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.
| Commission Meeting | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| December 15, 2009 | M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, MD
|
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
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
Franklin M. Johnson, Jr., Chair, is the Legislative Director and Senior Assistant County Attorney for Carroll County, Secretary of the Carroll County Council of Governments, President of the Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League, and Treasurer of the Maryland Mayor's Association.
Maurice "Mac" Nachlas, Vice Chair, is the Business Development Manager for Pacific Star Communications, Inc., President of the Mount Washington Improvement Association, and Vice President of the Mount Washington Swim Club.
Lucille Ann Blackman, Secretary, is a Teacher at the St. Paul’s School for Girls, Founder of the Common Senses Foundation, and volunteer with the Orton Gillingham Society, Emergency Food Pantry, and Pathways Program for Disadvantaged Youth.
Members
Crystal Biles, ex officio, is the Director for the Maryland and Delaware State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service and an alumna of AmeriCorps*Volunteers In Service To America/VISTA.
Nancy Grasmick, is the State Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Grasmick assigned Vanessa Diggs, Director of Maryland State Department of Education’s Youth Development Branch, to serve as her designee on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.
Mark Heckman has been a Principal at Marks, Thomas Architects since 1996. He is a member of the 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.
Catherine Chen Hester is an attorney, Director of Services for FIRN, Inc., and an AmeriCorps alumna of Volunteer Maryland.
Melvin Hotz, ex officio, is a Licensed Professional Engineer (retired), volunteer at the Baltimore County Police Department, and Secretary of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Society for Technion University.
Margaret Kim, ex officio, is President and Chief Operating Officer of AllCare of Maryland, LLC, Vice President of the Korean American Community Association of Howard County, Inc., Board Member of FIRN, Inc., and Board Member of Howard County General Hospital.
Cherie Krug is the Director of Major Gifts for the Department of University Advancement at Frostburg State University, Board Member of the United Way of Allegany County, and a Member of the Cumberland Theater Board, and volunteer with Special Olympics Maryland.
Betsy W. Lafferty is the Pastoral Associate for Faith and Justice Ministries with the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and Volunteer Administrator for the Maryland Department of Human Resources and Catholic Charities.
Tonja Lark is a Grants Officer for the U.S. Department of Education, the Founder and President/CEO of Daughter for the Day, Inc., and a member of the Senior Citizens Bureau and the National Council on Aging.
Fay Mauro is an attorney and founding Executive Director of the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County, Chair of the Coordinators of Volunteers of Anne Arundel County, and Vice Chair of the Anne Arundel Council of Community Services.
Joseph V. Murray, Sr. is the Director of Community Relations for the Ascend One Corporation, President Emeritus of the Board of Directors for the ARC of Howard County, Board Member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Howard County Public Library, Family & Children's Services, Neighbor Ride, The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County and a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Lupi Quinteros-Grady is the Deputy Director of the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers.
James L. Rapp is the Executive Director of Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences, Chair of the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, President of Assateague Coastal Trust, and Co-Chair of the MD/DC Teaming with Wildlife Coalition.
Theresa Testoni is Chairman of the Board for the Menare Foundation, Inc., Graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Member of the MCPS Superintendent’s Advisory Board on Student Service Learning, and volunteer with Special Olympics, IMPACT Silver Spring, Bethesda Green, and A Wider Circle.
Brady Walker is a student at the University of Baltimore School of Law. He is Chair of the University System of Maryland Student Council and a member of the Forte Under Forty Committee at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
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.