[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17520-17522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8514]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Availability of Funds for National Service Leadership Training
Program
AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds.
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SUMMARY: The Presidio Leadership Center (PLC) of the Corporation for
National Service (the Corporation) announces its intention to make
available approximately $200,000 to support one or more new cooperative
agreements that would assist the PLC in developing and providing a
leadership development and training program for approximately 180
leaders of Corporation-funded programs and other service programs, over
a twelve to sixteen month period. The delivery of the program by
applicants must include a ``training of trainers'' approach and
preparing the PLC staff and selected individuals to continue portions
of the training on a larger scale after the cooperative agreement ends.
DATES: All applications must be received by 3:30 p.m. PST, May 8, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Applications may be obtained from and must be submitted to
the Corporation at the following address: Corporation for National
Service, Presidio Leadership Center, Attention: Ms. Pipo Bui, Building
386, Moraga Avenue, The Presidio of San Francisco, CA 94129.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This notice is an abbreviated version
of information that is contained in the application materials. For
further information and to obtain application materials, please contact
Ms. Pipo Bui at the Presidio Leadership Center, by facsimile at (415)
561-5955, or by phone at (415) 561-5950. This notice may be requested
in an alternative format for the visually impaired.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Corporation for National Service is a government organization
created by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended,
42 U.S.C. Sec. 12501 et seq. [``the Act'']. The Corporation's mission
is to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based
service. This service will address the nation's education, human,
public safety, and environmental needs to achieve direct and
demonstrable results. In doing so, the Corporation will foster civic
responsibility, strengthen the ties that bind us together as a people,
and provide educational opportunity for those who make a substantial
commitment to service.
The Act authorizes the Corporation to conduct, directly or by grant
or contract, training programs to promote leadership development in
national service programs. The Presidio Leadership Center was
established in 1995 by the Corporation with the purpose of developing
leadership for community service. The Center is working to:
Create a sense of professional identity and shared purpose
among leaders working at all levels in national service;
Help leaders and potential leaders increase their
effectiveness in accomplishing the goals of their programs and of
national service;
Create opportunities for new leadership to emerge,
strengthening the diversity, richness, and energy of those who guide
national service;
Encourage leaders to weave community service into the
fabric of the way that every community approaches its challenges.
The leadership development program described in this notice,
primarily targeted at executives and senior managers in service
programs, has been tentatively named the Presidio Leadership Fellowship
Program (PLFP). It is the first initiative of the PLC. This program is
subject to availability of [[Page 17521]] funds. We expect to offer a
number of other leadership development programs serving various kinds
of leaders in the service field. In addition, we expect to offer
conferences, seminars, and other opportunities for leaders in national
and community service to exchange ideas and best practices, and develop
innovative ways to serve the American people.
A. Expected Outcomes
The leaders we hope to serve through the PLFP include executive
directors, site directors, and senior staff of AmeriCorps* USA
programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA programs, Learn and Serve programs, National
Senior Service Corps programs, leaders within the AmeriCorps* National
Civilian Community Corps, executive directors of state commissions, and
others. We expect to achieve the following outcomes:
PLFP participants, or Fellows, improve their performance
over time, on specific, measurable objectives they set for themselves
as demonstrated through even greater effectiveness of their programs.
Fellows report a significant increase in the amount and
quality of regular peer to peer exchange of information and practices,
sharing of lessons learned, and support among leaders of service
programs.
There is a growing cadre of trained facilitators,
trainers, and coaches who will work with the PLC and other community
service programs to implement leadership training programs.
Rates of retention and promotion of Fellows in the field
are higher than those of peers who do not participate in this program.
Fellows report high levels of satisfaction with this
program.
B. Approach
The Presidio Leadership Fellowship is a new program that supports
national and community service and looks to use the most innovative and
effective tools, methods, and techniques in doing so. Substantial
involvement is expected between the PLC and the successful applicants
when carrying out the program. The PLC is looking for organizations who
can work with us to develop an outstanding leadership development
program as well as a ``train-the-trainer'' process (for both
participants and staff) to continue and expand the program in the
future.
1. Learning Goals of the PLFP
The PLC will help leaders develop skills and personal leadership
approaches that will enable them to succeed in leading programs that
provide excellent service to American communities. We expect to help
leaders develop within three skill areas, which we have designated as
`learning goals'. They are: (a) building and maintaining a high quality
service organization; (b) strategic thinking; (c) personal dimensions
of leadership. We expect that leaders will grow significantly in these
areas as a result of participation in the Fellowship.
2. Basic Structure of the PLFP
The PLC expects the program to follow the outlined structure.
Applicants are invited to suggest alternatives to components of this
structure, but in the application should offer a program that fits this
structure as well as any alternatives, and the rationale for those
alternatives.
Program Components.
The PLFP will be a year-long leadership development experience for
leaders of community service programs. The specific components of the
program are set forth in section IIA.
Diverse participants.
Each class of approximately 30 participants will include executive
directors or other high- level managers of community service programs,
the majority of whom have funding from the Corporation. A summary of
Corporation-funded programs will be provided in the application
materials. Most of the program directors have responsibility for
planning, fundraising, managing staff, budgets, mastering and complying
with government regulations, working with community boards, forming
community partnerships, drawing strength from a diverse staff,
community, and group of AmeriCorps members, and relating to government
agencies at the local, state, and federal level. They are managing in
an environment of ambitious expectations and limited resources, as well
as specific and demanding policies and requirements of the Corporation.
Three-year phased implementation.
Recruitment and selection of participants
Tuition
Following effective practice in adult learning.
C. PLC Involvement
The PLC will be involved in all activities undertaken as part of
this cooperative agreement. PLC involvement may include but is not
limited to:
Participation by PLC staff or consultants in the planning
and management of the program, and provision of general monitoring and
oversight to ensure high program quality;
Selection of participants;
Provision of guidance in the process of assessment of
needs and interests of leaders in the service field to be addressed
through the PLFP;
Participation in the development of schedules, curriculum
and materials for trainings and other activities;
Attendance at and participation in delivery of all
activities contained in the cooperative agreement; and delivery of
certain portions of the training (for example, teaching a case study
during the five-day seminar);
Coordination of activities between providers of services
to the PLC through cooperative agreement(s), and with Corporation-
funded programs and the Corporation for National Service.
Analysis of evaluation information collected by providers
and/or the PLC staff concerning the PLFP.
Assistance in accessing available information and
technical assistance from Government sources, within available
resources and as determined by the Executive Director of the PLC. This
shall include data from the Corporation's database or any other
resources within the government that may be of use in supporting this
program.
II. Work To Be Accomplished Through This Cooperative Agreement
These are the activities for which the PLC seeks assistance through
this cooperative agreement. Section IIA, ``Program design and delivery
activities,'' describes components of the program to be delivered.
Applicants can apply to design and conduct all or some of the
components outlined in section IIA. Section IIB, ``Required project
activities'', describes tasks that must be accomplished as part of the
cooperative agreement. These tasks include forming an effective working
partnership with PLC and Corporation staff; collaborating with other
organizations or individuals to design and deliver the program;
engaging in evaluation and continuous improvement of the program;
providing a conceptual framework for leadership development or
incorporating the applicant's services into a framework selected by the
PLC; and others.
A. Program Design and Delivery Activities
In order to have an impact and improve the leadership skills of the
Fellows, we believe that the ideal program will work with the Fellows
over a period of time and not just be a ``one shot'' training
experience. [[Page 17522]] However, cost will be a factor. The
following activities are the components of an ``ideal'' program:
1. Preparation (high priority)
2. Presidio five-day intensive seminar (high priority)
3. Network teams/action learning during six months after intensive
seminar
4. Next steps seminar one year after intensive seminar (Optional--
depending on cost)
5. Leader grants (small grants ranging from $100 to $5,000 to Fellows
who agree to provide special services to other Corporation-funded
programs)
6. Evaluation
B. Required Project Activities
Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to completing the
following tasks and explain how they will accomplish them.
1. Formation of an effective working partnership with PLC and
Corporation staff.
2. Collaboration with other organizations or individuals to design
and deliver the program.
3. Evaluation and continuous improvement of the program.
4. Provision of a powerful conceptual framework for leadership
development or incorporating the applicant's services into a framework
selected by the PLC.
5. Demonstration that the applicant will bring a truly diverse team
of trainers and facilitators (and coaches if applicable) to the
project, and that the applicant is prepared to integrate and train
individuals provided by the PLC in such roles.
III. Application Requirements
A. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in this cooperative agreement
program, applicants must be a non-profit organization, an educational
institution, or a for-profit business organization. Regardless of the
type of organization applying for Federal funding assistance, no fee or
profit will be allowed.
B. Period of Support
The cooperative agreement will cover a period of between 12 and 16
months, beginning on or about June 1, 1995, with the possibility of
renewal based on performance, need, and availability of funds at the
discretion of the Corporation. However, there are no assurances for
such continuation.
C. Application Procedure
Each applicant must submit one original and three copies of its
application package. Only complete application packages received on or
before 3:30 p.m. PST May 8 will be considered.
D. Application Contents
1. Forms and Certifications. All pre-printed application forms must
be completed and, where required for certification, signed.
2. Narrative Statement. Maximum 10 single-sided pages double-spaced
in 12-point font (excluding any attachments described in the
application materials).
3. Budget and Other Required Information. Applicants will be
required to provide budget information as described in the application
materials and comply with (1) applicable Office of Management and
Budget Circulars; (2) certification requirements concerning debarment,
suspension, other responsibility matters, drug-free workplace, and
lobbying restrictions; and (3) appropriate assurances pertaining to
recipients of federal funding. Further information about these
requirements will be included in the application materials.
E. Application Review
Initially all applications will be reviewed to confirm that the
applicant is an eligible recipient and to ensure that the application
complies with the application instructions and contains all the
information required by the Application Contents section of the
application packet. Each complete application from an eligible
applicant will then be evaluated by a Technical Evaluation Panel. The
PLC may request that those applicants selected as finalists provide a
range of references; provide various training materials, videos, or
other materials for review; and/or be interviewed by phone or in
person. The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals.
Percentage weights are given for the importance of each criterion in
evaluating the applications.
30% Quality of program and implementation plan.
30% Organizational capacity.
20% Cost effectiveness.
20% Quality and experience of training staff.
Dated: April 3, 1995.
Terry Russell,
General Counsel Corporation for National Service.
[FR Doc. 95-8514 Filed 4-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P
