June 17, 2016
Present: [in person] Ed Barrett, Ross Cunningham, Janice Daku, Mandela Gardner, Elizabeth Hite, Ron Holmes, Rob Liscord, John Portela, Barb Wentworth, David Wihry, Joe Young, Carol Rancourt
Public Comment (Holmes)
Three AmeriCorps program directors – Jo Orlando of Maine Conservation Corps, Liz Allen from AmeriCorps Somerset County, and Jen Craven of Multilingual Leadership Corps - shared news from their operations.
Meeting
The business meeting was called to order by chair Ron Holmes at 10:12 am. After introductions of Commissioners and staff, Holmes announced the Senate mark-up of the 2017 budget is very strong for national service and state commissions. The information distributed by ASC was shared. The monthly Commissioner quiz which was related to the Senate mark-up had three correct responses. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
Focus on Mission/Responsibilities
Sarah Anderson of SySTEM REAL AmeriCorps at REAL School briefed Commissioners on the program operation and accomplishments for the current year.
Business Reports
A. Minutes(Holmes)
1. April meeting minutes were presented for action. Moved by Portela to accept the minutes as posted. Second by Cunningham. Vote on motion: 9 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstention (Daku).
2. May meeting minutes were presented as posted with agenda. Moved by Young to accept the minutes as posted. Second by Portela. Vote on motion: 8 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstentions (Daku, Wentworth).
B. Executive Committee (Holmes)
The May report requires affirmation by the Commission because Executive Committee authorized submission of TTA funding plan to CNCS. Motion by Portela to approve the May report; second by Wihry. Vote on motion: unanimous in favor.
C. ASC Update (Holmes)
The ASC public policy committee has been focused on the Senate and House budget mark-ups. The Senate results were covered earlier in the meeting. The House committee has not scheduled its session yet.
D. Board Development (Holmes)
1. Results of retreat survey. A majority of Commissioners (13 of 18 filled seats) responded and the best date is September 29 and 30. The task force will ensure part of the time is devoted to assessing strategic plan progress but the survey revealed other areas of high interest. Commissioners should hold both days for the retreat.
2. Summary of vacancies and reappointment requests. Among those up for reappointment (some completed the terms of members who resigned), the following are seeking another term: Cunningham, Portela, Wihry.
All Commissioners need to assist in referring candidates for the following seats to the task force by July 28:
- expertise in environmental or natural resource community services;
- expertise in public safety services;
- representative of a community agency (potentially 2 seats – one specific to engaging volunteers over 55);
- expertise in youth development or youth education (2 seats – one specific to disadvantaged youth)
3. Slate of officers for 2016-2018 and election. Terms for Commission officers are two years which means this year new officers are elected. As a member of Board Development, Holmes presented the following slate of officers proposed for June 2016 through 2018: Chair, John Portela; Chair-elect, F. Celeste Branham; and Vice-chair, David Wihry. Moved by Holmes to elect the proposed slate of officers. Second by Daku. Vote on the motion: unanimous in favor.
There being no other Board Development business, Holmes turned the gavel and meeting over to Portela, the newly elected chair. As first order of business, Portela presented Holmes with a token of the Commission’s appreciation and praised his analytical approach, steady hand, and focused leadership during a time of constant change. Holmes now becomes the Commission liaison to the Maine Volunteer Foundation by virtue of being the Immediate Past Chair. Ron received a round of applause before departing for his daughter’s wedding.
E. Grant Selection and Performance(Wihry)
1. Continuation recommendations for AmeriCorps State Formula grantees. These grants are typically 3 year awards. Grantees are completing year one and applying for year two funding. The motions are by program and all have technical corrections as conditions to meet before the funding is final.
> For the program Multilingual Leadership Corps operated by Goodwill Industries of NNE, the Task Force recommends funding with expansion. Moved by Barrett that Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, Multilingual Leadership Corps be funded at the requested level of not more than $265,187 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $216,423 in local funds, supporting 21.19 member service years distributed over 44 slots. Second by Liscord. Vote on the motion: unanimous in favor.
> For the program SySTEM REAL AmeriCorps operated by REAL School, the Task Force recommends funding pending with specific conditions related to recruitment and increasing enrollment. Moved by Wihry that SySTEM REAL AmeriCorps be funded at the requested level of not more than $210,760 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $138,271 in local funds, supporting 16.36 member service years distributed over 34 slots with compliance conditions. Second by Young. Vote on the motion: unanimous in favor.
> For the program AmeriCorps Somerset County operated by Medical Care Development, the Task Force recommends funding pending with specific conditions related to recruitment and increasing enrollment. Moved by Young that Somerset AmeriCorps be funded at the requested level of not more than $178,479 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $87,005 in local funds, supporting 13.32 member service years distributed over 23 slots with compliance conditions. Second by Barrett. Vote on the motion: unanimous in favor.
2. AmeriCorps Competitive program awards. Decisions have been made on the AmeriCorps applications forwarded to the national CNCS competition in January. The LearningWorks school turnaround application for a new three-year award was selected for funding. Not selected for funding were Maine College of Art/Campus Compact and Eastern Maine Development Corporation (Bangor AmeriCorps).
Maine Conservation Corps was funded for continuation.
F. Excellence and Expertise. No report since the meeting is June 17 at 1pm.
G. Public Information and Education/ Public Policy(Portela)
The results of Commissioner assessments of outreach activities were shared. These will inform development of an annual marketing plan. The ranking will be used to consider what activities have priority and what activities will be done only when resources (human and financial) are sufficient.
H. Blaine House Conference Planners (Wihry)
The conference keynote will be Luther Snow who is one of the national trainers in asset-based community development. His specialty is rural communities. The planning committee is completing the agenda and registration should open in early August. Machias Savings Bank and Cabot Cooperative have committed to underwriting. That leaves $1,500 more in sponsorships to locate.
I. CNCS Regional Office update (Hite)
No updates for this month.
J. MCCS Staff(Crofton/Ashmore)
1. Commission TTA Funding. The award date is delayed again until mid-July. In preparation for changes, the hiring process for the MCCS Grants Officer has been completed. Pelin Fitzpatrick accepted the position and will move into it when Michael shifts to the Training and Program Development position.
2. Young Maine Roll of Honor. Maryalice asked for assistance in reformatting the award program recognition event. The Masonic Foundation is again interested in partnering but, with the departure of the Pirates, negotiations with the Red Claws needs more attention. UMaine was asked about hosting the recognition but NCAA rules prevent them from offering a benefit to anyone who might become a student. Rob Liscord offered assistance.
3. Call for AmeriCorps launch planning help (October 7). Staff would appreciate assistance. This event has been restored and it is an important one to do correctly. The fact it comes 4 days before the statewide conference is a challenge. The date is set by CNCS because it is a nationwide event.
Planning and Future Initiatives
A. September meeting plans (Portela)
After some discussion, members decided to piggy back the September meeting onto the annual retreat. The business meeting would be 9/29 in the morning with the retreat starting after noon.
Business Wrap Up (Portela)
The next business meeting is September 29, 2016 at the Klahr Center, Univ. of Maine, Augusta.
Motion to adjourn by Liscord. Second by Cunningham. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.