February 4, 2015
Present: [by telephone] David Wihry, Ron Holmes, Celeste Branham, Eileen Smart, Maryalice Crofton
The session convened by teleconference at 5 pm.
Comments on MCCS request to CNCS for supplemental support grant funds.
Maryalice had distributed the Commission request. Because CNCS has postponed the submission date, there is time to revise if Exec wants to make refinements. Executive Committee members did not ask for any changes. (Text of the request is appended to these notes.)
Maine Community Foundation application.
Members reviewed the final outline for the funding application and authorized submission. The executive summary is appended to these minutes.
February business meeting.
The committee discussed the need for a February business meeting. The schedule set in the fall envisions cancelling either February or March, depending on CNCS grant deadlines and other actions. The consensus was that, pending consultation with John Portela about any action items from PIE, the February meeting could be cancelled. Maryalice will consult with John and then send a notice.
Update on VGF funding competition.
Maryalice had a conversation with the program officer managing the Volunteer Generation Fund. This year (2015) will see only continuations of grants made last year. If the budget proposal to increase VGF is enacted, those funds will be the basis of a competition in 2016. Therefore, the need to start designing Maine's next application can be postponed.
Meeting with oversight committee policy analyst.
The policy analyst for State and Local Government reached out to Maryalice. An orientation for the new committee members is scheduled and John as well as Ron will make the presentation. The meeting tomorrow will focus on briefing committee staff on the MCCS agency bill.
Commission reappointments.
There is still no progress on posting of reappointments and the one new person.
Recruiting for open seats.
Commissioners have not submitted recommendations to Board Development. Celeste recommends this committee take the initiative. She will also get in touch with two Commissioners who have not attended meetings in quite some time. There was some discussion of sectors not represented on the Commission and geographic areas. Mark Hews will make a follow up call on one idea offered.
There being no other discussion items, the meeting closed.
Appendix 1: Maine Commission for Community Service Supplemental Funds Request
The Maine Commission for Community Service requests $30,000 in supplemental Commission Support funds to reinvigorate its outreach and awareness. In 2011, the Commission lost a Public Relations Representative position as the result of budget cuts. While MCCS has maintained a number of the strategies, new partners are needed and the approaches need to be updated as well as designed for reuse by core staff for at least 3 years beyond this period.
Specific activities include
- new plan for outreach strategies for volunteer sector training activities so there is a balance between urban tech preferences and rural low-tech preferences; test plan and document for subsequent use;
- increase public awareness impact of existing volunteer recognition partnerships with Portland Pirates (AHL) and Portland Seadogs (farm team for Boston Red Sox);
- develop and implement outreach strategy for Service Enterprise to increase understanding of purpose and benefits of the process;
- recruit pro bono assistance and support production of four new radio spots to promote understanding of Maine National Service; and
- establish feasibility of extending online training opportunities to National Service programs in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Appendix B - Executive Summary of Maine Community Foundation Application
The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) requests $10,000 to develop six teams of 2-persons each who will become Service Enterprise trainers and then work with at least 30 community organizations as trainers and coaches while the organizations strengthen their operations and document changes required to be certified Service Enterprises.