Arlington, VA, September 22-24, 2008

The goal of this conference was for participants to learn new information regarding CNCS policies and initiatives and have the opportunity to network and share effective practices while learning new ones.

DAY 1 – Monday, September 22

1:00 to 4:30pm – New Commission Executive Directors Orientation
Presented by CNCS Program Officers: Daniel Barutta, Shohreh Kermani-Peterson, Damien Frierson, Susan Hyatt of TASC, Vielka Garibaldi of OGPO, Linda Thompson (Missouri ED), Bill Basl (Washington ED), Marsha Meeks Kelly (Mississippi ED) and Mikel Herrington

• View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).
• View the handout “State Commission Responsibilities” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Job Tasks” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Job Narratives” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Roles & Responsibilities” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Request for Reimbursement” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Grant Agreement” (PDF).
• View the follow-up handout “Missouri – Bylaws” (PDF).

DAY 2 – Tuesday, September 23rd

8:00 to 8:30am – Welcome and Introductions
Presented by Sylvie Mortimer, Daniel Barutta, Mikel Herrington

8:30 to 10:30am – AmeriCorps Policy and Operations
Formula funding and the new FFR with Peg Rosenberry
Policy Updates with Amy Borgstrom
The Portal with Kristin McSwain
GARP Schedule with Lenny Teh

11:00 to 11:45am – The AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program
Presented by ShaRonne Byrd of NACCRRA (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies)
This session will provide participants with an understanding of the AmeriCorps Child Care Benefit Program to ensure a positive childcare experience throughout the program year. The presenter will provide a variety of options and on-going support in choosing and customizing care for members by furnishing helpful information in streamlining the application process, determining eligibility and choosing a qualified caregiver. Information will also be shared on how to best place children in a positive and supportive childcare setting. A Question and Answer period will follow. View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).

11:00 to 11:45am – The Corps Network: ECO Process
Presented by Marty O’Brien of The Corps Network
Nothing is more important than program quality. Through the ECO Process, a rigorous self-assessment enables programs to strategically strengthen, leading to long-term sustainability and high rates of AmeriCorps member success. The ECO Process has been recognized as a successful evaluation method for programs receiving less than $500,000, and has the potential for tremendous benefits to other AmeriCorps programs. This session will include a presentation of the process and a discussion of its application to other AmeriCorps programs. View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).

11:00 to 11:45am – SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) – The Role of Recovery from Addiction: An Individual and Community Perspective
Presented by Marsha Baker of Division Service Improvement Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)
This session will provide a brief overview of the organizational mission and framework of the SAMHSA agency with a focus on the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), including its Discretionary Grant Programs. Discussion will center on the value and benefits of volunteer service in treatment and recovery organizations, particularly, in relation to the concept of “giving back” as prevention of relapse and recovery from addiction. Examples as to how treatment and recovery organizations are using volunteer services of individuals and communities at large in recovery from addiction will be explored and shared. View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).

12:00 to 2:00pm – Lunch with CEO David Eisner and Vince Juaristi, Board Member

2:30 to 4:45pm – State Service Commission Capacity: Moving from Nice to Necessary
Hands On/Points of Light merger with Marlene Zakai and Michelle Nunn
Perspectives on National Priorities from the Field with Various EDs
Faith Based Programming with Jedd Medefind
The United Way with Tim Ervolina
Pro Bono Summit with Shannon Maynard

• View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).
• View the Pro Bono Summit for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).
• View the United Way Commercial from this session (WMV).

4:45 to 5:00pm – Housekeeping and Close
Presented by Sylvie Mortimer

DAY 3 – Wednesday, September 24 th

8:30 to 8:45am – Check in for the day

8:45 to 9:45am – Rural programming
Presented by John Turner (Georgia ED), Nita Madsen (Alaska ED), Eileen Cackowski (Kentucky ED)
Rural America faces unique national service challenges. This session will review the definition of rural and identify difficulties to effective programming in rural areas. The group will brainstorm new possible solutions and actions to counter these obstacles and determine the level of traction for this area of consideration. “Next steps” and an action plan will be discussed. Come share your opinions on programming in rural states.

8:45 to 9:45am – Faith-based programming
Presented by Krista Sisterhen, Special Assistant, Faith Based and Community Initiatives, CNCS
Join leaders from the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, AmeriCorps, and a panel of your peers to learn about the innovative approaches they are using to develop high impact partnerships with frontline nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups. This workshop will present promising practices in outreach, capacity building, infrastructure development, and procurement with examples of how these practices have had a significant impact toward advancing strategic initiatives. Jedd Medefind, Acting Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and Mikel Herrington, Deputy Director of AmeriCorps will join Wendy Spencer (Florida ED), Sydney Hoffman (Alabama ED), Ike Randolph (Indiana ED) and others to provide an overview of their efforts to effectively combine their State Commission with their Faith-Based and Community Initiative to engage every willing partner in service to their neighbors in need.

• View the handout “Good Works Indiana Brochure” (PDF).
• View the handout “Good Works Indiana Presentation” (PPT), or as a (PDF).
• View the handout “Volunteer Florida – Capabilities & Resources” (PDF).

8:45 to 9:45am – Using State Resources for Reporting
Presented by Andy Kloepfer (Delaware ED)
Delaware’s ED will share their experience in working with their state agency on their secure file transfer protocol and secure copy reporting software application as a replacement for the Corporations WBRS system. Learn about the method for implementing a new software application through a descriptive general overview and visuals. View the presentation for this session (PPT), or as a (PDF).

10:15 to 11:15am – MLK Day/National Mentoring Month
Presented by Rhonda Taylor, Office of Public Affairs, CNCS
Make Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service a success in your state, and a catalyst for extended service throughout the year. The Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs take the lead in this national day of service. This session will highlight the history and importance of the MLK Day of Service and provide resources and ideas for participants to take back to their states to make their MLK Day of Service more successful.

10:15 to 11:15am – Administrative Standards
Presented by Shohreh Kermani-Peterson, Project Manager of the Standards and CNCS Program Officer
The session will walk participants through the Administrative Standards Review process from start to finish, including how CNCS selects commissions for a standards review, standards elements that commissions find most and least challenging, available T&TA, and some key standards outcomes for commissions.  Also included will be opportunities for participants to make recommendations for how CNCS can further improve the overall standards process.

10:15 to 11:15am – Disaster Services
Presented by Phil Shaw and Colleen Clay, Office of Emergency Management, CNCS
The roles of Commissions during disasters will be explored and discussed along with how CNCS can help empower commissions to use their assets in times of disaster. Conversations will focus on recent events and commission activities and how lessons learned can be applied to other states. A representative of the California Commission will talk about their experience with disasters and response.

11:15am to 12:00pm – Closing Updates, Evaluation and Future Meetings
Presented by Mikel Herrington

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