May 2020

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, May 15, 2020
As authorized under Sec. G-1. 1 MRSA §403-A, the Commission will convene using technology. Commission meetings are open to the public. Members of the public can access the meeting use this phone number and code: (877) 455-0244, code: 4206574773# . A request to make a public comments may be submitted by email to Service.Commission [at] maine.gov any time before 8:30 am on May 15.

Agenda

Time	Topic	Leader
10:00	Public Comment Period	Branham
10:10	Call to Order	Branham
10:12	Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments 1. Introductions 2. Quiz Answer 3. Announcements and Appreciations a. Commission retreat, save the dates b. Other 4. Additions, Deletions, Changes to Agenda 5. Motion to approve the agenda	Branham
Consent Agenda (reports/minutes listed here can be found on the "Reports & Drafts" tab above.
10:30	A. Minutes Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on April 24, 2020 be approved. B. Executive Committee Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for May 5, 2020 be accepted.	Branham
Business Reports (Reports submitted are posted.)
10:30	A. Grant Selection and Performance 1. Recommendations and final actions on AmeriCorps Formula Continuations 2. Recommendation and final action on new AmeriCorps Formula application 3. Commissioner roles in planning grant selection 4. Recognition of Formula Peer Reviewers 5. Other	Barrett
11:00	B. Communications Task Force 1. Review Marketing and Communications plan 2. Other	Tilton-Flood
11:20	D. Preparation for June 2020 election of Commission officers 1. Draft slate of officers	Branham
11:30	E. National Public Policy issues 1. Report from ASC committee 2. Status of legislation related to Commissions 3. Other	Portela and Crofton
11:45	F. Volunteer Maine Staff 1. Intern projects this summer; presentations to Commission to be done in June and September 2. Update on Commission role in emergency response 3. Final disposition of Commission sponsored events 4. Update on OIG actions in Maine 6. Other
12:00	G. CNCS Update 1. VISTA placements in Maine 2. CNCS rebranding/branding project -- status update 3. Other	Ostberg
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
12:15	A. Volunteer Generation Fund renewal proposal B. Other	Staff
Planning and Future Initiatives
12:30	A. Discussion of Commission needs and expectations or requests of Maine Volunteer Foundation.	Branham
Business Wrap Up
1:00 pm	A. Reminder: Complete meeting evaluation forms (link is in email sent after meeting) B. Next meeting (June ??, 2020 -- Rm 110, MCCS Offices) C. Adjourn	Branham

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

Business meeting minutes: April 2019
Executive Committee: May 2020
Grant Selection and Performance: See AmeriCorps Formula funding recommendations in reports below
- New application: University of Southern Maine/Maine Campus Compact
- Continuations: Trekkers, KV CAP/Educare, Maine Street Skowhegan, Maine Youth Alliance, Seeds of Hope & Colby College
Communications: To Be Posted (mtg is May 13, 2020)
A copy of the communications plan, to be reviewed at meeting, can be viewed here: link

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current

Communications Officer: Current

Background

Volunteer Generation Grant submitted May 6, 2020: LINK

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, May 14, 2020!

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

This Month's Challenge

Over the past three months, discussion about the need to re-introduce a CCC or WPA New Deal-type program has taken place among national leaders who see the next 18 months as a very difficult time for families and a period of high unemployment among young adults as well as displaced workers. This has renewed interest in the expansion of AmeriCorps and that was bolstered by the final report of the Commission on Military, National, and Public Service issued on March 25.

On Friday, May 8, the National Governors Association held a briefing for Governors on legislation developed by Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisianna). Tom Brannen from ASC was asked to make some comments on state service commissions' viewpoints.

Reference: This link is the one-pager shared. Note it does not have all the details, just the highlights.

Question: What policy change would be enshrined in law through this bill?

Maine.gov