[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