; gender representation (1) In General In selecting individuals for the national climate service program, the Director shall ensure that eligible participants are from economically, geographically, and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The Director shall take appropriate steps to recruit and select participants such that not less than 50 percent of participants are from under-resourced communities of need. (2) Service in communities of origin To the extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that participants are provided opportunities to perform service in their communities of origin if desired. (3) Gender representation To the greatest extent practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and representation of all genders among participants. (4) Rural representation To the greatest extent practicable, the Director shall ensure inclusion and representation of participants from counties with a population of less than 50,000 residents. (d) Period of participation Individuals desiring to participate in the national service program shall enter into an agreement with the Director to participate in the Civilian Climate Corps for a period of not less than nine months and not more than one year, as specified by the Director. Individuals may renew the agreement for not more than one additional such period, with any number of years between periods of service. (e) Director Upon the establishment of the Civilian Climate Corps, the Civilian Climate Corps national climate service program shall be under the direction of the Director. (f) Membership in civilian climate corps (1) Selection of members The Director or the Director’s designee shall select individuals for participation within the national climate service program, which shall grant the individual membership within the Civilian Climate Corps. (2) Application for membership To be selected to become a member of the Civilian Climate Corps through the national climate service program, an individual shall submit an application to the Director or to any other office as