ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13401Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13401

Responsibilities of Federal Departments and Agencies With Respect to Volunteer Community Service

This executive order requires every federal agency to designate a senior-level liaison for volunteer community service within 20 days, charged with promoting employee volunteering, coordinating with the USA Freedom Corps, and submitting annual reports with performance metrics. It revokes a 1992 predecessor order and establishes a reporting structure to measure agency volunteer service activities.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 25737

Impact dates

  1. Annual reports due thereafter measuring performance against approved indicators

  2. First annual report due from each agency Liaison with performance indicators and measurable objectives

  3. Agency heads must designate volunteer community service Liaison

Key directives

  • Designate agency liaison at or above Senior Executive Service minimum pay level within 20 days
  • Liaison shall identify, catalog, and review all agency activities relating to volunteer community service
  • Coordinate with USA Freedom Corps to promote volunteer service among employees
  • Work with OPM Director to consider policy changes inconsistent with OPM guidance
  • Coordinate awarding of President's Volunteer Service Award
  • Submit first report no later than 180 days from order date with annual performance indicators and measurable objectives
  • Submit annual reports thereafter measuring performance against approved indicators

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agency heads must designate Liaisons within 20 days
  • Revocation of Executive Order 12820 takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • First annual reports due from agency Liaisons (180 days from signing falls outside 90-day window, but initial setup and cataloging of activities occurs)
  • Liaisons begin identifying and reviewing agency volunteer-related activities

Long term

  • Annual reporting cycle continues indefinitely
  • Ongoing coordination with USA Freedom Corps and OPM
  • Performance measurement against established indicators year-over-year

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation (Sec. 3(c))
  • No judicially enforceable rights created (Sec. 5)
  • Vague on consequences for non-compliance or underperformance against indicators
  • Coordination burden between 100+ federal agencies and USA Freedom Corps
  • Revocation of EO 12820 without explicit grandfathering of existing structures
Executive Order 13401: Responsibilities of Federal Departments and Agencies With Respect to Volunteer Community Service · Executive Orders