February 2021

Notice

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, February 18, 2021
As authorized under Sec. G-1. 1 MRSA §403-A, the Commission will convene using technology. Commission meetings are open to the public and livestreamed. Members of the public can access the meeting through this URL -- LINK TO LIVE STREAM. A request to make a public comments may be submitted by email to Service.Commission [at] maine.gov any time before 6:00 pm on February 17, 2021.

Agenda

Time	Topic	Leader
10:00	Public Comment Period	Branham
10:15	Call to Order	Branham
10:17	Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments 1. Introductions 2. Quiz Answer 3. Announcements and Appreciations a. Presentation to State and Local Government b. Board representation at national convening of commissions c. Maine Instigator Grants - please publicize d. Governor's Service Award and Roll of Honor nominations e. Other 4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda 5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda	Branham
Consent Agenda
10:20	A. Business Minutes Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on December 18, 2020 be approved. B. Executive Committee Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for January and February 2, 2021 be accepted. C. Excellence and Expertise Moved that the report of Excellence and Expertise Task Force meeting for February 3, 2021 be accepted.	Branham
Planning and Future Initiatives
10:20	A. The Intersection of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and State Service Commissions Briefing by Kaira Esgate, Executive Director, America's Service Commissions B. Discussion of next steps in Volunteer Maine's review and reflection	Branham
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
10:45	A. Maine Volunteer Foundation 1. Briefing on Foundation and current accomplishments	Breen
Business Reports (Reports submitted are posted.)
11:00	A. Grant Selection and Performance 1. Proposed policy for action by Commission (see Reports/Drafts) 2. Other	Barrett
11:15	B. National Public Policy Committees of states 1. States for Service 2. America's Service Commissions - increases in funding; meetings with new leadership; other	Portela Crofton
11:30	H. Public Information and Education/Public Policy 1. Meeting notes posted. 2. LD to create Maine Service Fellows - Commissioner action needed	TiltonFlooc
11:45	I. Financial Oversight 1. Final calendar year status of finances.	Shorty
12:00	J. CNCS Update	Cheesman
12:10	K. MCCS Staff 1. Progress on filling staff vacancy 2. Climate Action Corps update 3. Respond to questions about items in staff reports 4. Events in March for Commissioner participation: AmeriCorps week, virtual National Service Day at Capitol, AmeriCorps Member Conference 5. Other	MCCS staff
Business Wrap Up
12:30 pm	A. Reminder: Complete meeting evaluation forms B. Next meeting (April 16, 2021 -- virtual)	Branham

Reports & Drafts

Meeting Schedules

View Calendar Notices Here

To facilitate board communication and assure compliance with the requirements for public notice, all MCCS 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 MCCS 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: December 2020

2. Executive Committee meeting: February 2021

3. Grant Selection and Performance: February 2021; Text of proposed policy is below in Background section.

4. Communications: February 2021

5. Excellence and Expertise: February 2021

6. Financial Oversight: no meeting just final 2020 financial report (THIS LINK)

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current

Communications Officer: Current

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current

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.

TEXT OF PROPOSED GRANT POLICY – NEW: AmeriCorps State programs may permit members to accrue service hours provided to programs or clients located outside of Maine for no more than 10% of the total service term so long as: (1) the service activities are compatible with the purpose of the grant including the emergency response clause of the Cooperative Agreement; (2) described in a written amendment to the Member agreement; and (3) pre-approved by the Commission Grant Officer. The amount of service time and the activity involved must be documented in the same manner as required when the person is serving the program and clients in Maine. Supervision for the Member must be of the same quality and nature as when the person serves in Maine.
American Rescue Act - overview of funding proposed for National Service programs, agency, and commissions
America's Service Commissions Overview of DEI Work in other commissions and at ASC -- slides used by guest presenter, Kaira Esgate (Executive Director, ASC)

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, February 17, 2021!

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

This Month's Challenge

In section 215 of the presidential Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad signed 1/27/2021, the Civilian Climate Corps was identified as a strategy to tackle the issues.

Question: What 2 agencies were named as responsible for working with other agencies to develop the corps and how many days do they have to submit their plan to the White House?

Hint: Link to the EO is HERE.

Maine.gov