April 2023

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 21, 2023

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.

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 5 pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda

Time	Topic	Leader
10:00	Public Comment	Tilton-Flood
Business Meeting
10:15	Call to Order	Tilton-Flood
10:18	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	Tilton-Flood
Consent Agenda
10:40	A. Business Minutes Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on March 17, 2023 be approved. B. Executive Committee Moved that the report of Executive Committee meetings on April 4, 2023 be accepted. C. Climate Corps Task Force Moved that the report of the Climate Corps Task Force meeting on March 14, 2023 be accepted. E. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force Moved that the report of the Grant Task Force meeting on April 14, 2023 be accepted. F. Public Policy Task Force Moved that the report of the Public Policy Task Force meeting on April 5, 2023 be accepted. G. Transition Task Force Moved that the report of the Transition Task Force meeting on April 14, 2023 be accepted.
Planning and Future Initiatives
10:42	A. Foundation update	MVF board member
10:47	B. Changing status of Commission DEI subcommittee Proposed mission: The mission of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI) Task Force is to identify various means by which we may thread DEI principles and consciousness through the work of the Commission and that of its staff. As examples among an array of initiatives, this may entail: ongoing training sessions; efforts to broaden representation of the people of Maine on the Commission; and actions to ensure DEI considerations are in the foreground of the endeavors of our task forces, and the Commission's overall work to build a stronger Maine through volunteerism. As a Task Force, we embrace the need for accountability, at every level in the organization, so as to commit earnestly and on an ongoing basis to diversity, equity, and inclusion of historically underrepresented perspectives, populations, and communities in the breadth of the work undertaken by Volunteer Maine.	Branham
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
10:55	A. Commission policy to address Federal requirement in 2 CFR § 200.321 Procurements by states (adoption requested). See draft in Background section below.	Ashmore
11:05	B. Commission financial status	Crofton
Business Reports (Reports submitted are posted.)
11:20	A. Public Policy 1. Items from 4/19/2023 meeting 2. Slow walk through of newest bills (links in Background section) and implications for Commission capacity, grantees	Tilton-Flood/ Crofton
11:35	B. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force 1. Change in continuation subgrantees	Barrett
11:40	C. Climate Corps Task Force 1. Update from 4/19/2023 meeting	Haines/ Brewer
11:35
11:50	E. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update 1. Update	Cheesman
12:00	F. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports) 1. Requests for assistance at GSA on 4/24 2. Supporting youth conservation corps 3. Other	Various staff
Business Wrap Up
12:15 pm	A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience B. Reminder: Next scheduled business meeting - 10 am, May 12, and main item on agenda is awarding grants. C. Adjourn to DEI Lunch and Learn (Chapters 1-3 of Racial Healing Handbook)	Tilton-Flood

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: March 17, 2023

2. Executive Committee meeting: April 4, 2023

3. Grant Selection and Performance: April 14, 2023

4. Communications: March and April

5. Public Policy: April 5, 2023

6.Transition Task Force: April 14, 2023

7. Climate Corps: March 15, 2023

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current

Communications Officer: Current

Climate Corps Coordinator: Current

Maine Service Fellows Coordinator: 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.

Draft policy to address Federal requirement in 2 CFR § 200.321

LD1573 An Act to Provide Financial Relief for Certain Volunteers Under the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Maine Service Fellows and the Maine Climate Corps

LD666 An Act to Support Community-based Volunteer Organizations (Note: Final amendment language has not been posted as of 4/14/23)

Final policy on remote participation in Commission business meetings

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 20, 2023!

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

This Month's Challenge!

On April 5, just under 100 AmeriCorps members gathered for their annual conference in Belfast, ME. The conference is planned by Members for Members and was top shelf. One plenary speaker was from Bangor and is an AmeriCorps Alum.

Who was the Bangor-based keynote and what civic leadership positions has the person held after service? (Reference hint for name to google: http://volunteermaine.gov/events-awards/americorps-member-conference)

Looking at LD1573 linked above, why might this Alum be really interested in this bill?

Maine.gov