Executive Committee Meeting

 

July 2, 2025

 

PRESENT: Luke Shorty, Celeste Branham, Pam Proulx-Curry, Diane Lebson, Bill Guindon, Jenni Tilton-Flood, Tade Sulivan, Kelsey Preecs, Brittany Gleixner-Hayat

 

Committee members convened at 3:30 pm using virtual meeting platform. Executive Director, Brittany Gleixner-Hayat was present.

 

1. Commissioner Quorum and Attendance:

 

  • Luke Shorty, Celeste Branham, Pam Proulx-Curry, Jenni Tilton-Flood, Bill Guindon, Jenni Tilton-Flood, Tade Sulivan, Kelsey Preecs.

 

2. Urgent and Timely Issues from Volunteer Maine Staff:

 

  • Update on Preliminary Injunction
    • The District Court of Maryland granted a preliminary injunction on June 5 2025 which in effect restores AmeriCorps funding.
    • Volunteer Maine welcomes the decision but also acknowledges that harm has been done to grantees and communities. 
    • Volunteer Maine did multiple press interviews last week in response to the news and issued a press statement.
    • Volunteer Maine staff are working closely with grantees to determine how to proceed in light of the news of the preliminary injunction. The hope is to restore all programming.

 

  • Commission Operational Funding
    • Regarding funding, FY25 funds are still uncertain, and we still do not anticipate clarity until approximately June 20th.

 

  • Volunteer Maine Strategy
    • Volunteer Maine will need to undertake a strategic review process during the upcoming September Commission retreat.
    • Volunteer Maine staff are engaging in informal scenario planning discussions. The results of these conversations will be written up for consideration by the Commission during the strategy review process.
    • Commissioners will be invited to support the planning process during the June 20th Commission meeting. The Executive Committee determined that a separate task force is not required.

 

3. General updates and planning:

  • Recruitment of New Commission Members
    • Commissioner Branham and Chair Elect Proulx-Curry have undertaken an analysis of Commissioner terms lengths to support recruitment efforts.
    • Chair Elect Proulx-Curry has engaged a potential Commissioner who has completed their paperwork.
    • Chair Shorty is also actively recruiting a new member.

 

  • Maine Volunteer Foundation (MVF)
    • In a recent meeting between the Executive Director, Commission Liaison to MVF Branham, and MVF Board Chair, it was determined that MVF requires an updated workplan and strategy that is responsive to the current context wherein federal funding is at risk.  Additionally, it was agreed that a review of MVF Board member terms and interest in continuation would be useful.
    • Commissioner Branham posted a message in Basecamp asking Commissioners for recommendations for MVF membership and regarding input on fundraising strategy.
    • Commissioner Shorty expressed concern about the strategy work not being done before potential funders are approached. Commission Branham clarified that at this point the not asks are being made – it’s about identifying connections.
    • Commissioner Lebson offered to support the design and facilitation of an MVF strategy process. She highlighted that it will be important to sequence solidifying MVF Board membership prior to a strategy conversation for it to be meaningful.

 

  • Communications Task Force
    • Commissioner Lebson reported that the Task Force is reviewing the first draft of an 18-month communications plan for Volunteer Maine. It will soon be circulated to Commissioners for input.

 

  • Public Policy Task Force
    • Commissioner Tilton-Flood reported the Task Force continues to meet weekly and is prioritizing engagement with State legislators, particularly for support to LD 876.

 

  • Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
    • Commissioner Branham reported that the Task Force proposes that at each Commission meeting, during the Announcements segment, the Chair recognize a group of people identified by the Task Force, that is represented in the State of Maine (other than those who advocate violence or threats to various cohorts of Maine people) and any events that might pertain to that/those group(s).  

 

  • Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
    •  Commissioner Preecs reported that the conference planning is well underway with excellent presenters lined up. The plan is to get the registration out this week. Additional fundraising needs exist.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:35.