August 3, 2015
The Executive Committee convened by teleconference at 3pm. It noted this meeting was publicized and formal roll call votes will need to be taken because members will be acting on behalf of the full Commission.
Present: Ron Holmes, John Portela, Celeste Branham, Mark Hews, David Wihry, Joel Russ, Maryalice Crofton.
AmeriCorps Formula Grant Awards -
The awards voted on in June were cancelled by Division of Purchases due to an error discovered in Purchases' review of the process materials. New applicants had been incorrectly scored in peer review as if they were recompeting applicants.
All applicants were notified that awards were cancelled on July 27. The Grants TF was required to re-do their portion of the review and assessment. They completed the work on Friday, July 31. The results differ from the June recommendations due, in part, to the corrected scores which changed the rank order of applications in peer review results.
Executive Committee must act on behalf of the full Commission in order for the awards to proceed and for program contracts to be issued on time for AmeriCorps member enrollment in less than 30 days.
The motions with notations were presented to Executive Committee on behalf of the full Grants Task Force.
Medical Care Development's application for Somerset County AmeriCorps again received the highest combined ranking from the Peer reviewers and the Grants Task Force with a score of 109.0. As the highest scoring applicant, they are eligible for funding at the amount requested in their proposal. The applicant made corrections and satisfied the original conditions made at the time of the initial award announcement.
Moved by Portela that Medical Care Development's AmeriCorps Somerset County Program be funded at the requested level of not more than $178,479 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $113,555 in local funds, supporting 13.06 member service years distributed over 20 slots. Second by Branham. Roll call vote - In favor: Branham, Hews, Portela, Holmes. Opposed: none. Abstentions: none. Motion approved.
NOTE: Both RSU 14 - REAL School and Goodwill Industries of Northern New England - Multilingual Leadership Corps scored 94.65 points. The Task Force recommends that the funding remaining after supporting Medical Care Development be divided equally between the two applicants. Division of Purchases has been consulted about this result and concurs.
RSU 14/REAL: School received a ranking from the Peer reviewers and the Grants Task Force of 94.65. Because they scored at the same level as GINNE, they are allotted half of the remaining $421, 521. The applicant made corrections and satisfied the original conditions made at the time of the initial award announcement.
Moved by Portela that Regional School Unit 14, REAL School's SySTEM REAL Stem Service Learning Project be funded at not more than $210,760 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $147,814 in local funds, supporting 16.86 member service years distributed over 35 slots. Second by Hews. Roll call vote - In favor: Hews, Branham, Holmes, Portela,. Opposed: none. Abstentions: none. Motion approved.
Goodwill Industries received a combined score from the Peer reviewers and the Grants Task Force of 94.65. Because they scored at the same level as RSU 14/REAL School , they are allotted half of the remaining $421, 521. The applicant made corrections and satisfied the original conditions made at the time of the initial award announcement.
Moved by Portela that Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, Multilingual Leadership Corps be funded at not more than $210,761 Federal Share, to be matched by at least $ 206,295 in local funds, supporting 16.2 member service years distributed over 27 slots. Second by Branham. Roll call vote - In favor: Hews, Branham, Holmes, Portela,. Opposed: none. Abstentions: none. Motion approved.
Maine Volunteer Foundation -
Executive Committee members provided feedback on materials sent to them July 29. Comments covered draft bylaws and incorporation documents. Joel Russ indicated he would complete his work and have a full package of materials for Executive Committee to review at its September meeting. Once approved for distribution, the materials will be shared with the full Commission for discussion at the September 2015 meeting.
MVF incorporators -
Executive Committee members were pleased to learn that Judi Stebbins and Casey Bromberg along with Joel will serve as incorporators of the Maine Volunteer Foundation.
Board Development -
Given vacation season, information on reappointments is not complete. There will be a vacancy for local government due to MaryAnne LaMarre's decision to leave the Commission when her term ends in September.
PIE/Public Policy -
Ron is in conversation with policy advisors in Maine's Senate offices. ASC continues to provide information and updates.
Other -
Kaley Brown of Skowhegan is the temporary (6 month) addition to the office. Her class schedule is such that she works Monday through Thursday. Her major at Thomas College was marketing and business. On another staff note, Maryalice begins jury duty August 5.
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 pm.