Major projects completed
- Attended ASC Regional National Service Conference in Burlington to gain new skills and develop ideas for summer training workshops
- Individualized training/meetings on multiple topics for GPCOG, UMCOA, MDF, and KVCAP in addition to regular Technical assistance. Supported MCC with outreach and model development for MDOE organized Marine Science Summer Education programming
- Processed ARPA amendments in the financial management system and sent amendment notifications to all subgrantees. Revised OnCorps Budget Modification instructions to incorporate new option to include ARPA funding.
- Submitted and was approved for CIF Part II budget revision to AmeriCorps agency.
- Provided outreach and support to new potential applicants from town of Millinocket, Alpha Legal, Maine Technology Institute, and Maine Community College System, as well as continuing to support MDOE planning development. Outreach to Alpha Legal resulted in a planning grant application.
- Developed and submitted a workshop for the MDOE summer educator convening, in coordination with C.Whitney, AmeriCorps Seniors expert to share National Service support strategies with schools and districts across the state. Also represented the Commission at the quarterly Maine VOAD meeting.
Issues to be aware of
- Conversations with South Portland Schools related to pressure on the district created by the large influx of asylum seekers within the town have expanded to include the City of Portland. The agencies have moved forward with VISTA applications and explored Summer VISTA Associate support as well as NCCC team support. The conversation is now moving towards a possible application for a Commission funded intervention for the region, if an appropriate legal applicant can be determined.
- Summer Training workshops are scheduled including a Commission provided luncheon on August 4th. All Commissioners are welcome to participate in the luncheon on that date. The workshops are designed to be seminar rather than lecture format, with heavy emphasis on grantee staff participation in sharing experience and knowledge. The goal, with no new operating grantees, is to burnish important skill areas rather than focus on compliance training.
- Met with University of Maine admin for micro-credentialling to begin the process of creating a system of potential credentials for serving AmeriCorps members. This is a long-term development strategy aimed at increasing the credentials Maine AC members can acquire in service and use post-service.
- Due to an accident involving a family member, I have had to miss a number of days and partial days during May. This will continue, but at a much reduced intensity over the next month or so
Major focus of effort in the new month
- Continue to support Greater Portland asylee intervention development and continue support for emerging potential future applicants in Lewiston and other areas of the state.
- Finalization of Prior CIF grant closeout
- Complete online course for AmeriCorps Planning
- Develop summer training agendas for the various training dates and develop necessary curricular and material supports
- Assist with organization and facilitation of clarification and corrections for newly funded formula planning grant and continuation applicants.
Other activity
- Compiled and sent out the Maine AmeriCorps Member Directory using data collected during the AC Member Conference
- Facilitated E & E Task Force Meeting and follow-up.
- Ongoing AmeriCorps Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.
- Procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.