# § 4950. Volunteerism policy
**(a)** Because of the long-standing importance of volunteerism throughout American history, it is the policy of the Congress to foster the tradition of volunteerism through greater involvement on the part of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
**(b)** The purpose of this chapter is to foster and expand voluntary citizen service in communities throughout the Nation in activities designed to help the poor, the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, and the elderly. In carrying out this purpose, the Corporation for National and Community Service shall utilize to the fullest extent the programs authorized under this chapter, coordinate with other Federal, State, and local agencies, expand relationships with, and support for, the efforts of civic, community, and educational organizations, and utilize the energy, innovative spirit, experience, and skills of all Americans.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 93–113, § 2, as added Pub. L. 99–551, § 2(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3071; amended Pub. L. 103–82, title IV, § 405(a)(1), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 920; Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2002, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1581.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.
### Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a). , substituted “individuals of all ages and backgrounds.” for “both young and older citizens.”
Subsec. (b). , inserted “, expand relationships with, and support for, the efforts of civic, community, and educational organizations,” after “State, and local agencies”.
1993—Subsec. (b). substituted “of this chapter” for “of ACTION, the Federal domestic volunteer agency,” and “the Corporation for National and Community Service shall”for “ACTION shall”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Effective Date of 2009 Amendment
> “This Act [see Tables for classification], and the amendments made by this Act, take effect on
>
> .”
, , , provided that:
### Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.
### Effective Date
> “Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act [enacting this section and
>
> , amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under
>
> ] shall take effect
>
> .”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 1993 Amendment
> “This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 311, 392) of title III of
>
> , enacting sections 5028, 5028a, and 5065 of this title, amending sections 4951 to 4955, 4957, 4959, 4960, 4971 to 4973, 4992, 4993, 5000, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5021, 5024 to 5026, 5041 to 5044, 5055, 5057, 5062, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title and sections 8143, 8332, 8334, 8411, and 8422 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, repealing sections 4974, 4994, 5012, 5047, 5060, and 5091 to 5091n of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4951 and 4952 of this title, and
>
> , and amending provisions set out as notes under this section and
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 1989 Amendment
> “This Act [enacting sections 4960, 5000, 5025, 5026, and 5027 of this title, amending sections 4952 to 4955, 4958, 4959, 4971, 4974, 4992 to 4994, 5001, 5011 to 5013, 5021, 5024, 5041, 5047, 5056, 5061, 5081, 5082, 5084, 5671, 5715, 5751, 5773, 5775, 5777, 9910b, 11803, 11825, 11842, and 11851 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under
>
> , and amending provisions set out as a note under
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1989’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 1986 Amendment
> “This Act [enacting this section and
>
> , amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and
>
> , and amending provisions set out as a note under
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1986’.”
, , , provided that:
### Short Title of 1984 Amendment
> “That this Act [enacting
>
> , amending sections 4951 to 4956, 4958, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4991 to 4993, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5056 to 5060, 5081, 5082, 5084, 9902, and 9912 of this title, repealing
>
> , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 5042 and 5045 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1984’.”
, , , provided:
### Short Title of 1979 Amendment
> “That this Act [enacting sections 5063 and 5064 of this title, amending sections 4953, 4955, 4958, 4973, 4974, 4992, 5021, 5043, 5044, 5050, 5055, 5057, 5058, 5060, 5081, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4992 and 5084 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1979’.”
, , , provided:
### Short Title of 1976 Amendment
> “That this Act [enacting sections 4958 and 4993 of this title, amending sections 4974, 4992, 5011, 5042, 5045, 5081, 5083, and 5084 of this title, repealing
>
> , and enacting provision set out as a note under
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1976’.”
, , , provided:
### Short Title
> “This Act [enacting this chapter, amending
>
> and
>
> , Government Organization and Employees, and repealing sections 2991, 2992 to 2992b, 2993 to 2993b, 2994 to 2994d, and 3044 to 3044e of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and
>
> ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973’.”
, formerly § 1(part), , , as renumbered and amended by , , , provided that: