Urge Senate Leadership to Confirm CNCS/AmeriCorps CEO Nominee – Michael D. Smith
Background:
On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, President Biden nominated Michael Smith to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or AmeriCorps agency. Voices for National Service enthusiastically endorses the nomination, which requires confirmation by the United State Senate.
Michael Smith, Director of Youth Opportunity Programs at the Obama Foundation and Executive Director of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, has a deep personal commitment and passion for service and the experience to lead AmeriCorps at this critical time when the country is beginning to recover from the pandemic.
CNCS is also led by a Board of Directors that provides overall guidance to the agency and senior leaders, including the CEO. The Board promotes the agency’s initiatives and programs, builds relationships with key stakeholders, and elevates national service and volunteerism through engagement and partnerships. The Board of Directors can include up to 15 bipartisan members who are nominated by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. President Biden has nominated Cynthia Hogan, Catherine McLaughlin, Shirley Sagawa, Fagan Harris, and Alvin Warren to serve on the CNCS Board.
Given the scale of need in our communities, and the critical role that AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors are playing in helping to meet those needs, the agency needs its full leadership team in place. Voices for National Service is urging the Senate to move expeditiously on all of the CNCS nominees.
How You Can Help:
Voices for National Service is organizing a sign-on letter to Senate Leadership urging them to approve all the AmeriCorps nominations as quickly as possible. If your organization is willing to sign onto this letter – please fill out the web form below. We encourage organizations to sign-onto this letter at the highest level – CEO, Executive Director, or another organizational leader.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER TO SENATE LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT OF THE CNCS/AMERICORPS NOMINEES.
The deadline to sign onto this letter is Friday, July 9 at 5 pm ET.
If you have further questions regarding the nomination, or would like more information regarding this sign-on letter, please email Shanelle Oliver at soliver2@cityyear.org.
Please be sure to fill out the below form with the information of the CEO, Executive Director or another organizational leader whose name will be displayed on the letter
Additional Resources: