Major projects completed – March 2020
- Completed AmeriCorps state formula outreach to agencies. Met with Midcoast Charities, Habitat for Humanity, University of Maine Center on Aging and potential Rural applicants
- Met, in-person, with AYCC to do a staff handoff due to changes in their staffing, which impacts both current VGF and future AmeriCorps program staffing
- Provided an AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps NCCC outreach event to Maine Academy of Natural Science students
- Hosted one of two AmeriCorps Bidders Conferences scheduled to coincide with the open Formula RFP
- Met with MDF’s Main Street Directors group to help them understand Service Enterprise and worked with MDF staff to plan for a Main Street Cohort
- Rescheduling and eventual cancellation of public facing activities, including AmeriCorps Member Conference and Hall of Flags event
- Met in-person with SMAA regarding closeout of prior year’s VGF grant. Supported other grantees in same remotely via phone and email
- Developed and submitted for approval VGF grantee amendments to provide additional funding in response to COVID-19 crisis
Issues to be aware of –
- COVID-19 and the Governors Declaration of Civil Emergency meant activation of the Commission for Emergency response.
- Response activities by the PD&T Officer included initial set-up of the MaineReady.org Disaster Volunteer Platform in coordination with other staff, activation of the State Donations Coordination Team, Regular coordination with MEMA and EOC staffers around messaging and action steps. Coordination with MEVOAD and their constituencies regarding agency set-up, and posting of relevant needs
- COVID-19 also resulted in the need for significant interaction with program staff regarding CNCS policy and guidance relevant to the crisis, support for programs in determining their course(s) of action with operating sites, AmeriCorps Members and program staff, and messaging directly to members regarding their options and opportunities during the crisis
- Volunteer Maine staff also played a role in matching current AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps alumni in the state with critical vacancies at 211, Red Cross, Good Shepherd Food Bank and other essential service providers in the state
Major focus of effort in the new month –
- Continued coordination with MEMA, MEVOAD and other agencies in response to COVID-19
Necessary outreach and program development support to deploy excess formula funding; targeting three groups: MDOE and schools supports needed following current crisis, MEMA and county EMA’s, and Maine’s emergency food system. Development of a support contracting position to further this goal - Outreach and support for new applicants following closure of RFP period.
- Update CHRC program guidance for grantees
- Develop alternative Service Enterprise cohort strategies
Other activity –
- Ongoing AmeriCorps & VGF Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face
- Procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts