October 2023

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, October 20, 2023

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 on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 Public Comment Proulx-Curry
Business Meeting
10:15 Call to Order Proulx-Curry
10:18 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
    A.  Reminder: Protocols for hybrid business meetings
    B. Conflict of Interest awareness in Board actions
    C. Changes in Commission membership
    D. Reminder - no meeting in November
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Proulx-Curry
Consent Agenda 
10:30 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on September 15, 2023 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the regular Executive Committee meeting on October 3 be accepted.
C. Climate Corps Task Force
Moved that the reports of the Climate Corps Task Force meeting on September 20 be accepted.
D. Maine Service Fellows Advisory Committee
Moved that he reports of the Advisory Committee meetings on September 19 be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:35 A. Foundation update
1. Report from October 13 meeting		 Portela, MVF board member
10:45 B. Commission Ambassadors to Maine National Service programs: program reports from summer visits Board members
10:55 C. Transition Task Force update - recommendations and findings from consultant May
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:40 A. Public Policy
1. State legislative update
2. Federal actions, implications, and Commission work

TBD - state
Proulx-Curry
11:50 B. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Funding recommendations for AmeriCorps Formula grants - off-cycle competition held this fall
(See documents in Reports and Drafts below)		 Barrett
12:00 C. Executive Committee 
1. Review of policy on Executive Committee actions on behalf of the board and how it relates to authorizing report to the legislature		 Proulx-Curry
12:10 D. Communications Task Force
1. Update from 9/13 meeting		 Lebson
12:15 E. Maine Service Fellows Advisory
1. Update if needed		 Branham
12:20 F. Climate Corps Task Force
1. Update if needed		 Brewer
12:25 G. DEI Task Force
1. Change in guest schedule and other updates		 Branham
12:30 H. Excellence and Expertise Task Force 
1. Report out on conference
2. Youth Service Grants
3. Final Ambassador assignments		 VanSteenberghe
12:40 I. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 		 Cheesman
12:45 J. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. See posted reports. 		 Various staff
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
12:50 A. Post retreat actions and feedback
1. Action on any items or issues emerging from board retreat		 Proulx-Curry
Business Wrap Up
1:10 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next scheduled business meeting is December 15 and there will be another vote on grants 
C. Adjourn 		 Proulx-Curry
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: September 15

2. Executive Committee meeting: October 3

3. Grant Selection and Performance:  October 13
    Task Force Funding Recommendations
    Report to Board on Alpha Legal Proposal
    Report to Board on Penobscot Nation Housing Dept Proposal

4. Communications: Report at meeting

5. Public Policy: no report

6. Climate Corps:  September 20

7. Maine Service Fellows: September 19

8. Excellence and Expertise:  no report

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current    

Program Development and Training Officer: Current    

Climate Corps Coordinator: Current  

Maine Service Fellows Coordinator:  Current      

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current    

Office Administrator: 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.

Board Policy: Executive Committee action on behalf of the board

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.

 

This Month the Quiz is taking a break!

Given the pre-reading Commissioners are asked to do for the retreat plus the prep for the meeting, the Quiz is taking a short break. Back in December!!