Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

1

The Board of Directors for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

convened in Washington, DC on May 24, 2017. The following members were present:

Shamina Singh, the outgoing chair

Victoria Hughes, the new chair

Dean Reuter, vice chair

Mona Dixon 

Rick Christman (by telephone)

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Board chair Shamina Singh called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone joining by phone 

and those gathered in person at the CNCS headquarters. She welcomed her fellow board

members, Vice Chair Dean Reuter and Victoria Hughes, and indicated that Rick Christman was

participating by telephone and Eric Liu was unavailable to join the meeting.

Ms. Singh gave a preview of the meeting’s agenda. The chair would do a quick summary of the

board retreat, and share some exciting news about the board officers, and Acting CEO Kim 

Mansaray would provide her CEO update. The meeting would then be opened for public 

comments. Ms. Singh noted that the board had already approved the minutes for the February 

2017 board meeting.
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

2

Report on the Board’s Retreat

The retreat started with a report from Acting CEO Kim Mansaray, who presented material on 

recent accomplishments by programs, some operational updates, and the great recognition that 

CNCS programs are getting from elected officials and other stakeholders. The board then 

discussed its governance. Ms. Singh announced that the board had elected Victoria Hughes as the 

next chair and herself as the new vice chair, with both positions effective at this meeting. Ms. 

Singh announced that she would turn over the gavel to Ms. Hughes, the new chair, very shortly. 

Ms. Singh noted that the passing of the chair position continues a tradition from Administration 

transitions in 2001 and 2009, and reflects guidance from the White House. The transition is a 

reminder of the bipartisan nature of the board and of the enterprise of national service.

Ms. Singh thanked the board members and the staff of the agency for working so diligently over 

the past year and a half while she was board chair. She said that it had been gratifying to have 

been part of the board, and serve as the chair, when the CNCS received its second highest

appropriation in its history and AmeriCorps received its highest appropriation in history. Ms. 

Singh believes that the budget is evidence of the fact that service does matter and the work that 

we are all doing is important work. All of it is important to the health, the life, and the economic 

growth of our country.

Upon the conclusion of her remarks, Shamina Singh turned the board meeting over to the new

chair, Victoria Hughes.
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

3

Remarks by Victoria Hughes, the New Board Chair

Ms. Hughes thanked Ms. Singh for her service and her leadership over the last year and a half as

board chair, Dean Reuter for serving as vice chair, and all of the board members for supporting 

her in her new role as the chair and for the guidance and leadership that they provide. She noted 

that one of the special aspects of CNCS is having a bipartisan board of directors nominated by 

the President and confirmed by the Senate. Ms. Hughes noted that the board is able to discuss 

policy and operations in an open and free-flowing manner, and that she really appreciates the 

insights and fellowship of this board, and looks forward to working with everyone on the board.

Ms. Hughes welcomed two new Administration appointees to CNCS. Mark Scraba arrived the

week before the board meeting and joined the board at the retreat. Mark is the new Senior 

Advisor for Wounded Warriors, Veterans, and Military Family Initiatives. He is a retired U.S. 

Army brigadier general with more than 30 years of high-level experience. Upon transitioning 

from the military after holding posts both domestically and overseas, Mark immersed himself in 

philanthropic and nonprofit organizations focusing on military families, wounded warriors, and 

Gold Star children. Prior to his arrival at CNCS, Mark served on the presidential transition team, 

and in January 2017, he was appointed a special assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

Effective July 2017, Tim Noelker begins his new role as the General Counsel for CNCS. Tim 

comes to CNCS after many years of Federal practice at the Thompson Coburn law firm and early 

career experience at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.. Tim has decades of 

nonprofit leadership service in local and national positions, including with Catholic Charities, 

USA; the Child Welfare League of America; and the Council on Accreditation, the New York 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

4

nonprofit that regulates international adoption agencies on behalf of the U.S. Department of 

State.

The chair stated that she was pleased to welcome both of these Administration appointees to the 

national service family, and looks forward to working with them in the months and years ahead. 

Ms. Hughes then thanked Acting CEO Kim Mansaray and the senior team at CNCS, who have 

taken on additional responsibilities during the transition. She noted that this is a very experienced 

group of career officials who are keeping the operation of the agency running smoothly. She said 

that her appreciation goes to all of the CNCS staff at headquarters, on the NCCC campuses, and 

in the state offices around the country. She thanked all of the employees for their continued 

focus, commitment, and professionalism. Lastly, Ms. Hughes recognized the extraordinary 

network of partners who make national service and social innovation happen on the ground in 

more than 50,000 locations across the nation, including the dedicated staff, members, and 

volunteers who every day carry out the vital work of the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps

programs, and the vital partners at the state service commissions.

Ms. Hughes continued with a recap of the board retreat: After the board governance discussion, 

Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey provided an update. The chair thanked Deb and her team for 

working closely with the agency to strengthen operations and accountability. Chief Operating 

Officer Jeff Page and Chief Financial Officer Bob McCarty gave updates on operations, the 

budget, and the comprehensive approach to grant oversight and risk management that the agency

is implementing.

The board then had great updates by Dr. Cameron Webb, a White House Fellow, and Director of 

Research and Evaluation Mary Hyde. The last update at the retreat was from Acting Chief of 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

5

External Affairs Marc Young. The board also had a conversation with Kelly Daly, the 

Employees Union representative.

Because ensuring that taxpayer dollars are properly and effectively spent is a key priority of the 

board, accountability and oversight were a continuing focus of the retreat. The board appreciates

how CNCS is always working to strengthen monitoring, risk management, and accountability in 

a way that recognizes the strengths of CNCS grantees, which do such important work in their

communities. The board also discussed how CNCS is in a strong position and is eager to work 

with the Trump Administration and Congress to meet national and local needs, expand 

opportunity, bolster civil society, and unite communities.

The chair then introduced Acting CEO Kim Mansaray.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Ms. Mansaray reported to the board and public as follows:

 Regarding the budget status of CNCS: Earlier in May, Congress agreed on a spending 

plan to fund the Federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2017; the plan was 

signed by President Trump. That budget agreement provides $1.03 billion for CNCS 

through Fiscal Year 2017. It includes level funding for Senior Corps and AmeriCorps, 

but unfortunately, there was no allocation for the Social Innovation Fund. The day before 

the board meeting, the Trump Administration released the details of its Fiscal Year 2018 

budget proposal, which provides more information regarding the recommendation to 

eliminate CNCS, along with 18 other Federal agencies. Ms. Mansaray noted that the 

budget process is a lengthy one, with many steps and negotiations ahead before the final 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

6

congressional appropriations bills reach the President’s desk. She promised to keep the

board apprised of any key developments as the process moves forward during the next 

few months.

 The signing of the Fiscal Year 2017 omnibus spending bill allows for insight about the 

latest senior Corps and AmeriCorps State and National grant competitions. The 

outstanding work of the AmeriCorps State and National team allowed for a great deal of 

interest in the 2017 grant competition. In the next few weeks CNCS will award nearly 

400 grants to support more than 4,500 new AmeriCorps members. Those grants will 

support programs at a variety of national and local nonprofit organizations, faith-based 

groups, and educational institutions. That those grants are force multipliers for the 

nonprofits and organizations receiving them is demonstrated by the commitments from 

applicants to raise additional matching funds. The matches almost triple the funding 

generated via the Federal awards from CNCS.

 The Senior Corps grant competitions also drew significant interest because the Foster 

Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP Programs provide vital and effective support 

to meet a variety of needs in the communities around the nation. The RSVP Expansion 

Competition saw increased interest, which reflects the impact of the seniors who serve in 

their communities. The total amount of grants requested is five and a half times greater 

than the amount of available funds. Nearly 50 percent of applications came from 

organizations that do not currently receive funds from CNCS, and 41 percent of the 

applications came from existing RSVP projects seeking to expand their footprint. CNCS 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

7

takes great pride in leading service programs that that improve the lives of millions of 

Americans each year, and we are encouraged by the response to our grant competitions.

 CNCS continues to focus on the mission to improve the lives of more Americans through 

national service and volunteering. The service includes our governor-appointed state 

commissions, the 325,000 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers, and the 

grantees, partners, and friends of national service. Our disaster service work demonstrates 

how Americans count on us, and the quality and of our volunteers, to support them in the 

wake of manmade or natural disasters such as the spillway collapse in Oroville, 

California, the devastating floods in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the East Tennessee 

wildfires. This work is an ongoing priority for CNCS, and people are noticing. The 

CNCS disaster response and recovery efforts last year earned CNCS the National 

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Partner of the Year Award. Also, 

AmeriCorps NCCC was named California’s disaster volunteer program of the year by 

California Volunteers for our work in Oroville. We take a lot of pride in our disaster 

work, and these awards bear this out.

 Ms. Mansaray closed by recognizing the CNCS Office of External Affairs (OEA). Our 

national service programs create thousands of uplifting stories each year, and thanks to 

OEA, we are able to highlight the fantastic work being done by CNCS for so many

people, and demonstrate the importance of national service to this nation. The OEA team 

collaborated with our Office of Government Relations staff to ensure that our 5th Annual 

Mayor, County, and Tribal Day for National Service was our most successful ever. More 

than 4,520 leaders representing over 194 million Americans showed their support for 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

8

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. By working with our programs, campuses, and state 

commissions, the External Affairs team was able to elevate our service stories during our 

annual AmeriCorps Week, and recently completed Senior Corps Week, to show how we 

can increase awareness of our programs and help people learn that many Americans rely 

on their service. AmeriCorps Week attracted millions of viewers and interactions across 

our social media channels, in addition to the attention from traditional media outlets. Our 

Senior Corps Week announcements and audio releases were picked up by hundreds of 

media outlets to promote senior volunteering to an audience numbering in the tens of 

millions.

Remarks by the Board Chair

The board chair thanked Ms. Mansaray and opened the meeting up to comments from the public.

She recognized Sara Morello of Equal Justice Works. 

Remarks by Sara Morello

Ms. Morello thanked the board members for making this opportunity for public comment and 

allowing her to share information. She is the executive vice president of Equal Justice Works

(EJW), an organization dedicated to creating a just society by mobilizing the next generation of 

lawyers committed to equal justice. EJW has been a proud and grateful grantee partner of CNCS 

since the start of AmeriCorps. Together, CNCS and EJW have provided service opportunities for 

nearly 5,000 lawyers and law students who have helped hundreds of thousands of people across 

the county. Ms. Morello noted that their work with AmeriCorps and VISTA spans several areas 

that are priorities for CNCS and the country, including providing legal assistance to veterans, the 

elderly, unaccompanied immigrant children, and unemployed people who are trying to get back 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

9

on their feet and are seeking employment and safe and affordable housing. Ms. Morello wanted 

to highlight a program that is up for a re-compete grant – a program she believes CNCS and the

board should be very proud of: Employment Opportunity Legal Corps.

She noted that in the United States today, more than 65 million people – nearly one in five 

Americans, have a criminal record. Two-thirds of those records are for misdemeanors, often for a 

minor, youthful indiscretion, and yet those convictions are an obstacle to getting a job or 

housing. However, in more than 30 states there is a process called expungement that allows a 

person, with the assistance of a lawyer, to have some arrest and misdemeanor conviction records

removed or sealed, thereby removing a barrier to employment. The Employment Opportunity 

Legal Corps provides legal assistance people need to navigate this process so they can be 

employed.

Equal Justice Works and AmeriCorps currently have 39 lawyers and several hundred part-time 

law students working in communities across the country to remove barriers to employment, and 

as a result, increase income, reduce recidivism, and help remove people from public assistance.

Last year, for an investment of about $1.5 million taxpayer dollars from CNCS, EJW leveraged 

more than a million dollars in contributions from other stakeholders and secured more than $4.5 

million in economic benefits for the clients of the AmeriCorps lawyers.

Ms. Morello told the board that unfortunately, this incredibly successful program is at risk of 

shutting down. Recently, EJW applied for a re-compete grant for the program. In March 2017, 

after the application period had closed, EJW received a letter from CNCS notifying them that 

CNCS had decided that EJW’s application included a professional corps component and needed 

to be modified. EJW was caught off guard by this, since they had always applied as a traditional 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

10

service corps. EJW organization was concerned about this for several reasons. First, the statutes

governing the program allow applicants to choose whether to apply as a traditional corps or as a 

professional corps, and EJW does not believe the statute permits CNCS to prescribe a particular 

corps model to applicants. Second, the application merely continues a program model that has 

been in use for more than 20 years. Third, the traditional corps model has been specifically 

requested in interagency agreements between CNCS and the Department of Justice. EJW also 

found the decision troubling because reconfiguring the program under the professional corps 

model is simply not viable for cost reasons. Last, it did not seem fair to be changing the rules in 

the middle of a competition. This determination by CNCS presents an immediate risk to the 

Employment Opportunity Legal Corps and the economic benefits that it generates, and it also 

calls into question the viability of the other service corps that EJW sponsors with AmeriCorps. 

If, contrary to two decades of history of cooperation between CNCS and EJW, CNCS decides it 

can no longer support lawyers providing aid to communities in need under a traditional service 

model, EJW will have to end their other successful programs.

Ms. Morello ended by noting that they had yet to receive a final determination from CNCS about 

the status of their grant and the traditional service model of the program, and they hoped CNCS

would reconsider. EJW remains optimistic that, together with CNCS, it will continue to be able 

to deliver the outstanding results for a great value that they have provided since 1994.

Remarks by Jennifer Ney

The chair introduced the next speaker, Jennifer Ney, of Voices for National Service.

Ms. Ney began her presentation by stating that she is the managing director of Voices National

Service (VNS). VNS is a diverse coalition of national, state, and local National Service 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

11

programs, state commissions, and individual volunteers who work to ensure Americans of all 

ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community.

Ms. Ney thanked the board members for allowing her to address them and deliver a statement on 

the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal for CNCS. She said that the budget 

proposal by President Trump, if enacted, would end eight decades of bipartisan presidential 

support for national service programs, leaving our veterans and their families underserved and 

our schools understaffed. In March, the Administration made the same recommendation in their 

“skinny budget,” but legislative champions, including Senators Roy Blunt and Patty Murray and 

Representatives Tom Cole and Rosa DeLauro, ensured that funding for the critical work of 

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps was sustained for another year. In a statement released the 

previous day, VNS president AnnMaura Connolly said “If adopted, this budget would serve as a 

death knell for national service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps.” Fortunately 

Congress, which is ultimately responsible for funding the government, has consistently 

demonstrated a strong bipartisan commitment to national service, even as recently as last month.

Ms. Ney said that eliminating funding for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps isn't a win for small 

government or the taxpayer because every dollar invested in national service yields nearly four 

dollars in return for society. Instead, this plan would mark a loss of the patriotic service of more 

than 80,000 young Americans and 270,000 seniors who serve their nation and communities 

through these programs each year. Without this funding, thousands of nonprofit faith-based 

community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of America, Catholic Charities, 

Habitat for Humanity, and Teach for America would be gutted and unable to execute their 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

12

missions. Thousands of nonprofit faith-based community organizations would be gutted and 

unable to execute their missions.

Ms. Ney said that CNCS’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget of $1.03 billion is less than .03 percent of 

the Federal budget. CNCS, which leverages more than $1.26 billion in resources from the private 

sector, foundations, and local agencies, is helping organizations around the country work in 

creative ways to tackle our most persistent and costly challenges.

A study by economists at Columbia University found that for every dollar invested in national 

service, there's a $3.95 return to society in terms of higher earnings, increased output, and other 

community benefits. National service is tremendously popular. A poll of 9 battleground states 

found that 83 percent of registered voters, including 78 percent of Republicans, support 

increased or maintained Federal investment in national service.

Ms. Ney concluded by stating that Voices for National Service is committed to making a strong 

and compelling case for robust funding for CNCS in Fiscal Year 2018 to ensure that AmeriCorps 

and Senior Corps can continue to provide critically needed services in their communities next 

year and beyond.

Remarks by Ms. Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell

The chair introduced the next speaker, Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell, of Service Year Alliance.

Ms. Shaheen-McConnell introduced herself as the director of strategic engagement at Service 

Year Alliance and an AmeriCorps alum who served in 2008 with the Arab-American Resource 

Corps. Service Year Alliance’s missions is to make a year of service a common expectation and 

opportunity for every young American. Achievement of this mission is a way to solve pressing 

problems cost-effectively and provide young people with opportunity, recruit talent and develop
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

13

skills, increase civic responsibility and engagement, and, critically, bridge societal divides. The 

Alliance works to create and expand high-quality service year programs, increase the value 

proposition for serving, increase awareness, recruit young people to serve, and match them to 

service year opportunities on serviceyear.org. The Alliance appreciates its valuable partnership 

with CNCS in support of mutual goals that include recruitment, improvement of data in the 

service year field, and higher program quality.

Ms. Shaheen-McConnell asked the board to imagine a future in which every young American 

serves. The Alliance cannot achieve its vision of making service a common expectation and 

opportunity without CNCS. The Alliance asks the board to work to reverse the Trump 

Administration’s plan to eliminate CNCS and its programs, including AmeriCorps.

Ms. Shaheen-McConnell noted that AmeriCorps is a unique Federal program in several ways:

 It is the only Federal program that supports cost-effective human capital to address 

locally-determined challenges. AmeriCorps members help to fight the opiate crisis in 

Appalachian Kentucky and among tribal nations in Wisconsin, respond to wildfires in 

Tennessee and floods in Louisiana, support economic development in the Central Valley 

of California and Detroit, Michigan, help students learn to read in charter schools in 

Massachusetts and apply to college in rural Texas, build Habitat for Humanity homes in 

North Carolina and trails in Maine, assist homeless veterans in Virginia and student 

veterans in Washington State, and so much more.

 Unlike most Federal programs, the bulk of AmeriCorps funding is directed by bipartisan 

citizen-driven commissions appointed by governors. More than 1,000 private citizens 

serve as governor-appointed commissioners, leading and guiding national service efforts 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

14

in their states by identifying local needs, directing Federal and state resources, ensuring 

oversight and accountability, tracking performance and community impact, and leading 

citizen service efforts in their states and territories.

 Any public or private nonprofit organization can run an AmeriCorps program. Whereas 

most Federal programs direct their funding to a specific type of grantee, AmeriCorps can 

support any agency, whether it is faith-based or government run, national or local. This 

design allows for maximum flexibility regarding which organization can play a role in 

meeting community needs.

 While many programs either address community needs or support workforce 

development, only AmeriCorps does both, and in a manner that also builds civic 

responsibility and creates purpose-driven leaders. The service aspect of the program sets 

it apart from traditional strategies to solve problems or build skills, making the 

experience transformational for almost everyone who serves in the program.

 AmeriCorps plays a special role bridging divides by connecting people from different 

races, religions, and regions in common purpose. Through this experience, they build ties 

and understanding that most other institutions do not foster.

 AmeriCorps provides public benefits earned through service – in this case, money for 

higher education or to pay back student loans.

 AmeriCorps uses Federal dollars to leverage private resources. Unlike most other 

programs, when AmeriCorps funds a position, typically organizations raise even more 

than they get. If the proposed Federal cuts go through, it is not likely that private funding 
Corporation for National and Community Service

Minutes of the board of Directors Meeting

May 24, 2017

3 p.m. ET

15

would make up the Federal share. Most of the private funding would also shrink away. In 

a way, cutting one dollar from AmeriCorps results in two leaving the field entirely.

Ms. Shaheen-McConnell concluded her remarks by noting that Service Year Alliance is working 

to enlist all sectors of society in support of service year opportunities. The Alliance sees 

AmeriCorps as an essential part of that effort and urges the board to take action to reverse the 

proposed cuts and put AmeriCorps on a growth trajectory for the future. In response to a 

question from Vice Chair Dean Reuter, she said that none of the Service Year Alliance budget 

comes from CNCS.

Conclusion of the Meeting

Ms. Hughes concluded the board meeting by thanking the members of the board, the CNCS staff, 

and the members of the public for joining the board meeting. The meeting led to an important 

discussion, and she appreciated everyone’s attention. She adjourned the board meeting.