April 2021

Notice

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 16, 2021
As authorized under Sec. G-1. 1 MRSA §403-A, the Commission will convene using technology. Commission meetings are open to the public and livestreamed. Members of the public can access the meeting through this URL -- LINK TO LIVE STREAM. A request to make a public comments may be submitted by email to Service.Commission [at] maine.gov any time before 6:00 pm on April 15, 2021.

Agenda

Time	Topic	Leader
10:00	Public Comment Period	Branham
10:15	Call to Order	Branham
10:17	Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments 1. Introductions 2. Quiz Answer 3. Announcements and Appreciations 4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda 5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda	Branham
Consent Agenda
10:20	A. Business Minutes Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on February 19, 2021 be approved. B. Executive Committee Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for March 2 and April 6, 2021 be accepted. C. Excellence and Expertise Moved that the reports of the Excellence and Expertise Task Force meetings for March 10 and April 7, 2021 be accepted.	Branham
Planning and Future Initiatives
10:21	A. What legislation means for the Commission's plans 1. LD722 - Resolve, To Study the Establishment of the Maine Climate Corps (see background link below) 2. LD1010 - An Act To Establish the Maine Service Fellows Program (see background link below)	Crofton, Branham, et al
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
10:45	A. Maine Volunteer Foundation - Briefing on current Foundation activities B. Final Report of OIG Audit/Assessment, implications and next steps	MVF representative Crofton
Business Reports (Reports submitted are posted.)
11:00	A. Grant Selection and Performance 1. Proposed policy for action by Commission (see Reports/Drafts) 2. Request for Commissioner Assistance on tech review/interview portions of grant selection 3. Other	Barrett
11:15	B. National Public Policy Committees of states 1. States for Service 2. America's Service Commissions - American Rescue Plan impact; change in ASC policy staff	Portela Crofton
11:30	C. Communications/Public Policy 1. Meeting notes posted. 2. Briefing on concept and progress for new PSA campaign	TBD
12:00	D. CNCS Update	Cheesman
12:10	E. MCCS Staff 1. Progress on filling staff vacancy 2. Respond to questions about items in staff reports 3. Other	MCCS staff
Business Wrap Up
12:30 pm	A. Reminder: Complete meeting evaluation forms B. Next meeting (May 21, 2021 -- virtual; vote on awards to grant applicants)	Branham

Reports & Drafts

Meeting Schedules

View Calendar Notices Here

To facilitate board communication and assure compliance with the requirements for public notice, all Volunteer Maine 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 Volunteer Maine 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: February 2021

2. Executive Committee meeting: March 2021; April 2021

3. Grant Selection and Performance: March/April 2021; Full text of proposed revised policy is below in Background section.

4. Communications: March 2021

5. Excellence and Expertise: March 2021; April 2021

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current; February 2021

Communications Officer: Current; February 2021

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current

Background

These items are either background for some of the discussions and/or at the Commission meeting or information on national or regional issues that may impact the Commission.

PROPOSED Revision of Continuation Grant Policy– LINK TO DOC
OIG Final Report -- LINK TO DOC (PDF)
LD722 - LINK to Maine Legislative bill tracking site. Select "Text and Disposition" to read bill; "Status in Committee" will show committee action.
LD1010 - LINK to Maine Legislative bill tracking site. Select "Text and Disposition" to read bill; "Status in Committee" will show committee action.
American Rescue Act - overview of funding proposed for National Service programs, agency, and commissions

Commish's Quiz

Commissioner Quiz

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 16, 2021!

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

This Month's Challenge

During the last week of March 2021, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the Civilian Climate Corps Act.

Question: In section 5 (3) there is a list of projects that this CCC are to undertake to fulfill the goals of the act. What 3 projects in the list are not potentially covered by existing AmeriCorps grantees?

Maine.gov