National Service programs in Maine are stepping up to respond to COVID-19: In March, the Senior Corps RSVP program at Catholic Charities Maine organized "Pies and Supplies," where supplies and sweet-tasting pies were delivered to 30 seniors who were unable to get out to grocery stores. Photo courtesy: Catholic Charities Maine
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Volunteer Fare
: Your March/April Volunteer Maine Update
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The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted all aspects of life, and we at Volunteer Maine have been busy keeping up with the rapidly-moving changes.
Our latest edition of
Volunteer Fare is packed with COVID-19-related information, including details on the State's new emergency volunteer response coordination website. For National Volunteer Week, we put together a series of COVID-19 tips for volunteer managers. We've also compiled several heartwarming stories about the people and programs that are part of the National Service response effort in Maine.
Finally, we have info on professional development opportunities; the Maine Volunteer Rolls of Honor; the final report from the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service; and our first AmeriCorps program spotlight video feature, which was produced before the pandemic.
Wherever you are, we hope you are healthy and hanging in there. Please be safe, and remember, this won't last for ever!
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Maine Ready: Maine's new home for emergency volunteer response coordination.
Have you heard about Maine Ready? It's a new website that provides state, county, and other emergency response and management organizations a virtual way to coordinate offers of help with on-the-ground needs for assistance.
Who should be using Maine Ready?
Community agencies providing essential services,
agencies that are part of the formal response effort,
volunteers who are healthy and are willing to help, plus
skilled volunteers such as AmeriCorps (all branches) alumni.
Visit Maine Ready to register a volunteer opportunity or register to volunteer. Please help us spread the word -- thank you!
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Tips to help volunteer leaders in Maine navigate the pandemic
With so much new to think about, and with it being National Volunteer Week, we at Volunteer Maine have pulled together some tips and resources to help volunteer managers navigate the COVID-19 outbreak.
Visit our website to
read the first blog post, which talks about the difference between essential volunteering and local efforts. Posts two and three will be published on Friday and Saturday respectively.
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National Service in Maine responds to COVID-19 outbreak
The COVID-19 outbreak has changed many aspects of day-to-day life, including how National Service programs in Maine serve the communities and individuals who rely on them. However, challenges can bring new opportunities for those active in AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, as well as program alumni, to pitch in during this time of great need. We at Volunteer Maine want to put a spotlight on these individuals and programs while detailing some of the many ways that National Service in Maine is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Visit our website to browse stories, and keep an eye out on our social media channels for more.
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Increase your volunteer management expertise: CMV 101 spring session registration closes May 15
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Developed and offered by Volunteer Maine, our Certificate in Management of Volunteers course is designed for everyone responsible for designing, implementing, or sponsoring volunteer programs.
**PROMO CODE ALERT! Use the code "MVFref" at checkout to save $50!**
As the basic course, it is built around the novice level competencies for managers of volunteers. It also is a good refresher for anyone re-entering the field or individuals who expect to take on leadership roles in their communities or agencies.
Take the first step to becoming a better volunteer manager today! Just
visit our website to get started.
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We can help fund your learning: Apply now for a professional development grant
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You may or may not know this, but Volunteer Maine supports professional development of managers of volunteers by awarding funds to cost-share their educational or training activities.
Which activities are supported? Some examples are online courses, educational conferences, seminars, workshops, or preparation for professional certifications that relate to the Competencies for Managers of Volunteers.
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Video -- Maine AmeriCorps Member Stories: First4 AmeriCorps
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During AmeriCorps week, before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to interview members of the First4 AmeriCorps program, plus two teachers at host-site Educare Central Maine, and discuss the positive impact the presence of AmeriCorps has had on Educare students. Members also talk about how AmeriCorps service has had a
transformative impact on each of their lives.
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Read the final report: National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service
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After two-and-half years of extensive research, public hearings, and conversations with Americans across the country, the Commission released its final report,
Inspired to Serve
, on March 25, 2020.
Inspired to Serve
offers a bold vision and comprehensive plan to strengthen all forms of service to address domestic and security needs, invigorate civil society, and strengthen our democracy. The Commission’s final report contains 164 recommendations addressing civic education, the federal workforce, national service programs, military service, and the selective service system.
Download the final report
here
.
(Photo and information courtesy of Inspire 2 Serve/the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service)
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Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service
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