RP 30

Relating to the designation of the OneStar National Service Commission and the OneStar Foundation, and the dissolution of the Texas Commission of Volunteerism and Community service.

WHEREAS, Texans are a dedicated and selfless people who have a long and proud history of responding when their neighbors need help in the midst of crisis; and

WHEREAS, committed volunteers and volunteer organizations bring unique skills and resources to bear on the struggles faced by Texas families; and

WHEREAS, volunteer action can transform our communities, our families and the lives of individual Texans, and enrich the life of the volunteer offering assistance; and

WHEREAS, Texas can benefit from a comprehensive and coordinated effort to (i) improve and strengthen the state's volunteerism and community service infrastructure, (ii) maximize the utilization of available resources, and (iii) cultivate volunteer service opportunities that address the state's pressing needs; and

WHEREAS, Congress passed and the President signed the National and Community Services Trust Act of 1993 (the "Act") to reward community service with education grants; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, by means of Executive Order AWR 94-15, Texas designated the predecessor to the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service ("TxCVCS") to serve as the state's administrative vehicle under the Act, and to oversee Texas' participation in programs authorized and appropriated by the Corporation for National and Community Services; and

WHEREAS, further Executive Orders GWB 96-9, GWB 99-1 and GWB 00-5 continued and improved TxCVCS, and placed TxCVCS under the authority of the Division of Workforce Development of the Texas Workforce Commission; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, the 78th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 1183, which removed the requirement that federal volunteer programs be administered by the Texas Workforce Commission; and

WHEREAS, The OneStar Foundation, Inc., has been established as a Texas non-profit corporation, with the purpose of "furthering volunteerism and community service in the State of Texas"; and

WHEREAS, The OneStar National Service Commission, Inc., has also been established as an affiliated Texas non-profit corporation with the same purposes;

NOW, THEREFORE, I RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby order that, effective January 1, 2004, the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is dissolved and The OneStar National Service Commission, Inc. (the "Commission") is designated as the state's commission under the Act, and is further charged with the following duties:

1. Serving as the state's liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service, fulfilling the duties prescribed under the Act and with applying for funding under the Act;

2. Overseeing Texas' participation in Corporation for National and Community Service programs; and

3. Preparing a comprehensive three-year national service plan for the state that shall be updated annually.

Pursuant to federal law, state law, and to the Bylaws of the Commission:

1. The total number of voting members on the Board of Directors of the Commission (the "Commission Board") shall be at least 15 but no more than 25, of which no more than 50 percent plus one can be from the same political party, as currently required by federal law. All members shall serve three-year terms, except that initially a portion of the members shall serve terms of one year and two years. The Governor shall appoint all members of the Commission Board, including the following voting members required by federal law:

a. An individual with expertise in the educational, training, and development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth;

b. An individual with expertise in promoting involvement of senior citizens in service and volunteerism;

c. A representative of community-based organizations within the state;

d. The commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;

e. A representative of local governments in the state;

f. A representative of local labor unions in the state;

g. A representative of business;

h. An individual between the ages of 16 and 25 who is a participant or supervisor in a service program; and

i. A representative of a national service program.

The membership criteria of the Commission Board is subject to changes in federal requirements.

2. The Governor shall name the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Commission Board from the members, who shall serve in such capacities at the pleasure of the Governor. A member of the Commission Board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred while performing approved Commission Board duties.

3. The Governor shall name a person to be president of the Commission, in the Governor's sole discretion and at the Governor's pleasure. This person shall also concurrently serve as the President of the Foundation. The president of the Commission shall serve without compensation from the Commission, but shall be compensated by the Foundation and may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred while performing approved Commission duties.

I FURTHER ORDER that The OneStar Foundation, Inc., (the "Foundation") is designated as the entity which shall perform all administrative functions of the Commission, and is further charged with the following duties:

1. Providing technical assistance, education, information, and other support to Texas' extensive volunteer community, and improving and strengthening the state's volunteerism and community service infrastructure;

2. Promoting innovative and model programs and initiatives, and sharing best practices;

3. Working closely with faith-based and private charities, community-based groups, voluntary associations, educational entities, and other organizations to promote volunteerism and community service based not on the institutions of government, but on the institutions of civil society; and

4. Preparing and presenting the annual Governor's Volunteer Leadership Conference and the annual Governor's Volunteer Awards; coordinating a statewide Texas Mentoring Initiative; and supporting other volunteerism-related efforts throughout Texas.

I FURTHER ORDER that:

1. The Commission and the Foundation may contract with state agencies for administrative services; and

2. The Texas Workforce Commission shall award grants to the Commission of FY 2004 and FY 2005 state funds appropriated for the community service program under the Act.

This executive order supersedes all previous orders inconsistent with its terms and shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding Governor.

Given under my hand this the 22nd day of December, 2003.

Rick Perry, Governor

TRD-200400042