November 2025 Administrative Staff Report
Program Development & Training Officer
Major projects completed – November 2025

  • Began a series of sessions with Grants Officer and Executive Director aimed at identifying areas of Policy and Procedure that are inconsistent or that need updating based on current practice, approved changes not well reflected in policy documents, and out-of-date references and language in the policy documents.
  • Worked with MOCA staff to update p-card expense report approval processes and to complete transition from prior MDOE system
  • Developed video trainings and began significant outreach related to encouraging agency sign-ups for the ServeMaine platform, including direct outreach to agency managers, the Volunteer managers’ Network, and the general public via planned press release scheduled for after the thanksgiving Holiday.
  • Scheduled New Grantee trainings for Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County.  Trainings are hosted at the program’s home offices. Began revising and updated training presentations and associated resources to support these trainings
  • Provided other direct assistance to GINNE, GPCOG, Alpha Legal, & Ending Hunger in Maine on various topics. Provided ASN, VISTA and AmeriCorps Seniors updates related to the government shutdown and subsequent federal announcements 
  • Assisted Grant Officer with contract template review supporting contract creation FRO January start AC programs
  • Hosted monthly Volunteer Managers’ Network Meeting.  The network added 8 new members in November
  • Participated in the quarterly Maine VOAD meeting, sharing ServeMaine platform to be used by the state in disasters while also providing ‘blue skies’ volunteer matching option.

Issues to be aware of –

  • The Training Office will be retiring at the start of January so a significant portion of the work in the coming month will be taken up with handing off duties and responsibilities.  These include management of AmeriCorps Technical assistance, Volunteer Managers’ network, Service Enterprise, Calendar of Events, Financial & Procurement roles, ServeMaine management, VOAD and MEMA liaison work, and support of other staff members.
  • Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County will need New Grantee Training.  This will be somewhat abbreviated because they benefit from having been a planning grantee.  However, the limited timeframe they must both learn the set-up for an operational grant and the compliance requirements related to enrolling members, including background check requirements and eligibility requirements, which are of particular importance.
  • We are working with the university of Maine Micro-credential Office to lower the cost of participation for AmeriCorps members in the Introduction to Volunteer Management Micro-credential’s three units

Major focus of effort in the new month –

  • Developing and executing hand-off of major activities performed by this position.
  • Continuing review of AmeriCorps Policy and Procedures to identify needed updates
  • Support the Grants officer in hosting all grantees in Augusta for AmeriCorps Technical Assistance. This will be the first meeting with the GO being primary host.
  • Complete required federal reporting and closeout for planning grantees and close out of 2024 CIF award.
  • Work with Galaxy Digital do discontinue Maine Ready platform and continue to promote ServeMaine.org as a replacement.

Other activity –

  • Ongoing AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face. Hosting of Monthly AmeriCorps Technical Assistance meeting
  • Supported Service program Task force agenda development and participated in the monthly meetings
  • 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.