VolunteerMaine Recovery Act VISTA

Award Description: Provide program management and supervision for VolunteerMaine Recovery Act VISTA Project. PROJECT OVERVIEW Since 2007, the Maine Commission for Community Service has sponsored the VolunteerMaine VISTA Project. The goal of the project is to develop a network of volunteer centers without walls as a means of establishing a basic infrastructure to connect volunteer programs with each other and potential volunteers, prepare volunteer programs to participate in emergency response efforts during local emergencies, and develop a common set of resources to support the volunteer sector in Maine. In March 2009, the VolunteerMaine VISTA Project received additional resources through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The project grew to forty-one VISTA positions with 30 positions funded with ARRA resources. The VolunteerMaine VISTA Project expanded into three focus areas under the original goal of establishing a basic infrastructure to support volunteer sector in Maine. During June 2009 to September 2010, 25 VISTA members were supported by ARRA funding in three focus areas: 1) Volunteer Connector Focus (original focus): Ten VISTA members strengthened volunteer programs by supporting networks of managers of volunteers, providing training on volunteer management and conduct outreach to promote volunteerism and the use of www.VolunteerMaine.org. Members also assisted with coordination of Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs). 2) University of Maine Cooperative Extension Focus: Eight VISTA members served at county offices to assist in volunteer program development and sustainability through targeted growth of a community volunteer base for projects as diverse as wind power, food systems, master gardening, 4-H, and micro-enterprises. 3) Maine HEARTH (Home Energy Aid and Response Team Help) Focus: Maine HEARTH was funded with a small grant from the Hands On Network from Sept 2009 to March 2010. Four VISTA members served with Maine HEARTH Partners to help convene existing regional or countywide councils/networks that support local residents ability to stay safe and warm in their homes. Councils/networks will foster coordination and replication of successful approaches, identify gaps in responses to local needs, identify emerging needs at the local level, and connect volunteers with opportunities to support local responses.

Project Name: VolunteerMaine Recovery Act VISTA

Quarterly Activities Description: AmeriCorps VISTA members provided 1 training on volunteer management and participated in 11 outreach events to promote volunteering, leveraged $250 (cash & in-kind) in contributions, supported 139 community volunteers who contributed 617 hours of service. VISTA members serve a 12 month term of service. Fifteen VISTA members ended their terms of service during this quarter. Two members ended their service in July; 10 members in mid August, and 3 members in mid September. A final expenditure of $1623.26 in payroll expenses was expended on 10/6/10 for the pay period covering 9/19/10 to 10/2/10. The final Total Federal ARRA Expenditure is $26760.08. Total Federal Amount of ARRA Expenditure is $3239.92 less than allocated amount due to personnel expenses being less than anticipated.