Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism

Purpose of the Commission

The Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism was created and appointed by the Governor in 1994 to review and approve all AmeriCorps State funding in Maryland and to serve as a body of ambassadors for service and volunteerism in local communities. With the Governor's approval, the Commission may apply to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that manages AmeriCorps, and other public and private sources for additional funding.

Under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, Governor-appointed service commissions are required to oversee each state’s AmeriCorps activities and resources. The Act also requires each state to develop, update, and implement a three-year strategic plan for service which sets funding and program priorities for allocation of AmeriCorps funds and promotes volunteerism and community service broadly.

MEETING date	LOCATION	TIME
January 11, 2013	Webinar	12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
April 3, 2013	Frederick, MD	10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
June 25, 2013	TBD	10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
September 30, 2013	TBD	10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
December 10, 2013	TBD	1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Who are the Commissioners?

The Commission consists of the State Superintendent of Schools and members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms.

In addition, the Governor may appoint community members with significant experience and knowledge of issues related to service and volunteerism.

Executive Committee

Maurice "Mac" Nachlas, Chair, is the Past-President of the Mount Washington Improvement Association, President of the Mount Washington Swim Club, and a member of the WYPR Community Advisory Board.

Fay Mauro, Vice Chair, is an attorney and the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County. She is Vice President of the Maryland Volunteer Centers Association and a member of the Maryland Council of Directors of Volunteer Services. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee for Leadership Development at Anne Arundel Community College and serves on two grant committees for Maryland’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office.

Alan M. Lyons, Secretary, is a student at McDaniel College is Westminster, where he is studying political science and international studies. A native of Carroll County, he is a proud graduate of South Carroll High School and a long-time volunteer with the New Windsor Volunteer Fire Company, the Timber Ridge Residences, and The Arts Coming Together In Carroll County .

Members

Crystal Biles, ex officio, is the State Program Director of the Maryland and Delaware State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service and an alumna of AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).

Vanessa Diggs, Director of Maryland State Department of Education’s Youth Development Branch, is the designee on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism for the State Superintendent of Schools.

Griffith L. Garwood is a retired attorney and Director of the Division of Consumer and Community Affairs at the Federal Reserve Board. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of both the United Way and the Mental Health Association in Frederick County. Mr. Garwood is also a board member of the Historical Society of Frederick County and a member of the Rotary Club and the Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association.

Mark R. Heckman has been a Principal at Marks, Thomas Architects Inc. since 1996. He is a member of the AIA Urban Land Institute and Congress of New Urbanism, is a Board Member of the Greater Homewood Community Corporation, and serves on the Baltimore City Board of Incorporators.

Melvin Hotz, ex officio, is a Licensed Professional Engineer (retired), and a Medicare Counselor in the SHIP Division of Baltimore County's Department of Aging.

Cherie Krug is the Executive Director of the Garrett College Foundation at Garrett College. She is also a board member of the United Way of Allegany County, a member of the Cumberland Theater Board, and volunteer with Special Olympics Maryland. She is appointed to the City of Cumberland Parks and Recreation, the Rotary Club of Frostburg, and is a graduate of Leadership Allegany and Leadership Maryland.

Betsy W. Lafferty is the Pastoral Associate at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Baltimore, MD. She is also the Volunteer Administrator for the Maryland Department of Human Resources and Catholic Charities.

Beverly Landis is the District Executive Director for the Y of Central Maryland and is retired from the United States Air Force.

Joseph V. Murray, Sr. is the Director of Community Relations for the Ascend One Corporation. He serves on the Board of The Columbia Foundation at the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County

Lupi Quinteros-Grady is the Deputy Director of the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers.

Theresa Testoni is an Executive Assistant at Adventist HealthCare. She is the Vice President of Membership for the Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery, a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and Co-Chair of the Community Service/Philanthropy Involvement Group, and a Member of the Superintendent's Advisory Board on Student Service Learning for Montgomery County Public Schools. She also volunteers with A Wider Circle and IMPACT Silver Spring, and Montgomery Women.

Governor's Staff

Israel C. "Izzy" Patoka, ex officio, is the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives.

Barbara Ellen Reynolds, ex officio, is the Director of the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism.