Major projects completed – July 2024
- Did outreach to registrants and supported for presenters for Maine Volunteer leadership Conference. Continued liaison and planning work with the ME Dept of Education.
- Met with Axiom Education representatives and worked with them to explain and meet the requirements of the match disallowance and update the various financial and reporting systems as necessary.
- Planned and executed the first three (of six) training events for new grantee. July trainings included understanding Program Management platforms, Member Position Description requirements & Recruitment; Member Agreements & Training requirements; Member Enrollment, and NSCHC details.
- Prepared the AmeriCorps cooperative agreement for White Pine Programs and worked with them to complete required forms as well as set them up in the various databases needed for future program and grant management.
- Did outreach to selected agencies in anticipation of RFA's this fall for use of returned formula and planning grant funding and for the normal state competitive AmeriCorps round. Provided specific support in multiple meetings with Alpha Legal in support of their anticipated application.
- Supervised the CMV course update Intern, reviewed progress, and continued to identify resources necessary to complete the required tasks.
Issues to be aware of --
- The Office of the OIG has proposed a Fall “Get to Know You visit” as part of his interest in meeting outside of compliance interactions with state commissions. We agreed to a meeting mid-October and will keep commissioners abreast of emerging details
- The Volunteer Management Conference planning has taken up a significant portion of time, primarily in coordination with MDOE. It has been a challenge to adapt our protocols to their approach for registering and communicating with attendees
- The Federal NOFA for the upcoming competitive grant cycle (and the subsequent Formula competitions) has been released. Changes to the NOFA inform outreach efforts during the fall. Changes to federal criteria mean revision of state application document(s) and increases the need staff has for supporting applicants, all of which will impact the work cycle in program development and outreach
Major focus of effort in the new month --
- Complete Summer New Grantee Training Series, and additional support to newly starting applicants.
- Execution of Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference, tabling over the remaining days of the MDOE conference, and follow-up on attendee experience and the conference
- Outreach and support for potential Formula and Competitive AmeriCorps applicants
- The Federal NOFA for the upcoming competitive grant cycle (and the subsequent Formula competitions) has been released. Changes to the NOFA inform outreach efforts during the fall. Changes to federal criteria mean revision of state application document(s) and increases the need staff has for supporting applicants, all of which will impact the work cycle in program development and outreach
Other activity --
- Ongoing AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face. Hosting of Monthly AmeriCorps Technical Assistance meeting
- Hosting Maine Volunteer Manangers’ Network meetings
- Staffing Excellence & Expertise Task Force.
- Financial Management systems temporary lead, including procurement system management as well as initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts