December 2022

The mission of Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, is to foster and inspire community service and volunteerism to address critical needs in the State of Maine.

NOTICE: Regular Business Meeting

Friday, December 16, 2022

Maine Govt East Campus, 19 Elkins Lane Rm 110, Augusta, ME 04333
AND
Virtually using this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/89856384304 

All business meetings are open to the public who may attend either in person or using the link above.  

The parking lot for 19 Elkins Lane faces the former Eastside Wellness Center and Harlow Building. Entrance to Elkins is through the Williams Pavilion. Use Arsenal Street to enter the campus. 

This link shows the location of the building on the campus.

Map for Driving Directions 

Public Comment: Anyone who wishes to participate in the public comment using technology is asked to register by sending an email to Service.Commission@maine.gov by 5 pm onThursday, December 15, 2022. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
9:45 Swearing in of Commissioners (New and Reappointed) Dedimus
10:00 Public Comment Tilton-Flood
Business Meeting
10:15 Call to Order Tilton-Flood
10:18 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
    A. Recognitions
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Tilton-Flood
Consent Agenda 
10:30 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on October 21, 2022 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of Executive Committee meetings on November 7 and December 6, 2022 be accepted.
C. Communications Task Force
Moved that the report of Communications Task Force meetings on October 25 and November 29, 2022 be accepted.
E. Research and Evaluation Task Force
Moved that the report of the Research and Evaluation Task Force meeting on October 19 and November 16, 2022 be accepted		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:35 A. Foundation update MVF board member
10:45 B. Maine Service Fellows program: The first sites are ready to recruit and other updates Hurner
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
11:00 A. 2023 Workplan based on Strategic Plan
Task Forces identify elements in their areas. Adopt for Jan 2023 implementation. (see Background below for doc)		 Tilton-Flood, Crofton
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:40 A. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Funding recommendation for new AmeriCorps State Competitive Grant (see Reports below)
2. Funding recommendations for 2 AmeriCorps continuation applications (see Reports below)
3. Update on Climate Corps grantee - met condition of the grant
4. Acknowledge peer reviewers and tech reviewers
5. Other		 Barrett
11:50 B. Research and Evaluation Task Force
1. Consider and adopt requirements for membership in Maine Climate Corps Network (see Reports below)
2. Changing task force mission/focus/name		 Haines,
Brewer
12:00 C. National Public Policy Committees 
1. States for Service
2. America's Service Commissions		 Shorty
Crofton
 
12:10 D. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 		 Cheesman
12:15 E. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Outcome of Volunteer Generation grant application
2. Climate Corps and Commission in Maine Climate Council Report
3. Other		 Various staff
Business Wrap Up
12:30 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next scheduled business meeting - 10 am, February 17.  
C. Adjourn 		 Tilton-Flood
Reports & Drafts

Meeting Schedules

View Calendar Notices Here

To facilitate board communication and assure compliance with the requirements for public notice, all Volunteer Maine meetings and work sessions will be posted on this site's Calendar as well as the State of Maine Legislative Calendar.

Task Force chairs are asked to check the dates/times/locations for their groups and notify staff of any changes.

As Volunteer Maine adds new staff and commissioners, we hope this central posting will help us all avoid "double booking" and, at the same time, make communication with partners smoother.

Minutes

1. Business meeting minutes: October 2022

2. Executive Committee meeting: November 2022   and  December 2022

3. Grant Selection and Performance:  December 2022
    Reports: New AmeriCorps grant application, Greater Portland Council of Governments + Maine Prisoner Re-entry Network

                   Continuation AmeriCorps proposals, Maine Conservation Corps + Kennebec Valley Community Action/EduCare   

4. Communications:  October 2022   and November 2022

5. Excellence and Expertise: TBP - meets 12/12

6. Research and Evaluation: October 2022  and November 2022 and Maine Climate Corps Network proposal

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current  

Program Development and Training Officer: Current and October 2022

Communications Officer: Current and October 2022

Climate Corps Coordinator: Current and October 2022

Maine Service Fellows Coordinator:  Current and  October 2022

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current  and October 2022

Office Administrator: Current and October 2022

Background

These items are either background for some of the discussions and/or at the Commission meeting or information on national or regional issues that may impact the Commission.

Strategic Plan work outline for 2023. Draft for work session in 12/16 meeting. (recommend viewing onscreen at 100%)

Semester of Youth-led Service: Grant application (due 2/22) -- spread the word!

Final policy on remote participation in Commission business meetings 

Commish's Quiz

Commissioner Quiz

More than a contest, this is part of the "in-service education" for Commission board members.

Commission Members should: email their response before 5 pm Thursday, December 15, 2022!

Send your answers to Service.Commission@maine.gov. All correct answers will be well rewarded at the meeting.

This Month's Challenge - you have choices!

If you didn't submit to last month's quiz, it is below as Option #2. If you sent an answer, Option #1 is for you. And any truly ambitious person can submit answers for both!

OPTION #1

Q: Many presenters at the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference had the initials CVA after their name and our own Kelsey just earned those initials! Question is ... what is the significance?

Reference hint: https://cvacert.org/

OPTION #2

The Commission offers a Certificate in Management of Volunteers which is earned through our online course. If the student really digs into the work, it takes 30 hours to complete. Commission staff are proctors meaning each student's homework and journal is reviewed and feedback is provided.

Q: How many modules are there and what topics are covered??

Reference hint: http://www.volunteermaine.gov/volunteer-leaders/training/management-certificate