The recent elections have caused a significant shift in the US Legislature and a call for tighter restrictions on government spending. Members of the new Congress have announced intentions to drastically reduce funding for many federal programs including the Corporation for National & Community Service. This could have a significant effect on our network as many of our state offices facilitate VISTA, AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve programs.
Mark Este from National Campus Compact is currently serving on a committee with Voices for National Service, a coalition of non-profits dedicated to educating the nation’s leaders and the American public about the power and impact of national service. Our committee is comprised of many other prominent organizations that facilitate service programs including Youth Build, City Year, The Corps Network and others. We are currently convening with bi-weekly conference calls to discuss best way to proceed and ensure that our national service programs retain their funding.
Here's current situation:
The Corporation for National and Community Service's funding is regulated through the House and Senate Appropriations Committee. Historically, the House has been inconsistent at best in ensuring proper funding to CNCS programs. In the past, CNCS has always counted more on the Senate and White House in securing their budget. With the current economic climate and recent shift in congressional power though, this may not necessarily be the same scenario.
Harold 'Hal' Rogers, Republican Representative from Kentucky's 5th District, will be the next Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Rogers has had a spotty voting history on service. He voted for the National Service Trust Act in 1993 and he voted for the Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009 once (the House held 3 votes on GIVE/Serve America). Yet, on occasion he voted in favor of amendments to eliminate or cut AmeriCorps funding, but he has also voted for the AmeriCorps Week Resolutions.
This selection is somewhat of a surprise and has upset many in the Republican Party. Rogers has been dubbed the "Prince of Pork" and won the chair over Rep. Jerry Lewis of California. Lewis, a former chair of the Appropriations Committee, recently called for at least $100 billion in cuts to dozens of federal programs, explicitly citing AmeriCorps along with others.
Although the committee assignments and agendas have not been set, it is still a valuable time to get our resources organized to appeal to this congress. There is no direct action that needs to be taken at this juncture, but it is important for us to educate ourselves on these congressional matters. For this, I have worked with Emily Gilliland of ORCC and Chair of the Compact's National Service Working Group. Together, we decided that this would be the best way to proceed:
What you need to do:
1. Learn who the representatives are in your state and send us the info on your programs
It is vital to us to have knowledge of where our AmeriCorps members are serving. This helps us target key congressional members to reach out to. Learn who is representing the areas where your members serve and become familiar with their voting record for national service initiatives. You may also find that many of them have national service backgrounds or family members who have served as well.
-See the attached form. We are compiling this data from all of our state offices. This way we can use the information to make a concerted effort at both the national and state level to appeal to members of Congress. Please fill out this form with current data and return to me by January 30, 2011
2. Educator you legislators about our work
For us to make an impact in the Legislature, it is important for our senators and representatives to know who we are and what we do. Please contact your Representatives on behalf of your AmeriCorps members and make them aware of the work that they're doing in their districts.
With the current political climate, it is important when talking to congressional members to put the scope of the work in an economic context. The current overarching political goal is to "fix the economy." If we can focus on how our work is making specific strides in aiding those who have been affected by the economic downturn, we may have a better shot of appealing to the congressperson.
3. Invite your Congressperson to see your projects.
Showing a congressperson the first-hand impact of our work is the best way to communicate our cause. With the MLK Day of Service coming up, please invite your Senators and Representatives to see your members' projects. Invite your contacts in the media too. This can also get our message out to a broader audience who may be supportive.
This does not have to be just for service projects, but also alert members of congress about upcoming Campus Compact conferences, awards ceremonies, etc. We are at a point in time where it is crucial for our senators and representative to recognize the value of service that Campus Compact offices provide.
4. Inform your supporters outside the network
It is important to make connections with members of congress, however possible. Inform supporters in your own networks of these issues and the effect they have on the Compact and community. Your former AmeriCorps members are an excellent resource for this. If you are keeping up to date with your alumni, we can inform former national service members who now live in districts where we don't otherwise have a presence. Alumni also come with the unique perspective of having national service experience and can use their first-hand knowledge to educate lawmakers.
What we will do:
1. Stay aware of congressional happenings
It is important, for many reasons, for us to be familiar with what's going on in Washington. Knowing that relevant bills that are in certain committees or are up for a vote gives us prime opportunities to reach out to our leaders. I will be working in the upcoming months on researching areas of congressional policy as it relates to national service programs, service-learning, and higher education issues.
2. Keep the network informed
I will regularly update the network on relevant legislation and committee assignments. Anyone within the network who is willing to work with me on these issues should inform me soon. Depending on the next steps that need to be taken, it would be great to have support from within our network.
3. Continue to meet with Voices for National Service
Our bi-weekly conference calls should produce new insight and ideas as how to proceed with these issues. Again, any relevant information or resources will be shared within the network.
Please contact me for any questions, suggestions or follow-up. I welcome anyone within our network to assist me on this issue in any way possible. Although our national service programs are currently in an unfavorable situation, I am confident that as a group we can make our voices heard and our presence known. Please fill out the attached form and return back to me by January 30th. Thanks.
*****Important to Remember*****
- DO NOT use any AmeriCorps/Ed Award/VISTA members who are CURRENTLY SERVING for any form of lobbying. It is against Federal Law for serving AmeriCorps members to lobby to policy makers, publicly support candidates, etc. It is okay for members to meet with a congressperson and explain their project, but they should never be used to directly influence a policy maker. For more information on the CNCS Policy, please visit the VISTA Member Handbook: here<http://www.americorps.gov/help/vistahandbook/chapter14.html>
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Mark A Este
Special Assistant to the President
Campus Compact
45 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 357-1881 ex: 202
(617) 357-1889 (fax)
Skype: markaeste
www.compact.org<http://www.compact.org>
congresssional info sheet.doc