About the VolunteerMaine Partnership
History
The Maine Commission for Community Service initiated the VolunteerMaine Partnership in 2002 as part of its responsibility to be a catalyst in solving challenges faced by Maine’s volunteer sector. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of partners grew from 3 to 14.
The members of the VolunteerMaine Partnership are state, non-profit, public and private agencies that have come together with the sole purpose of promoting volunteerism in Maine and meet the needs of the volunteer programs operating locally so they are able to effectively respond to critical local needs.
Goal
Build the capacity of volunteer programs and their leadership
by addressing the four priority needs identified by Maine’s volunteer
sector:
1) professional development/training volunteer administrators,
2) increased sustainability and capacity to meet local needs,
3) increased engagement of citizens as volunteers and
4) technical assistance for and coordination among volunteer programs.
The Partners
The following is a list of the VolunteerMaine Partners as of March 2006:
- Aroostook RSVP
- Maine Commission for Community Service
- Maine Emergency Management Agency
- Maine Institute for Public Safety Innovation, University of Maine at Augusta
- Maine Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD)
- 2-1-1 Maine
- SeniorsPlus
- The 10 United Ways of Maine:
- United Way of Aroostook County
- United Way of Androscoggin County
- United Way of Eastern Maine
- United Way of Greater Portland
- United Way of Kennebec Valley
- United Way of Mid Coast Maine
- United Way of Mid-Maine
- United Way of Tri-Valley Area
- United Way of Oxford County
- United Way of York County
2007-2008 sponsors:
- WCSH6 / WLBZ2
- Clear Channel
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- National Emergency Response Team (NERT)
Major Activities
This Website: VolunteerMaine.org
The partnership's inaugural venture was creation of a one-stop internet resource for volunteers and program staff.
- Volunteer programs can recruit new volunteers, let donors know what goods or services they need, and reach potential board members.
- Program staff can access online training and explore resources for improving program operation.
- Citizens can search for opportunities to volunteer that match their interests.
Excellence and Expertise
Promotes excellence in program operations and supports expertise among volunteer program staff through development of a statewide training system for volunteer program sponsors and administrators.
Peer-to-Peer Networks
Promotes development of regional, self-managed networks of staff responsible for community-based volunteer programs to foster sustainability, professional development, and cooperative work.
Volunteer Emergency Response Networks
Known in some regions as COADs, County Organizations Active in Disaster,
this effort promotes understanding, respect, planning, and coordination
between the traditional and non-traditional programs that mobilize in
response to
local emergencies.
Interested in becoming a partner? Propose a way your
organization can strengthen and expand this effort to help volunteers
effectively deal with community issues. Contact us at service.commission@maine.gov.