The purpose of the Former Volunteer Project is to assist in the activities of ACTION's former volunteers. The Agency will maintain a data base, provide communications support, publish a monthly newsletter, and contract for special services. The project staff will be responsible for intra-agency liaison on behalf of former volunteers.

ACTION's planning, policy development, budget and evaluation functions are undertaken on an agency-wide basis and encompass the following activities:

1. Planning The planning process defines, presents and analyzes ACTION goals, as well as program and administrative objectives, and translates these objectives into both current and long-range plans. The review of goal achievements and the planning for new initiatives and demonstration programs are also parts of the planning function. In addition, Planning includes coordination and supporting analyses and discussions of agency-wide issues and problems, as well as providing technical assistance to all offices on planning issues.

2.

Policy Development Policy Development includes identification of
areas in which volunteers are needed, and the people and organizations
inclined toward voluntary service. Policy development activities
also include the definition of ACTION policies, the development of
model demonstration programs, both domestic and international, to
meet human need areas, and the performance of exploratory studies
focusing on voluntarism.

3. Budget

Budgeting involves the formulation, presentation, and justification of ACTION budget requests to the Office of Management and Budget and the Congress, as well as the formulation and execution of internal Agency budget plans. The review and utilization of all funds is also a budget activity.

4. Evaluation

Evaluation results in documenting the Agency's impact on volunteers, sponsors, communities, and countries. Evaluation activities also include the assessment of the effectiveness of Agency programs and projects with respect to goal achievement, organizational structure, costs, impact, and cost-effectiveness.

Planning and evaluation activities in FY 1979 will result in the development of model demonstration programs utilizing volunteers to meet basic human needs. The increase of $91 thousand in personnel service costs reflects an improved rate in filling vacancies and includes a modest sum to support model program development. The increase of $138 thousand in Other Expenses will support program analyses and studies which will concentrate on determining the program initiatives applicable to both international and domestic operating programs in meeting basic human needs.

A wide range of management functions are performed by staff offices, which report to the ACTION Director.

The staff offices and their functions are described below:

1.

2.

3.

Office of the Director - Staff in this office coordinate activities of the Agency Director, Deputy and staff.

Compliance This office serves as the principal advisor to Agency
management on all matters affecting the integrity of Agency opera-
tions and carries out a comprehensive program of audits, investi-
gations, inspections, surveys, and reviews. Staff direct the
Agency's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the
Implementation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, in-
cluding the grievance process, and the development of Affirmative
Action and Minority Business Opportunity programs. Incorporated

into this new office are the functions formerly performed by the
Inspector General and the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Legislative and Governmental Affairs - This office develops legislative
and intergovernmental policy for the Agency and maintains contact
with the Congress and with state and local government officials.
It is responsible for constituent and inquiry casework, as well as
researching and responding to issues of interest or concern to
the Congress, state and local officials.

4.

General Counsel

This office provides legal counsel and support to volunteers and staff regarding matters covered by laws and regulations affecting Agency activities.

MANAGEMENT continued

Budget Justification

An increase in other expenses of $137 thousand over the 1978 level is to support increased activities undertaken within the functions of compliance and legislative and governmental affairs. The increase is a reflection of the Agency's desire to be more agressive in regard to minority hiring and contracting practices and to be more sensitively responsive to the concerns of elected officials at the Federal, state and local levels. The rise in personnel costs of $37 thousand is based on the full year cost in FY 1979 for positions filled midway through FY 1978.