January 2, 2018
The meeting convened by teleconference at 3 pm.
PRESENT: John Portela, Celeste Branham, David Wihry, Carol Rancourt
1. Language for motion approving Exec action in between full commission meetings.
Commissioners asked Exec to draft a motion that would clarify this item. Exec members worked on the language and unanimously agreed by formal vote to propose the following at the next meeting:
Move to authorize the Executive Committee to act through voice vote on urgent business that must be acted upon before the next Commission meeting. A description of the business and its urgency will be emailed, whenever possible, to all Commissioners with a request for their input. A public notice of this Executive Committee meeting must be posted at least seven days prior to its occurrence.
2. Compiling executive summary of Commission impact
Commission officers have had some recent discussions with staff in the Governor’s Office. The outcome was a commitment by MCCS officers to extract data from reports to provide a more concise presentation of impact.
3. Assignments for new members and reassignment of experienced people
There are two new appointees to the Commission (Jamie Logan, Daniel Hinman). John will contact them to discuss task force assignments with the goal of appointing them to a task force at the next meeting. He will also send a message to members who’ve completed their first year and find out if anyone wants to change their task force assignment.
4. New grants officer selected.
Maryalice reported that the hiring process for Grant Officer is completed. Laurel Bernier of Tospham has accepted the position and will start on January 8. She most recently was the volunteer service director for Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program and oversaw 1400 volunteers. She managed a USDA grant for the region, is a certified Service Enterprise trainer, earned the international Certified Volunteer Administrator credential, and started this career path as an AmeriCorps member.
5. Maine delegation to ASC convening in February.
The annual policy and planning meeting for Commission Executive Directors and Commissioner reps is scheduled for February. Exec Committee members decided to offer the opportunity to all members of the Commission even though only one person can attend. Maryalice will include the invitation in the notice to be sent later this week.
6. Maine members of States for Service.
Three individuals plus the Commission delegate were accepted to serve. Applications were open to the public. Exec committee members discussed how best to coordinate with the group. David Wihry is one of the members and he offered to convene the group, provide them information from MCCS, and keep MCCS informed of their activities.
7. Representation on ASC public policy committee
As mentioned previously, Ron Holmes was the MCCS rep on this national committee. Most of the members are Executive Directors so Maryalice will move back into that seat and keep Exec Committee informed of issues/actions.
8. Eastern Maine Development Corp withdrawing from AmeriCorps
The new AmeriCorps program award for Penobscot/Hancock/Washington counties will not get off the ground. The funding for the local share was unexpectedly lost in government policy changes. Efforts to broaden private support to replace the funds encountered timeline issues. Private funds cannot be secured on time to start the program in January. EMDC feels it should decline the grant and wait for another opportunity. Their formal letter to the Commission should arrive January 5.
This program would have enrolled youth 16-24 who are not in school or the workforce as AmeriCorps members and used service as the tactic for developing job readiness skills (accountability, team work, communication, etc.).
There being no other issues to discuss, the meeting ended at 4:10 pm.