Major projects completed --
- Recruited, trained and managed scoring process of the Peer Review team for Competitive RFA. Revised needed scoring tools and updated record keeping documents
- Prepared application summary and past performance assessment for Grants Task Force for submitted application
- Scheduled suite of New Grantee trainings for Alpha Legal and Penobscot Tribe. Hosted the first two (of eight) on-site training sessions scheduled ahead of their Jan.1st start dates. Trainings are hosted at each program’s home offices due to the distance between them. Revised and updated training presentations and associated resources to support these trainings
- Attended the initial Advisory Council Meeting for the Alpha Legal Foundations’ AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigator Program (ALAN)
- Hosted a Planning Grant cohort meeting to clarify grant timelines, set up meeting times and coordinate initial steps needed to complete their contracting
- Provided other direct assistance to GPCOG, Alpha Legal, & Maine Conservation Corps
- Met with representatives of the Onion Foundation, and presented a half-day training on how AmeriCorps and other service programs might support their Foundation’s giving
- Coordinated with the ME Dept of Labor and GOPIF on submitting an application for a Service-to-Career Pathways Policy Academy grant to the National Governor’s Association. Separately coordinating with Maine Municipal Association to begin work on the Service Year Green Employer Learning Cohort grant received by Volunteer Maine in September
- Assisted Grant Officer & Financial Assistant with set up Planning grantees in Commission databases, and supporting contract creation
- Trained Grants Officer & Financial Assistant on updating financial information in federal reporting database (FFATA)
- Hosted monthly Volunteer Managers’ Network Meeting. The network added 5 new members in November
- Represented Volunteer Maine at the town of Yarmouth’s Volunteer Fair, tabling for locals interested in volunteering and sharing VM resources with other organizations
- Participated in the quarterly Maine VOAD meeting, sharing planned changes to the Maine Ready VRC platform used by the state in disasters, including the addition of a ‘blue skies’ volunteer matching option.
Issues to be aware of –
- The grant application to the National Governor’s Association would provide up to $50,000 to support or create service-to-career pathways. The bulk of the budget would support a position within Volunteer Maine to coordinate the to execute the proposed scope of work. Similarly, the Green Employer Learning Cohort work with Maine Municipal Association is seeking to establish concrete service activities and associated trainings leading to employment within municipal government, especially in roles related to resilience and climate connected activities.
- As previously noted, The Penobscot Nation has agreed to re-start its Penobscot Nation Energy Efficiency AmeriCorps Program. The Tribe has engaged their new Grant Manager, new Housing Director and the Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator (a position shared among the tribal nations in the state) to manage the program. There will be one significant change to the program design: the nation is moving to provide training in heat pump installation and repair instead of solar array assessments for at least their first year
Major focus of effort in the new month –
- Completing training cycles for Alpha Legal & Penobscot Nation programs.
- Complete course testing for January opening of Volunteer Manager’s Certification course
- Host all grantees in Augusta for shared AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Planning grantee, and Climate Corps meeting
- Determine the direction for the AmeriCorps Member conference.
- Complete required federal reporting on planning grantees.
- Finalize changes to agreement with Galaxy Digital regarding Maine Ready and new ‘blue-skies’ platform
Other activity –
- Ongoing AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face. Hosting of Monthly AmeriCorps Technical Assistance meeting
- Supporting new Financial Support staff person and continuing to provide direct financial services; including procurement system management as well as initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.