Volunteer Maine Executive Committee Meeting

July 7, 2026 – 10:00 AM

Commissioners in Attendance: Pam Proulx-Curry, Bill Guindon, Ruben Torres, Scott Adams, Celeste Branham

Staff in Attendance: Brittany Gleixner-Hayat

 

I. Urgent and Timely Matters

None.

II. General Updates and Planning

September Retreat Date

Discussion

  • Scheduling conflict remains for Bill, Kelsey, and Jen.
  • Executive Committee determined that re-polling commissioners would not improve attendance, as those members are unavailable during any alternative week.

Decisions

  • Proceed with the September 22 retreat as scheduled.
  • Three new commissioners will participate in a half-day orientation prior to the retreat.
  • Commissioners unable to attend (Bill, Kelsey, Jen) will:
    • receive retreat materials/read-ahead,
    • have their perspectives intentionally incorporated into retreat discussions.
  • The proposed Dawn Land panel discussion will move from the retreat to the October 16 Commission meeting.
  • Kelly Day will be invited to attend part of the retreat to participate in strategic discussions and receive formal recognition for her service (non-voting).

Action Items

  • Britt to draft a retreat proposal outlining:
    • new commissioner orientation,
    • optional strategy deep-dive,
    • read-ahead process for absent commissioners.
  • Celeste to coordinate scheduling of the Dawn Land panel with the Permanent Commission for the October meeting.

Honoring Kelly Day's Service

Decision

  • Kelly Day will be invited to the September retreat for strategic discussion and recognition of her service.
  • As a former commissioner, she will participate but will not vote.

Commissioner Recruitment Update

Updates

Three commissioners are confirmed to join in September:

  • Robert Reed
  • Wendy Russell
  • Jen Peters (Washington County business seat)

Additional recruitment:

  • Municipal seat remains a priority candidate but has been difficult to reach.

Action Items

  • Pam will continue following up with candidate for municipal seat.

Task Force Membership Review

Updates

  • Pam and Britt are cleaning up the task force membership matrix.
  • Revised matrix will be presented at the August Executive Committee meeting.

Action Items

  • Pam and Britt to finalize the updated task force matrix.

Senior Program Manager (AmeriCorps) Recruitment Update

Updates

  • First-round interviews are underway.
  • Pam will participate in second-round interviews.
  • Target start date remains August–September.

Risk

  • Brittany has effectively been covering both the Executive Director and Senior Program Manager responsibilities during the vacancy.
  • While AmeriCorps work has remained on track, filling the position remains a high priority.

III. Task Force Updates

Public Policy

Updates

  • Task force meetings are back on schedule.
  • Next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (12:00–12:30 PM).
  • Discussion will focus on August priorities and preparation for the September retreat.

Finance

Upcoming Work

  • Finance Task Force will review the FY27 budget expense detail before the next Executive Committee meeting.
  • Budget documents will be distributed in advance.

Maine Volunteer Foundation

MOU

Decision

  • Executive Committee approved signing the updated Memorandum of Understanding.
  • Context language was revised to acknowledge improving, but still uncertain, federal funding conditions.

Strategic Planning

Discussion

  • Foundation strategic planning session confirmed for October 19.
  • Timing allows the Commission's State Service Strategy to inform Foundation priorities before significant funding decisions are made.
  • Committee discussed ensuring strategy—not available funding—drives future programming decisions.

Board Update

New board members:

  • Jack Moore (financial advisor Harpswell)
  • Josh Steirman (Maine Municipal Bond Association)

Departing board members:

  • Sean Lewin
  • Orion Breen

Action Items

  • Britt to sign the MOU following the meeting unless objections are raised.

Service Programs

Climate Corps Earmark

  • Congressional earmark remains active.
  • Representative Pingree's office submitted an approx $775,000 request.
  • Senator King's office may seek to increase funding to the full requested amount.
  • Committee encouraged earlier discussion of partnership implications before pursuing future opportunistic funding requests.

IEA

Updates

  • Celeste will circulate the final demographic survey.
  • Executive Committee will review it during the August meeting before distribution to commissioners.

State Service Strategy

Commission Role

  • Discussion focused on commissioner engagement in strategy development and ensuring retreat discussions inform the statewide strategy.

New Mainers Session

Updates

  • Invite list reviewed with Ruben.
  • Contact information needs updating:
    • Capital Area New Mainers (new Executive Director)
    • Add Shima from Maine Initiatives as an alternative participant.

Action Items

  • Brittany
    • Send State Service Strategy Task Force reminder.
    • Finalize and distribute New Mainers session invitations.
  • Ruben
    • Confirm updated Capital Area New Mainers contact information.

Other Reminders

  • Continue encouraging registration for the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference, which is approximately one month away and filling quickly.

Key Outcomes

  • September retreat will proceed as scheduled with accommodations for absent commissioners.
  • MVF MOU approved for execution.
  • October 19 Foundation strategic planning session confirmed, all Executive Committee members are invited to attend.
  • AmeriCorps Senior Program Manager recruitment progressing.
  • Climate Corps earmark continues to advance with strong prospects.
  • Reaffirmed that Commission engagement will guide development of the State Service Strategy, with upcoming stakeholder sessions and the September retreat informing priorities.