Volunteer Sector Status Report and 2010 – 2013 Strategic Plan
Published June 22, 2010
Development of the Commission’s 2010‐2013
Strategic Plan reflects the Commission’s continued focus on conditions that
directly affect the viability and effectiveness of community volunteer service.
The Commission’s accomplishments under each Strategic Plan are documented in
its Annual Reports to the Governor and Legislature in accordance with the
Commission’s enabling statute. Both the 2010-2013 Strategic Plan and past Annual
Report’s can be found at www.MaineServiceCommission.gov .
Volunteers
and the programs through which they serve are fundamental elements of the
social capital in Maine
communities. Their work focuses on a diverse set of issues related to nearly
every facet of community life and covers a wide range of activities: education,
direct services, advocacy, management, community organizing, and leadership.
Volunteers play an important role in finding solutions to societal issues.
Often they are the bellwether for emergent community issues and at the
forefront of developing innovative actions to voice and respond to these
issues.
The
2010-2013 Strategic Plan was developed and executed by the Strategic Planning
Task Force which included commission members: Phil Crowell, Andrew Matlins,
Joan McDonald, Joel Russ, Eileen Smart and Executive Director Maryalice
Crofton. The Task Force sought public
input primarily through two activities. First, there were 167 responses to the
survey of Maine’s Volunteer Sector which was supplemented
by information from 113 people who attended one of six regional meetings (Portland, Lewiston, Farmington, Kennebec
Valley, Machias, and
Augusta). Based on feedback and research the following goals have been
established. 2010 – 2013 Goal Summary:
Goal 1: Maine residents will be active, engaged
citizens, serving as volunteers who effectively address critical human and
environmental needs in their communities.
Goal 2: Schools and community youth
development programs support academic success among young Mainers by adopting
service‐learning as an educational strategy.
Goal 3: Maine’s volunteer sector is capable of
responding effectively to local needs and problems by engaging citizen
volunteers in high quality, high impact service.
Goal 4: Maine’s volunteer sector is strong and
successful due to tangible acknowledgement and support by sponsoring
organizations of its needs and achievements.
The Maine Commission for
Community Service builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer sector by funding service
programs, developing volunteer managers, raising awareness of the scope and
impact of the sector, and encouraging an ethic of service. The Maine Commission
for Community Service was established in 1994 by Executive Order and under the
state statute in 1995. The 25‐member Service Commission is the State’s partner
with the federal Corporation for National and Community Service to promote
volunteer service in Maine.
To learn more about
the Maine Commission for Community Service visit our web-site at www.maineservicecommission.gov.
