News
CarolAnne Dube: AmeriCorps a part of your community
2008 AmeriCorps Week Celebration! (5/12/08)
AmeriCorps Program Design Course Readies Maine Agencies for Next Grant Competition
The Maine Commission for Community Service is offering a multi-session course on designing an AmeriCorps program in anticipation of the next major round of grant-making. (3/03/08)
Blog Launched for Maine Volunteer Managers
“Conversations From the Field of Volunteer Management” is the focus of the new blog that was launched this week at www.volunteermaine.org by the VolunteerMaine Partnership and Maine Commission for Community Service. (1/24/08)
Nominations Sought for 2008 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
Citizens, nonprofits, government volunteer programs, educational institutions, and businesses are invited to submit nominees for the 2008 awards. (1/08/08)
Cabinet Level Official Keynotes Annual Volunteerism Conference
BANGOR, Maine – On Tuesday, David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, delivered a motivational keynote address to a crowd of over 280 volunteer managers at the Annual Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism held at the University of Maine Orono Campus. Eisner’s keynote, “Fixing the Leaky Bucket of Volunteerism,” underscored the need for Maine’s volunteer managers to not only focus on volunteer recruitment, but to commit to providing quality, well-managed volunteer programs in order to retain those volunteers in the future. (10/11/07)
HART Volunteer Recognized!
The Homeless Animal Rescue Team and Maine Animal Control Association announces volunteer award. (4/27/07)
Governor Baldacci Presents Award to 6-Year-Old Volunteer Organizer
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci met with Madeline Timberlake Friday afternoon to honor the 6-year-old girl for her efforts surrounding the “Think Blue” campaign. (3/16/07)
Report Finds Sharp Increase in College Student Volunteering
(STATEWIDE) – Volunteering among college students has risen sharply in the years since the 9/11 attacks, suggesting the possible emergence of a new civic generation, according to the most comprehensive federal study ever conducted of college student volunteering in the United States. (10/17/06)
Mississippi Official Shares Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Experience with Volunteer Managers
BANGOR, Maine – On Tuesday Marsha Meeks Kelly, Executive Director of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, stood before 175 of Maine’s volunteer managers and delivered a heart-wrenching emotional speech about her experience during Hurricane Katrina. Meeks Kelly traveled to Maine to keynote the 20th Annual Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism. Her speech gave attendees the opportunity to hear her story and discover ways on how to prepare for a large scale emergency in Maine when it comes to volunteer recruitment and utilization. (10/04/06)
Commission Votes To Open Funding To New Americorps Programs
The Maine Commission for Community Service will hold an AmeriCorps*State Competitive grant competition late Fall 2006. The focus will be new AmeriCorps programs that combine expansion of volunteers with activities focused on energy conservation, career preparation, or school-to-work transitions. (9/21/06)
Volunteer Recruitment Website Expected to Get 20,000 Visitors: Non-Profit Agencies Urged to List Volunteer Opportunities by Mid-September
AUGUSTA, MAINE – Since its kick-off in October 2005, VolunteerMaine.org, Maine’s only statewide online volunteer database, has grown from receiving 1,800 unique visitors to over 15,000 in a little under a year. Given the success of the website, a central place for agencies to list their volunteer needs and for potential volunteers to search for volunteer opportunities, the VolunteerMaine partnership is encouraging non-profit agencies to take advantage of this free recruitment resource. (8/30/06)
Maine Volunteers Engaged At Every Age: Mississippi Leader to Talk at Annual Volunteerism Conference on Volunteers and Disaster Relief
STATEWIDE – If there is anything to be said about Mainers, it is that we know how to come together as a community in times of need. But what if there was a large scale disaster? How would volunteers factor into the equation and would we be able to manage them effectively? This is the main purpose behind the 20th Annual Blaine House Conference on Volunteerism on October 3rd, presented by the Maine Commission for Community Service, the Maine Volunteer Connection and Shoestring Creative Group. (8/09/06)
Maine AmeriCorps Openings Available for Fall/Winter Cycle
STATEWIDE- The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) announced today that it is accepting applications for over 100 AmeriCorps positions for their fall and winter cycles. (8/08/06)
Maine Volunteerism Rate Ranks Second in New England, Groundbreaking Study Shows
AUGUSTA ? Maine ranks as the second highest New England state for volunteerism, just behind Vermont, according to ?Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings,? a groundbreaking study recently released by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNS). The study places Maine as #16 nationally for volunteering activities. (6/16/06)
Maine AmeriCorps Grants Announced
AUGUSTA, Maine ? The Maine Commission for Community Service announced today that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNS) has granted over $500,000 to two of its Maine AmeriCorps Programs. (6/01/06)
Alcohol Abuse and Neighborhood Impacts: How, why and what can be done?
A community forum to discuss alcohol abuse: treatment issues, neighborhood impacts and how we can respond. (5/10/06)
Governor Announces Recipients of 2006 Governor's Service Awards
AUGUSTA ? Today Governor Baldacci, the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) and the Maine Volunteer Connection (MVC) announced the winners of the 2006 Governor?s Service Awards at the State House Hall of Flags. (4/24/06)
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE ACTION PLAN!
Help create Portland?s Substance Abuse Prevention Plan.
(4/05/06)
$1,000 Presidential Scholarships Available to Two Students per Maine High School
STATEWIDE ? The Maine Commission for Community Service announced today that the Presidential Freedom Scholarships are currently available for the 2006 program year. This program, administered by Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service, provides Presidential recognition and a $1,000 college scholarship to high school juniors and seniors for their leadership in community service. (4/03/06)
Mainers Utilizing Statewide Volunteer Database
AUGUSTA, MAINE ? Since its kick-off in October 2005, VolunteerMaine.org, Maine?s only statewide online volunteer database, has grown from receiving 1,800 hits per month to over 12,000 in a few short months. Given the success of VolunteerMaine.org, a central place for non-profit organizations to list their volunteer needs and for potential volunteers to search for volunteer opportunities, the VolunteerMaine partnership is now actively recruiting non-profit organizations to join the 500+ other organizations utilizing the site. (3/31/06)
Parent volunteers wanted for Task Force
Portland?s Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA), a coalition of local individuals, schools, businesses and organizations, invites Portland parents to join our Parent Task Force to help build the safe and drug-free community we want for our children. (2/23/06)
Portland Non-Profit Receives $1.5 Million AmeriCorps Grant
AUGUSTA, Maine ? Today, the Maine Commission for Community Service announced that the Training Resource Center (TRC) of Portland has been awarded a $1.5 million AmeriCorps grant over the next three years from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The funding, provided in $500,000 annual increments, will support the statewide expansion of the Center?s already existing Community Response Corps. (1/18/06)
Seven New Members appointed to Service Commission
AUGUSTA, Maine ? Today, the Maine Commission for Community Service announced that seven new board members have been appointed by Governor John E. Baldacci to its Commission.
The seven individuals were selected by state statute guidelines and represent a diverse group of individuals from around the state. They have been elected to serve a three year term with the option for reappointment, and will work closely with incumbent members of the board in setting the state?s priorities for community service, service learning and volunteerism initiatives. They will also help oversee the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Service national service programs in the state.
(1/17/06)
Nominations Now Being Accepted for the 2006 Governor?s Service Awards
AUGUSTA, Maine- The Office of the Governor, the Maine Commission for Community Service and Maine Volunteer Connection are pleased to launch the 18th annual 2006 Governor?s Service Awards, announcing that nominations will be accepted through February 15, 2006. Honorees will be announced by the Governor at a special ceremony at the State Capitol on April 24, 2006. (1/09/06)
Survivors of the Frida Bus Accident form the Hurricane Autonomous Workers Collective to send a Caravan of Relief Workers to Gulf Coast
On January 28th, the Hurricane Autonomous Workers Collective (HAWC) will leave Portland to assist in relief efforts in the Gulf Coast. The HAWC is calling for supplies, donations and volunteers to support communities affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The HAWC was created by volunteers who recently returned from doing volunteer work in the Gulf Coast, whose work was cut short by the tragic accident of the People?s Free Space Frida Bus, which killed hurricane relief worker and People?s Free Space volunteer, Megan Perry. Contrary to statements made by traditional relief organizations, there are years of rebuilding work ahead, and many more volunteers are needed. (1/03/06)
Funds Available for Maine AmeriCorps Programs to start October 2006
Competition for funding of AmeriCorps programs in Maine gets underway. Proposals due in December to the Maine Commission for Community Service. (10/21/05)
Maine AmeriCorps Openings Available for Fall/Winter Cycle
STATEWIDE- The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) announced today that it is accepting applications for over 100 AmeriCorps positions for their fall and winter cycles.
(8/09/05)
Hundreds of Incoming AmeriCorps Members Seek Affordable Housing
STATEWIDE- Every year the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) hosts hundreds of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps* VISTA volunteers from all around the nation. They are assigned to spend a year of their lives helping communities in the areas of education, public safety, health and the environment. Many of these members are relocating from out of state or different parts of Maine and are in need of affordable housing in their assigned communities. (8/09/05)
Winners of the Eye on Service Photo Contest Announced
AUGUSTA, Maine ? Phil Morse of Kennebunk never thought that his small camera would someday capture a photo that would be presented to the Governor of Maine. Morse?s photo ?Follow Me? was selected as the first place winner of the statewide Eye on Service Photo Contest sponsored by the Maine Commission for Community Service. As the winner he will have the opportunity to not only present his work to the Governor but have it be displayed on the cover of the Commission?s 2006 calendar. (6/28/05)
Canadian Officials Offer Advice on Government Utilization of Volunteers at Service Symposium
ORONO, Maine ? On Monday over 60 of Maine?s leading policy makers in the non-profit and
voluntary sector met with Canadian officials at a first-of-its-kind international symposium to
discuss the role volunteers could play in expanding state and local government resources in
Maine. Hosted by the Maine Commission for Community Service and held at the Buchanan
Alumni House in Orono, the symposium was created to provide an opportunity for Maine?s
strategic thinkers and policy makers to learn about Canada?s Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI).
(6/07/05)
Commission Announces Eye on Service Photo Contest
AUGUSTA, Maine ? The Maine Commission for Community Service announced today that they will hold a statewide photo contest in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Aimed at Maine?s professional and amateur photographers alike, the Eye on Service Photo Contest encourages people of all ages to submit photographs based on the contest?s theme ?Volunteerism in Action?. (5/03/05)
Governor Announces 2005 Service Award Recipients
AUGUSTA ? Today Governor Baldacci, the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) and the Maine Volunteer Connection (MVC) announced the winners of the 2005 Annual Governor?s Service Awards at the State House Hall of Flags. (4/27/05)
Commission Announces Stanza for Service Music Contest Winners
AUGUSTA ? Thirteen year old Deiran A. Manning from Winter Harbor was named by the Maine Commission for Community Service today as the overall winner of the Stanza for Service music contest, a statewide music competition aimed at providing Maine?s youngest musicians, students K-12, the opportunity to reflect on community service through musical expression. As the winner, Deiran will perform his piano composition for the Governor at this year?s Governor?s Service Awards ceremony on April 25th at 10am at the State House Hall of Flags. The composition will also be designated as the Commission?s theme song. (4/13/05)
Calling All Writers and Poets!
Maine Commission for Community Service kicks off a statewide writing contests in celebration of its 10th anniversary. (3/09/05)
Statewide Music Contest Provides Opportunity for Students to Reflect on Service
AUGUSTA ? The Maine Commission for Community Service celebrates its 10th anniversary with the Stanza for Service music contest. Aimed at Maine?s youngest musicians, students K-12 are encouraged to enter their original musical composition based on the contest?s theme ?Maine?s Heart. Maine?s Strength. Maine?s People.? (2/08/05)
Local Communities Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a "Day On, Not a Day Off"
STATEWIDE - Martin Luther King Day this year will be a "day on, not a day off" for many local students, parents, teachers, and other volunteers statewide. The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) is pleased to announce that it will provide grants to eight community service projects across the state that honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. Funded service projects will take place started January 17th and end by January 31st. (1/05/05)
MAINE COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE
Community volunteer service promoted as a way of honoring the legacy of Dr. King and making 17 January 2005 "A Day ON; Not A Day OFF." (10/28/04)
First Lady Baldacci Announces State-wide Service-Learning Initiative as Part of the Maine Commission for Community Service's 10th Anniversary
AUGUSTA?First Lady Karen Baldacci, the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS), the Department of Education, and Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation announced today the commencement of a state-wide service-learning initiative called The Maine American Chestnut Project. The project, which has already registered 30 participating Maine schools, will present K-12 students with the opportunity to learn about the American Chestnut tree as well as provide an avenue for them to interact with their communities and municipal officials as they plan a public tree planting for the spring. A May 14th 2005, state-wide planting is scheduled. (10/25/04)
GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY GWADOWSKY SPEAK AT BLAINE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON VOLUNTEER SERVICE
AUGUSTA-Governor Baldacci welcomed over 200 participants at this year?s 18th annual Blaine House Conference on Volunteer Service on October 14th at 9am at the Augusta Civic Center. The event is hosted jointly by the Maine Commission for Community Service and the Maine Volunteer Connection. (10/14/04)
Maine AmeriCorps Programs Announce Position Openings for Fall/Winter Program Cycle
STATEWIDE- The Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) announced today that it is accepting applications for over 300 AmeriCorps positions for their fall and winter cycles.
(8/04/04)
REALIZE! Maine Summit Convenes
ORONO -- Governor John E. Baldacci today convened the REALIZE! Maine Summit on Youth Migration, a key initiative to ensure Maine is a viable, preferred option for young adults. The Governor welcomed the in-person and virtual participation of the young people involved. (6/19/04)
Congressman Michaud Remarks on Grant Awards for Maine AmeriCorps
(6/14/04)
Senator Snowe Responds to AmeriCorps Grant Announcements
(6/14/04)
Governor Proclaims June 14th as Citizen Corps Community Preparedness Day
STATE OF MAINE PROCLAMATION (6/14/04)
MCCS Commissioner and Staff Attend National Conference
The Maine Commission for Community Service is pleased to announce that three Commissioners and two staff members recently attended the 2004 America?s Service Commissions? (ASC) Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. (6/07/04)