S 589 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a Global Service Fellowship Program and to authorize Volunteers for Prosperity, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 12, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. COCHRAN, and Mr. CARDIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a Global Service Fellowship Program and to authorize Volunteers for Prosperity, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that a critical component of our efforts to bolster national and global security is to ‘find common ground and common purpose with other peoples’ and to invest in social development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Polling data from Terror Free Tomorrow indicates that nearly 60 percent of the people of Indonesia and 75 percent of the people of Pakistan held more favorable views of the United States following humanitarian assistance after their tsunami and earthquake tragedies, respectively, and these changes in perception of the United States were sustained beyond the initial period of aid and service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) International volunteering opportunities are effective means of addressing critical human needs, building bridges across cultures, and promoting mutual understanding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Current volunteer programs, such as the Peace Corps, remain an important part of Federal efforts to promote volunteer service and provide related programming.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Financial limitations are a common obstacle to volunteering overseas, and awarding financial fellowships would reduce barriers for many individuals otherwise unable to afford travel overseas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Allowing flexibility in the duration of volunteering opportunities would reduce another barrier to volunteering.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) A global service fellowship program would provide funding and programmatic flexibility for volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, and geographical locations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Eligible organizations willing to participate in the fellowship program as sponsoring organizations would be in a better position to recruit volunteers for their programs overseas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) The United States Agency for International Development has taken important steps towards encouraging this kind of a program through the creation of Volunteers for Prosperity, which promotes international volunteer service by skilled professionals from the United States but has never been formally authorized.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. VOLUNTEERS FOR PROSPERITY.

(a) Establishment- Consistent with Executive Order 13317 (68 Fed. Reg. 56515), the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall establish the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purpose- The Office of Volunteers for Prosperity shall pursue the objectives described in section 4(d)(2), including by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) implementing the Global Service Fellowship Program established under section 4;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) promoting other short and long-term international volunteering opportunities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) promoting the efforts of Global Service Fellows as part of the public diplomacy efforts of the United States Government;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) helping eligible United States sponsoring organizations, as described in section 4(e)(3)(A), to recruit and effectively manage skilled United States professionals for volunteer assignments overseas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) providing recognition for volunteers from the United States who serve internationally, and the organizations sponsoring them.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. GLOBAL SERVICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall establish and administer a program to be known as the Global Service Fellowship Program (in this section referred to as the ‘Program’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purpose- The purpose of the Program is to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Fellowships- Grants awarded under the Program shall be used to fund fellowships as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Fellowships lasting 90 days or less in duration may be funded at levels of up to $2,500.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Fellowships lasting between 91 days and 180 days may be funded at levels up to $5,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Fellowships lasting between 181 days and one year may be funded at levels up to $7,500.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Coordination With Sponsoring Organizations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Fellows shall undertake their volunteer opportunity in coordination with an eligible volunteer sponsoring organization. Such organizations shall be registered with the Administrator and shall collaborate with host country organizations in developing, as appropriate, fellowships that appropriately address local needs, maximize the transfer of skills, and build local capacity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PRIORITIZATION OF PROJECTS- Decisions to award fellowships shall be prioritized according to humanitarian and development goals of the United States Government, including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Eradication of extreme poverty in conjunction with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Achievement of universal primary education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and families.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Providing medical and dental health care and prevention.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) Providing assistance for the elderly, orphans, people with disabilities, and refugees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) Promoting environmental sustainability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) Providing economic and social opportunities for young people in countries with significant youth populations, including promoting youth service by building related volunteer-sector capacity in host countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) Helping to build or provide decent housing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) Providing disaster and humanitarian response, preparedness, and reconstruction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) Promoting cross-cultural exchange, language education, conflict resolution, and peace.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) Developing global partnerships for development in the areas of economic growth, microenterprise, asset development, and agricultural and rural development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(N) Advancing access to information technology and strengthening civil society.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Application Process-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SUBMISSION AND REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS- Applicants shall submit applications for fellowships under the Program to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SELECTION- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall determine the eligibility of candidates and, in coordination with sponsoring organizations, award and administer fellowships under the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CRITERIA- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall develop and publish criteria for fellowships in accordance with the following guidelines:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS- Applicants for Global Service Fellowships must be registered with qualified sponsoring organizations such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) nongovernmental organizations based in the United States that sponsor international volunteer service;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) faith-based organizations engaged in the delivery of nonsectarian services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) universities and colleges operating international service learning and volunteer service programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) nongovernmental organizations based in the United States that collaborate with local or national host government agencies or nongovernmental organizations in promoting volunteer capacity and national and community service activities consistent with the prioritized humanitarian and development goals set forth in subsection (d)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPLICANTS- Applicants shall be selected for Global Service Fellowships as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Applicants shall have clearly defined and structured goals for their proposed fellowships, including a plan for assessing and monitoring progress toward such goals with sponsoring organizations and a basis for follow-up and review by the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Priority should be given to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) applicants from households with an income that is less than 200 percent of the poverty level established pursuant to current census figures;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) applicants who have demonstrated prior community service experience;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) applicants with skills and experience suited to the specific needs of host organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) applicants who demonstrate a clear plan to communicate their volunteer experiences to their community upon their return; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) applicants whose physical residence would ensure a diverse geographical distribution of awardees from across the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Reporting Requirement-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NOTIFICATION OF AWARDS- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall notify Members of Congress of the decision to award a fellowship to their constituents at least 2 business days prior to notification to the awardee and shall provide intended travel dates and project summaries of the fellows. Members of Congress may then elect to notify the constituent of the award.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORTS- Not later than 90 days after returning from service abroad under the Program, fellows shall submit such reports as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development may require, including post-fellowship reports prepared for their home communities, to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development and their congressional representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Eligible Costs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Funds awarded under this section may be used by the sponsoring organization to cover the following costs associated with Global Service Fellowships:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Airfare, accommodations, and transportation within the host country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Fees assessed by sponsoring organizations to defray international service program costs and administrative costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Subsistence allowance in accordance with local market conditions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Program materials and tools used for service-related purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Language and cultural training and other costs associated with pre-service project orientation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TUITION NOT COVERED- Funds awarded under this section may not be used for tuition costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Nondiscrimination Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) SELECTION OF APPLICANTS- The selection of applicants under subsection (e) shall be without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- A sponsoring organization shall not discriminate against a Global Service Fellowship Program participant or applicant, a beneficiary of any project in which a Global Service Fellow participates, or, except as provided in subparagraph (B), an employee of the organization who is paid with assistance provided under the Program on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) LIMITED EXCEPTION FOR EMPLOYEES OF SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS EMPLOYED AT TIME OF AWARDING OF FUNDS- The prohibition under subparagraph (A) on discrimination on the basis of religion shall not apply to the employment, with assistance provided under this Program, of any employee who was employed with the sponsoring organization on the date that the funds were awarded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

(a) Evaluation of Global Service Fellowship Program- The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall establish and implement an evaluation process for determining the effectiveness of the Global Service Fellowship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Report- Not later than March 31, 2011, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the Global Service Fellowships Program established under section 4. The report shall describe--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the identity and location of sponsoring organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) for each humanitarian or development goal identified by sponsoring organizations, the number of volunteer opportunities and the number of related Global Service Fellowships that have been funded;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the number of volunteers recruited or engaged with Global Service Fellows and their sponsoring organizations or local host organizations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the locations of volunteer services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the effectiveness of such services based upon findings of the evaluation process; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the total numbers of applications for Global Service Fellowships that have been received and accepted to the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.

The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Funding- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012 for the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity and the Global Service Fellowship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Allocation of Funds- Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) not less than 90 percent of expended amounts shall be used to fund Global Service Fellowships; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) not more than 10 percent of expended amounts may be used for administrative expenses of the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity and the Global Service Fellowship Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Offset- In order to provide an offset for amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), the Internal Revenue Service shall deposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts all of the fees it receives for services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink