Purpose

To bring together AmeriCorps State and National Grantees and CNCS staff to identify strategies for effective implementation of the Serve America Act.

Goals

• Gain an understanding of the priorities of the leadership of the Corporation for National and Community Service;
• Develop strategies for implementing new priorities ;
• Enhance skills required for implementation; and
• Strengthen relationships between state, nationals and CNCS colleagues.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

8:30 a.m. Opening Welcome, Introductions, Goals and Overview of the Meeting

9:00 a.m. Working Together to Promote Service as a Solution

A primary goal of this grantee meeting is to strengthen the relationships between state, national and CNCS colleagues. That process will begin with this session. This session will provide an update from the combined competition working group, and opportunities to begin conversations with colleagues from other program types which will continue throughout the meeting.

View the Working Group Recommendations (PPT) or (PDF)
View the Consultation Form (DOC) or (PDF)
View the Grantee Landscape (PPT) or (PDF)
View the Meeting Notes (DOC) or (PDF)
View the Home Pages for State Commissions (DOC) or (PDF)
View the Home Pages for National Programs (DOC) or (PDF)
View the List of National Grantees by Service Priority (DOC) or (PDF)

1:00 p.m. Public Board Meeting

View the Agenda (DOC) or (PDF)

3:30 p.m. CNCS Updates

Presentations from CNCS leadership addressing the current state as well as the anticipated future state

View NOFO Overview (DOC) or (PDF)
View the 2010 Application Instructions (DOC) or (PDF)
View the 2010 NOFO & Application Instructions Highlights (PPT) or (PDF)
View the Effective Dates of the Serve America Act Provisions (PDF) or (DOC)
View the Financial Literacy Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)
View the AmeriCorps State & National Update (DOC) or (PDF)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

7:15a.m. Small Group Discussions

2010 Audit Plan: OGM
For those grantees scheduled for audits in 2010

Listening Session: AmeriCorps 101
Invitation for focus group discussion

NCCC/State Commission Collaboration
Invitation for working group

My AmeriCorps Portal Post Launch
What is working well? What are the challenges? Suggestions?

8:30 a.m. Strategies and Tactics Breakout Sessions – Round One

Recovery Act Reporting and Accounting for Match Replacement
The purpose of this session is for grantees to understand their responsibilities for accurately reporting Recovery Act Funds. We will review the three separate reports that must be submitted and discuss how to report on match replacement. The Office of the Inspector General at the Corporation will also speak about their role in oversight of Recovery Funds.

View the Recovery Act Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

Expanding Portfolios: New Program Development
The Kennedy Serve America Act paves the way for exponential growth in AmeriCorps State and National programs. We must begin now to develop and enhance effective strategies for growing new program potential. Come, share good practices, ideas, and strategies.

Social Innovation Fund: Investing in What Works
This session will introduce participants to the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), a new initiative at CNCS authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. SIF staff will share an update on planning activities to date. The session will be dedicated to an exploration of and discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities that face state commissions.

Utilizing Social Media and Online Tools for: Effective Member Communication and Management
State Service Commissions and State and National AmeriCorps programs face challenges in communicating with and/or managing their members due to the distances and complexities involved -- whether within one state or across the country. Taking advantage of social media and other new technology tools can make this critical role easier and more cost effective. This session will showcase best practices in how Grantees are using technology to meet their member-focused roles through peer presentations and group discussion.

10:30 a.m. Strategies and Tactics Breakout Sessions – Round Two

Effective Monitoring of Subgrantees
The purpose of this session is for grantees to understand their responsibilities, increase their knowledge of principles, identify frequently found issues and understand methods, tools and resources for subgrantee monitoring.

View the Financial Monitoring Techniques Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

Creative Funding Strategies
If you are wondering how to survive the economic downturn and want to expand your horizons regarding possibilities related to non-traditional funding and leveraging resources, plan to engage in this discussion facilitated by a team representing State Commissions, Local Programs and a national intermediary representing Service and Conservation Corps. Bring your questions and ideas to share.

View the Session Notes (PDF) or (DOC)

National Performance Measures
The recent passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has dramatically raised the visibility of national service and set the course for a major expansion of AmeriCorps. Consistent with the Obama Administration's commitment to accountability and transparency, the purpose for our focus on national performance measures is to make a stronger case for the substantial growth in national service envisioned by the President. We are seeking input to help shape the design of policies to move AmeriCorps toward a national model for demonstrating performance across programs and communities for the Clean Energy Corps, Healthy Futures Corps, Education Corps, Veterans Corps, and Opportunity Corps as directed by the Serve America Act.

View the Key Policy Issues (DOC) or (PDF)

Volunteer Generation Fund: Exploring the Possibilities
In this session, we will explore the possibilities and provide information for the development of the Volunteer Generation Fund.

View the Volunteer Center Letter (DOC) or (PDF)
View the Session Notes (DOC) or (PDF)

Utilizing Social Media and Online Tools for: Effective Program Outreach and Promotion
Cutting edge Web 2.0 social media and communication technologies are revolutionizing how nonprofits and National Service programs interact with and build support among their various stakeholders including members, sites, volunteers, community groups, and other current and potential supporters. While exciting, it can be totally overwhelming: websites, Facebook, YouTube, blogs…the list goes on. In this session, you will have the opportunity to learn from your peers and share best practices from your organization’s experience.

1:30 p.m. Strategies and Tactics Breakout Sessions – Round Three

Reconciling Grants at Close Out
Attendees will learn about the grant close out requirements and roles and responsibilities related to closing out a grant. The importance of reconciling the final federal financial report (FFR) and the reported grant disbursements (SF-272) to the HHS Payment Management System (PMS) will be discussed. An opportunity to share best practices will also be provided.

View the Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

My AmeriCorps: Tips and Tools
In this session, we will provide an update on the system, and share tips, tools and methods people in the field have created to add to the usefulness of the system. AmeriCorps State group will discuss business practices developed and their impact; ideas for training sub grantees and tips. AmeriCorps National group will discuss member management functions, program management functions, training ideas, and other tips. Come share your questions and ideas with your peers.

View the Presentation (DOC) or (PDF)

Supporting State Commission Subgrantees to Strong Applications and Program Design
Quality of competitive applications is mostly a function of applicant organization capability. State Service commissions can affect the process through technical assistance strategies. Join the conversation with your state service commission colleagues on effective strategies which support strong program design and applications from sub grantees.

View the AmeriCorps Grants Cycle Application Plan (DOC) or (PDF)

Non-Profit Capacity Building Program
As a part of the Corporation's plans to implement the Edward M. Kennedy Service America Act we are seeking input to help shape the design of the Nonprofit Capacity Building program. These grants, if funded through the final appropriations process, will provide organizational development assistance to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations.

View the Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

Utilizing Technology to Deliver Effective Training
This round will present best practices in providing affordable flexible training for members, sites, and programs using technology tools including e-training, web-conferencing, online learning spaces, interactive forums, etc. Learn how your peers have navigated the options as they share their insights on what has worked and what they plan to try in the future and share your own experience.

3:30 p.m. Mobilization Initiatives
Presentations and discussion of 2010 mobilization initiatives including United We Serve, AmeriCorps Week, Cities of Service and EIF’s I Participate

National Group: Higher Education

National Group: Teacher Corps

National Group: Health

National Group: Programs Serving Immigrant Populations

Rural Affinity Group

Training Group

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

7:30 a.m. Small Group Discussions

Fixed Price Grant: OGM

View the Fixed Amount Grants Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)
View the Fixed Amount Grants FAQ's (PDF)

8:30 a.m. Strategies and Tactics Breakout Sessions – Round Four

Audit and Audit Resolution
This session introduces and develops informative exchanges about the audit process, including how to prepare for and go through an Office of Inspector General audit. Grantees will better understand their responsibilities concerning Office of Investigation Audits. Participants will review significant (and often recurring) audit issues such as inadequate reconciliation of financial information maintained by grantee with subgrantee expense reports, inadequate documentation of match, insufficient time and effort documentation, allowability (or not) of certain costs, and other major audit findings. Corrective actions to address audit findings and recommendations will be discussed.

View the Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

What's New with Admin, PDAT and Disability Grants for 2010
Come hear about the major changes in the three grants for 2010 and the anticipated impact. Training and technical assistance resources will also be discussed. Come share your questions, strategies and thinking about how to address these changes creatively.

View the Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

Creating a Culture of Accountability: Measuring Your Success
Discover a new way to work through 'Excellence-in-a-Box', a proven approach to advance performance. This challenge-centric, outcome-based system helps you focus your time and energy on what matters most.

View the Excellence in a Box Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)
View the Excellence in a Box Handout (DOC) or (PDF)

Criminal Background Checks
Participants will be guided through a discussion of advanced topics related to the required National Service Criminal History Checks with a focus on stumbling blocks, best practices, alternate search protocol requirements, the significance FBI checks, and similar information. Potential changes to the background check requirements rising up from the Serve America Act will also be discussed.

View the Presentation (PPT) or (PDF)

10:30 a.m. Closing

Your chance to reflect on the information gathered, connect with your colleagues and commit to action.

View the Session Notes (DOC) or (PDF)

Planning Committee

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