Executive Committee

Present: Sue Hawthorne, Celeste Branham, Luke Shorty, Jenni Tilton-Flood

The Executive Committee gathered virtually for its monthly work session at 3pm.

-- Update on DEI training for staff and board. Celeste consulted several people who do board training, asking for recommendations for someone who could work with the Commission. Among those mentioned was Nichola Chin of Lewiston. After members looked at her profile, they agreed there should be a conversation with her about the Commission goal, her work, schedules, fees, and such. Celeste will organize an exploratory conversation.

-- Prep for Maine Service Fellows hearing. The public hearing for LD1010 has not been scheduled. Celeste will offer testimony on behalf of the Commission. Communications task force will provide information to all Commissioners so they can reach out to committee members or legislators to explain the program’s purpose. The bill was referred to State and Local Government. Members scanned the bill text to understand how closely it aligned with the work the Maine Service Fellows Task Force did.

-- Resolve, To Study the Establishment of the Maine Climate Corps (LD722) was introduced by Rep. Morgan Rielly of Westbrook. It assigns the Commission responsibility for the study. It was referred to Environment and Natural Resources. The hearing is expected to be end of the month. If the resolve passes, the study has to be completed by end of November. The staffing plan is to bring in a temp contractor and use some funds from the commission support grant.

-- Coordinate attendance/participation in national convening. The virtual nature of the ASC annual leadership convening means several Commissioners can attend. All three officers will register.

-- Commission membership. 8 people have expiring terms. If everyone goes for a new term, there will be  4 unfilled seats which are an opportunity to diversify representation. There is one required seat that must be filled. Best thing to do is submit recommendations in June so GO can act over the summer. Celeste asked for names of those with expiring terms so she can contact them.

-- Task force updates. Grants is reviewing a couple of proposed policies. Communications is working on a new public service campaign. Financial Oversight discussion thoroughly considered whether the committee was needed any longer. Luke suggested that it had met its mission: developing a financial report format and orientation for new commissioners to finances. Exec members felt the task force has a role in monitoring finances but agreed it did not need to meet monthly. Most likely a quarterly review would be sufficient. Finance will continue.

There being no other items for discussion, the task force dispersed at 3:57 pm.