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 15, 2022
Maine Govt East Campus, 19 Elkins Lane Rm 110, Augusta, ME 04333
AND
Virtually using this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/89856384304
All business meetings are open to the public who may attend either in person or using the link above. If attending in person, note that all persons who will be physically present in Room 110 need to wear a mask as a sign of concern and respect for everyone in attendance.
The parking lot for 19 Elkins Lane faces the former Eastside Wellness Center and Harlow Building. Entrance to Elkins is through the Williams Pavilion. Use Arsenal Street to enter the campus.
This link shows the location of the building on the campus.
Map for Driving Directions
Public Comment: Anyone who wishes to participate in the public comment using technology is asked to register by sending an email to Service.Commission@maine.gov by 8 am on Friday, April 15, 2022. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.
- Agenda
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Time Topic Leader 10:00 Public Comment Shorty Business Meeting 10:15 Call to Order Shorty 10:16 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent AgendaShorty Consent Agenda 10:30 A. Business Minutes
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on February 18, 2022 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for March 3 and April 7, 2022 be accepted.
C. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
Moved that the report of the task force meeting for April 8, 2022 be accepted.
D. Communications Task Force
Moved that the report of the task force meeting for March 8, 2022 be accepted.
E. Maine Service Fellows Advisory committee
Moved that the report of the March 15, 2022 meeting be accepted.
F. Excellence and Expertise Task Force
Moved that the report of the March 3 and April 6, 2022 meetings be accepted.
G. Research and Evaluation Task Force
Moved that the report of the March 15, 2022 meeting be accepted.Planning and Future Initiatives 10:33 A. AmeriCorps portion of proposed federal budget Crofton 10:45 B. Federal agency final/new strategic plan (posted end of March 2022) TBD 10:55 C. Status of LD 1974 and new position, Climate Corps Coordinator Haines/ Crofton Focus on Mission Responsibilities 11:00 A. Action on proposed edits of Commission identity statement Branham 11:15 B. Maine Volunteer Foundation update TBD 11:20 C. Grantee briefing on program use of grant resources, impact on community issue, and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. (2 programs) Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)12:00 A. National Public Policy Committees of states
1. States for Service
2. America's Service Commissions
Shorty
Crofton12:15 B. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. UpdateCheesman
12:25 C. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Questions about published reports
2. OtherStaff Business Wrap Up 12:30 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next meeting - May 20. Major agenda item is authorizing continuation grants and new planning grants. Complete meeting evaluation/feedback form - only had 3 responses last month.
C. AdjournShorty - Reports & Drafts
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Meeting Schedules
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 2022
2. Executive Committee meeting: March 2022; April 2022
3. Grant Selection and Performance: April 2022
4. Communications: March 2022
5. Excellence and Expertise: March 2022; April 2022
6. Research and Evaluation: March 2022; meeting postponed is May.
7. Maine Service Fellows: March 2022
MCCS Team Report:
Grant Programs Officer: Current
Program Development and Training Officer: Current (Michael was out of country for all of March)
Communications Officer: Current
Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current
Office Administrator: 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.
AmeriCorps Public Health grant awards: Programs operating in Maine are on pages 11 + 12
Commission AmeriCorps Grantees: Status of enrollment and projected unexpended funds as of 4/8/2022
Commission Identity Statement: proposed update for board action
SISGI scope of work (key dates/timeline on page 3): Volunteer Maine Learning Engagement
Federal AmeriCorps Agency new Strategic Plan for 2022-2026
2022 Commission Workplan: Copy for Task Force Use
Final policy on remote participation in Commission business meetings
- Commish's Quiz
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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 14, 2022!
Send your answers to Service.Commission@maine.gov. All correct answers will be well rewarded at the meeting.
This Month's Challenge
Q: What percentage of federal AmeriCorps investments (grant funding) will be dedicated to helping people in poverty according to the new federal strategic plan?
FYI: The percentage is drawn from a federal government wide goal of providing that same percentage as investments in marginalized and econonically distressed communities. The goal is tied to justice and inclusion goals.