Home  About Brief History
Although community service has always been a value of Americans, larger federal initiatives to promote service did not occur until the 1930s with President Franklin Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. These men worked for the government to improve the environment, build roads and bridges, and other outdoor construction work in an effort to improve public goods while also supporting the families of these men, most of whom were unemployed.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy implemented the Peace Corp program to send Americans to serve in developing nations around the globe. Building on this idea, President Lyndon Johnson created the VISTA program (Volunteers in Service to America) in 1964 where volunteers help out in developing communities inside the
United States. Senior Corps programming was administered through the same federal agency.
Volunteerism grew in the 1970s especially as year-round service programs were established for adults and youth. With the creation of the Youth Conservation Corps, many young persons devoted their summers to helping communities and people.
During the 1980s, federal support for service programming fell, but a grassroots campaign kept service as an important part of the lives of Americans. That motivation for service and service opportunities let to the increase in federal funding in the 1990s.
In 1990, Congress passed the National and Community Service Act that created the Commission on National and Community Service to manage service-learning programs, service programs for higher education, youth programs, and to develop national service demonstration models.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission formed as a result of the 1993 National and Community Service Trust Act which changed the structure of the National Commission to create the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The function of this program was to oversee the AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps programs nationally. In addition, the legislation asked each governor to establish state commissions on community service to administer these national programs as well as promote volunteerism in their respective states.
Following this Act, Governor Joan Finney created the Kansas Commission on National and Community Service. In 2003, the Commission changed the name to the Kansas Volunteer Commission.
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Events
- KVC Board Meeting
April 16, 2010 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
(A KVC-sponsored event) regular scheduled meeting to be held in Lawrence.
- Celebration of Service
April 21, 2010 (1:00 pm) - April 22, 2010 (6:00 pm)
(A KVC-sponsored event) The Kansas Volunteer Commission and the Corporation for National and Community Service are hosting a Celebration of Service event April 21-22.
This 1 1/2 day celebration will encompass service to the community, educational workshops and networking...
- KVC Board Meeting
June 11, 2010 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
(A KVC-sponsored event) Regular meeting to be held in Abiline. 9am-2pm
- KVC Board Meeting
August 20, 2010 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
(A KVC-sponsored event) Regular meeting, location TBD.
- KVC Board Meeting
October 15, 2010 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
(A KVC-sponsored event) Regular meeting, location TBD.
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