February 2022

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, February 18, 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, February 18, 2022. 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 Titlton-Flood
10:16 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
    - Passing of a key partner
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Tilton-Flood
Consent Agenda 
10:30 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on December 17, 2021 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meeting for January 6 and February 3, 2022 be accepted.
C. Communications Task Force
Moved that the report of the task force meetings for January 11 and February 8, 2022 be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:32 Climate Corps
A. Report briefing
B. Overview of LD 1974
C. Status of new position, Climate Corps Coordinator		  
Crofton
Tilton-Flood
Crofton
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
10:50 A. Report from ASC convening of Commissioners and Executive Directors
B. Maine Volunteer Foundation update		 Shorty
TBD
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:05 A. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Set 2022 Cost per member and minimum full-time living allowance for Formula programs
2. Commission recommendations/feedback on AmeriCorps National Directs intending to operate in Maine
3. Call for board members to peer review planning grants
4. Other		 Barrett
  
11:15 B. Excellence and Expertise Task Force
1. Committee request 		 Proulx-Curry   
11:20 C. Research and Evaluation Task Force
1. New role with Climate Corps		 Shorty
     
11:30 D.Maine Service Fellows Task Force
1. Members recruited, progress
2. Other		 Branham
     
11:40 E.Board DEI Subcommittee
1. Consultant engaged
2. Revision of identity statement to consider next month
3. Other		 Branham
     
11:50 F. National Public Policy Committees of states
1. States for Service
2. America's Service Commissions		 Maher,
Crofton
12:00 G. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 
2. Strategic plan overview		 Cheesman  
     
12:15 H. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. New volunteer info graphic and annual report
2. DEI consutant and guidance for grantees
3. Service-learning and youth service programs underway
4. Questions about published reports
5. Other		 Staff
Roche
Ashmore
Preecs
Business Wrap Up
12:30 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next meeting - March 18; Complete meeting evaluation/feedback form.
C. Adjourn		 TiltonFlood
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: December 2021

2. Executive Committee meeting:  January 2022;    February 2022

3. Grant Selection and Performance: January 2022

4. Communications:  February 2022

5. Excellence and Expertise: January 2022;   February 2022

6. Research and Evaluation: no meeting

7. Maine Service Fellows: December 2021;  January 2022

 

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer:  Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current

Communications Officer: Current

Climate Corps Planner:  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.

Climate Corps Report to the legislature: 
Maine Climate Corps: Inspired by History. Designed for Today. PDF download    Online magazine format

LD 1974, An Act To Establish and Fund the Maine Climate Corps Program  PDF download

New infographic to share: Impact of COVID on Maine's volunteer sector  PDF download

2022 Commission Workplan:  Copy for Task Force Use

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, February 17, 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 is the acronym for the rubric used to assess climate corps projects? Why would we have avoided using "frequency" in the name of the rubric?