2025 Application for Appointment

The Rhode Island Department of Education invites you to apply for appointment to the Rhode Island Commission for National and Community Service - ServeRI. Complete the Application Form prior to Friday, March 14, 2025 at 5:00PM for consideration.

Applicants are asked to complete a webform that includes personal statements that:

  • Describe their current involvement in supporting AmeriCorps, volunteer, or workforce initiatives.

  • Illustrate the lived experiences (content knowledge, professional and/or personal) they have had that make them an ideal candidate for this Commission.

  • Express what they hope to accomplish by appointment to the Rhode Island Commission for National and Community Service, dba ServeRI.

State law identifies the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as the government agency responsible for ServeRI. The legislation also identifies 11 categories that must be represented on the commission. In consultation with the ServeRI Chairperson, RIDE will review applicant statements and need for representation to make a recommendation to the Governor’s Office of Appointments. There is an immediate need for representation of for-profit business and organized labor .

ServeRI creates service opportunities through AmeriCorps for individuals to address community challenges and to gain civic leadership and job experience on their path to new careers or higher education. The public commission is responsible for:

  • Implementing a national service plan for Rhode Island that inspires service as a strategy to meet local community needs and fosters civic engagement;

  • Administering AmeriCorps grant competitions and supporting projects;

  • Enhancing benefits provided to AmeriCorps service participants, and

  • Recruiting individuals for paid AmeriCorps service and community volunteer opportunities

Commission Members

By appointment of the Governor of Rhode Island, the following individuals serve on the leadership board of the Rhode Island Commission for National and Community Service d/b/a ServeRI [updated 1/1/2025].

  • Amy Albert, Workforce Development Director, Rhode Island Free Clinic

  • Dana Borrelli-Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Rhode Island

  • Amanda Cantrell, Chief of Staff, Rhode Island Department of the Environment

  • Susan Cheesman, Senior Portfolio Manager, AmeriCorps Office of Regional Operations (ex-officio)

  • Brian Darrow, Chief for Innovation, Improvement, and Data, Rhode Island Department of Education

  • Daniela Fairchild, Director of Operations and Special Projects, Rhode Island Commerce

  • Carlon Howard, Chief Impact Officer, Equity Institute

  • Kelly Powers, Director of Community Engagement and Service, Center for Community Engagement and Service, Salve Regina University

  • Lindsey Ravizza, Director of National Service Operations, Campus Compact

  • Kristin Read, Director Warren Health Equity Zone, East Bay Community Action Program

  • Omar Reyes, Director of Adult Programs & Policies, Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

  • Stephan Rodriguez, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, FIRST, New England

  • Kayla Rosen, Chief of Staff, Rhode Island Department of Housing

  • Elise Swearingen, Interdepartmental Project Manager, RI Division of Information Technology

FAQs

How do I join the Commission?

ServeRI, seeks leaders who believe volunteer service is a strategy to meet community needs and to support Rhode Islanders on their path to leadership, education, and careers. Please complete a self-nomination form to be considered for appointment. You may not receive an immediate reply to your form submission, but we will keep all nomination forms for consideration in the next appointment opportunity.

What are the responsibilities of Commissioners?

The general responsibilities include:

  1. Develop and carry out the State Service Plan

  2. Award and support AmeriCorps State grants

  3. Act as a service ambassador to form partnerships, engage service alumni, and recruit AmeriCorps members

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island typically for a three-year term. The Commission meets four times a year and follows the public transparency guidelines of the Open Meetings Act. Each Commission Member is encouraged to support activities in one of three chosen areas: community outreach and engagement, program development and grant review, or AmeriCorps member and alumni support.

When does the Commission meet?

Visit the RI Department of State Open Government Center for past and upcoming meeting information. When navigating the website, the commission is identified as the “National and Community Service, d/b/a ServeRI, Rhode Island Commission for.”

How do I request public records?

ServeRI meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the Secretary of State website in the Open Government Center located at https://www.sos.ri.gov/divisions/open-government.

ServeRI is administered by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). In order to facilitate the expeditious response to your request, RIDE asks you to complete the Request for Inspection and/or Copy of Public Records Form. This form is sent to APRA@ride.ri.gov, and ServeRI suggests copying serveri@ride.ri.gov to notify ServeRI directly of the request.