Major projects completed
- Prepped for, attended, and presented at the ASC 2024 National Service Training in Minneapolis . Attended training sessions and networking activities. Presented on Maine’s process of developing a response to the requirements of 2 CFR 200.231.
- Rescheduling of the AmeriCorps member Conference scheduled for April 4th. The conference was postponed due to the weather. This meant continued planning of Conference details, including items needed due to rescheduling – in particular setting up additional conference planning committee meetings, reassigning tasks created by the loss of Planning committee members who left service during the month, and working with federal agency on availability of keynote – see additional notes below.
- Worked with remaining planning grantees on plans for policy development and confirmed their timeline for competing.
- Followed up with MVLC planning committee to understand the changes made in March and worked to bring the conference planning group back into the process, after significant re-working of the conference due to an unexpected opportunity described below. Met with MDOE conference planning lead to coordinate details ensuring visibility and co-branding of revised conference structure.
- Met with Maine Audubon Staff for review of their progress toward Service Enterprise Certification – they will complete updated evidence matrix and submit for review in the late spring. Provided an introduction to Service Enterprise for members of Volunteer Manager Network Staff. A cohort is planned for a June start with the bulk of training to occur in the fall.
- Established an interactive discussion group format for members of the Managers’ network, drafted group rules, and set up interested members in a new project in the Group Hub.
- Complete annual Commission Investment Fund progress report and provided data and detail to support the Commission support grant GPR as well.
- Continued to work with the design team on finalizing the Volunteer Management micro-credential training. The first two modules are now available for public use. The final module is pending.
- Provided assistance with planning for the annual Governor’s Service Awards.
Issues to be aware of
- The AmeriCorps Member Conference, planned for April 4th, was postponed due to a severe late-winter storm. The staff and planning committee were able to secure a date for the even in May at the same facility that was also open on the calendar of the Keynote speaker, Sonali Nijhawan, the Director of AmeriCorps State and National. The rescheduling took a significant effort, coordinating messaging to the planning committee, presenters, participating alumni, program staff and members from the affected programs, support staff at the federal agency, and the planned conference site staff.
- Federal funding decisions and the unwillingness of formula grantees to recompete for funding this year (largely due to staff changes at two agencies) will impact the use for available funding and the size of the Maine AmeriCorps grantee portfolio. This will have a number of ripple effects, including possible changes to CIF grant funding, and a need to emphasize program application development in the short term. It will also impact the process for identifying planning grantees and the training they receive.
- The Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference typically scheduled in October has been moved to coincide with the Department of Education’s summer conference. This relieves Volunteer Maine of the site fee and opens the conference to a likelihood of greater attendance, while also allowing school staff access to a conference they do not normally participate in.
Major focus of effort in the new month
- Targeted outreach to agencies in greater Lewiston to develop and fund a city-based Corps program. Additional direct outreach to other agencies interested in funding unallocated in the recent formula competition.
- Finalize and execute the AmeriCorps Member Conference postponed in April and now scheduled for May 8.
- Begin meeting with the Volunteer manager Community of Practice.
- Prep for arrival of summer intern who will be updating the Volunteer Manager Certificate course.
Other activity
- Continued Planning Grant monthly training sessions for two of the three awardees planning to submit to a future competition. Monthly AmeriCorps Technical Assistance meeting scheduled during member conference was cancelled.
- Ongoing AmeriCorps Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.
- Supported Office Admin with procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.