Schwarzenegger pumps up volunteering.(Who ... When ... Where ... How ... WHAT?)

California, always near the forefront when it comes all things nonprofit, now has a cabinet-level position in the governor's office for volunteerism.

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In an effort to encourage volunteerism and coordinate volunteer activities between departments and agencies, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order to create the new position of secretary of service and volunteering.

The post, which does not require Senate confirmation, comes with an annual salary of $175,000. Due to the state's budget deficit, however, the governor's appointee--Karen Baker of Sacramento--will voluntarily not accept an increase in compensation, remaining at her current salary of $130,332. Baker, a Democrat, has served as executive director of California Volunteers, formerly known as California Service Corps and the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism, since 2005.

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According to the governor's of rice, the executive order will "raise the profile of service in the Golden State to a national level; improve coordination of vital volunteer activities statewide and support local service efforts; encourage more Californians to become involved with service and volunteerism; help California respond to natural disasters and emergencies; and give California's volunteers a voice at the highest levels of state government."

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