Public Policy Task Force Meeting Minutes

October 14, 2026

Present: Ruben Torres, Pamela Proulx-Curry, Jenni Tilton-Flood, Jen Burke

Staff: Liz Theriault

Convened at 12:00 p.m.

Reviewed 2026-27 Legislative session public policy priorities that were presented during the September Commission Retreat and discussed what language to use for writing talking points and overall message for legislative engagement around priorities.

Discussed talking points such as focusing on increasing needs in rural communities and how volunteers will be critical in addressing these needs, but for volunteers to be effective they need to be recruited, trained, and managed, which takes time, effort, resources and infrastructure that Volunteer Maine provides.

Discussed approaching talking points with both a quantitative and qualitative approach, using total number of service hours AmeriCorps and Maine Service Fellows dedicate to Maine communities to highlight the return on investment the Legislator and Maine communities receive from fellows’ service. Also discussed highlighting the human and community impact of fellows and programs though examples and stories.

Assigned staff to coordinate with MOCA to inquire if this year’s budget proposal has an overall increase, as this may influence language and approach.  

Action items for next meeting: staff will summarize discussion and capture quotes on talking point language to share in Public Policy Task Force Basecamp. Task Force members will review documents and add thoughts and suggested additions/ edits for next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Liz Theriault