ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland]

In 2000, the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives originated as the Governor's Interagency Office on Community Affairs. It was renamed the Office of Community Affairs in 2003. In October 2004, its duties were absorbed by the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, which was established that year (Executive Order 01.01.2004.57). In September 2007, the Office was reorganized by the Governor (Executive Order 01.01.2007.18). It was established by statute in July 2008 (Chapter 521, Acts of 2008; Code State Government Article, sec. 9.5-101).

The Governor's Office of Community Initiatives coordinates community and volunteer service activities in Maryland, and develops and coordinates the Governor's policy agenda affecting community programs and initiatives. The Office also advises the Governor on policies to enhance and improve the delivery of community and volunteer services, and serves as liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Community affairs services within the Executive Branch of Maryland government are surveyed and assessed by the Office. To encourage greater involvement and participation by community organizations and constituent groups in the formulation and implementation of public policy, the Office devises and implements a strategic plan. The strategic plan and annual reports are submitted to the Governor.

100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Formerly located at 301 West Preston St., Baltimore, the Office moved to 100 Community Place, Crownsville, in May 2016.

Appointed by the Governor, the Executive Director serves on the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

Within the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives are the Commission on African-American History and Culture; the Office of Asian-Pacific American Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism; the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism; Volunteer Maryland; and several ethnic commissions. These include the Governor's Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Caribbean Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs; the Commission on Indian Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs; and the Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs.

COMMISSION ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE

In 1969, the Commission on African-American History and Culture originated as the Maryland Commission on Negro History and Culture (Chapter 435, Acts of 1969). That commission, in 1971, was assigned to Morgan State College by Executive Order. Under the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Commission was renamed in 1974 as the Commission on Afro-American and Indian History and Culture (Chapter 386, Acts of 1974), and as the Commission on Afro-American History and Culture in 1976 (Chapter 120, Acts of 1976). As part of the Division of Cultural Activities, the Commission joined the Department of Housing and Community Development in 1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). In 1988, the Commission was placed under the Division of Historical and Cultural Programs within the Department. In 1992, the Commission was redesignated as the Commission on African-American History and Culture (Chapter 290, Acts of 1992). Formerly under the Division's Office of Cultural and Educational Services, the Commission became part of the Office of Research, Survey, and Registration in 1992. In September 1995, the Commission moved to the Office of Museum Services, and in October 2005 transferred from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the Department of Planning. In July 2008, it moved to the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives (Chapter 521, Acts of 2008).

The Commission serves as the statewide clearinghouse for preserving evidence of and documenting the African-American experience in Maryland. It specializes in research assistance and collection of historical materials - art objects, memorabilia, manuscripts, photographs, and other articles of significance to African-American history and culture. For the community at large and the educational systems and institutions within the State, the Commission provides exhibits, programs, and resource materials. The Commission operates the Banneker-Douglas Museum of African-American History and Culture in Annapolis.

Twenty-one members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Commission appoints the Director (Chapter 162, Acts of 2011; Code State Government Article, secs. 9.5-401 through 9.5-408).

[photo, Banneker-Douglass Museum, Franklin St., Annapolis, Maryland]

BANNEKER - DOUGLASS MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Banneker-Douglass Museum of African-American Life and History was dedicated and opened to the public on February 24, 1984. It was renamed the Banneker-Douglass Museum of African-American History and Culture in 1993, and named for Benjamin Banneker, the first African-American mathematician and astronomer, and Frederick Douglass, the first African American to gain international prominence as a proponent of human rights.

Banneker-Douglass Museum, 84 Franklin St., Annapolis, Maryland, July 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Museum is housed in the former Mt. Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was included in the Annapolis Historic District in 1971, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
In 1983, the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism originated as the Governor's Volunteer Council. Additional duties stem from the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Citizenship formed in 1990. The Governor's Commission on Service was created by the Governor in January 1994 pursuant to the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-82). At that time, the Commission assumed responsibilities of the Governor's Volunteer Council and the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Citizenship (Executive Order 01.01.1994.01). From January 1997 to 2003, the Commission functioned under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. It was renamed the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism in February 1998 (Executive Order 01.01.1998.08), reorganized in November 2003 (Executive Order 01.01.2003.48), and was reauthorized both in October 2004 and July 2013 (Executive Orders 01.01.2004.58 and 01.01.2013.02).

The Commission marshals volunteer resources to meet community needs, encourage a sense of stewardship with the community, and foster a responsible and enterprising citizenry.

Maryland's participation in the National and Community Trust Act of 1993 is overseen by the Commission. The Act requires participating states to develop, update, and implement a three-year strategic plan for service programs. Submitted in May 1994, the plan sets funding and program priorities for allocation of federal funds in Maryland. With the Governor's approval, the Commission may apply to the Corporation for National Service and other public and private sources for additional funding.

The Commission consists of the State Superintendent of Schools and from 14 to 24 members appointed by the Governor to three-year terms. The Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives serves as a nonvoting member. The Commission elects its chair annually.

ETHNIC COMMISSIONS

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS

The Commission advises the Governor and Executive Branch agencies on matters relating to the African community of Maryland, including those relating to economic, workforce and business development.

The Commission meets at least six times a year.

Appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, the Commission consists of twenty-one members. The Governor names the chair.

OFFICE OF ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN AFFAIRS
At the request of the General Assembly, the Governor established the Office of Asian-Pacific American Affairs to assist and promote the interests of Maryland's Asian-Pacific American community in 1992 (Chapter 397, Acts of 1991).

Asian-Pacific Americans came originally from Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Samoa, Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldive Islands, or Nepal.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERICAN AFFAIRS

On issues which affect Maryland's Asian-Pacific Americans, the Commission advises the Governor and the Office of Asian-Pacific American Affairs. Such issues include matters relating to economic, workforce and business development.

The Commission meets at least six times a year.

Twenty-one members make up the Commission. They are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms. The Governor designates the chair (Executive Order 01.01.2007.19).

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS
Within the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, the Governor's Commission on Caribbean Affairs was authorized in June 2012 (Executive Order 01.01.2012.11).

The Commission serves as an advisory body to the Governor and Executive Branch agencies on matters relating to the Caribbean population of Maryland, including those concerned with economic, workforce and business development.

Appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, nine members constitute the Commission. The Governor designates the chair.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON HISPANIC AFFAIRS
In 1971, the Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs originated as the Commission on the Concerns of Spanish-Speaking People. It received its current name in 1978 (Executive Order 01.01.1978.14). In July 2003, the Commission was reconstituted and reauthorized (Executive Order 01.01.2003.19). In September 2007, the Commission moved from the Department of Human Resources to the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives (Executive Order 01.01.2007.18). In October 2007, the Commission was reorganized and reauthorized (Executive Order 01.01.2007.21).

The Commission advises the Governor, the General Assembly, and agencies within the Executive Department on matters relating to the Hispanic peoples of Maryland, including matters related to economic, workforce and business development. It works with the Hispanic community, private groups, and agencies of State and local government to serve and represent the State's Hispanic people and promote their interests.

The Commission meets at least six times a year.

Twenty-nine members comprise the Commission. Twenty-one are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor. Seven are nonvoting ex officio members, and one nonvoting member represents the Governor's Office.

COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
The Commission on Indian Affairs began in 1974 as part of the Commission on Afro-American and Indian History and Culture. Within the Department of Economic and Community Development, it became a separate agency in 1976 (Chapter 148, Acts of 1976). In 1987, the Commission on Indian Affairs was made part of the Division of Cultural Activities within the Department of Housing and Community Development (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). It joined the Division of Historical and Cultural Programs in 1988. Formerly under the Division's Office of Cultural and Educational Services, the Commission in 1992 was placed under the Office of Research, Survey, and Registration. In October 2001, the Commission moved to the Office of Management, Planning, and Educational Outreach. In October 2005, the Commission transferred to the Department of Human Resources (Chapter 440, Acts of 2005). In July 2008, the Commission transferred to the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives (Chapter 521, Acts of 2008).

Programs and projects to further the cultural, educational, economic and social development of Maryland's diverse Indian communities are coordinated by the Commission. The Commission also works to promote public awareness and appreciation of the rich contributions that Indians have made to life in the State. Moreover, the Commission studies the influence of indigenous Indian tribes and their influence on Maryland history and culture. Subjects of these studies include Cherokees, Chippewas, Choptanks, Creeks, Crees, Delawares, Haliwas, Lumbees, Nanticokes, Piscataways, Potomacs, Rappahannocks, Seminoles, Susquehannas, and Wicomicos.

Petitions from Native-American groups for recognition by the Governor as Maryland Indian tribes are reviewed by the Commission. The Commission also reviews requests to the Maryland Historical Trust for transfer to Native Americans of human remains and associated funerary objects in the custody of the Trust.

Several committees assist the Commission. They are concerned with Advisory, Archeological, Economic and Social Welfare, Health and Mental Health, Public Education, Recognition, and Sweat Lodge.

The Commission consists of nine members, a majority of whom must be members of the Native American communities of Maryland. Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, members serve three-year terms. Annually, the Commission elects a chair and vice-chair. Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Commission appoints the Administrator (Code State Government Article, secs. 9.5-301 through 9.5-312).

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON MIDDLE-EASTERN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
In October 2007, the Governor created the Governor's Commission on Middle-Eastern American Affairs (Executive Order 01.01.2007.22), and in 2008 the Commission joined the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives.

The Commission advises the Governor and other State agencies on matters relating to Maryland's Middle-Eastern Americans, such as economic issues, the workforce, and business development, or matters affecting their health, safety, and welfare. it also identifies needs or problems affecting Middle Eastern Americans.

The Commission meets at least six times a year.

Twenty-one members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor.

GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS
The Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs was initiated by the Governor within the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives in August 2012 (Executive Order 01.01.2012.17).

To the Governor and agencies within the Executive Department, the Commission serves as an advisory body on matters relating to South Asian Americans of Maryland, including economic matters, education, and workforce development. It also identifies needs or problems affecting South Asian Americans.

The Commission meets at least six times a year.

Appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, twenty-one members constitute the Commission. The Governor names the chair.