PRESENT: Luke Shorty, Pam Proulx-Curry, Celeste Branham, Bill Guindon, Diane Lebson, Jenni Tilton-Flood
Committee members convened at 3:30 pm using virtual meeting platform.
I. Urgent and timely matters from Volunteer Maine staff
ASC report out of Exec Orders' likely impact on commissions and AmeriCorps programming. ASC did a briefing for Commissions yesterday. There was a review of expected actions on the part of the AmeriCorps agency in response to Executive Orders and a requirement that all federal agencies review grants and contracts for noncompliant activities. Two EOs of concern for AmeriCorps are “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs” and repeal of Executive Order 14096 of April 21, 2023 with the directive that all activities, programs, and operations associated with the American Climate Corps, including actions taken by any agency shall be terminated immediately. Federal agencies are to review all activities, contracts, and grants for noncompliance and submit a report of findings. The approach for such a wide ranging review is a key word search. Commissions are seeing evidence that AmeriCorps position descriptions are already being reviewed. Next will be grant applications (narrative and performance measures). Commissions should expect directions regarding the review results and individual findings very soon. No Maine programs have activities out of compliance but they did respond to prompts in the federal application instructions that asked for information on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sponsoring agency. It is expected this language will be flagged. In addition, two programs did discuss the relationship between their activities and climate impacts.
Luke asked what the impact would be if the temporary restraining order on freezing funding releases is not extended. Maryalice confirmed that 3.5 FTE current staff are federally funded. The half is the Public Information Officer. The other three are the Executive Director, Grant Officer, and Program Development/Training Officer. The Program Officer for Special Initiatives (formerly Climate Corps Coordinator) is fully state funded but the new/vacant Volunteer Services Coordinator will be full federal funds under the NOAA grant.
The votes on federal budget associated with the CR that ends March 14 will not impact the Commission until July 1. That is due to the fact the grant funding for office operations started January 2024 and runs through July 2025. The 18month length is one-time in order to change the funding cycle to July-June. There was some relief that there’s a longer period to deal with any crises. Funds for AmeriCorps operating grants that would start or continue in 2025 are also wrapped up in this budget discussion. All but one Maine program are operating on January to December cycles so they are fine through December 2025. The issue is whether the Commission would have funds this spring to award them a continuation to start Jan 2026. The White House budget for federal fiscal year 2027 (Oct 1, 2026-Sept 30, 2027) is expected out in March 2025. That will bring a whole new set of issues to review. Congressional action on a budget would start summer 2025.
Discussion turned to the likelihood the NOAA funding for Maine Service Fellows and the Volunteer Service Coordinator would survive. Maryalice reported she asks the question of GOPIF staff on a regular basis and they continue to say it is in place with no disruptions or cautions from the funders. Interviews for the VSC are going forward next week.
A question was posed as to whether the federal AmeriCorps agency would revoke a program grant if it decided something was not compliant. Maryalice indicated the states are expecting to have an opportunity to discuss any findings before such actions are proposed. It would be easy to jump to conclusions if someone in DC just reads or word searches grants. There’s also a distinction that needs to be made between AmeriCorps activities and a sponsoring organization’s other activities.
Executive members did express concern that, while there is an urgency to figure out what private or other funding may be needed, so much is still in flux that it is too early to form an action plan. As a reminder, Maryalice pointed out that ASC is reaching out to national philanthropic organizations about a floor level of grants to help all Commissions stay functional if the worst happens.
Luke described where the search for a new Executive Director is and wondered aloud how the state budget might help keep and Exec in place. It was suggested that the Commission might need to develop a new budget that would incorporate any added state funds once the state budget for 2026 and 2027 is passed.
There is a need to update all the Commissioners plus the MOCA Director and our Dept of Education contacts. Luke proposed using the next search committee slot to do this. That meeting is mostly check-in so there’s plenty of room on the agenda for this update. Going forward, it was agreed that Exec would have the federal budget/funding issue on its agenda.
A final note about briefing Maine’s Members of Congress. One of the program directors is in Washington this week and will meet with staff of both Senators. Information about AmeriCorps will be shared even though the trip is about something very different. Diane and Tom will meet with Congressional staff when they are in DC for the ASC Leadership Convening.
II. General updates and planning
Budget testimony. Samantha Horn is testifying about the MOCA budget in a hearing tomorrow. Luke was asked to submit written testimony about the Commission portion of the budget and did so. There is no need to attend in person but the work session with Housing and Economic Development will require in-person attendance. Maryalice will cover that. The date is not known.
Service Programs Task Force needs chair. Members agreed on a person to approach. Luke will do that before the next board meeting.
Grant Selection and Performance Task Force will start organizing for another competition to award unallocated funds that are mostly from the returned grant (Penobscot Nation Housing).
Commission Liaison to the Foundation. Celeste was asked if there are any updates. She reported on fundraising progress for the Governor’s Service Awards and the annual appeal. It was noted that when a donor to the annual appeal uses the online paypal portal, there is a six week lag between the donation and when the Foundation learns it was made. Some people may think the lack of acknowledgement is about process at the Foundation but it is not.
Agenda Review. Exec members reviewed all the items for the February 21 agenda. In addition to those discussed today, DEI Task Force is in the middle of a significant discussion about what is next. It appears there is consensus to pivot and redefine the work. Celeste expects to be ready to present a proposal to the next board meeting.
There being no other issues to discuss, the meeting ended at 4:47 pm