Leadership Ripples: Federal Volunteers

Created in 1993 to serve as the main federal vehicle for coordinating the many federal volunteer programs in existence and to create new ones, CNS’ purpose was to renew the ethic of civic responsibility and spirit of community throughout the U.S. through participation in national service programs. Through the National Service Leadership Institute, CNS set out to develop the leadership capacities of program managers, volunteers, and other community change agents engaged in the burgeoning fields of service learning and national service. To achieve this national impact, CNS entered into a partnership with IISC whereby IISC trained and certified CNS staff and affiliated consultants in Facilitative Leadership. Ultimately, thousands of national service leaders were trained directly and, in turn, tens of thousands more, in the skills and tools of collaboration, thereby bolstering the efficacy and potency of the national service movement.


  • I don’t know of any other consulting group that has more knowledge and experience in the area of social change work than IISC.

    Pam Jones
    Program Officer, LISC Boston

  • Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in something similar, regardless of whether or not your core activity is facilitation. We all participate in meetings of some kind and this understanding can lead to a much more effective, inclusive way of doing our jobs.

    Virginia Bohan
    Senior Training Advisor, FAS- Training and Employment Authority, Kilkenny, Ireland