Bill Overview
Title: American Volunteering Corporation Act
Description: This bill establishes an independent executive branch agency to be known as the American Volunteering Corporation. The bill also transfers to the corporation the operations of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, including the duties, assets, and obligations belonging to such programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3]
Target Audience
Population: People influenced or supported by the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The establishment of the American Volunteering Corporation will directly affect individuals currently participating in or managing the operations of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.
- The changes may also influence potential future volunteers who are considering joining the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or now the new American Volunteering Corporation.
- The bill may indirectly affect communities and individuals who benefit from the services provided by volunteers from the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, which are now part of the American Volunteering Corporation.
- Members of the organization’s new administration, plus any administrative personnel brought in as a result of the new structure, will be directly impacted.
Reasoning
- The individuals directly working with the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps will likely feel an initial period of adjustment as the new American Volunteering Corporation is established. Though long-term effects might include more streamlined operations and possibly increased funding opportunities, over a decade the wellbeing impacts could stabilize at higher levels if the corporation is well-received.
- Volunteers and those benefiting from these programs may initially feel disruption due to structural changes, especially if there are bureaucratic hurdles or interruptions in services during the transition. However, if the intended consolidation achieves better resource allocation and service efficiency, beneficiaries' and volunteers' wellbeing could improve in the long run.
- Potential future volunteers might see an increased attraction towards the newly structured volunteering organization, which could enhance their sense of purpose as well as national service reputation. However, if not well-publicized or if issues arise during integration, there might be initial skepticism.
- The allocated budget is expected to comprehensively address the transitional needs while maintaining current program effectiveness. The scale of $2 billion in the first year and approximately $1.39 billion annually next would ensure the continuity of operations and possibly introduce new initiatives under the American Volunteering Corporation's framework.
Simulated Interviews
AmeriCorps Volunteer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the potential for more resources and better organized operations under the new corporation.
- I hope the transition doesn't delay projects I'm working on because communities heavily rely on us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Peace Corps Administrator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The merger might streamline some processes, but there's a risk of losing the cultural identity and flexibility of smaller organizations like Peace Corps.
- I'm cautiously optimistic but wary of bureaucratic expansion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Aspiring AmeriCorps Volunteer (Houston, TX)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new corporation sounds like it could provide even more opportunities and projects.
- I'm concerned about how transparent and efficient the transition will be.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Government Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Centralization could greatly reduce overhead costs and increase efficiency.
- Flexibility and nimbleness of operations might suffer, which could demotivate genuine grassroots initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student Interested in Volunteering (Boston, MA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make joining the Peace Corps more appealing with potentially more options and clearer career paths.
- I want to see how they maintain the original mission and create a wider impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Non-profit Organization Leader (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The consolidation might actually create better partnerships and more integrated projects.
- There are worries about funding changes and new administrative hoops to jump through.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Foreign Service Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This restructuring can allow more cohesive international presence.
- The policy needs to carefully preserve the cultural exchange component, which is priceless.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
AmeriCorps Program Beneficiary (Rural Kansas)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this helps more volunteers get involved and receive better support, it could be game-changing for us.
- I'm concerned about potential bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
AmeriCorps Alumni (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An organized approach like this could keep alumni more connected and involved.
- The focus on existing programs should be maintained to avoid exclusions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Tech Specialist for Non-profit (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investment in volunteer programs is always beneficial if executed well.
- I'm curious how the centralized tech support would evolve and support better tools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2200000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 3: $1400000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 5: $1300000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 10: $1250000000 (Low: $1150000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Key Considerations
- The legislative transition must ensure continuity in voluntary services and beneficiary support.
- There may be public relations and volunteer retention considerations as related to the restructuring.
- Long-term budgeting should account for initial establishment costs followed by expected efficiencies and savings.