Executive Committee Meeting

 

October 7, 2025

 

 

1. Commissioner Quorum and Attendance:

 

  • Present: Commissioner Celeste Branham, Chair Pam Proulx-Curry, Chair Elect Bill Guindon, Kelsey Preecs
  • Absent: Vice Chair Scott Adams, Commissioner Luke Shorty, Commissioner Ruben Torres

 

2. Urgent and Timely Issues from Volunteer Maine Staff:

 

  • Government shutdown
    • The shut down has commenced. Given that Volunteer Maine’s grants were awarded in FY25 they are not affected by the current shut down. There is concern over the continued functioning of the Payment Management System, however to date, it has been a non-issue.

3. General updates and planning:

  • Volunteer Maine move to MOCA 
    • Volunteer Maine moved its offices to 32 Blossom Lane this week to join the Maine Office of Community Affairs. So far, the move has been largely smooth though there are a number of financial and administrative changes in HR systems that remain unresolved. MOCA Director Samantha Horn has been in close contact with ED Gleixner-Hayat and has been a tremendous support to Volunteer Maine through the transition.
    • Per the discussion in the Commission retreat, deepening relationships and advancing outreach to other parts of State government is a priority. Volunteer Maine is known for AmeriCorps, but it is a bit nebulous for interlocutors and there is more than AmeriCorps. With MOCA it is a new opportunity to deepen engagement within State government.

 

  • Meeting with Representative Morgan Reilly
    • Executive Director Gleixner-Hayat met with Representative Morgan Rielly to provide an update on Volunteer Maine Programming and planning coming out of the September board retreat.

 

  • Maine Volunteer Foundation Update
    • Vicki Rusbult joined as the newest Foundation board member.  The MOU has been approved by the MVF Board and will go for signature this week. The themes discussed in the September 2nd strategy meeting and Commission retreat were integrated.

 

  • Governor Service Awards
    • ED Gleixner-Hayat consulted with the Governor’s office regarding the Governor’s Service Awards being a fundraising event and confirmed that this is acceptable.

 

  • Three Year Service Plan         
    • Chair Proulx-Curry will be asking for other Commissioners to join the 3-year service plan group. Commissioner Branham and Chair Elect Guindon have volunteered.

4. Task Force Updates

  • Finance
    • Nothing to report
  • Public Policy/Communications
    • Meeting biweekly until January. Focus is on setting up meetings with legislators.
    • Commissioner Torres will serve as Chair once Commissioner Sullivan steps down.
  • Service Programs
    • Priority is to bring more attention to training we offer and get them online as this draws people to Volunteer Maine.
    • The AmeriCorps member conference coming up next week.
    • ServeMaine.org will be a primary topic for this task force moving forward.
    • Commissioner Irabaruta is a new member.
  • IEA
    • Reminder that there is a visitor coming to the next Commission meeting to provide an overview of Wabanaki Reach Programming.
  • Grants Selection & Performance
    • Application closes on Oct 15th. Review of RFA upcoming and will have more to report next time.