Oct 2025 - Administrative Staff Report

Program Development & Training Officer

Major projects completed – October 2025

•   Completed move to MOCA offices and re-established business systems

•   Completed final meetings with recent cohort of Planning Grantees and started the closeout process

•   Supported execution of the Maine AmeriCorps Member Conference at UMA on October 10th

•   Began ServeMaine.org outreach plan, developing messaging and agency support tools.

•   Continued hand-off processes with Exec Director and other staff for duties assigned to Training Officer.

•   Provided Technical Assistance to planning grantees related to Formula application planning.

•   Participated in Donation Coordination Team revisions of Volunteer Annex for Maine Disaster Response Plan

Issues to be aware of –

•  The AmeriCorps NOFA for 2026 competitive funding has been significantly delayed from its normal issue in August each year. This impacts our current Competitive awardees, one who is in a continuation year and the other in a recompete. The latter necessitates the opening of a state RFA which cannot be finalized until the information in the federal NOFA can be determined, including its due date.  This may require a very rapid competition and review process, include portions in which commissioners may be needed as reviewers

•  The Commission has an open RFPs for AmeriCorps formula funding. Commissioners should be aware that any questions regarding the competitions or the RFPs should be directed to the staff member identified in the RFP documents.

•  As expected, moving to MOCA has created delays and unanticipated challenges in all areas of operation.  This has been exacerbated by the federal shutdown. Setting up systems with new partners and a new service center will take time to complete. Have no one to have questions answered by AmeriCorps makes the situation more challenging.

Major focus of effort in the new month –

•  Pre-stage a competitive RFA template for rapid deployment upon issue of annual federal NOFO

•  Continue to take steps to establish ServeMaine site, including specific outreach to key agencies and ongoing monitoring and approval of agency accounts

•  Schedule and begin New Grantee training series with new formula awardees after November funding vote(s)

•   Assist with setting up new grantees in Commission databases, and supporting contracting as needed.

•  Continue to provide training and technical assistance to new grantees. Provide support to AmeriCorps grantees with open positions and those going into recruitment for January starts.

•  Continue hand-off processes with Exec Director and other staff for duties assigned to Training Officer.

Other activity –

•  Ongoing AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face. Co-Hosting of Monthly AmeriCorps Technical Assistance meeting with Grants Officer as a training opportunity

•  Provide financial service support; including procurement system management as well as initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.

•  Support Service Program Task Force and continue process of handing off this role to other staff

Note: Monthly Maine Volunteer Managers’ Network meeting was cancelled due to illness