DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad wants to help more Iowa residents participate in national service programs. Branstad on Monday said he had signed an executive order to create the Governor’s Council on National Service in Iowa. That group will make recommendations on how to expand opportunities to participate in national service programs, like AmeriCorps. It will also look for ways to increase volunteer opportunities in the state.

Among the goals set out for the Council is trying to develop new public-private partnerships to support service in Iowa. The group will provide preliminary recommendations to the governor this summer and a final report by Feb. 1, 2015. Branstad says the state benefits when citizens “take the initiative and engage in their communities.”