EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 30

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama enjoys a rich diversity of community, faith-based, and other private charitable organizations that render effective aid to people in need and the State of Alabama has one of the largest and most effective populations of faith-based and community-based organizations in the United States;

WHEREAS, Alabamians are generous and caring people who are quick to lend a hand and volunteering is an opportunity that is available to everyone, regardless of age, economic status, or ability.  Volunteers can solve problems, strengthen communities, connect to others and transform lives;

WHEREAS, Citizens of Alabama recognize that government need not be the first or the only provider of assistance to those in need, but that it is prudent for government to enlist the aid of and partner with independent community and faith-based organizations to meet the need of its citizens;

WHEREAS, we recognize the need for government to partner with faith-based and community organizations during all phases of disaster and the valuable work of these organizations during times of disaster;

WHEREAS, since 1993 the Governor’s Commission on National and Community Service has served to meet the needs of individuals and communities in Alabama through national service resources;

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama should foster the growth of faith-based and community initiatives by integrating and coordinating its existing community and faith-based initiatives with the network of resources which are currently available in state agencies;

WHEREAS, it is vital for the State of Alabama to provide an effective mechanism for encouraging active participation by representatives of the faith-based community concerning the formulation and implementation of government programs to assist faith and community based organizations;

WHEREAS, the State should ensure that its efforts to assist faith and community-based programs are as strong, coordinated and effective as possible; and,

WHEREAS, section 104 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (the “Welfare Reform Act”) contains a “Charitable Choice” provision that encourages States to engage faith-based organizations on the same basis as all other private charitable organizations as providers of services to needy Alabamians and forbids discrimination against otherwise qualified faith-based organizations.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons related thereto, I Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby establish Serve Alabama, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service (Serve Alabama).  This Office shall be managed by a Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.  The Director of the Office will report to the Chief of Staff of the Governor.

BE IT ORDERED that the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (GFBCI), and all of it functions, powers, duties and responsibilities, pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended in 1993, and the Serve America Act of 2009 are transferred to Serve Alabama.  Serve Alabama shall continue to maintain and operate its State Commission and conduct its Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) funded programs in accordance with all applicable national service laws, as set forth in 42 U.S.C.A. 12638, et seq.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that all appropriations, other monies, personnel, records, equipment and other property available to the GFBCI are hereby continued in Serve Alabama, and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which they were appropriated, pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended in 1993, and the 2009 Serve America Act, subject to all terms and conditions of such appropriations.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the fiscal agent for Serve Alabama shall be the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that state general fund and education trust fund monies may be appropriated by the legislature for Serve Alabama to be expended for the purposes heretofore or hereinafter stated in this Executive Order, subject to any and all laws governing expenditure of appropriations from the general fund and education trust fund of the State of Alabama.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the members of the Alabama Commission on National and Community Service will continue to provide oversight to this office pursuant to the authority and requirements contained in 42 U.S.C.A. 12638(b).   The Alabama Commission on National and Community Service shall have at a minimum, fifteen (15) voting members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED all agencies of State government are directed to cooperate fully with Serve Alabama to promote and coordinate appropriate programs and initiatives.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that Executive Order Number 40, signed February 12, 1998; Executive Order Number 41, signed December 15, 2000; and Executive Order Number 21, signed June 22, 2004 related to the Governor’s Office on National and Community Service and the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives are hereby rescinded.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that where there is any conflict with any provision of any other Executive Order, the provisions of this Executive Order shall prevail.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 24th day of May, 2012.

Robert Bentley

Governor

Attested

Beth Chapman

Secretary of State