Collection ID: MSS152
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Corporation for National and Community Service (U.S.)
Abstract:
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS, now operating under the name AmeriCorps) is a federal agency that administers national service programs including AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, NCCC, and Senior Corps. The materials in this collection are promotional artifacts, including posters and pamphlets, with known dates ranging from 1993 through 2015. This collection is expected to receive more accruals in future.
Extent:
12 cubic feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Corporation for National and Community Service Records, 1993-2015. Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Indianapolis.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was created in 1993 with President Clinton's signing into law of the "National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993." CNCS, now operating as the official federal agency AmeriCorps, is an agency comprised of several previously established federal volunteer programs: Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), Senior Corps (Foster Grandparents, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program [RSVP], and Senior Companions), and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

Prior to the formal establishment of CNCS, the Commission on National and Community Service was established upon George H. W. Bush signing into law "The National and Community Service Act" on November 16, 1990. The Commission, intended as a temporary agency, was given the authority to grant funding to service-oriented organizations across the country, with special focuses on youth and school-based service, conservation efforts, and national and community service programs.

Timeline of legislation

1964: Economic Opportunity Act of 1964: created the VISTA program.

1973: Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973: authorized the three senior-focused programs – RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions. The RSVP and Foster Grandparents programs had been piloted and were running in the 1960s, but had no legislative authorization until this Act was signed into law. The senior volunteer programs were administered by the ACTION agency, which was formed in 1971 under President Nixon. 1990: National and Community Service Act of 1990: established the Commission for National and Community Service.

1992: National Defense Authorization Act of 1993: included provisions to authorize a pilot of what would later become the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

1993: National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993: combined the agencies of ACTION, the Commission for National and Community Service, and NCCC into the new federal agency named the Corporation for National and Community Service. The name AmeriCorps is created as the operating name for the national service program, and this term is applied to the existing VISTA, NCCC, and Senior-focused programs, renaming them AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, and Seniors Corps, respectively.

2009: Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009: reauthorized CNCS as an agency and its programs through 2014.

Scope and Content:

This series contains promotional materials for several of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) programs, including AmeriCorps*VISTA and the Senior Corps programs (RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions). Most of this series is comprised of posters, but there are also pamphlets, banners, signs, bumper stickers, and t-shirts. Many of the items are undated, but the bulk of the materials reference CNCS, making 1993 the earliest date. The latest date known is 2015. However, some items may predate the establishment of CNCS in 1993, particularly the "VISTA" materials that contain no mention of "AmeriCorps."

Acquisition information:
Presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service, 1993-2015. A2018/19-034.
Accruals:

Further accruals are expected.

Bibliography:

1. AmeriCorps. (n.d.). About AmeriCorps. https://americorps.gov/about

2. AmeriCorps. (n.d.). Statutes and regulations. https://www.americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/statutes-regulations

3. Milton, C. H. (2023.) Creating AmeriCorps: Bipartisanship in action. Mind Garden, Inc.

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open to the public.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Corporation for National and Community Service Records, 1993-2015. Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Indianapolis.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Indianapolis
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
University Library 0133
755 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Indianapolis
CONTACT:
speccoll@iu.edu