessing the state of volunteerism in Oregon; and

          (d) Containing specific recommendations for any additional legislation the commission deems necessary to carry out the purpose of the Oregon Volunteer and Community Service Act or to improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the commission.

 

          SECTION 4. ORS 458.575 is amended to read:

          458.575. The Oregon Volunteers 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]:

          (1) Performing commission duties under ORS 458.568;

          (2) Implementing programs and policies necessary to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the commission; or

          (3) Assisting citizens and public and private entities in implementing commission programs and policies adopted under the Oregon Volunteer and Community Service Act.

 

          SECTION 5. This 2007 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2007 Act takes effect on its passage.

 

Approved by the Governor March 16, 2007

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State March 16, 2007

 

Effective date March 16, 2007

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