Major projects completed
- Worked with planning grantees on developing logic models, working with each on their need statements, sources of confirming data and development of their arguments for an associated intervention. Also reviewed potential performance measures associated with the area of focus for each grantee.
- Worked with the MVLC planning committee to develop conference agenda structure and define a list of potential sponsors for outreach by committee members. Conference is scheduled for August 6th.
- Submitted Commission Investment Fund (CIF) Grant application with budget for 2025-26 program year. The application covers July 1st 2025 through June 30, 202, and change in fiscal periods from prior years in which it followed the calendar year. The CIF application is submitted in concert with the Commission Support Grant (CSG) application and the combined awards fund the majority of Commission activities each year.
- Established an interactive discussion group format for members of the Managers’ network, drafted group rules, and set up interested members in a new project in the Group Hub.
- Provided rapid response information to grantees impacted by the letter of termination delivered at the end of the month – this will be ongoing through the month of May, as noted below
- Provided assistance with preparations for the annual Governor’s Service Awards and provided audio visual support during the event.
- Continued to work with OIT on the waiver processes needed to activate the new volunteer matching site. Activation is pending approval of the second of two submitted waivers allowing us to protect the current MaineReady domain for 1 year and to purchase the ServeMaine domain. The site will not have a “.gov” domain to encourage use and to hide the unwieldy “galaxy.com” domain that would otherwise appear.
- Met informally with representatives of two of the local United Way sites operating volunteer matching sites to inform them of the forthcoming opening of the ServeMaine volunteer matching site to discuss open data sharing, so that their positions also populate the statewide site.
- Provided guidance and support to new Volunteer Services Coordinator with the National Governor’s Association grant activities.
- Presentied on Volunteer Management at the MDF Leadership in Action Breakfast event in Brunswick.
- Provided a one-day, abbreviated version of new grantee training for new program staff, hired since last summer’s sessions.
Issues to be aware of
- Termination of Commission Grantees by the federal agency was initiated on April 25th. This will precipitate an all-hands response from Commission staff. The Training Office will be key top providing information to programs about the rapidly changing situation. The state joining a multi-state legal action will require careful communication with grantees.
- The termination impacts the Commission’s operating grantees in a particularly challenging way, because their reimbursement depends on member hours served. Since termination requires that all member activity cease, there is no mechanism for our operating grantees to draw funds during a shut-down period.
- Grantees applications for continuation are being moved forward pending the outcome of challenges to the terminations. This “business as usual” approach will allow for applications to be submitted in a timely way if the termination situation is changed by legal action.
- The funding of CIF and CSG for the coming cycle does not appear to be impacted, though the 80% staffing reduction at the federal agency may impact the timing of new awards. Receiving new awards prior to the start of the fiscal year is imperative to continued operation of the Commission’s work
- Work on the AmeriCorps Member Conference has been postponed, pending information about the status of programs. Planning for the Volunteer Leadership Conference and sessions of the Volunteer Management Course and a new Service Enterprise cohort will continue, assuming continued funding for the Training staff position.
- The ASC Virtual National Service Training Conference scheduled for the end of April was put on hold due to the termination announcements. The Training Officer and Grants Officer were scheduled to participate.
Major focus of effort in the new month
- Support for the incoming Executive Director in all needed areas.
- Supporting programs identified as terminated and developing strategies to support members who may need to exit before the end of their expected term end. Providing information to continuing National Direct and AmeriCorps Seniors programs to support their understanding of the staffing and funding situations at the national level (in the absence of staff at the regional office who would normally provide it)
- Work with other states to develop and share local, regional and national strategies to support programs and members affected by the terminations. Adopt and adapt tools developed by other states to increase efficiency and create a shared response strategy.
- Training for the new volunteer matching site hosted by Volunteer Maine, outreach to local galaxy sites hosted by United Ways to encourage data-sharing.
- Presenting on Volunteer Management at the Gardiner Main Street’s Duct Tape Council event in Gardiner.
- Continued preparation for MVLC and the Volunteer Leaders Network. Support for the ongoing grant review and continuation process as needed.
Other activity
- Ongoing Technical Assistance to Commission grantees and other National Service Programs via email, teleconference & face to face.
- Supported Office Admin with procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.
- Support for new staff. Support for final steps in Exec. Director hiring and assisting with transition from prior ED during the gap period between her retirement and the onboarding of the new ED