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We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Executive Directors Conference next week. This update will help prepare you for the conference. There is no written “homework” involved (you have enough to do), but you will find it worthwhile to peruse the attachments – perhaps on your way to the conference – so that our discussions during the sessions will be richer.
In this update you will find:
- Information regarding location of the conference activities
- Conference Agenda and session descriptions of the disaster services plenary and affinity groups
- Information for you to review and consider in advance of the conference, including:
- Update on “Commissions of Excellence”
- Multi-year grant management proposal
- Updated PDAT & Disability calculation procedures
- CNCS draft disaster protocol issues
- Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Assistance and Development
- Issues Limiting Operational Capacity
Location of Conference Activities
As you learned during online registration, lodging for the Executive Directors Conference is at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza-Washington DC at 14th and K Streets, NW. The hotel has rented the adjoining Sphinx Club at Almas Temple as the facility to house the conference meetings. Please note on the attached agenda the locations for registration and conference activities.
Conference Agenda
We have attached a more detailed agenda than the one online. We are pleased to announce that CNCS Chairman of the Board Stephen Goldsmith will be joining us for lunch on Thursday. He and David will use some of the luncheon time to speak informally with you about issues that you would like to raise. Please bring your conversation topics. Also, the panel discussion after lunch that day will include very special guests Hope Taft, former First Lady of Ohio and member of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, and Henry C. Lozano, Director of USA Freedom Corps. Mrs. Taft and Mr. Lozano will join David in a discussion entitled “Service and Volunteerism: Commissions and the Bigger Picture.” There will be time during the panel discussion for you to interact with the panelists.
“Commissions of Excellence” update from Kitty Burcsu and Shohreh Kermani-Peterson
Dear colleagues,
For the past six months Corporation and commission staff have explored the feasibility of establishing a process for selection of “Commissions of Excellence.” As you recall, we had an affinity group brainstorming session on this issue at the National Conference where you told us about your interests and concerns regarding such a selection process. We have explored the feasibility of several potential options given your feedback, including:
- Making the selection a Corporation managed process (similar to GARP or the Administrative Standards Review process)
- Having a combined Corporation and Commission operated process (with commissions making the actual selection of the “Commissions of Excellence”)
- Commissions managing the process (including the selection criteria, procedures and outcome)
We considered all three options closely. We know that commissions are strongly opposed to option #1 – a Corporation managed and run process similar to GARP and the standards. You made this very clear to us at the National conference and through direct and indirect feedback later.
We looked into option #2 -- a combined Corporation and Commission managed process, and found that this option poses constraints for the Corporation. For example, the Corporation would have to control and run the selection process – similar to GARP or the Administrative Standards Review process – in order to endorse the selections. Again, we are fully aware of commission opposition to this.
This leaves us with option #3 – Commissions manage the process – which is both feasible and appealing. This option allows commissions to lead and manage the process as they wish, including the selection of “Commissions of Excellence.” Commissions may invite Corporation support and input on their process. Depending on the process and outcomes, the Corporation may acknowledge the commissions’ selections, at such venues as the National Conference. Tom Brannon is also checking to see whether ASC can support commissions in any way with this option.
During the Business Update session at the Executive Directors Conference, we will answer questions and determine commission interest in option #3.
Multi-year Grant Management Proposal
The Corporation is exploring options for modifying formula grants to state commissions. We want to allow you more flexible use of AmeriCorps formula funds. Attached is a summary of the approach we are considering. You will have an opportunity to discuss this with us during the “OGM Updates and Multi-year Grants” session on Wednesday afternoon.
Updated PDAT & Disability Calculation Procedures
Program Officers made calls to commissions this week to inform you of a procedural change in the calculation of PDAT and Disability. The calculation is still based on the number of State and National programs and members in your state, and commissions are still placed into one of six allocation groups based on the calculation. The changes are that the calculation will be performed on a regular three-year cycle and the number of members will be calculated on the number of enrolled members rather than awarded members. The attached memo gives more information regarding the updated procedure. The new calculation will go into affect for Disability this year and for PDAT in FY 2009. Amy Borgstrom will briefly review the procedural changes at the conference.
CNCS Disaster Protocol Issues
A working group of state commission and national direct program representatives has convened over the last several months and developed protocol issues around “Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Assistance and Development” and “Issues Limiting Operational Capacity.” We will discuss these protocol issues during the disaster services plenary on Thursday morning. You will have an opportunity to give feedback on the issues at that time and during the break-out sessions. A very special thanks to the working group for taking this step by articulating the issues so clearly. The working group members include:
- Kelley Adams – OneStar Foundation
- Bill Basl – Washington Commission for National and Community Service
- Kitty Burcsu – Ohio Community Service Council
- Sharron Leon – California Volunteers
- Greg Donovan – Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission
- Scott Ingram – Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona
- Marsha Kelly & Robert Renfroe – Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
- Brooke Smith – Louisiana Serve Commission
- Click here to read CNCS Disaster Protocol issue #1 (pdf)
- Click here to read CNCS Disaster Protocol issue #2 (pdf)
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