December 2024

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 20, 2024

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, November 14, 2024. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 AM Public Comment Shorty
10:10 AM AmeriCorps Program Briefing: Campus Climate Action Corps Slovenski
Business Meeting
10:30 Call to Order Shorty
10:32 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements 
    A.  Reminder: Protocols for hybrid business meetings
    B. Conflict of Interest awareness in Board actions
    C. Finance Task Force meetings and membership set
4. Appreciation(s) 
    A. End of Service Recognition: Maine Service Fellow, James Fagan (presentation by Portella and Shorty)
5. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
6. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Shorty
Consent Agenda 
10:45 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on November 15, 2024 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the regular Executive Committee meetings on December 3 be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:50 A. Maine Office of Community Affairs
1. Vision and plan for operations
2. Budget status, concerns, opportunities
3. Q&A with Commissioners		 Horn
11:10 B. Foundation -
1. Annual Appeal and general update
2. GSA planning committee progress		 Branham, Portela, Janczura
11:20 C. Other (if needed) Shorty
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
11:25 A. Commissioner Ambassador Reports on program visits Various members
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:35 A. Public Policy
1. State legislative issues
2. Federal actions, implications, and States 4 Service work - update if needed		 TiltonFlood 
Fortin-Trimble
11:55 B. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Recommendations for AmeriCorps Competitive funding submissions (new and continuation)		 Guindon
12:00 C. Executive Committee 
1. Update if needed		 Shorty
12:10 D. Communications Task Force
1. Report		 Lebson
12:15 E. Service Programs Task Force
1. Update if needed		 Meuser
12:20 F. DEI Task Force
1. Update if needed		 Branham
12:25 G. Transition Task Force
1. Reminder of meeting today following board adjournment		 Shorty
12:35 G. AmeriCorps (federal agency) 
1. Update 		 Cheesman
12:40 J. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Status of staffing issues in Commission office
2. NGA workforce development project -- status and Commission role
3. Other (if needed)		 Various staff
Business Wrap Up
1:00 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next scheduled business meeting is January 17, 2025.  
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: November 15

2. Executive Committee meeting:  December 3

3. Grant Selection and Performance: 
    Task Force Reports -  Continuation, AmeriCorps Resilience Corps             New/Recompete, Maine Conservation Corps AmeriCorps

4. Communications: no report

5. Public Policy: Report at meeting

6. Service Programs: Report at meeting

7. Transition: Report at meeting

8. DEI: no report

Team Report:

Grant Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current   

Climate Corps Coordinator:  No report this month

Public Information Officer: 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.

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 19, 2024!

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

This Month's Challenge!

Background: The Maine Climate Corps Network met on December 5 and 90% of the members attended! The members took a deep dive into the new national volunteer data, the new Maine Won't Wait 2.0 report, and shared info about their program's current work.

Question: How many organizations are part of the Network and how many are not AmeriCorps grantees?

Answer Aid:  https://volunteermaine.gov/programs/climate-corps-network