45 C.F.R. PART 1218—VISTA VOLUNTEERS—HEARING OPPORTUNITY
Title 45 - Public Welfare
Authority: Secs. 104(d), 402(14) and 420 of Pub. L. 93–113, 87 Stat. 398, 407 and 414.
Source: 39 FR 43725, Dec. 18, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
Section 104(d) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–113, 87 Stat. 398 requires that the Director of ACTION establish a procedure, including notice and an opportunity to be heard, for VISTA volunteers to present views in connection with the terms and conditions of their service. This part applies to all volunteers enrolled under part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–113, 87 Stat. 396. It is ACTION's policy to encourage the free exchange of views between volunteers and staff members with respect to the terms and conditions of the volunteers' service. Ordinarily these exchanges occur in the day-to-day contact between volunteers and staff. However, there are occasions when it is desirable to provide volunteers with an opportunity to present their views with respect to the terms and conditions of their service in a more formal way. The differences between ACTION regions require that the means selected in each region to accomplish this result be appropriate to its particular needs. This regulation provides standards within which regions must establish a procedure to enable volunteers to present their views to be heard with respect to the terms and conditions of their service on a regular basis by appropriate ACTION officials and receive a timely response to their concerns. Each ACTION Domestic Regional Director shall recommend, after consultation with representative volunteers, sponsors, and other interested persons, the specific procedures to be established for VISTA volunteers to present their views concerning the terms and conditions of their service. Each proposed plan must incorporate the following features: (a) A free and open opportunity for volunteers to communicate their views to appropriate ACTION regional office officials. (b) An opportunity for all volunteers to be heard with respect to their views in connection with the terms and conditions of their service by a responsible ACTION regional office official, either personally, or through democratically selected representatives, on a regular basis. The plan must provide such an opportunity to the volunteer at least twice in each year, and provide for notice to volunteers of the time and place of the meeting at which they may be heard. (c) Appropriate provisions with respect to volunteers' or volunteers' representatives travel expense and per diem which enable the volunteers or their representatives to attend and present their views to the regional office officials at scheduled meetings. (d) Response to volunteer's views by appropriate ACTION officials in a prescribed period of time. (e) Summary reports by each Regional Director to the Deputy Associate Director for VISTA and ACTION Education Programs of problems and concerns expressed by volunteers concerning terms and conditions of their service and action taken in response to such problems and concerns. (f) An opportunity for any volunteer who feels that his/her concerns have not been properly addressed to communicate the same to the Regional Director. Such communication shall be included in the Regional Director's report to the Deputy Associate Director and shall be reviewed by him. Each Regional Director shall submit the plan for his region to the Deputy Associate Director, VISTA and ACTION Education Programs for approval. Approval by the Deputy Associate Director for VISTA and ACTION Education Programs of the proposed regional plan shall be based upon: (a) The adequacy of the procedures to provide for systematic and open communication of volunteers' views regarding terms and conditions of their service; and (b) The adequacy of the procedures to provide for effective and efficient resolution of volunteers' problems or concerns regarding terms and conditions of their service. The expression by a volunteer of his views with respect to the terms and conditions of his service shall not be construed as reflecting on a volunteer's standing, performance or desirability as a volunteer. ACTION intends that its programs be conducted in an atmosphere in which volunteers can speak freely, and frankly discuss problems. Nor shall a volunteer who represents such views be subjected to restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal because of presentation of his views.
Title 45: Public Welfare
PART 1218—VISTA VOLUNTEERS—HEARING OPPORTUNITY
Section Contents
§ 1218.1 Introduction.
§ 1218.2 Applicability.
§ 1218.3 Policy.
§ 1218.4 Standards for regional plan.
§ 1218.5 Procedures for approval of plan.
§ 1218.6 Freedom to present views.
§ 1218.1 Introduction.
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§ 1218.2 Applicability.
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§ 1218.3 Policy.
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§ 1218.4 Standards for regional plan.
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§ 1218.5 Procedures for approval of plan.
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§ 1218.6 Freedom to present views.
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