Message from Sally Prouty, President of The Corps Network

Message from Sally Prouty, President of The Corps Network 

With appreciation to our sponsors and to all who have worked hard to make this 

Forum possible including the Board of Directors, Forum Planning Committee, speakers 

from within the Network and outside – special thanks to Marty O’Brien and The 

Corps Network staff – I welcome you to the 2008 Corps Forum! 

We offer a special welcome to first-time attendees and to visitors interested in the 

work of Corps. Please let us know how we can be helpful to you. 

The Corps Network is nothing without the Corps who comprise the membership. We 

salute our outstanding Corps directors, staff and Corpsmembers from across the nation! 

The Forum provides the opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of 

Corps and to learn from those who make the Corps experience possible. 

This has been a very good year for The Corps Network. Keep your ears open for 

news of the launch of a large new project in the Greater New Orleans area as well as 

multiple other projects underway or under consideration for the future. We invite you 

to join us in our efforts to sustain and grow the Corps movement. 

Please enjoy the Forum. Enjoy DC. Feel free to offer input. Engage actively, listen 

carefully, and let us know how you wish to be involved as The Corps Network moves 

forward in 2008. Network away… 

Best wishes, 

Sally T. Prouty

2 

Congratulations to the new 2007 ECO 

Corps… 

Canyon Country Youth Corps 

Knox Parks Foundation 

Maryland Conservation Corps 

WSOS/Quilter Conservation Corps 

Serve Alaska Youth Corps (SAGA) 

and current ECO Corps… 

California Conservation Corps 

Citizens Conservation Corps of WV 

Coconino Rural Environment Corps 

Conservation Corps of Long Beach 

East Bay Conservation Corps 

EOC Fresno Local Conservation Corps 

Greater Miami Service Corps 

Los Angeles Conservation Corps 

Mile High Youth Corps 

Minnesota Conservation Corps 

Montana Conservation Corps 

Montgomery County Conservation Corps 

NJYC of Camden/The Work Group 

Northwest Piedmont Service Corps 

Northwest Youth Corps 

Operation Fresh Start 

The 2007 ECO Committee 

Excellence in Corps 

Operations 

and ECO Renewal Corps… 

Civic Works 

EarthCorps 

Maine Conservation Corps 

Marin Conservation Corps 

Pennsylvania Conservation Corps 

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps-NM 

Tulare County Conservation Corps 

Orange County Conservation Corps 

Our Piece of the Pie (Hartford) 

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps – CO 

Sacramento Local Conservation Corps 

San Francisco Conservation Corps 

San Jose Conservation Corps 

Southwest Conservation Corps 

Urban Corps of San Diego 

Utah Conservation Corps 

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps 

Washington Conservation Corps - Ecology 

Washington Service Corps 

Western Colorado Conservation Corps 

Western New York AmeriCorps 

Youth Conservation Corps, Inc.

Forum at a Glance 

Sunday, February 10, 2008 

9:30-12:30 CEO-Only Open Space Session Imperial II 

9:30-12:30 New and Emerging Corps Seminar Decatur 

10:00-12:00 Corpsmember of the Year Orientation John Adams 

12:00-5:30 Registration Foyer Lobby/ Ballroom II 

2:00-5:00 Opening Session Ballroom II 

► Welcome, Introductions and Roll Call of Corps - Deborah Dorsett 

► The Corps Network Update - Sally Prouty 

► Plenary Salutations - Diane Chalfant 

► Washington Update - Lori Godorov, Len Price, Gene Sofer 

► Plenary: Working Together Corps & Community Action Agencies 

Don Mathis, Neil McCabe, Carolyn Rose 

5:00-5:30 Corps Affinity Group Networking Culpeper & Imperial II 

6:00 Corps Networking Reception & Dinner Colonnade 

6:00 Cash Bar opens 7:00 Dinner begins 

Monday, February 11, 2008 

7:15-7:45 Breakfast Buffet Ballroom II Foyer 

7:50-8:00 Plenary: Gregg Weltz, The Shared Youth Vision 

8:00-8:45 Plenary: Robert Siegel, Insider Update on the 

Washington Scene 

9:00-10:15 Concurrent Workshops I 

► Multi-Tenant Non-Profit Centers, Sustainability through 

Partnerships Latrobe 

► The Growing Green Economy 

Dumbarton 

► My AmeriCorps: Understanding the Transition 

from WBRS Imperial II 

► Developing Crew Leaders as Teachers and Counselors 

Culpeper 

► Effective Proposal Writing: A Compelling Case and a 

Clear Budget John Adams 

10:15-10:45 Break Foyer 

10:45-12:00 Concurrent Workshops II 

► Innovative Web Strategies 

Latrobe 

► Setting the Pace for Financial Security: 

Investing in Business Planning Dumbarton 

► Developing a Disaster Relief Training Program 

Imperial II 

► Budgeting and Marketing for Fee-for-Service Crews 

Culpeper 

► Youth Serving Youth in Employment and Training Centers John Adams 

12:00-12:30 

Lunch Buffet Ballroom II Foyer 

12:30-1:15 Plenary: Poverty Reduction and the 

Green Economy 

David R. Jones and Van Jones 

Monday, February 11, 2008 (cont) 

1:30-2:45 Concurrent Workshops III 

► All About VISTA Volunteers! 

Latrobe 

► Successful Media Strategies for Corps 

Dumbarton 

► Which Way Did They Go? New Ways to 

Recruit, Retain, and Follow-Up! Imperial II 

► Identifying Federal Funding Opportunities 

Culpeper 

► Grant Compliance and Financial Management 

for Corps – Part I John Adams 

2:45-3:15 Break Foyer 

3:15-4:30 Concurrent Workshops IV 

► ECO: Thrive and Survive in Changing Times 

Latrobe 

► Making Your Crews Inclusive for All 

Dumbarton 

► Conducting Productive Capitol Hill Visits 

Imperial II 

► Developing a Civic Justice Corps – 

Service as a Reentry Strategy Culpeper 

► Grant Compliance and Financial Management 

for Corps – Part II John Adams 

► Risk Management for Corps: 

Keeping Members Safe John Marshall 

4:30-5:30 Annual Meeting of Members 

and Q & A with Leadership Culpeper 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 

6:45 Buses depart Hotel for Capitol Hill 

At M Street Entrance to Hotel 

7:30-9:00 The Corps Network Awards Ceremony in the HC - 5 

U.S. Capitol with continental breakfast 

9:00-3:00 Congressional Visits on own 

Special Interest Sessions: 

9:30-12:00 Corps Respond The Corps Network 

9:30-3:30 Civic Justice Corps Culpeper 

9:30-3:30 Inclusive Crew Project John Marshall 

3:30-4:30 Land Management Agency Panel & Q&A Ballroom II 

3:30-4:30 Bring the World to Your Corps John Marshall 

6:30- 8:30 Friends of National Service Reception Union Station 

5:45 Buses depart Hotel for Union Station East Hall 


Wednesday, February 13, 2008 

7:30-8:00 Breakfast Buffet Foyer outside Executive Forum 

8:00-8:15 Plenary: A Time to Serve Executive Forum 

Maj. Gen. Vincent Boles 

8:20-9:00 Plenary: Positioning Service and 

Conservation Corps for their Role in the Green Economy 

Sally Prouty 

9:00-10:30 Plenary: Vision for National Service: 

A Conversation with CNCS Leadership 

10:30 - 11:00 Close of Forum 

3

Sunday, February 10, 2008 

8:30-12:30 

CEO-Only Open Space Session 

Imperial II 

It’s lonely at the top! Some organizational challenges are 

unique to chief executives. Bring them to your peers for discussion 

and feedback during this CEO-only session. It’s Open 

Space – we’ll talk about what you need to talk about. 

Facilitators: 

Marilee Eckert, Executive Director, Marin Conservation Corps 

Carolyn Rose, Executive Director, Tulare County Youth Corps 

9:30-12:30 

New and Emerging Corps Seminar 

Decatur 

Develop a peer network of new and emerging Corps; get answers, 

suggestions and input on pressing issues; and prepare to 

maximize the Forum experience! 

Facilitator: 

Harry Bruell, Executive Director, Southwest Conservation Corps 

2:00-5:00 

Opening Session 

Ballroom II 

► 

► 

► 

► 

► 

Welcome, Introductions and Roll Call of Corps 

Deborah Dorsett, Board Chair, Executive Director, 


The Corps Network Update 

Sally Prouty, President/CEO, The Corps Network 

Plenary Salutations 

Diane Chalfant, Assistant Associate Director, 

Visitor Experience, National Park Service 

Washington Update 

Lori Godorov, Director, NJYC of Camden/The Work Group 

Len Price, Executive Director, Minnesota 

Conservation Corps 

Gene Sofer, Partner, The Susquehanna Group 

Plenary - Working Together: Corps and 

Community Action Agencies 

Don Mathis, President/CEO, Community Action Partnership 

Neil McCabe, CEO, WSOS Community Action Commission 

Carolyn Rose, Executive Director, Tulare County 

Youth Corps 

5:00-6:00 

Corps Affinity Group Networking 

Culpeper and Imperial II 

Have you ever wondered what other Corps work with adjudicated 

youth? Or Community Development Block Grants? Or 

AmeriCorps? Or state government? This is your chance to 

identify other Corps working on issues or with populations similar 

to yours. This is an informal chance to introduce yourself 

and make some time to get together later to share “war stories,” 

answer burning questions or just to feel more connected. 

6:00-8:00 

Corps Networking Reception and Dinner 

Colonnade 

Cash bar opens at 6:00 with buffet dinner at 7:00. 

4 

Monday, February 11, 2008 

7:15-7:45 

Breakfast Buffet 

Ballroom II Foyer 

7:50-8:00 

Plenary - The Shared Youth Vision 

In response to the findings of the 2003 White House Task 

Force Report on Disadvantaged Youth, federal agencies were 

charged with developing more effective interagency collaborations 

to better serve targeted youth populations, with priority 

given to serving the neediest youth. The Division of Youth 

Services in the Employment and Training Administration at the 

Department of Labor has been a major driver in implementing 

those collaborations. Hear more from the Chief of Youth 

Services about the progress so far and a vision for the future. 

Speaker: 

Gregg Weltz, Chief, U.S. Department of Labor Division of Youth 

Services 

8:00-8:45 

Plenary - Insider Update on the Washington Scene 

Robert Siegel is the award-winning host of National Public 

Radio’s All Things Considered. Based on his considerable 

experience, he will share his thoughts on the current 

political climate in Washington, the pressing policy realities, 

the upcoming presidential elections and what it could 

all mean for Corps, Corpsmembers and all Americans. 

Speaker: 

Robert Seigel, Senior Host, All Things Considered 

9:00-10:15 

Concurrent Workshops I 

Multi-Tenant Non-Profit Centers, Sustainability through 

► 

Partnerships 

Latrobe 

High Rent? Inadequate space? Living at the whim of a landlord 

eager to raise rents? Solution: create a multi-tenant nonprofit 

center. Not only does this allow a Corps to own its own facility, 

but it creates beneficial partnerships, cuts occupancy expenses 

through shared services and builds synergy. Learn how two 

Corps are building sustainability and enhancing partnerships 

through multi-tenant nonprofit centers. Southwest Conservation 

Corps bought a 43,000 square foot building and created a 

multi-tenant nonprofit center focused on education. Rocky Mountain 

Youth Corps is leading an initiative to build an innovative 

multi-tenant campus providing positive youth development. 

Presenters: 


Carl Colonius, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps


9:00-10:15 

Concurent Workshops continued 

►The 

Growing Green Economy 

Dumbarton 

Every day we hear about climate change. We hear about the 

threat to natural habitats, national security, the economy, to our 

very way of life, but we rarely hear about the opportunities addressing 

climate change will bring. As the United States and the world 

begin to address climate change, our economy will change as 

well—to a green economy. Our Corpsmembers are perfectly positioned 

to be engaged in this new economy providing new highly 

technical, high paying jobs. Learn how Corps across the country 

are already involving their members in the green economy and 

the great benefits to these Corpsmembers and their communities. 

Presenters: 

Lisa Heyman, Family Advocate, WSOS Quilter Con. Corps 

Kelly Causey, Executive Director, Mile High Youth Corps 

John Ceikot, Projects Director, CivicWorks 

►My 

AmeriCorps: Understanding the Transition from WBRS 

Imperial II 

The transition from WBRS to the My AmeriCorps Portal is 

scheduled to take place in April. Learn about the transition 

process, recent policy changes and progress moving forward. 

Find out how long WBRS will be accessible after the 

transition, alternative methods of timekeeping, how members 

can utilize My AmeriCorps, how schools access the scholarships, 

and how members can use the award for things other 

than tuition such as books, computers and transportation. 

Presenters: 

Amy Borgstrom, Associate Director of Policy, Corporation for 

National and Community Service 

Kristin McSwain, Director of AmeriCorps State and National, 

Corporation for National and Community Service 

►Developing 

Crew Leaders as Teachers and Counselors 

Culpeper 

Crew Leaders are an integral part of Corps programs and 

Corpsmember Development. Crew Leaders are in a unique 

position to connect with Corpsmembers and can serve as effective 

teachers and counselors to foster personal growth 

of Corpsmembers. How do you prepare Crew Leaders to 

be successful teachers and counselors and provide positive 

guidance and support to their crews? This workshop is 

designed to provide participants with resources to prepare 

Crew Leaders to implement Corpsmember development activities 

including life skills, education, counseling, and training. 

Presenters: 

Eric Antonson, Youth Programs Manager, Minnesota 


Connie Ferris Bailey, Executive Director, Operation Fresh Start 

Chris Nesset, Deputy Director, Southwest Conservation Corps 

Jim Sanders, Deputy Director, Operation Fresh Start 

►Effective 

Proposal Writing: A Compelling Case and a Clear 

Budget 

John Adams 

In today’s ever-more-competitive environment, proposals need 

compelling, honest case statements, achievable and convincing 

approaches to evaluation, and clear budgets that directly 

relate to the initiative. In this hands-on session participants 

will draft - and critique - compelling case statements and 

clear, relevant budgets. Hand-outs will provide useful guidelines, 

ideas, and resources that relate to this working session. 

Presenters: 

Judy Karasik, Director of Development, The Corps Network 

Mary Passaglia, Deputy Director, Rocky Mtn Youth Corps, NM 

10:15-10:45 

Coffee Break 

Foyer 

10:45 –12:00 

Concurrent Workshops II 

►Innovative 

Web Strategies 

Latrobe 

You can connect with almost anyone via the internet… if you 

do it right. Whether you want to recruit new Corpsmembers 

and volunteers, track alumni, or reach out to partners, community 

members, media and potential funders, there are numerous 

web strategies that can help you reach out and supplement 

the great work your Corps is doing. Learn how Corps are 

using tools such as The Face Book, MySpace, YouTube, blogs 

and e-newsletters to enhance their communication capabilities. 

Presenters: 

Jimmy Camp, Communications Director, California Cons. Corps 

Kelly Causey, Executive Director, Mile High Youth Corps 

Dustin Woodman, Prog. Mgr, Coconino Rural Environment 

Corps 

►Setting 

the Pace for Financial Security: Investing in Business 

Planning 

Dumbarton 

Corps must secure financial resources to develop, grow, and sustain 

their programs and services. At the same time, communities, 

businesses, foundations, and funders look to partner with 

organizations where their investments make real impacts. As 

successful organizations build their financial portfolios, the role 

of business planning becomes critical. This working session will 

guide participants through realistic non-profit business planning 

tailored specifically for Corps. The work session will frame the 

current and emerging local, state and national funding environments, 

why and how business planning is a critical resource, and 

how Corps can move from “spending” strategies to “investment” 

strategies to build sustainability. Attendees will see two sample 

Corps business plans and receive a template for local Corps. 

Presenters: 

Teresa Hogue, Community Governance Director, Cascade 

Center for Community Governance 

Monique McCleary, Business Manager, Heart of Oregon Corps 

5


10:45-12:00 

Concurrent Workshops continued 

►Developing 

a Disaster Relief Training Program 

Imperial II 

Are your members well prepared for all the challenges they will face 

on a disaster deployment? What training is required or helpful to members 

working disaster relief operations? How can partnerships with 

other organizations assist your disaster relief efforts? In this workshop 

participants will explore the training needs of members responding to 

a variety of disaster operations from wildland firefighting to shelter 

management to debris removal. Participants will work together in 

small groups to design a training plan that addresses all these critical 

issues. The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) model of 

training and deploying members for FEMA, Red Cross, and firefighting 

assignments will be presented and training resources will be shared. 

Presenters: 

Dave Beach, Deputy Director, Eastern Region NCCC 

Mike Kern, Unit Leader, Eastern Region NCCC 

Chris Quaka, Unit Leader, Eastern Region NCCC 

►Budgeting 

and Marketing for Fee-for-Service Crews 

Culpeper 

The effectiveness and durability of the Corps model is due in part 

to the strength of its funding strategy. Many Corps secure between 

30% - 85% of their funding through fee-or-service projects, a source 

of earned revenue which can be leveraged to match grant funding. 

This workshop will provide a discussion of how Corps set and 

structure a fee-for-service rate and then develop partnerships and 

negotiate contracts with sponsors around that structure. In this interactive 

session the audience will be asked to submit their concerns 

for discussion and share their experiences for the benefit of all. 

Presenters: 

Mike Bassett, Executive Director, Conservation Corps of Long 

Beach 


Jono McKinney, Executive Director, Montana Conservation Corps 

►Youth 

Serving Youth in Employment and Training Centers 

John Adams 

Want to increase the number of youth accessing employment and 

training centers, as well as the educational, career, and service opportunities 

available to them there? Washington Service Corps launched 

a unique pilot last year--placing AmeriCorps members in WorkSource 

Centers, Washington’s public employment and training system. 

Members focused their efforts on promoting, enhancing and supporting 

youth employment and job readiness services by: reaching out to 

high schools and community-based organizations to increase awareness 

of services available; helping youth navigate through the system; 

and connecting other youth to employment readiness resources, job 

search skills, and training guidance. Learn how to forge new partnerships, 

increase collaborative efforts among youth providers, and 

maximize resources directed toward outreach and services for youth. 

Presenters: 

Terri Barbee, Deputy Director, Washington Service Corps 

Robert Brader, WorkSource Youth Pilot Program Coordinator, 

Washington Service Corps 

6 

12:00-12:30 

Lunch Buffet 

Ballroom II Foyer 

12:30-1:15 

Plenary - Poverty Reduction and the Green Economy 

When David R. Jones, an expert on the causes of—and solutions 

to—chronic poverty in New York City and across the 

nation comes together with Van Jones, an expert on how to 

build a green economy strong enough to lift people out of 

poverty – the discussion will be lively and productive. Hear 

how both view Corps as important partners with their work. 

Panelists: 

David R. Jones, President and CEO, Community Service 

Society of New York 

Van Jones, President, Green for All 

1:30-2:45 

Concurrent Workshops III 

►All 

about VISTA Volunteers! 

Latrobe 

This workshop is designed to inform participants about sponsoring 

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members. 

AmeriCorps*VISTA members are placed with communitybased 

organizations and agencies. Members spend one year 

building the capacity and sustainability of the organization or a 

project of the organization to alleviate impoverished conditions. 

This workshop will include information on application requirements 

and procedures for Corps, the recruitment process for securing 

VISTA volunteers, and how to use VISTAs most effectively. 

All About VISTAs is an opportunity to learn from other Corps 

programs, ask questions, and gather resources about VISTAs. 

Presenters: 

Terri Barbee, Acting Director, Washington Service Corps 

Robert Brader, Program Coordinator, Washington Service Corps 

Rosetta Busby, State Program Director, DC, Corporation for 


Lissa Piper, A*VISTA Director, Western New York AmeriCorps 

►Successful 

Media Strategies for Corps 

Dumbarton 

Your Corps transforms young people’s lives, provides valuable 

service to the community and environment and builds 

civic spirit, so why don’t you get the media attention you deserve? 

An intentional media strategy can help you get press 

and advance your Corps mission in your community. From 

simple relationships with local newspapers to advanced 

media campaigns that go “nuclear,” any Corps can develop a 

media strategy to meet their needs. Learn how Corps across 

the country are engaging the press and getting great results. 

Presenters: 

Dan Knapp, Division Director, Los Angeles Conservation Corps 

Glen O’Gilvie, President and CEO, Earth Conservation Corps


1:30 - 2:45 


►Which 

Way Did They Go? New Ways to Recruit, Retain, and 

Follow-Up! 

Imperial II 

Today’s Corps must connect to a diverse group of youth who 

come from a mix of cultural backgrounds and often arrive with 

multiple barriers. Finding, engaging, and keeping in contact 

with this fast-moving ever-changing group requires a mix of 

unique, creative, and fun new strategies with a solid foundation 

of good systems and consistent documentation. In this 

session, frontline staff from an urban, suburban, and rural 

Corps will share their tips, tools, and systems for reaching the 

“hard to reach” and succeeding with the “hard to serve”. Attendees 

will receive hands-on information they can take home. 

Presenters: 

Maurice Anderson, Crew Supervisor/Recruiter, Montgomery 

County Conservation Corps 

Lisa Heyman, Family Advocate IV, WSOS/ Quilter Civilian 


Towanda Tharpe, Youth Career Advisor, Greater Miami Service 


►Identifying 

Federal Funding Opportunities 

Culpeper 

With a total federal budget of more than $2 trillion, many of you 

may be wondering how to access this mountain of money our 

government spends each year. For this workshop, we will bring 

together officials from key federal departments and agencies and 

ask them to help you identify federal funding opportunities within 

their agency or department. What types of grant programs are 

a good match for Corps in the land management agencies, EPA 

and the Department of Transportation? Where should you begin 

your search? How can you stay on top of the hundreds of grant 

competitions each year and find the ones that are relevant to you? 

These and other questions will be explored in this workshop. 

Presenters: 

Catherine Ahern, VP Member Services, American Recreation 

Coalition 

Joseph Bruss, Environmental Justice and Job Training Coordinator, 

U.S. EPA/Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization 

Christopher B. Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program 

Manager, Federal Highway Administration & Land Revitalization 

►Grant 

Compliance and Financial Management for Corps – Part I 

John Adams 

This session will provide the participant with information to help 

to better manage fiscal operations. Specific information that will 

be covered includes tracking and documenting match, proper 

documentation collection and maintenance, managing a budget 

as well as general internal controls. There will also be common 

audit findings from recent AmeriCorps Inspector General Audits 

discussed to share best practices. Part II continues 3:15-4:30. 

Presenter: 

Kristina Tecce, Project Director, Walker & Company, LLP 

2:45-3:15 

Coffee Break 

Foyer 

3:15-4:30 

Concurrent Workshops IV 

►ECO: 

Thrive and Survive in Changing Times 

Latrobe 

Excellence in Corps Operations will bring sharp minds and new 

ideas to help your Corps make essential changes as the financial 

and environmental climates in which we work shift. Corps 

that participate in ECO realize benefits in internal dialogue, fund 

development, strategic planning, and planning for organizational 

capacity building…among many others. Presenters will host an 

interactive discussion with the audience that will examine why 

Corps participate in ECO to how the process works to how Corps 

utilize the ECO Resource Center for continuous improvement. 

Presenters: 

Tim Foulkes, Programs Team Leader, Canyon Country Youth 


Jen Freeman, Executive Director, Colorado Youth Corps 

Association 

Ira Okun, Consultant, Non Profit Management Services 

Deborah Schoenbaum, Deputy Director, Marin Conservation 


►Making 

Your Crews Inclusive for All 

Dumbarton 

Learn how your Corps can break down attitudinal and physical 

barriers and open programs to people of all abilities. Corps participating 

in the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-funded 

Inclusive Crew Project will discuss their efforts to build inclusive 

crews and the reasons why they do it. Presenters will share their 

experiences with staff development, project work, sponsor relations, 

and crew recruitment and management, among other items. 

Presenters: 

Eric Antonson, Youth Programs Manager, Minnesota 


Connie Ferris-Bailey, Executive Director, Operation Fresh Start 

Kate Stephens, Program Administrator, Utah Conservation 


Andy Zimmer, Crew Leader, Utah Conservation Corps 

►Conducting 

Productive Capitol Hill Visits 

Imperial II 

On Tuesday of the Forum, you will be heading up to Capitol 

Hill for your meetings with Members of Congress and Congressional 

staff. To prepare you for these meetings, you will 

learn some tricks of the trade to make sure your message 

sticks and to ensure you get the most out of your meetings. 

During this workshop we will discuss The Corps Network’s 

legislative priorities, effective practices for your Hill meetings 

and maintaining these relationships throughout the year. 

Presenters: 

Len Price, Executive Director, Minnesota Conservation Corps 

Gene Sofer, Partner, The Susquehanna Group 

Dana Stein, Executive Director, Civic Works 

7


3:15 - 4:30 


►Developing 

a Civic Justice Corps – Service as a Reentry 

Strategy 

Culpeper 

Across the country, 14 Civic Justice Corps sites have been engaging 

court-involved and formerly incarcerated youth in meaningful 

service projects in their communities with astonishing 

results. In the first year, they experienced an average rate of 

only 9% recidivism while providing wood to heat the homes of 

low-income neighbors, building a youth center, and using cuttingedge 

green building techniques in new homes. Come hear about 

the lessons learned and the justice, employer, and community 

partnerships necessary to develop a CJC site in your community. 

Presenters: 

Laura Handy, Program Manager, Heart of Oregon Corps 

Monique McCleary, Business Manager, Heart of Oregon Corps 

Paul McLain, Corps Director, Fresno Local Conservation Corps 

David Snyder, Program Director, Lowcountry Civic Justice Corps 

Michelle Tutunjian, Assistant Director, Fresno Local Cons. Corps 

►Grant 

Compliance & Financial Management - Part II 

John Adams 

Continued from the 1:30-2:45 session. See description on page 7. 

Presenter: 

Kristina Tecce, Project Director, Walker & Company, LLP 

►Risk 

Management for Corps: Keeping Members Safe 

John Marshall 

Risk Management is a proactive mindset that must be incorporated 

throughout the operations and design of a Corps. Corps 

strive to prevent accidents from happening and deal as effectively 

as possible with accidents once they do happen. Presenters in 

this workshop will address the gamut of risk management issues: 

legal, insurances, driving and other hazardous activity training, 

crisis management, using case studies to train, assessing member 

health and fitness, sharing risk with stakeholders, and being proactive 

with behavioral incidences. Presenters will discuss many best 

practices and ask the audience to share their experiences as well. 

Presenters: 

Nelson Cronyn, Regional Director, Southwest Conservation 


Irene Lopez, Program Director, Los Angeles Conservation Corps 

Kurt Merrill, President, Merrill & Associates 

Wendy Wigert, Director of Operations, Montana Conservation 


4:30-5:30 

Annual Meeting of Members and Q & A with Leadership 

Culpeper 

Come join us and hear about the state of your association – The 

Corps Network. Come prepared with questions for the Board 

and staff leadership. 

8 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 

6:45 

Buses depart Hotel for Capitol Hill 


7:30-8:00 

Continental Buffet 

HC-5 US Capitol 

Entrance on House side near S. Capitol St. 

*photo IDs required 

8:00-9:00 

The Corps Network Awards Ceremony 

►Congressional Awards 

►Corpsmembers of the Year 

►Projects of the Year 

►2007 ECO Sites 

►CCC Representative 

Bus available to take participants back to Hotel at 9:00 

9:00-3:00 

Congressional Visits on own 

9:30-12:00 

Special Interest Session: Corps Respond 

The Corps Network Office (666 11th St., NW) 

The seven Corps Respond sites will discuss member training, 

community outreach, programmatic and financial reporting and 

other issues of importance to the project. 

Facilitator: 

Leslie Wilkoff, Senior Project Director, The Corps Network 

9:30-3:30 

Special Interest Session: Civic Justice Corps 

Culpeper 

The 14 Civic Justice Corps sites and Southeast Louisiana sites 

will discuss the successes and challenges of the first year, as 

well as share strategies for Year Two. 

Facilitators: 

Patricia Gill, Program Director, Civic Justice Corps, The Corps 

Network 


1:00-3:00 

Special Interest Session: Inclusive Crew Project 

John Marshall 

The three Inclusive Crew Project sites will meet to discuss 

and develop their planning for the year-long project. 

Sites will be presented details on project requirements 

and share best practices and approaches toward inclusion. 

Facilitator: 

Matt Ferris, Grants & Projects Director, The Corps Network

Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (cont) 

3:30-4:30 

Land Management Agency Panel and Q & A 

Ballroom II 

Senior staff from the federal land management agencies and 

Federal Highway Administration will speak about how their 

agency partners with Corps and their vision of how partnerships 

could be strengthened in the coming year. You will have 

lots of time to ask questions about whatever is on your mind! 

Panelists: 

James S. Bedwell, Director of Recreation, Heritage, and 

Volunteer Resources, USDA Forest Service 

Christopher B. Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program 

Manager, Federal Highway Administration 

Jeff Jarvis, Chief, Division of Wilderness, Rivers, and National 

Trails, BLM, National Landscape Conservation System 

George McDonald, Management Analyst, Partnerships and 

Visitor Experience, National Park Service 

Bring the World to Your Corps! 

John Marshall 

Founded in 1993, EarthCorps has 15 years of experience training 

emerging environmental leaders from around the world. Participant 

countries include: Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Fiji, Ghana, 

Philippines, Russia and more! EarthCorps international programs 

span cultural and lingual differences by engaging participants in 

hands on environmental restoration and community service projects. 

Learn more about EarthCorps international programs and 

how they can help you implement similar programs at your Corps. 

Facilitator: 

Mark Howard, International Program Manager, EarthCorps 

6:30- 8:30 

Friends of National Service Reception 

Union Station 

The Corps Network is pleased to co-host this annual event with 

Voices for National Service. 


Buses depart hotel promptly at 5:45 pm please be on the bus 

before that time. They will return to the hotel after the reception. 

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 

7:30-8:00 

Breakfast Buffet 

Foyer outside Executive Forum 

8:00-11:00 

Executive Forum 

8:00-8:15 

Plenary - A Time to Serve 

TIME Magazine’s Managing Editor Richard Stengel recently 

made the case for why the next President should make a new 

commitment to national service. In this session we recognize 

the tradition and great potential of service by recognizing 

those who serve—and looking forward to what can be. Major 

General Vincent Boles will share regarding the common traditions 

of military and civilian service--and the potential for Corps 

to hire returning veterans and/or engage veterans in service. 

Speaker: 

Major General Vincent Boles, U.S. Army 

8:20-9:00 

Plenary - Positioning Service and Conservation Corps for their 

Role in the Green Economy 

Seventy-five years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt 

created the CCC. Today we have a comparable opportunity 

to claim a vision and make it a reality. Sally Prouty 

will discuss the tremendous opportunities emerging nationally 

for sustaining and growing the Corps movement 

through service supporting the emerging green economy. 

Speaker: 


9:00-10:30 

Plenary – Vision for National Service: A Conversation with CNCS 

Leadership 

This is your opportunity to hear from the leadership team from 

the Corporation for National and Community Service and engage 

in discussion with them regarding matters of interest to Corps. 

They will share how they see Corps fitting into the bigger picture 

of national service and help us understand the CNCS vision 

for the future. Expect an update on CNCS priorities as outlined 

in the Strategic Plan and discussion related to Budget, Education 

Awards, Youth Corps Study, Disaster Relief and Recovery, 

Community and Faith Based Initiatives, Youth Offender/Re-entry 

and maybe even Reauthorization. Have your questions ready… 

CNCS Staff: 

Colleen Clay, Program Manager, Office of Emergency Management 

Nicky Goren, Chief of Staff 

Kristin McSwain, Director of AmeriCorps State and National 

Merlene Mazyck, Director, NCCC 

Elizabeth Seale, Chief Operating Officer 

10:30-11:00 

Close of Forum 

9

Corpsmembers of the Year 

Nancy C. Herrara 

New Jersey Youth Corps of Plainfield 

When Nancy joined the NJ Youth Corps of Plainfield in January 

2007, four years after dropping 

out of high school, she was far 

away from her dream of being a 

doctor. After orientation, Nancy 

started in the Emergency Medical 

Services Training Program. 

While riding along with the EMT 

squad on her first day, Nancy 

realized that she still wanted to 

be a doctor and within a few weeks enrolled in the EMT-B training 

course. Nancy rode to emergency calls and worked on her 

diploma during the day, while taking EMT training at night. In 

August 2007, she graduated as valedictorian of Union County 

Vo-Tech Adult High School and passed her EMT-Basic State 

Exam to become a certified EMT. Nancy is now a freshman biology 

major on her way to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming 

a doctor. She volunteers at two rescue squads while serving as a 

Corpsmember leader, training new Corpsmembers in ambulance 

and first aid basics. “I could only hope that the Corpsmembers 

can see my personal experience as an incentive to not give up 

and a motivator to continue with their pursuit of their high school 

diploma and whatever goals they may have for afterwards.” 

Linnea Heu 

Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps 

When Linnea joined the Hawaii Youth 

Conservation Corps, she had very little 

knowledge of or concern for Hawaii’s environmental 

preservation. “I had always 

loved the outdoors and nature, but I’d never 

seen the environment as the responsibility, 

which I now realize it is.” She actually 

joined the Corps out of cultural consciousness 

and pride when she heard the Corps 

was going to spend a week on Kaho’olawe 

Island. This island, a place of great cultural 

significance for many native Hawaiians, 

was used for military live-fire training and 

was in the process of being “regreened”. During her term on her 

home island and her second term at the National Tropical Botanical 

Gardens, Linnea was involved in dry forest, stream, and 

beach restoration projects, including removing invasive species, 

propagating seeds, and installing irrigation. During both terms, 

supervisors and peers were impressed by her drive, eagerness 

to learn, and enthusiasm for service. Linnea is currently pursuing 

a degree in Environmental Science and plans to be an active 

participant in environmental restoration in the future. “Luckily for 

me, a passion for the Hawaiian culture led me to an equally engrossing 

care for the environment and the islands I call home.” 

10 

Marcos Molina 

Tulare County Youth Corps 

When a cousin told him 

about the Tulare County 

Youth Corps, Marcos was 

an unemployed, court-involved, 

high school dropout 

living with his wife and two 

daughters in a single bedroom 

in his mother’s house. 

As Marcus struggled with his attendance and attitude during his first 

weeks at the Corps, many of the staff thought he would probably 

not succeed. “I was literally on the verge of being fired but with the 

encouragement and support of my supervisor, I stuck it through and 

kept working. I knew I had to take care of my family.” Over time, 

with hard work and dedication, Marcos was able to learn job skills, 

earn a chance to be an Assistant Crew Leader, and move up to Crew 

Leader. He learned every aspect of concrete work, chain link fence 

installation, landscape maintenance, and heavy equipment operation. 

He also got his driver’s license and earned his high school diploma. 

Marcos is now a Certified Construction Trades Trainer, teaching other 

Corpsmembers to operate equipment. “Now I have an apartment 

and my own car. I learned to keep my head up and deal with the 

issues. I know I can handle the curve balls that life throws at me. ” 

Matthew Rainey 

Marin Conservation Corps 

In his role as Field Education Facilitator 

for his Marin Conservation Corps 

crew, Matthew teaches a weekly 

lesson, assists teachers with classes 

at project sites, and helps orient new 

Crewmembers. Matthew also has a 

life lesson to share, “I feel like I am an 

excellent example for people, showing 

what they can overcome if given 

a chance. Hard work and determination 

can take anyone to great places. 

As long as they make the choice to 

change and work towards that change, anything is possible.” When 

he came to MCC’s Natural Resource Crew in May 07, he was unemployed, 

homeless, with a criminal record and no high school diploma. 

He had just had a baby and knew it was time to make some 

changes in his life. “I felt that becoming a father was the start of 

responsibility for me. I was looking for an opportunity to show my 

family, as well as myself, that I was ready.” Matthew had taken four 

of the five GED tests while in prison but had such low confidence 

that he never even checked the results. When the Corps checked 

his scores, they discovered he had passed all four. This gave Matthew 

the confidence to take and pass the last section, earning his 

GED. Matthew saved enough to buy a car within a few months of 

joining the Corps which he slept in for an additional three months 

while saving enough to finally get his own apartment in September. 

Even while living in his car, Matthew maintained an exceptional attendance 

record - gaining work skills, leadership experience, and the 

respect of his crew, supervisor, teachers, parole officer and family.

Corpsmembers of the Year 

Keith Storr 


When Keith left his first term 

of service with the Greater 

Miami Service Corps for a 

music scholarship at Edward 

Waters College, his crew 

and supervisor of nearly 

seven months were sad to 

lose him but proud of his opportunity. 

When he found out a short time 

later that his mom had a terminal illness, he withdrew from his 

first semester in college to come home and take care of his mom 

and younger brother. When his mom passed, he knew he had 

to be strong for his little brother. Keith asked to return to the 

Corps on a second chance. “At the time when I re-entered the 

Corps, my mom passed away and my younger brother and I 

had to move in with my grandmother. The Corps staff helped 

me get back on track.” Keith is on the landscape maintenance 

crew for the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer. When he 

was sent on a special project to The Everglades National Park, 

his team, and especially Keith, received praise from park management. 

Upon his return from the Everglades, Keith was asked 

to fill the gaps on a crew that was down to only two Corpsmembers 

and a Supervisor. His hard work, along with the assistance 

of his fellow Corpsmembers, maintained 93 acres of grass 

and trees, ensuring the project was never behind. “I learned 

how to get the ‘job done’ and how to work smart and not hard. 

Many Corpsmembers view me as a leader. I am now enrolled 

in Miami-Dade College studying psychology. I intend to use the 

skills gained at the Corps to assist me with my future goals.” 

Francisco Vizcarrondo 

EOC Fresno Local Conservation Corps 

“It’s motivating to see a person 

who was in desolation and misery, 

then witness them in their weakness 

become strong and successful 

because of their drive to live a 

better life and improve on the skills 

and talents they have acquired.” 

Since his enrollment in the EOC 

Fresno Local Conservation Corps, 

Francisco has received perfect attendance awards, been recognized 

as Corpsmember of the Month, earned his high school 

diploma, and completed a 675-hour term of service resulting 

in an AmeriCorps Education Award. He gained experience 

in concrete work, framing, drywall, roofing, landscaping, and 

sprinkler repair. He was also elected treasurer of the Corpsmember 

Council of FLCC, as well as the Youth Council at his 

transitional living center. Francisco is currently studying Heating, 

Ventilation and Air Conditioning at Fresno City College. It 

is hard to believe that this is the same person who enrolled in 

the Corps in December 2006 – a homeless, twice-convicted, 

drug-addicted high school dropout. “The experience has helped 

me reconstruct my life. I plan to get certified in HVAC and Carpentry, 

have my own business, and present opportunities of 

advancement to others as they have been presented to me.” 

The Corps Network 

wishes to thank 

the following for their generous 

support of our 2008 Corps Forum. 

CVS/ Caremark 

The Giannini Fund 

National Park Service 

Federal Highway Adminstration 

Mitsubishi Electric Foundation 

Willis 

The Susquehanna Group 

Aerie Backcountry Medicine 

ARC 

501(c)Agencies Trust 

Social Solutions 

Summit America 

WSOS CAC Inc. 

11

Projects of the Year 

Service Project 

Utah Conservation Corps 

Access to Service” Inclusive Crew Program 

Through the “Access to Service Project”, Utah Conservation 

Corps developed service projects to include crew members with 

disabilities. Fifty percent of the 8-person crew self identified as 

having a physical disability. Disabilities among members included 

quadriplegia, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and cerebral 

palsy. In the first of their two main projects, the inclusive crew 

partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to conduct an accessibility 

evaluation of the Wasatche-Cache National Forest and create a 

transition plan to help them meet federal requirements. They developed 

a user-friendly accessibility survey form that has become 

the standard for the region. They completed accessibility surveys 

for 8 campgrounds and 2 trails and developed 10 transition plans, 

immediately addressing the issues identified in one of the transition 

plans by constructing a fully accessible fishing pier at Second 

Dam picnic area in Logan Canyon. They partnered with Common 

Ground Outdoor Adventures, Logan City, local boy scouts and 

the Forest Service to make this happen. For the second project, 

an accessible community garden, crew leader Andy Zimmer 

wrote a proposal to the Utah Assistive Technology Program to 

develop accessible planter boxes, raised beds, an accessible 

greenhouse and adapted gardening tools. The crew grew tomatoes, 

peppers, onions, eggplant, squash and herbs in raised 

beds and table top planters. Another “Access to Service” goal 

was to involve people with disabilities in positions of leadership. 

Andy Zimmer, who has quadriplegia, served as a crew leader. 

By placing people with disabilities in positions of leadership, outdated 

stereotypes that limit people with disabilities are shattered 

and attitudes toward people with disabilities evolve and change. 

12 

Los Angeles Conservation Corps 

Redondo Bluffs Restoration Project 

In a collaborative effort between the LA Conservation Corps, local 

residents, the Urban Wildlands Group (local nonprofit), and state 

and local government the Beach Bluffs Restoration Project Team 

was formed to identify and restore locations within the South Bay 

that historically supported populations of the El Segundo Blue 

Butterfly, an endangered species known only to exist in 3 isolated 

reserves. LACC’s SEA Lab is located in Redondo Beach on the 

Santa Monica Bay. The adjacent coastal bluffs are the historic 

home of the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. However, due to habitat 

loss, the butterfly population rapidly declined and the insect was 

placed on the federal endangered species list in 1976. In 2005, 

the Corps received funding from the California Coastal Conservancy 

to restore a small 3 acre site. For 2 years, more than 100 

Corpsmembers removed invasive ice plant, constructed a native 

plant nursery, planted native vegetation, installed irrigation, fencing, 

and interpretive signage, conducted stakeholder surveys, 

and maintained the newly planted native landscape. Although 

the Bluffs Restoration Project team hoped that one day the El 

Segundo Blues would return to the Redondo Bluffs, the scientific 

community believed due to habitat fragmentation and population 

isolation re-colonization of the butterflies could occur only via 

human assistance. In May 2007, as crews were wrapping up the 

project by adding vegetation and removing weeds, staff member 

Monica Acosta noticed a butterfly that looked suspiciously like the 

El Segundo Blue. She sent a few photos to USC experts for identification. 

A team of scientists surveyed the site and confirmed 

the presence of over 200 butterflies. Sure enough, via the hard 

work of LACC Corpsmembers, the El Segundo Blue returned, 

on their own, to the Redondo Bluffs. The rapid return to the site 

so surprised the experts that it is now leading them to a new understanding 

of the species. Young folks from some of the neediest 

neighborhoods in LA made a difference, a huge difference, 

and proved that sometimes the impossible is just improbable.

Strategic Partnership 


Quality Neighborhoods Improvement Program 

Through the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Program 

(QNIP), Corpsmembers repair and/or install sidewalks in local 

neighborhoods. Since April 2007, 16 Corpsmembers have received 

hands-on experience installing 13,961 linear feet of 

sidewalk. This partnership is mutually beneficial to all partners, 

achieving each entity’s organizational goals. QNIP enhances 

property values in inner-city areas, many of which never had 

sidewalks. In addition, Corpsmembers are trained and prepared 

for work opportunities in the construction field, a high growth 

area in South Florida. The partners include: Miami Dade County 

Board of Commissioners (set-aside funding for youth workforce 

development opportunities); Community Action Agency 

(intermediary with that allows Corps to obtain contract); The 

Office of Capital Management (policy support and tracking of all 

capital project completion); Miami-Dade Public Works (project 

oversight and inspections); Rainbow Enterprises (engineering 

sub-contractor and project superintendent); Miami-Dade Public 

Schools/Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center (academic, 

vocational, and GED training/scholarships); Miami Gardens 

Job Corps (academic and vocational training for co-enrolled 

youth); and The Greater Miami Service Corps (pre-employment 

and life skills, work experience, service learning, counseling, 

educational opportunities, internships, and job placement). 

Montana Conservation Corps 

Yellowstone River Clean-Up 

This summer, the Montana Conservation Corps teamed-up with 

the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council (YRCDC) 

and dozens of other groups to pull-off the longest recorded river 

clean-up in Montana history – and perhaps in the nation. From its 

headwaters in Yellowstone National Park to the Missouri River, 

the Yellowstone flows 551 miles and is the longest un-damned 

river in the lower 48 states. Although, the Yellowstone is treasured 

for its outstanding trout fishing, quieter sections for swimming, 

and dependable sugar beet and alfalfa crop irrigation, the 

stewardship of her resources falls short at times. Her shores 

are littered with trash – even in the most remote stretches of 

this grand and wild river. For one week, four MCC MontanaYES 

program youth crews with 24 teenage participants, ages 14 to 

16, and their eight AmeriCorps crew leaders, covered the length 

of the river to clean-up sixty-four public access points. Each 

day, community organizations including scout troops, Lion’s 

Club members, conservation district staff, and other volunteers 

joined the teens to help with their efforts, logging a total of 325 

volunteer days. In one week, 18,320 pounds of trash and debris 

was removed from the banks of the Yellowstone River, including 

1500 pounds of steel and 5,056 aluminum cans that were 

recycled, and 90 tires. Other partners included: nonprofit conservation 

districts representing communities along the river, the 

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and Department 

of Natural Resources and Conservation, Yellowstone Valley 

Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, local service clubs, 

private landowners, and the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund. 

13

Speaker Bios 

Bios are presented here to introduce individuals from outside The 

Corps Network membership who are generously giving of their time 

and expertise. In addition to those listed, we offer a big thank you to 

all the speakers representing The Corps Network Corps! 

Catherine Ahern 

VP Member Services, American Recreation Coalition 

Catherine Ahern is Vice President, Member Services for the 

American Recreation Coalition. In addition to member services, 

Ms. Ahern is responsible for program marketing, membership 

development and administrative services and serves as ARC’s 

Corporate Secretary. She also works closely with the Coalition 

for Recreational Trails, a coalition of trail-related groups that 

was formed in 1992 to ensure that the federal Recreational Trails 

Program receives adequate funding. Prior to joining ARC in July 

1995, Ms. Ahern served as a senior executive with the International 

Snowmobile Industry Association, ending her 22-year tenure 

with that organization as its President. She holds a Bachelor of 

Arts degree in English from Vanderbilt University and received a 

Master’s degree in Library Science from Florida State University. 

James S. Bedwell 

Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources, USDA Forest Service 

Jim Bedwell was named Director of Recreation and Heritage Resources 

for the Forest Service in June 2006. The recreation and heritage 

resources office is situated in the National Forest System Deputy 

Area. As a director, Jim leads the programs that make national forests 

and grasslands the country’s top provider of quality recreation 

opportunities, from primitive backcountry to highly developed activities 

like alpine skiing. He also oversees programs that protect and 

interpret the many archaeological and historic sites found in national 

forests and grasslands. He began his career with the Forest Service 

in 1979 in landscape architecture on the Coronado National Forest 

in Arizona. Jim hold a Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture, with 

distinction, from the University of Arizona. In 2004, he received the 

Alfred B. LaGasse Medal from the American Society of Landscape 

Architects in recognition of distinguished and continuing contributions 

to the field of resource conservation and public land management. 

He is a member of the government’s senior executive service. 

Major General Vincent E. Boles 

Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff 

Major General Boles assumed duties as the Assistant Deputy Chief 

of Staff, G-4 in the Pentagon on October 30 2006. A native of 

Bronxville, NY, Major General Boles graduated from Niagara University 

with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and was commissioned 

second lieutenant of Ordnance in 1976. He later earned a 

Master’s degree in Business Administration from Babson College, 

MA. Prior to joining the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, he served as 

the 33rd Chief of Ordnance at the US Army Ordnance Center and 

Schools. He served as Commanding General, 3d Corps Support 

Command, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, 

Germany from July 2003 to August 2004, supporting the forces in 

Operation Iraqi Freedom I. From January 2003 to July 2003, he 

served as Commanding General, United States Army Field Sup- 

14 

port Command with duty as Commander, Army Materiel Command 

- Southwest Asia/Deputy C-4, Coalition Forces Land Component 

Command, Camp Arifjan and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 

Kuwait. From 2001 – 2002, he served as Commander, Army 

Field Support Command and from 2000 – 2001 as the Deputy 

Chief of Staff for Ammunition of the US Army Materiel Command. 

Rosetta Busby 

State Program Director, DC, Corp. for National & Community Service 

Rosetta Freeman Busby was named District of Columbia State 

Program Director at the Corporation for National and Community 

Service in 2000. In that capacity, Ms. Freeman Busby has responsibility 

for promoting civic responsibility and engagement through 

national and community service. She manages AmeriCorps*VISTA 

projects and Senior Corps grant programs in D.C and serves as 

an Ex-Officio member of Serve DC, the D.C. Commission on National 

& Community Service. Ms. Freeman Busby received her undergraduate 

degree from George Washington University and her 

M.P.A. from the City University of New York. She has also studied at 

the John L. Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. 

Diane Chalfant 

Assistant Associate Director, Visitor Experience, National Park Service 

Diane Chalfant is a 27-year career professional with the National 

Park Service. A native of suburban Cleveland, Ohio, Diane has 

worked in six national parks in the Midwest, east, and intermountain 

west. She served in the position of Chief of Interpretation in 

three of the parks, including two large and complex operations at 

Cuyahoga Valley and Yellowstone national parks. At Cuyahoga, 

Diane guided the development and construction of the Cuyahoga 

Valley Environmental Education Center, a 132-bed residential education 

facility for children from the greater Cleveland, Ohio area. 

At Yellowstone, she worked closely with non-profit partners to develop 

new educational programs and visitor centers. In November 

2007 she began her current position as the Assistant Associate 

Director, Visitor Experience for the National Park Service in 

Washington. In her new position, she oversees national programs 

in interpretation, the interpretive media center at Harpers Ferry, 

youth programs, volunteerism, and cooperating associations. 

Colleen Clay 

Program Manager, Office of Emergency Management, Corporation for 


Colleen Clay serves at the program manager for partnerships 

and outreach at the Corporation for National and Community 

Service, Office of Emergency Management. Colleen holds a 

masters degree in community development from the University 

of California, Berkeley and an undergraduate degree in 

environmental planning. She was a member of the first AmeriCorps 

class in 1994 and has spent her professional career 

working to build healthy communities by harnessing community 

assets to serve local needs. Colleen also serves as a city 

councilmember in Takoma Park, Maryland; serves on the board 

of directors of the local fire department and on the Transportation 

Planning Board for the Metropolitan Washington Region.

Christopher Douwes 

Trails and Enhancements Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA) 

Christopher Douwes is the Trails and Enhancements Program 

Manager for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 

Washington DC. He has managed the Recreational Trails Program 

since its inception in 1992, and the Transportation Enhancement 

activities since 2003. He manages contracts for research, 

techno logy develop ment, technical assistance, and training for 

trail-related activities, and participates with the National Trails 

Training Partnership. Christopher received his Master’s of Science 

in Trans por tation from North western University in 1990. 

Nicky Goren 

Chief of Staff, Corporation for National and Community Service 

Nicola Goren serves as Chief of Staff to the CEO at the Corporation 

for National and Community Service. Nicola has been with 

the Corporation for 10 years, 8 ½ of which she served as Associate 

General Counsel, with responsibility for the AmeriCorps 

State and National programs and the National Service Trust. In 

her current role, she assists the CEO in overseeing a budget of 

more than $900 million and a staff of 600 in Washington, D.C. and 

all 50 states. Through oversight of the Corporation’s programs, 

budget, and executives, Goren ensures that the Corporation continues 

to meet its strategic objectives, including: increasing the 

number of Americans volunteering by 10 million, to 75 million; 

increasing the number of college students engaged in community 

service by 2.7 million, to 5 million; increasing the number 

of Baby Boomer volunteers by 3.2 million, to 29 million; engaging 

3 million disadvantaged children and youth in service and 

providing mentoring services to 5.5 million children and youth. 

Teresa Hogue 

Director, The Cascade Center for Community Governance 

Community capacity building is the mission of The Cascade 

Center for Community Governance and as Director and 

Professor Emeritus, Teresa Hogue and staff have developed 

and implemented resources to help communities build 

their social, economic, and environmental capital. Teresa 

has 35 years of experience working with communities in 

areas of leadership and policy development, building collaborative 

systems, and financial development and management. 

Jeff Jarvis 

Chief, Division of Wilderness, Rivers, and National Trails, Bureau of Land 

Management, National Landscape Conservation System 

Jeff Jarvis is the Division Chief of BLM’s National Landscape Conservation 

System (NLCS). Jeff leads the small Washington Office 

NLCS team that works with the state and field offices to develop 

and implement the NLCS program. Jeff has had a diverse natural 

resource career. Jeff worked for the Colorado Department of Natural 

Resources, the National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife 

Service prior to working for the BLM. Starting in the late 1970’s, 

Jeff worked for the BLM in New Mexico, Idaho, California, and 

Arizona. Jeff, his wife Donita, and artistically gifted daughter Zoe 

raise registered Texas Longhorn Cattle on a small farm in Virginia. 

David R. Jones 

President and CEO, Community Service Society of New York 

David R. Jones has been President and CEO of the Community 

Service Society, a not-for-profit organization that promotes 

economic advancement and full civic participation for low-income 

New Yorkers, since 1986. He writes a bi-weekly newspaper 

column in the New York Amsterdam News, “The Urban Agenda.” 

Prior to joining CSS, Mr. Jones served as Executive Director 

of the New York City Youth Bureau and as Special Advisor to 

Mayor Koch. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Jones was Chairman of 

the Board of Carver Federal Savings Bank, the largest African- 

American managed bank in the nation. Mr. Jones is currently 

co-chairman of the Commission on School Governance. He is 

also chairman of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. 

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan 

University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Yale Law School, 

afterwards clerking for Federal Judge Constance Baker Motley. 

Van Jones 

President, Green for All 

Van Jones is working to combine solutions to America’s two 

biggest problems: social inequality and environmental destruction. 

In 1996, Van and Diana Frappier co-founded the Ella Baker 

Center for Human Rights, now headquartered in Oakland, California. 

The Ella Baker Center and the Oakland Apollo Alliance 

created a “Green Jobs Corps”, training local Oakland youth for 

eco-friendly “green-collar jobs,” as part of what will be the country’s 

first-ever Green Enterprise Zone. At the national level, Van 

and the Ella Baker Center worked with U.S. House of Representatives 

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis 

(D-CA), and U.S. Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) to pass the Green 

Jobs Act of 2007, providing $125 million in funding to train 35,000 

people a year in “green-collar jobs.” Van is also a founder of 

a new national coalition that is promoting the idea of a national 

“Clean Energy Jobs Corps.” In 2007, Van helped launch One 

Sky, a national coalition working to avert catastrophic climate 

change and Green For All, a national campaign for green-collar 

jobs and opportunities. Van’s awards and honors include the 

1998 Reebok International Human Rights Award, the international 

Ashoka Fellowship, selection as a World Economic Forum 

“Young Global Leader,” and the Rockefeller Foundation “Next 

Generation Leadership” Fellowship. A 1993 Yale Law graduate, 

Van is also a husband and father. Van is proud to champion some 

of the most hopeful solutions to America’s toughest challenges. 

15

Speaker Bios 

George McDonald 

Management Analyst, Partnerships and Visitor Experience, Acting Service-wide 

National Park Service Youth Programs Coordinator 

George McDonald was born and raised in Harlem NY. He holds a BA 

degree in Political Science from Hampton University and has done 

graduate work at Georgetown University and Bowie State University. 

Before joining the National Park Service, he worked as the Business 

Development Manager and Chief Conference Coordinator for Encore 

Management Corporation in Silver Spring MD. After considerable 

encouragement from his late brother who was a historian with the 

NPS, George join the Service first working as an Equal Employment 

Opportunity Specialist and then as Special Assistant to the Deputy 

Director. In his capacity as Special Assistant he held leadership roles 

in advancing the development of the Tuskegee Airmen Historic Site 

in Alabama and the African Burial Ground National Monument in New 

York City. He is most proud of his work serving as Program Manager 

for the Presidential Commission for the National Museum for African 

American History and Culture. The successful completion of a Report 

to Congress and the President allowed for the development of a national 

museum dedicated to the achievements and contributions of 

African Americans to the United States after a 75 year long effort. 

Currently George serves in a dual capacity as the Management 

Analyst to the NPS Associate Director for Partnerships and Visitor 

Experience and as the Acting Service-wide Youth Programs Coordinator. 

George is committed to advancing programs to youth across 

the country that enhance their understanding of our nation’s precious 

natural and cultural resources and expanding employment and educational 

opportunities to all economic, cultural and racial groups. 

Don Mathis 

President & CEO, Community Action Partnership 

Don Mathis is the President & CEO of the Community Action Partnership, 

the national membership organization of more than 1,000 

Community Action Agencies and affiliates across America. The Partnership 

promotes economic security for all in America and provides 

training and other membership services. Prior to signing on with the 

Partnership, Don was executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of 

Harford County (MD) and before that worked at the federal Corporation 

for National & Community Service. He considers himself a strong 

supporter of youth corps and The Corps Network, having served in 

the mid-1990s as director of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps 

and at NASCC before that. He has just completed two terms a chair 

of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Service & Volunteerism. 

Merlene Mazyck 

Director of National Civilian Community Corps, Corporation for National and 

Community Service 

Merlene has served with the Corporation for National & Community 

Service AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) 

program since 1994. She began her career with AmeriCorps NCCC 

as a program manager working with member training and education 

and was promoted in 1996 to Special Assistant to the Director and 

in 2004 became the director of the program. Merlene has worked 

in the youth service field most of her professional career in various 

positions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Merlene graduated from 

Temple University with a degree in criminal justice and earned her 

Masters in Public Administration from Kean University in New Jersey. 

16 

Neil McCabe 

CEO, WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc. 

A former employee and Board Member, Neil McCabe was named 

the Chief Executive Officer of WSOS Community Action Commission, 

Inc. in September, 2005. The organization had had the same 

leader, Don Stricker, for 30 years and upon Don’s death and Neil’s 

appointment the Board was faced with assessing accomplishments 

and setting direction for the years to come. WSOS had been home 

to the Barney Quilter Civilian Conservation Corps and fortunately the 

agency commitment to sustaining the Corps has steadily increased 

under Neil’s leadership. McCabe, a Tiffin resident, worked at WSOS 

in the 1980s and later was the Development Director at WBGU-TV in 

Bowling Green. As an employee at WSOS he served as the director 

of the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) from 1979 to 

1986. Then, he joined the Board of Directors in 1999, representing 

Seneca County and serving as the secretary/treasurer until his resignation 

in January 2005. McCabe has a bachelor’s degree from the 

University of Scranton and a master’s degree from Ohio University. 

Monique McCleary 

Business Manager, The Cascade Center for Community Governance 

Monique supports The Cascade Center for Community Governance, 

by providing technical assistance to help Corps and other community 

groups generate and manage financial resources. Monique’s background 

as a Public Accountant and considerable experience managing 

the Heart of Oregon Civic Justice Corps financial portfolio provides 

a base to assist local Corps to advance financial sustainability. 

Kristin McSwain 

Director of AmeriCorps State and National, Corporation for National and Community 

Service 

Kristin McSwain is Director of AmeriCorps State and National, the 

largest program of the federal Corporation for National and Community 

Service. Kristin has spent her entire professional career 

in national and community service. She joined Teach for America 

after graduating from the College of William and Mary, serving as 

a fifth-grade teacher in St. Mary Parish, La. For the next six years, 

Kristin continued teaching and working to promote quality education 

through Teach for America and Citizen Schools. She has worked 

for the Massachusetts Service Alliance since 1997, initially directing 

Learn and Serve and AmeriCorps programs before her appointment 

as CEO. Kristin has been a strong advocate of community service 

and an active participant in many volunteer and charitable organizations. 

She has served on the boards of Boston Cares, Friends of the 

Children Boston, and the GreenLight Fund. She also was co-chair of 

Voices for National Service. She received a master’s degree in public 

administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at 

Harvard University. Kristin began her service as Director of Ameri- 

Corps State and National in August 2006. The program she leads 

harnesses the talents of more than 70,000 members each year who 

serve throughout the country with hundreds of nonprofit organizations, 

public agencies, and faith-based organizations. AmeriCorps is 

administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, 

which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. 

The Corporation’s mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, 

and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Kurt A. Merrill 

President and Lead Consultant, Merril & Associates: Risk Management and 

Safety 

An outdoor educator and administrator for over seventeen 

years, Kurt is currently the President and Lead Consultant for 

Merrill & Associates: Risk Management and Safety. Formerly, 

he was the National Director of Risk Management and High 

School Programs for SCA and holds a B.S. and M.S. from The 

Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State, Kurt instructed 

academic courses and administered the Freshman Orientation 

program and the Outdoor program. Kurt has published over 

forty articles and presented at numerous professional conferences 

on risk management and safety. Recently ending a term 

as Chairperson, he was a member of the Wilderness Risk Managers’ 

Committee for nine years and currently serves on the 

Board of Advisors for Aerie School for Backcountry Medicine. 

Kristina Tecce 

Project Director, Walker & Company, LLP 

Kris Tecce is the Project Director for the CNCS Financial Management 

TTA Agreement; Ms. Tecce is responsible for providing direction 

and implementation of services to National Service Grantees. 

She manages the project, develops training materials on 

accounting principles and policies, financial reporting and grants 

compliance for all National Service Programs. She has presented 

at the National and local levels working with groups of all size. 

Ms. Tecce was the Chief Financial Officer for the Massachusetts 

Service Alliance, the State Commission for National & Community 

Service. Ms. Tecce was also an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern 

University where she taught Non-Profit Financial Management. 

Elizabeth Seale 

Chief Operating Officer, Corporation for National and Community Service 

Elizabeth Seale currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer 

(COO) for the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

As COO Liz provides oversight and management for all Corporation 

Programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve 

America as well as the Office of Grants Policy and Operations 

and the Office of Emergency Management. A Texas native, Liz 

has a broad professional background in Human Services with an 

extensive history in Community Affairs. Her numerous positions 

include having served on the Texas Human Services Board by 

appointment of then Governor George W. Bush; as Deputy Secretary 

of the Maryland Department of Human Resources in Baltimore, 

Maryland and as founding director of the Center for Faith- 

Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, one of five such Cabinet Centers created 

by President Bush in 2001. Liz has served on a number of Texas 

State and local human service and workforce related boards prior 

to her move to Washington. Liz is a graduate of Baylor University 

with a BS in English/Education. She has a Certificate of Nonprofit 

Leadership and Management from the University of Wisconsin. 

Robert Siegel 

Senior Host, All Things Considered 

Robert Siegel, a senior host of NPR’s award-winning evening newsmagazine 

All Things Considered, got started in radio news when he was a 

college freshman in 1964. He’s still at it. Before joining All Things Considered 

in 1987, Siegel served for four years as director of NPR’s News 

and Information Department, overseeing production of NPR’s newsmagazines 

All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Siegel joined 

NPR in December 1976 as an associate producer, and was appointed 

public affairs editor in 1977 and senior editor in 1978. In 1979, Siegel 

was chosen to open NPR’s London bureau, where he worked as senior 

editor until 1983. From 1971 to 1976, Siegel worked for WRVR Radio in 

New York City as a reporter, host, and director of news and public affairs. 

A graduate of New York’s Stuyvesant High School and Columbia University, 

Siegel began his career in radio at the college radio station WKCR- 

FM where he anchored coverage of the 1968 Columbia demonstrations. 

Gene Sofer 

Partner, The Susquehanna Group 

Gene Sofer is a founding partner in The Susquehanna Group, a consulting 

firm based in Washington, DC. He helps nonprofit organizations 

develop and implement winning legislative strategies, particularly to 

support national service, education and youth development, and youth 

employment. He has had a long career in public policy in Washington. 

Between 1980 - 1984, he served as Majority Associate staff on 

the House Budget Committee. From 1984 - 1993, Gene was Counsel 

to the House Education & Labor Committee where he helped to 

spearhead the passage of national service legislation that crated 

The Corporation for National and Community Service. He served as 

the Corporation’s first Director of Congressional & Intergovernmental 

Relations from 1994-1998. and from 1998 - 2001, Gene served 

as the Deputy Executive Director of the Presidential Advisory Commission 

on Holocaust Assets in the United States. He is a graduate 

of New York University and received his PhD in History from UCLA. 

Gregg Weltz 

Chief, U.S. Department of Labor Division of Youth Services 

Mr. Weltz has over 14 years of professional experience in the domestic 

and international youth development field including expertise in policy 

development and program implementation and management at both 

the local and national levels. Currently, Mr. Weltz serves as the Chief 

for the Department of Labor’s Division of Youth Services. In this capacity 

Mr. Weltz oversees roughly $1 billion in Workforce Investment 

Act funds and the President’s Prisoner Reentry Initiative. Mr. Weltz 

served in DOL’s Office of Policy and was a key member of the 1998 

legislative staff team responsible for developing the current national 

youth employment and training policy under the Workforce Investment 

Act. He came to the federal government in 1997 as a Presidential 

Management Fellow and also has “front-line” youth development 

programming experience. He served for five years as Youth Program 

Director of a large community-based organization in Northern California, 

working with at-risk youth. In addition, he spent 18 months as 

a secondary school teacher in Zimbabwe. In 2002, Mr. Weltz was 

on loan from DOL to the U. S. Peace Corps as a youth employment 

expert where he conducted a global scan of youth employment programming 

both within and outside of the Peace Corps. Mr. Weltz 

also represents the U. S. government at various youth employment 

forums of the International Labor Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. 

17

CVS congratulates The Corps Network and the nation’s Service and 

Conservation Corps for their outstanding work. 

CVS Caremark is the #1 provider of prescriptions in the nation. The Company fills or 

manages more than 1 billion prescriptions annually. Through its unmatched breadth of 

service offerings, CVS Caremark is transforming the delivery of healthcare services in 

the U.S. The Company is uniquely positioned to effectively manage costs and improve 

healthcare outcomes through its 6,200 CVS/pharmacy stores; its pharmacy benefit 

management, mail order and specialty pharmacy division, Caremark Pharmacy Services; 

its retail-based health clinic subsidiary, MinuteClinic; and its online pharmacy, CVS. 

com. CVS Government Programs division works with government agencies, non profits, 

educational institutions, and faith based organizations to assist in hiring quality employees. 

In 2007 CVS received the US Department of Labor’s New Freedom Award, 

American Society Association Award for Mature Workers, and Workforce Management 

Magazine’s Optimas Award for Partnerships.

Who is FHWA? 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides expertise, resources, and information to improve the 

Nation’s highway system and its intermodal connections. The Federal-Aid Highway Program provides financial 

assistance to the States to construct and improve the National Highway System, other roads, and bridges. The 

Federal Lands Highway Program provides access to and within national forests and parks, Indian reservations, 

and other public lands by preparing plans, letting contracts, supervising construction, and inspecting bridges. 

FHWA conducts and manages a comprehensive research, development, and technology program. 

What is FHWA’s role with Youth Conservation and Service Corps? 

FHWA’s role with youth corps began with provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st Century (TEA- 

21) in 1998. Two provisions required the USDOT to encourage the States to enter into contracts and cooperative 

agreements with youth service and conservation corps to perform Transportation Enhancement (TE) activities and 

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) projects. FHWA included this encouragement in its TE and RTP program 

guidance. 

New for 2008: FHWA and the Corps Network signed an agreement to develop a guide to help Corps better 

understand the Federal-aid highway program, both to help Corps obtain funds and to encourage States and 

communities to partner with Corps. This should be available in late 2008. 

How can Youth Corps benefit? 

FHWA provides funds to the States. Each State has its own process to solicit and select projects. Youth corps may 

partner with government agencies to propose projects. Some States allow nonprofit organizations to apply for 

funds directly. The most likely funding programs are: 

� Recreational Trails Program: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/ 

� Transportation Enhancement Activities: www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/ 

What project examples are available? 

RTP: The Coalition for Recreational Trails recognizes outstanding RTP projects each year. The Continental 

Divide Trail Alliance won in the Youth Conservation/Service Corps category in 2007 for work on projects in 

Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. See examples at www.americantrails.org/awards/CRTawards.html. 

Additional project examples are at www.funoutdoors.info/rtphome.html. 

TE: The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) maintains an extensive database of 

TE projects and has specific project examples at www.enhancements.org. NTEC also maintains the list of State 

TE Managers. NTEC highlighted Youth Corps in the Spring 2006 issue of its Connections newsletter, see 

www.enhancements.org/download/connections/Vol9no2.pdf. 

What training is available? 

The National Trails Training Partnership is a clearinghouse of training opportunities related 

to trails, see www.NTTP.net. The NTTP is establishing links with youth corps to promote 

training. The Outdoor Stewardship Institute is working with some States to develop 

statewide training programs, see www.cotionline.org/.

National Park Service Youth Programs Division 

The purpose of the Youth Programs division is to provide direction to National Park Service 

personnel who work with youth programs such as the youth service and conservation corps, Job 

Corps and the Public Land Corps. Additionally this division provides guidance and support to 

parks that help design local youth programs in partnership with other organizations. Through 

youth programs the National Park Service hopes to provide unique educational and vocational 

opportunities to young Americans at our parks, historic sites and national monuments. 

Our Objectives 

� Engage America’s youth in developing a life-long awareness of, and commitment to, our 

national parks. 

� Involve youth in the protection of our natural and cultural resources through a variety of 

creative means and endeavors that enhance the relationship between the NPS and young 

Americans. 

� Educate youth about the NPS mission through formal and informal methods. 

� Train and prepare young people so that they may qualify for jobs and careers in the NPS. 

� Acquaint youth from diverse and underrepresented populations with NPS and prepare them 

for possible jobs and careers in the Service. 

� Promote diversity of park visitors and staff, in terms of social, ethnic, and economic 

backgrounds. 

� Provide the NPS with valuable assistance and additional labor to address deferred 

maintenance and other essential park projects. 

National Park Service and The Corps Network 

The work of the service and conservation corps helps the National Park Service to fulfill its’ 

mission of preserving unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national 

park system for the enjoyment of, education and inspiration of this and future generations. 

Through cooperative partnership with the service and conservation corps the National Park 

Service hopes to build the next generation of public land stewards.

For 16 years, Willis has been the broker of choice for The Corps Network sponsored AmeriCorps health insurance 

plan. Willis is a world class professional services firm with an extensive network of global resources. 

Through our “one team” approach, our Client Advocate model, and usage of the latest technology, Willis employee 

benefit professionals are helping clients control their costs, reduce their workload, and educate and train 

their employees. Our value proposition reaches beyond traditional placement of coverage and day-to-day service 

to include sophisticated health care cost management and financial forecasting tools, exciting employee communication 

vehicles, deep in-house legislative and compliance resources, and HR consulting services, all structured to 

provide quality resources at reasonable prices. 

The Susquehanna Group is a counsulting firm specializing in the development and 

implementation of government relations and legislative strategies for nonprofit organizations. 

It represents clients in areas including national service, education and youth development, 

and youth employment and training.

“ARG assesses your needs, shops around for the best deal, and if you have a problem with a vendor, they take care of it. 

ARG makes my life easier.” 

--Nancy Siegal, Director of Finance and Administration, The Corps Network

Social Solutions celebrates 

the service and impact of 

The Corps Network in our 

communities. 

We recognize the challenges inherent in implementing 

your Time Tested Principles while keeping your service 

costs low. We have made a corporate commitment to 

provide a discounted licensing structure to meet the 

unique mission of The Corps Network. 

Your Specialist in Student Insurance! 

800-955-1991 

www.summitamerica-ins.com

Message from Sally Prouty, President of The Corps Network

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