April 2020

The mission of Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, is to foster and inspire community service and volunteerism to address critical needs in the State of Maine.

NOTICE: Regular Business Meeting

Friday, April 24, 2020
As authorized under Sec. G-1. 1 MRSA §403-A, the Commission will convene using technology. Commission meetings are open to the public. Members of the public can access the meeting use this phone number and code:  (207) 209-4724,  code: 880003317#. A request to make a public comments may be submitted by email to Service.Commission [at] maine.gov any time before 8:30 am on April 24.   

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 Public Comment Period Branham
10:10 Call to Order Branham
10:12 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
a. Commission volunteers, others
4. Additions, Deletions, Changes to Agenda
5. Motion to approve the agenda		 Branham
Consent Agenda (reports/minutes listed here can be found on the "Reports & Drafts" tab above.
10:30 A. Minutes
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on December 20, 2019 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for February 4, March 3, and April 7 be accepted.
C. Research and Evaluation Task Force
Moved the report of the Research and Evaluation Task Force meetings on January 30, February 21, and March 27 be accepted.
D. Financial Oversight Task Force
Moved the report of the April 9 meeting of the task force be accepted.
E. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
Moved the report of the March 6 task force meeting be accepted.
F. Maine Service Fellows
Moved the report of the February 26 task force meeting be accepted. 		 Branham
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
10:30 A. Communications Task Force
1. Presentation and discussion of legislative proposals
2. Marketing and Communications plan
3. Other		 Tilton-Flood
10:45 B. Grant Selection and Performance
1. Policy update and changes for Commission action
2. Other		 Barrett
11:00 D. Financial Oversight Task Force
1. Review of financial reports		 Burns
11:20 E. Research and Evaluation Task Force
1. Action on proposed task force mission		 Shorty
11:30 E. National Public Policy issues
1. Report from ASC committee 
2. Public Comments (ASC and Commission) submitted regarding proposed rule changes for conducting criminal history background checks. Comments are under "Background Materials" on Reports tab. 
3. Emerging legislation related to Commissions
4. Other		 Portela and
Crofton
11:45 F. Volunteer Maine Staff
1. Impact of COVID19 on AmeriCorps members and programs: questions for Jamie based on her staff report 
2. Update on Commission role in emergency response
3. Changes to events: Service Fellow Think Tank and Public Forum
4. Report from February Convening of all commissions by ASC
6. Other		   
 
12:00 G. CNCS Update
1. New staff assignments for Maine programs (Commission and others)
2. CNCS rebranding/branding project -- status update
3. Other		 Garvey for Ostberg
Focus on Mission Responsibilities   
 12:15 A. Discussion of planning grant parameters proposed by staff
B. Impact of COVID 19 on April 15 AmeriCorps competition and options/solutions		 Staff
 
Planning and Future Initiatives
12:30 A. Discussion of Commission budget authority status
Consideration of whether to pursue budget authority and become fully responsible for operations rather than working through a fiscal agent (Dept of Education). 		  Branham
Business Wrap Up
1:00 pm A. Reminder: Complete meeting evaluation forms (link is in email sent after meeting)
B. Next meeting (May 15, 2020 -- Rm 110, MCCS Offices) 
C. Adjourn 		 Branham
Reports & Drafts

Meeting Schedules

View Calendar Notices Here

To facilitate board communication and assure compliance with the requirements for public notice, all MCCS meetings and work sessions will be posted on this site's Calendar as well as the State of Maine Legislative Calendar.

Task Force chairs are asked to check the dates/times/locations for their groups and notify staff of any changes.

As MCCS adds new staff and commissioners, we hope this central posting will help us all avoid "double booking" and, at the same time, make communication with partners smoother.

Minutes

  1. Business meeting minutes: December 2019
  2. Executive Committee:  February 2020;    March 2020;  April 2020
  3. Grant Selection and Performance:  March 2020 
    Policy changes proposed  + National Direct Consultation Report
  4. Communications:    January 2020;    March 2020;    April 2020
  5. Maine Service Fellows:  January 2020;    February 2020
  6. Financial Oversight: April 2020
    Updated financial report (View Here) to be discussed at meeting
  7. Research + Evaluation:  January 2020;  February 2020;  March 2020

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer:  Current;  February 2020 

Program Development and Training Officer:  Current 

Communications Officer: Current;   February 2020 

Background

Proposed rule changes for National Service Criminal History Background Checks: 
1. Federal Register Notice with Changes
2. ASC Comments developed by work group of states and submitted on behalf of all
3. Maine Commission staff comments
Note, among the 287 comments submitted it appears that the majority of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs in Maine were represented. To view comments submitted, use this LINK.

Commission policies: Ethics,    Conflict of Interest
Acknowledgement Form - All Commissioners are asked to review the policies above and then sign the acknowledgement form. If you did not submit the form to Maryalice at the November 1 meeting, please do so on

Commish's Quiz

Commissioner Quiz -- Redux!

More than a contest, this is part of the "in-service education" for Commission board members.

Commission Members should email their response before 5 pm Thursday, April 24, 2020!

Send your answers to Service.Commission@maine.gov. All correct answers will be well rewarded.

This Month's Challenge

As often explained, AmeriCorps has 3 branches: State/National, VISTA, and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). Match each branch with its original authorizing legislation to win this month's prize!

1.  VISTA A.  1993 National and Community Service Trust Act
2.  NCCC B.  1964 Economic Opportunity Act
3.  State/National  C.  1992 Defense Authorization Act

Bonus question:

Who are the sponsors of MaineReady.org and how many organizations/agencies are currently registered to use it?

Reference link:  MaineReady.org