The New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service was created by Governor Christine Todd Whitman under Executive Order #20 in June 1994. The newly created Corporation for National Service in Washington invited governors to create state commissions to guide and oversee national service programs in the states. The Governor designated the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to host the commission and to serve as the administrative and fiscal agent for its AmeriCorps programs. Initial members were appointed to the commission in June 1994, an executive director was selected in August 1994, and later an office of community services was created within the Division of Field Services.

Develop a statewide ethic of service and a comprehensive, coordinated program targeted to the needs of New Jersey and its unique community challenges. The programs will provide opportunities for service that bring diverse people together working for a common cause to get things done in communities, remove barriers and promote respect.

Address the service needs of the state by prioritizing needs and problems, then targeting resources and grants to the priority needs.

Guide the AmeriCorps program and ensure the effectiveness of its components.Develop and nurture partnerships among the education community, health care community, volunteer programs, the business sector, community-based agencies, foundations, state and local government units, cultural groups, youth programs and senior citizen groups that can work to meet the needs of our communities.

Develop a well-planned strategy to ensure public awareness through various public relations approaches, highlighting quantitatively and qualitatively desired outcomes.

Create a stable funding source for national and community service through fund-raising activities, endowments, and corporate funding to supplement other funding from the corporation.Infuse service-learning into the primary, secondary, and post secondary curricula to create future generations of adults committed to community service. The State Commission is a nonpartisan, Governor-appointed commission. It is hosted by the New Jersey State Department of Education, Office of Community Services. Its role is to guide and oversee New Jersey’s National Service programs.