May 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, May 20, 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, May 20, 2022. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 Swearing In Ceremony: Commission board members Portela
10:20 Public Comment Tilton-Flood
Business Meeting
10:25 Call to Order Tilton-Flood
10:26 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
4. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
5. Motion to approve Consent Agenda		 Tilton-Flood
Consent Agenda 
10:36 A. Business Minutes 
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on April 15, 2022 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meetings for May 3, 2022 be accepted.
C. Communications Task Force
Moved that the report of the task force meeting for May 10, 2022 be accepted.
D. Maine Service Fellows Advisory committee
Moved that the report of the May 10, 2022 meeting be accepted.		       
Planning and Future Initiatives   
10:40 A. Maine Volunteer Foundation update
B. Mid-year update of Commission's 2022 workplan (see background materials below)		 Birney
Crofton/ TiltonFlood
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
10:45 A. Grant Selection and Performance
1. New AmeriCorps Planning Grant funding recommendations
2. AmeriCorps Continuation funding recommendations
  a. Cost Reimbursement Grants
  b. Fixed Amount Grants
3. Acknowledge contributions of reviewers
4. Report on grantees not continuing		    
Barrett
11:00 B. Research and Evaluation 
1. Report from May 18 meeting
2. Other		    
Haines
Brewer
11:10 C. National Public Policy Committees of states
1. States for Service
2. America's Service Commissions		    
Shorty
Crofton
11:20 D. Board DEI Subcommittee
1. June Sisgi Workshop for Board		 Branham
11:30 E. Financial Reports for Qarter ending 3/31/2022  
11:40 F. AmeriCorps (federal agency) update
1. Update 		 Cheesman  
     
11:45 G. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
1. Report from regional meetings with federal staff (May 18+19) - Crofton
2. Questions about published reports
3. Other		 Staff
Focus on Mission Responsibilities
12:00 A. Grantee briefing on program use of grant resources, impact on community issue, and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. (2 programs) UMCOA
Trekkers
Business Wrap Up
12:30 pm A. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
B. Reminder: Next meeting - June 17.  Complete meeting evaluation/feedback form.
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: April 2022

2. Executive Committee meeting:  May 2022

3. Grant Selection and Performance: May 2022
New Planning Grant Reports - Alpha Legal Foundation,   Maine Dept. of Education
Continuations: Fixed Amount -  Greater Portland COG,   Maine Development Foundation
Continuations: Cost Reimbursement - UMaine Center on Aging,   Trekkers,   Town of Van Buren,   Maine Street Skowhegan,  Maine Youth Alliance

4. Communications:  May 2022

5. Excellence and Expertise: 

6. Research and Evaluation: May 2022

7. Maine Service Fellows: May 2022

Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer:  Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Current 

Communications Officer: 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.

Commission office: Financial Report

Federal AmeriCorps Agency new Strategic Plan for 2022-2026

2022 Commission Workplan: MID-YEAR update from staff 

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, May 19, 2022!

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

This Month's Challenge

Q: The federal AmeriCorps agency published its Equity Action Plan. In summary, what did it identify as the barrier to equity and what action does it plan to take to address the barrier?  NOTE: there is text about action already taken. The quiz asks about future action. 

Reference: AmeriCorps Equity Action Plan