Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 66820 [05-21955]

Agencies

• Corporation for National and Community Service

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 66820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21955]



[[Page 66820]]

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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Information Collection; Submission for OMB Review; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation'') has submitted a public information 
collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, Public Law 104-13, (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of this ICR, 
with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling 
the Corporation for National and Community Service, Ms. Angela Roberts, 
at (202) 606-6822, (aroberts@cns.gov); (TTY/TDD) at (202) 606-5256 
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time, Monday through 
Friday.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by December 5, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, by either of the following two 
methods:
    (1) By fax to: (202) 395-6974, Attention: Ms. Katherine Astrich, 
OMB Desk Officer for the Corporation for National and Community 
Service; and
    (2) Electronically by e-mail to: Katherine--T.--
Astrich@omb.eop.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the Corporation's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Senior Corps ``Join Senior Service Now'' Senior Corps web-
based recruitment system.
    OMB Number: 3045-0078.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: (1) Prospective volunteers age 55 and over and (2) 
organizations electing to post opportunities for volunteers age 55 and 
over on the system.
    Total Respondents: 452,526: 152,526 registered users and 300,000 
unregistered users.
    Frequency: Annual.
    Average Time Per Respondent: 7 minutes for individuals.
     25 minutes for organizations posting opportunities.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 30,000.
     Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
     Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Description: The Corporation requests approval with no changes to 
its existing Web-based recruitment system known as ``JASON.''
    Comments: A 60-day public comment Notice, regarding modification of 
the Senior Corps Web-based recruitment system was published in the 
Federal Register on June 28, 2005. A total of 28 written responses were 
received. All of the written responses were submitted by Senior Corps 
project directors. Each written response contained numerous separate 
comments or statements.
    (a) Twenty comments were received about the overall effectiveness 
of recruiting volunteers ages 55 and over using the JASON system. Nine 
indicated that the system is not effective at all; with five also 
commenting that low-income seniors are not computer literate, and six 
indicated that the JASON system is effective for recruiting current 
seniors as well as volunteers too young for the Senior Corps programs. 
The Corporation believes that these comments reflect the demographic 
shift underway in our society. In contrast to individuals age 65 and 
over, mid to late Baby Boomers and younger Americans are generally 
indistinguishable in their use of computers. The Corporation projects 
that the JASON system is an investment that will pay off in the near 
future, as more computer savvy individuals become eligible for Senior 
Corps.
    (b) Nine comments were received about the user-friendliness of the 
JASON system. Six indicated that the system is easy to use; and three 
indicated that using online forms can be confusing. The Corporation 
will more prominently post the ``step-by-step'' guides for users on the 
site.
    (c) Eight comments focused on the Federal cost of the system. Five 
comments indicated that the system is too expensive for the return on 
investment, and recommended that JASON be discontinued. Two stated that 
the cost should be lowered. One comment said that JASON is already cost 
effective. The Corporation agrees that the JASON cost going forward 
will be reduced to approximately \1/3\ of the original cost per year. 
This reduction is due to the inapplicability of start-up costs going 
forward.
    (d) Three comments said that the time demands of JASON are too 
burdensome for the benefits received. The Corporation believes that the 
burden is appropriate.
    (e) A total of 11 general comments were received that were beyond 
the scope of this information collection. Comments included four 
instances where seniors who expressed interest in volunteering did not, 
in turn, answer the telephone calls or e-mails from project staff 
seeking more information. Two comments contained pleas to provide more 
Federal funds to grantees for local recruitment campaigns. Three were 
general comments about dependence on computers in general.

    Dated: October 24, 2005.
Tess Scannell,
Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 05-21955 Filed 11-2-05; 8:45 am]
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