ST. THOMAS - Gov. John deJongh Jr. has signed an executive order establishing the Virgin Islands Territorial Commission on National and Community Service.

"This commission is established to encourage community service and volunteer participation as a means of community and island problem-solving," deJongh said Tuesday in a Government House statement.

The commission will promote and support voluntary citizen involvement in government and private service programs throughout the territory while developing a long-term, comprehensive plan of action for community service initiatives in the Virgin Islands, according to the statement. The commission also will serve as the territory's liaison to national and state organizations that support its mission.

The commission will consist of 16 members appointed by the governor on a bipartisan basis. The membership will include people with expertise in the educational training and developmental needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth; individuals with experience in promoting involvement of older adults in service and volunteerism; a representative of a community-based agency or organization; the Education commissioner; a representative of local labor organizations; a member of the business sector; and a person between the ages of 16 and 25 who is either a participant or a supervisor in a volunteer or service program. Membership also will include the Human Services commissioner and a representative of a national service program.

The governor will appoint one third of the initial members for a term of one year; one third for a term of two years and one third for a term of three years. Following expiration of the initial terms, all appointments will be for three years.

Not more than 25 percent of the members may be employees of the government, however the executive order spells out specific non-voting ex-officio roles for the following people: chairperson of the Governor's Children and Family Council; Labor commissioner; Health commissioner; Sports, Parks and Recreation commissioner; Police commissioner; director of Health's Division of Mental Health; administrator of Human Services' Children and Family Services, president of the University of the Virgin Islands.

The commission, which will meet at least semi-annually, will elect a chairman and vice-chair, who both will serve for a term of one year.

The Department of Human Services will provide administrative and staff support for the commission, according to Government House.