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, February 13, 2026

Maine Govt East Campus, 90 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME 04333, Room: Deering 101

AND
Virtually using this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/81734605546

All business meetings are open to the public who may attend either in person or using the link above.  

Deering 101 is on the first floor of the Deering Building at 90 Blossom Lane. Accessible entry, public entry, and parking is from north side of the building.

This image of the location shows 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, February 12, 2026. Individuals who will be present in the meeting room do not need to register.

Agenda

Time

Topic

Leader

10:00

Public Comment

Proulx-Curry

10:10

AmeriCorps Program Briefing: N/A

N/A

Business Meeting

10:10

Call to Order

Proulx-Curry

10:12

Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments

  1. Introductions
  2. Welcoming Esayas Gebre!
  3. Announcements 
        A. Reminder: Protocols for hybrid business meetings
        B. Conflict of Interest awareness in Board actions
  4. Appreciation(s) 
  5. Additions or Deletions to Agenda
  6. Motion to approve Consent Agenda

Proulx-Curry

 

 

 

 

Consent Agenda 

10:25
  1. Business Minutes 
    Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on January 16, 2026 be approved.
  2. Executive Committee Minutes 
    Moved that the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting on February 3, 2026 be approved.
  3. State Service Strategy Minutes 
    Moved that the minutes of the State Service Strategy Task Force meeting on January 29, 2026 be approved.

      

Planning and Future Initiatives   

10:30
  1. Update on federal issues
    1. AmeriCorps NOFO Released
      1. Implications for Grants Task Force
    2. FY 2026 Federal Budget Update

Gleixner-Hayat 

10:40
  1. Engagement with Council on Aging and Caucus on Aging

Gleixner-Hayat

Focus on Mission Responsibilities

10:50
  1. April 1st – Save the date! National Service Recognition Day

Gleixner-Hayat

Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)

10:55
  1. Public Policy & Communications Task Force
  1. Legislative Testimony

Torres
 

11:00
  1. Grant Selection and Performance Task Force
    1. Update, if needed.

Guindon

11:05
  1. Executive Committee 
    1.  Update, if needed.

Proulx-Curry

11:10
  1. Governor’s Service Awards
    1. Update, if needed.

 

Shorty

11:15
  1. Service Programs Task Force
  1. Update, if needed.

Preecs

11:20

F. Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
1.  Update, if needed.

Branham

11:25

G. Financial Task Force
1. Update, if needed.

Shorty

11:30

H. State Service Strategy

  1. Commissioner Role/Responsibility in Listening Sessions
  2. Actor Mapping – Feedback requested
  3. Internal Stocktaking Session – 90 min facilitated conversation
    1. Recap of “look back” session
    2. Overview of assumptions
    3. Commission goals, policy, lessons on “rural” programming
    4. GROUP CONVO:
      1. How can we build on our success, address shortcomings, and prepare to meet the moment?
      2. What do we need public input on? What are our data needs?

Proulx-Curry, Gleixner-Hayat

12:50
  1. Commission staff reports (items here are in addition to published reports)
    1. Board member questions about published staff reports.
    2. Other (if needed)

Various staff

 
     

Business Wrap Up

12:55
  1. Check-in on hybrid meeting experience
  2. Adjourn 

Proulx-Curry

 

 

 

Background Documents

Reports & Drafts

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: January Board Meeting Minutes

2. Executive Committee meeting:  Minutes, February 3, 2026

3. Grant Selection and Performance:  Report at meeting

4. Public Policy: Report at meeting

5. Service Programs: January Minutes

6. IEA: Report at Meeting

7. State Service Strategy: January Minutes

Team Report:

Public Information Officer:  Vacant Position

Grant Officer: Current

Program Development and Training Officer: Vacant Position

Program Officer, Special Volunteer Initiatives:  Current

Volunteer Services Coordinator: 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.

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, February 12, 2026!

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

This Month's Challenge!

Question: Who are the newest Maine Service Fellows Host Sites?