March 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, March 17, 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, March 16, 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
    A. New Communications chair
    B. AmeriCorps Member Conference invitation (4/5/23)
    C. May meeting date change
    D. Other 
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 December 16, 2022 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the reports of Executive Committee meetings on January 3, February 7, and March 7, 2023 be accepted.
C. Communications Task Force
Moved that the report of Communications Task Force meeting on January 24, 3023 be accepted.
D. Climate Corps Task Force
Moved that the report of the Climate Corps Task Force meeting on February 15, 2023 be accepted.
E. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
Moved that the reports of the Grant Task Force meetings on January 13, February 10, and March 10, 2023 be accepted.
F. Public Policy Task Force
Moved that the reports of the Public Policy Task Force meetings on February 8 and March 8, 2023 be accepted.
G. Transition Task Force
Moved that the report of the Transition Task Force meeting on February 8, 2023 be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:42 A. Foundation update MVF board member
10:47 B. Maine Service Fellows program: Proposed new membership of Advisory Committee Branham/ Hurner
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
10:55 A. New Strategic Plan Development
1. Overview and clarification of planning model used (see pre-reading).
2. Timeline proposed and Facilitator search		 Tilton-Flood, Crofton
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
11:05 A. Transition Task Force
1. Items from 3/10/2023 meeting (if any)		 Shorty
11:15 B. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
1. Items from 3/10/2023 meeting (if any)		 Barrett
11:25 C. Climate Corps Task Force
1. Update		 Haines/ Brewer
11:35 D. Public Policy Task Force
1. Two new bills plus outreach plan
2. Other		 Shorty
11:45 E. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 		 Cheesman
11:55 F. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Partnership on micro-credentialing
2. Developing new VGF proposal
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, April 21.  
C. Adjourn 		 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: December 2022

2. Executive Committee meeting: January 3, 2023    February 7, 2023    March 7, 2023

3. Grant Selection and Performance: January 13, 2023    February 10, 2023    March 10, 2023

4. Communications: January 24, 2023    

5. Climate Corps: February 15, 2023 

6. Excellence and Expertise:  February 16, 2023 

7. Public Policy: February 8, 2023   March 8, 2023

8. Transition: February 8, 2023

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current    January 2023    December 2022

Program Development and Training Officer: Current    January 2023

Communications Officer: Current    

Climate Corps Coordinator: Current     January 2023

Maine Service Fellows Coordinator:  Current      January 2023

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives: Current     January 2023

Office Administrator: Current     January 2023

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, March 16, 2023!

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

This Month's Challenge!

Next100 issued a white paper (brief) on March 1, 2023 on "How State Service Commissions Can Advance Equity in AmeriCorps." The link is below. Four of the five categories of actions in the report relate to grant-making. 

Since AmeriCorps grants are the greatest tool the Commission has, what would be the 2 priority actions you would want to tackle? 

Reference hint: https://thenext100.org/how-state-service-commissions-can-advance-equity-in-americorps/