December 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, December 15, 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, December 14, 2023. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 Public Comment Shorty
Business Meeting
10:15 Call to Order Shorty
10:18 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
    A.  Reminder: Protocols for hybrid business meetings
    B. Conflict of Interest awareness in Board actions
    C. Reminder - no meeting in November
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Shorty
Consent Agenda 
10:30 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on October 20, 2023 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the regular Executive Committee meeting on November 7 be accepted.
C. Climate Corps Task Force
Moved that the reports of the Climate Corps Task Force meeting on November 15 be accepted.
D. Excellence and Expertise Task Force
Moved that he reports of the Excellence and Expertise Task Force meeting on November 16 be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:35 A. Foundation update Portela, MVF board member
10:45 B. Commission Ambassadors to Maine National Service programs: review of assignments and role Crofton
10:55 C. Transition Task Force and Executive Committee - recommendation on future Commission structure and process for approval of final report. Shorty
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:55 A. Public Policy
1. State legislative - update if needed
2. Federal actions, implications, and Commission work - update if needed

TiltonFlood 
Proulx-Curry
12:00 B. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Funding recommendations for AmeriCorps Competitive grants - Continuations and New
(See documents in Reports and Drafts below)		 Guindon
12:15 C. Executive Committee 
1.Strategic plan actions
2. Other		 Shorty
12:20 D. Communications Task Force
1. Update from 12/15 meeting		 Lebson
12:25 E. Maine Service Fellows Advisory
1. Update if needed		 Branham
12:30 F. Climate Corps Task Force
1. Update if needed		 Sedlack
12:35 G. DEI Task Force
1. Update if needed		 Branham
12:40 H. Excellence and Expertise Task Force 
1. update if needed		 VanSteenberghe
12:45 I. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 		 Cheesman
12:55 J. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Semester of Service grant recipients
2. See posted reports. 		 Various staff
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
1:00 A. No items this month   
Business Wrap Up
1:05 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next scheduled business meeting is either Feb or March 2024. Decision to be made in January.  
C. Adjourn 		 Shorty
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: October 20

2. Executive Committee meeting: November 7,   December 12

3. Grant Selection and Performance:  AmeriCorps Competitive Grants (due to CNCS January 4, 2024)
    New Proposal Report to Board - Maine Conservation Corps
    Continuation (Yr 2) Proposal Report - Greater Portland Council of Governments

4. Communications: Report of December 15 @ 9am to be given at meeting 

5. Public Policy: no report

6. Climate Corps:  November 15

7. Maine Service Fellows: No report

8. Excellence and Expertise:  November 16

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current    

Program Development and Training Officer: Current    

Climate Corps Coordinator: 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.

LD1260 Report draft excerpts for board - These sections add information to board discussions about mission, statutory duties, plans, etc.

GOPIF LD1934 Report and LD1934 text with other documents

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, December 14, 2023!

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

This Month's Challenge!

Two relatively new Commissioners have stepped into leadership of task forces since October's meeting. Who are they?

BONUS: Points of Light Foundation is a national organization that . It oversees Service Enterprise and often is a partner with the federal AmeriCorps agency. What poem by WH Auden inspired Pres. George HW Bush's speech writer to include the phrase "1000 points of light" in his 1989 inaugural address - a phrase that led to creation of the Points of Light Foundation as the private partner for his service initiatives?