Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, supports professional development of managers of volunteers by awarding funds to cost-share their educational or training activities.
Examples of supported activities are online courses, educational conferences, seminars, workshops, or preparation for professional certifications that relate to
- the Competencies for Managers of Volunteers (PDF),
- the national K-12 Service Learning Standards by the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC), or
- the Competencies and Rubric for National Service Program Directors (PDF)
Under a cost-share award, recipients must cover at least 25% of the expenses and the maximum award is $750. Funds awarded may not be used to provide the recipient with a stipend, living allowance, or reimburse an employer for salary. Recipients may direct the Commission to pay the award to either their organization as reimbursement or as partial payment to the institution or business conducting the activity. In any case, funds cannot be paid directly to an individual.
Application process
Professional Development Fund applications may be submitted at any time. Applicants should bear in mind that the educational or training activity as well as the requirement to share with other managers of volunteers must be completed within six months after the month in which the award is made.
- Eligibility criteria
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To be eligible for consideration, an individual must:
- be employed by a Maine unit of local government, public or private nonprofit, or Maine affiliate of a national charity that engages citizens as volunteers in Maine communities
OR
serve in a pro bono capacity in the volunteer program of such organizations with responsibilities that are equivalent to those of an employee (e.g., training, supervision, assessment of volunteers performing service). - have at least two years of experience as a volunteer coordinator or in volunteer program management.
- have a supervisor-approved professional development plan that identifies specific skills, knowledge, or abilities related to volunteer management that require formal training or education.
- be employed by a Maine unit of local government, public or private nonprofit, or Maine affiliate of a national charity that engages citizens as volunteers in Maine communities
- Submission deadlines
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Monthly -- submit by the 20th of the month. Applications are reviewed at the end of each month.
- Application instructions
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A complete application consists of
an application submitted online with all information filled in, all narrative responses completed, and uploaded letters of support as well as one of the items listed in #4 below. Applicants can use this template (PDF) to prepare. When information is ready, use the online form. a letter of support from the applicant's supervisor that certifies the individual's work includes responsibility for volunteer management;-
NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
- a letter of support from a colleague or agency leader that provides insight on how the professional development will benefit the individual and the program or educational setting; and,
- the agenda, course content, or other description of the professional development activity. This is submitted using 2 fields in the online form.
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- Submission instructions with link to form
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All applications must be submitted online. Use the link below to access the application.
Support letters and other required documents must be uploaded as part of the application. If you need assistance, please contact Michael Ashmore at Volunteer Maine (207-624-7792 or michael.ashmore@maine.gov).
Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, is the state government partner of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, and Volunteer Generation programs.
The Commission builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy to solve local problems.
- Selection
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All applications will be reviewed by Volunteer Maine staff. Recommendations for awards will be presented to the full Commission for approval before any recipients are notified. The task force or Commission are not obligated to award any funds and may make awards that are less than the amount requested.
Selection decisions will be made using the following criteria:
- Relevance of the activity to Competencies for Managers of Volunteers.
- Relevance to the activity of service learning within a youth program or classroom setting.
- Relevance of the activity to an individual's professional development plan.
- Likelihood the activity will lead to betterment of the volunteer program. Preference given to managers of volunteers (paid or pro bono or volunteer) who
- have not received Professional Development Funds within the 12 months.
- are not supported by Corporation for National & Community Service funds.
- Funds awarded are public monies and, therefore, government regulations on allowable uses apply to awards.
- Award notifications
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Awards are announced following consideration by Volunteer Maine's Excellence & Expertise Task Force at its monthly meeting.
- Terms and conditions of accepting award
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Award recipients are required
- to complete proposed professional development activity within 6 months of the award notification.
- share information and learning from the professional development activity by conducting a session at the state volunteer managers' conference OR making a presentation to the volunteer manager' network or other peer-to-peer group hosted by the Commission.