October 23 Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Pamela-Proulx Curry, Wendy Russell, Jennifer Peters, Luke Shorty, Robert Reed, Scot Adams, Mary Krebs, Kelsey Preecs, Necole Janczura, Betsy Sawyer-Manter, Janet May, Celeste Branham, Diane Lebson (online), Michael Williams (online) Riana Segerson (online), Ninette Irabaruta (online), and Chelsey Fortin-Trimble (online).
STAFF AND GUESTS: Elizabeth Theriault, Maureen Kendzierski, Lucy Martin, Liliana Hogan, Brittany Gleixner-Hayat (online), Jennifer Tilton-Flood (online), Steve Niles (online), Panthea Burns (online), Esther Anne (online) and John Portela.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public comment period was opened. No public comment was offered.
CALL TO ORDER
Pamela Proulx-Curry (chair) called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM. Pamela Proulx-Curry introduced the three new Commissioners: Robert Reed, Wendy Russel, and Jennifer Peters, followed by the introductions of Commissioners, staff, and guests. The protocols for a hybrid business meeting were covered.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
John Portela provided an overview of the Maine Volunteer Foundation and announced a joint meeting on Monday, Oct 26 to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between MVF and Volunteer Maine. He also mentioned the Volunteer Maine and Maine Volunteer Foundation partnership to put on the Governor’s Service Awards and reminded Commissioners that they will be receiving their annual letter with an invitation to donate to the Maine Volunteer Foundation if desired.
Pamela-Proulx Curry mentioned the importance of Commissioners being invested in the mission.
Scott Adams answered the Commissioner’s quiz prior to the business agenda and was awarded a small prize.
APPRECIATIONS:
Celeste Branham appreciates Brittany Gleixner-Hayat for her speech at the Highlands Volunteer recognition event.
Celeste Branham appreciates Janet May for taking over as chair of the IEA Task Force and joining the Executive Committee.
Celeste Branham appreciates Diane Lebson for her partnership and for taking on the liaison position for the Commission to the Maine Volunteer Foundation.
Celeste Branham appreciates all the Commissioners and staff for their contributions to the betterment of Maine and the people of Maine, and for providing her the opportunity to serve on the Commission.
Kelsey Preecs appreciates the MVLC staff and committee for their work putting together the conference, as she recently met someone who attended the conference and expressed that he learned volunteer management practices there.
John Portela left the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOVED by Luke Shorty to approve the consent agenda. SECONDED by Betsy Sawyer-Manter
Vote on the motion (roll call): in favor: Branham, Janczura, Krebs, Lebson, May, Reed, Preecs, Russell, Sawyer-Manter, Shorty, Williams. abstain: Jennifer Peters. Opposed-none.
PLANNING AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
AmeriCorps Update
Riana Segerson shared that AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP 2027 applications closed on the 20th; successful awardees will be notified in March.
Anticipated funding opportunities for FY 2027 can be found on AmeriCorps website.
Ambassador Reports
No ambassador updates.
Service United
Discussion was had around the various components of the Service United grant application.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat provided an update on Service United funding opportunity supported through the National Governor’s Association, Schultz Foundation, and Carnegie Foundation and her trip to Annapolis for a Service United convening in October. There is a focus on service-to-career paths and how to integrate that into a fellow’s service journey. Volunteer Maine’s application is for a $1.5 million dollar grant and was developed in collaboration with Maine Department of Labor and Maine Governor’s Office.
Luke Shorty asked what the priority of the Service United funders is.
Priorities are making service an attractive strategy for all involved to make a case for sustained and increased funding for service programs in the future.
Janet May asked how many awards are available and any considerations of the competition.
Diane Lebson asked how many members we would be impacted over the term of the grant, how we are determining success, and what match is needed.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat shared that there are 175 members of AmeriCorps and Maine Service Fellows. There is a 20% match requirement, and success would include career pathways, new service corps positions, AmeriCorps programs feel supported, host site experiences improved and increased, and other indicators.
Luke Shorty asked how “youth” was defined, and who would administer the career coaching as part of the grant.
Youth are qualified 16-24, and Maine Department of Labor would spearhead the career coaching.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter asked if the match could be in-kind, Brittany Gleixner-Hayat explained it is cash match only.
FOCUS ON MISSION RESPONSIBILITIES
Dawnland Panel Discussion
Celeste Branham introduced two guest panelists, Panthea Burns and Esther Anne to help lead the Commission is a discussion on the film “Dawnland.”
Panthea Burns and Esther Anne introduced themselves to the Commission and their work with Wabanki REACH and the Maine Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Chelsey Fortin-Trimble joined the meeting online.
Discussion was had on the film Dawnland and the treatment of Native Americans in the child welfare system between 1978 and 2012 with particular focus of Native Americans in Maine.
Jennifer Tilton-Flood recognized the work done to build trust in Native communities in Maine by REACH and the T&R Commission and asked if there was more truth to hear and record before reconciliation can continue forward.
Panthea Burns discussed the continued effort to find ways to reveal and hear the truth.
Diane Lebson asked how the panelists would characterize the state of the work today, including challenges and opportunities.
Esther Anne shared that on Nov. 17 at Collins Center for the Arts, there will be a “Bear Grease” theater performance by an all-Indigenous cast.
Panthea Burns shared information on how to find the digital archives for the oral history project and other resources related to the discussion.
Celeste Branham thanked Panthea Burns and Esther Anne for joining the meeting and sharing their knowledge and experience with the Commission.
Ninette Irabaruta joined the meeting online.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter shared her experience growing up in Northern Maine and the treatment of Indigenous people in Northern Maine.
Pamela Proulx-Curry shared that the IEA Task Force had discussed implementing a land acknowledge practice, but discussion concluded that more research and understanding was needed to effectively and appropriately implement that.
Jennifer Peters shared information on further opportunities for training or discussions that the Commission could participate in.
Janet May suggested pursuing more interactions and training with Wabankai Reach and the T&R Commission to continue the relationship.
Discussion was had on how to leverage trainings and other opportunities that Volunteer Maine can integrate into responsibilities/ services to intentionally engage with Indigenous People.
Janet May suggested Volunteer Maine make what we offer available to broader groups, including Indigenous Peoples and tribes, to act and build on today’s discussion.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat expanded on the discussion on broadening who we offer our programs and services too and commented that Volunteer Maine can focus on increasing knowledge and awareness of opportunities among the groups we are trying to reach.
BUSINESS REPORTS
State Service Strategy Task Force.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat introduced the draft working document of the 2027-2030 Maine State Service Strategy and asked for Commissioner feedback.
Discussion was had on the draft State Service Strategy document.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter noted that the document appears to be higher level and inquired if a more detailed work plan would follow the document.
Discussion was had on public facing versus work documents. Volunteer Maine staff can develop a more in-depth work plan and milestone development to present to the Commission to understand the process.
Luke Shorty asked if the three presented pillars were presented in a specific order by priority or if they are interwoven, in respect to how we will present the ideas.
Discussion was had on what Volunteer Maine can do to symbolize the big picture, including how we can emphasize that the three categories are interwoven and how Volunteer Maine can categorize what Volunteer Maine will do into the different categories.
Mary Krebs suggested that Commissioners can use the State Service Strategy to strengthen the connections Volunteer Maine has with the industries and organizations that each Commissioner represents.
Riana provided input on clarifying what is meant by “strengthening” throughout the document.
Luke Shorty asked if there was a certain Maine Legislative Committee that Volunteer Maine would want to provide the document too and consider those audiences when editing the document.
Chelsey Fortin-Trimble left the online meeting.
Ninette Irabaruta left the online meeting.
Public Policy & Communications Task Force.
Elizabeth Theriault reported that the task force began developing talking points for legislators that support the public policy priorities presented to the Commission at the September Commissioners’ Retreat.
Grant Selection and Performance Task Force.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat reported that the RFA for the AmeriCorps competitive grant competition has been released, and the task force will be reviewing the applications, with the goal to submit to the National review team before the holidays.
Brittany Gleixner-Hayat also announced that an AmeriCorps Program Officer has been hired and will start on Monday, Oct. 26.
Diane Lebson left the meeting.
Executive Committee Task Force.
No further updates outside of the report.
Service Programs Task Force.
Kelsey Preecs reported that the task force has been discussing moving the date of the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference from August to October and moving the event from Camp Chamberlain to a bigger location to accommodate the growth in size of the conference.
Discussion was held on potential alternative locations.
Luke Shorty suggested Thomas College or Waterville Creates and Waterville Film Center.
Mary Krebs suggested renovated theaters that have been transformed into event spaces.
Kelsey Preecs asked Commissioners to share any further thoughts or ideas on date and location via email to herself, Lucy, and/or Maureen.
Kelsey Preecs shared that sponsorship opportunities often need to be secured early in the year, as organizations plan their philanthropy in January and February.
Luke Shorty suggested moving the Governor’s Service Awards instead of the MVLC.
Kelsey Preecs shared that Maine Service Fellow host site applications will close on November 15th.
Maureen Kendzierski asked Commissioners to consider volunteering to be on the Maine Service Fellow selection committee that will meet in December to review applications.
Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability.
Celeste Branham reported that Janet May will be taking on the role of chair.
Financial Task Force.
No updates outside of the report.
Maine Volunteer Foundation.
Kelsey Preecs left the meeting.
Maureen Kendzierski left the meeting.
Celeste Branham reported that the task force had a workforce development strategy session with the Maine Volunteer Foundation. Volunteer Maine and the Maine Volunteer Foundation have created a Memorandum of Understanding and will be reviewed by the MVF board in the next meeting.
Diane Lebson will be taking on the role of Commission liaison to MVF.
Luke Shorty asked if there was anything discussed at the meeting that the Commission would need to be aware of while reviewing the MOU.
Celeste Branham reported that the MVF Board is interested in exploring new funding strategies and will be focusing on Volunteer Maine’s sponsor and donor list to identify solicitations and overlap to gather background information to strategically prioritize asks in the future. MVF Board expansion was also discussed, filling current empty by the end of June 30th. The Board also wants to reinforce the relationship between the MVF and the Commission through strategic planning sessions and other gatherings.
Scott Adams shared that it was helpful to meet the MVF Board members as a means to strengthen the relationship between the MVF and the Commission.
Betsy Sawyer-Manter asked if the MVF has any paid staff.
Celeste Branham reported that there is no paid MVF staff, and Volunteer Maine staff Lucy Martin and Brittany Gleixner-Hayat have been taking on a lot of MVF work. She shared an idea of setting up an advisory council for the MVF to promote the visibility of the foundation.
Celeste Branham reported that the current MVF Board president, John Portella, indicated a desire to resign the position and rejoin as a board member. No interim or replacement has been identified, and he will continue in the position until one is identified.
Discussion was held on the creation of a donor information database, as the Commission is FOIA discoverable, and the process and procedure of housing that information in a way that protects private information.
Commission staff reports.
BUSINESS WRAP UP
Pamela Proulx-Curry checked in on the hybrid meeting experience and all members that were online reported it went well.
Next scheduled business meeting is November 20, 2026
Motion was made to adjourn the meeting
Celeste Branham MOVED and SECONDED by Luke Shorty and accepted unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:53 pm