Major projects completed
- Under the auspices of the MDOE Career and Technical support personnel, I met with 13 of the 27 Directors of CTE schools and provided information on volunteer opportunities available to graduates, with an emphasis on opportunities within Maine and through AmeriCorps NCCC. These schools report on outcomes for graduates to USDOE and participation in National Service is now countable as a career outcome under new federal reporting rules.
- Begin meeting with representatives of a coastal climate corps planning group to establish a planning cycle for an upcoming application cycle. Also initiated discussion with CTE staff and Commission Chair regarding opportunity to develop a collaborative Community college CTE training apprenticeship model that would fit into climate corps as well.
- Began AmeriCorps Member Conference planning meetings with selected member representatives from 10 programs and contracted with a planning support assistant to facilitate meetings and support member planners.
- Co-started a 7-session 2-month Service Enterprise Training Cohort with assistance from Volunteer Sector Initiatives Officer.
- Collaborated Racial Equity & Justice contracted with trainers and program staff to finalize details for delivery of DEIA training for program staff and site supervisors.
- The Ending Hunger in Maine VISTA project director in DACF was replaced in January. We repeated the outreach done for the former director that was offered in December to welcome the new staffer.
- Participated in the Regional Conference Planning Committee for the 2022 ASC sponsored regional conferences and advocated for an AmeriCorps Seniors session track as well as nominating Cindy Whitney, AC Senior Staff with Catholic Charities to also represent Maine in the planning. Primary task was to provide input on plenary speakers and assist in the selection of sessions from among submitted proposals.
- Assisted Maine Conservation Corps in their Evaluation RFP review process as a member of the review team.
Issues to be aware of
- The Training Officer will be on leave between March 6 and April 2 but will host the March and April Technical Assistance meetings. Service Enterprise training sessions will be hosted by the Volunteer Sector Initiatives Officer.
- Racial Equity & Justice training is ongoing with program staff and many site supervisors (30 individuals) participating in an online "level I" training to be followed in March by two "live" zoom sessions during the scheduled March Technical Assistance meeting and the scheduled March program office hours.
- Planning grant RFP is under development for issue next month or early March with an April deadline.
Major focus of effort in the new month
- Major planning for AmeriCorps Member Conference, scheduled for March 30
- Continue with SE Training Cohort started in January
- Outreach to potential planning grant applicants, including Coastal Climate Corps, CTE/MCC coalition and organizations from agencies serving BIPOC, immigrant, or other underrepresented populations.
- Close out various contracts and complete 2021 CIF grant cycle (operating under a 3-month NCE)
- Supporting Maine Conservation Corps in their Evaluation plan revisions and Technical Assistance sessions with NORC and int eh selection of their evaluation consultants.
Other activity
- Worked to resolve extended eGrants issues involving MYA program and lack of positions available for their new members and provided multiple assistance sessions related to challenges they encountered in enrolling members when the slots were opened.
- Began participation (with Volunteer Sector Initiatives Officer) in the CNCS sponsored VGF evaluation support training series for VGF recipient commissions. This will be ongoing for a few months
- Submitted two session proposals to the 2022 Points of Light National Volunteerism Conference
- Provided staff support to E & E task Force
- Ongoing AmeriCorps & VGF Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.
- Supported Office Admin with procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.