1. May 11th PD Meeting Updates & Announcements

2. Agenda SCCLS Members Presentation MSA Updates Event recaps:
Cluster Conference
Upcoming events
7/27-7/28: Kick-off
11/4: Opening Day
Lunch
Evaluation session
Breakout discussions with your Program Officers

3. New Program Officer: Welcome, Maura!
Maura Hackett joined MSA at the end of April
Masters of Public Health in Environmental Health from Boston University
Ten years experience with youth development, STEM and sailing nonprofit and volunteer organizations across the US

4. 2016-17 CNCS Grants Process Update
Competitive Update
We are still waiting to hear about competitive decisions from CNCS – possibly by end of this week
Formula Update
Once we have the full picture from CNCS, MSA will begin making decisions about allocating formula funds
Formula decisions will be made by the end of the month, MSA’s Executive Committee will meet the first week in June to approve funding
Formula Continuations should be fully complete and in eGrants by mid/late June

5. Other Administrative Updates
The grants process will begin with MSA RFP released in late July/early August with letters of intent and concept papers due in September
CNCS is making the transition from eGrants to Salesforce-based system in October 2016
Member management portal will remain in eGrants, will likely make transition to same system next year
If your program is planning to submit a budget amendment for the current year, you should already be working on it with your Program Officer

6. Spring Progress Reports
Programs did well getting reports in on-time and with the correct information
Please make sure to provide clear and concise explanations for on-going and unmet targets that can be sent directly to CNCS, especially with final reports
Please note, do not make or propose changes to Performance Measures in progress reports, this requires an amendment

7. Site Visit Feedback
Almost all site visits have been completed, thank you for hosting us!
Overall, site visits were successful
Common issues found include:
Missing AmeriCorps MSA logo on applications, member contracts, and gear
Reasonable accommodations for interview (as well as service) not mentioned in position postings, application, or on website
Position descriptions without essential/marginal functions broken down
Background checks not filed or documented correctly

8. Background Check Update
All Programs must have at least one staff person involved in NCHSC complete new online training
Fieldprint is now the official CNCS FBI check channeler
Up and running as of March
Only for FBI checks
Average completion time is 3-5 business days (according to CNCS)
Very helpful Fieldprint introductory webinar recorded by CNCS on YouTube
Programs are not required to use Fieldprint
Please let us know if you plan to use the Departmental Orders (DO) process, which is the official name for when fingerprints are sent directly to the FBI
Language note: NSPOW vs. SORI
NSPOW is only compliant sex-offender check; SORI is MA sex-offender check that is not compliant

9. Background Check Update Continued
Disallowance Results
Only a few programs with 100% compliance
Most programs had <10% noncompliance
A few programs had significant (>50%) noncompliance and $5K-10K disallowance amounts
Disallowance will be taken from unexpended funds, fiscal staff should plan accordingly
CNCS indicated that guidance will not undergo any major revisions for 16-17
MSA expects all programs will be 100% compliant next year
Similar process to this year, MSA will use an updated tracking document to determine compliance/disallowance

10. New Hours/NSCHC tracking sheet for 2016-17

11. New Hours/NSCHC tracking sheet for 2016-17 Instructions and helpful information
Read instructions page, please 
FBI Check initiation date: for DO, remains the same; for Fieldprint it is the date fingerprints are taken
We know this is more stringent than CNCS requires, MSA has concerns about considering a check initiated when member/staff may not have shown up for appointment
Two tabs, one for members and one for covered staff
We will use the data you provide to calculate disallowance, so please double check information before submitting
Every member and covered staff-person must be listed with background check dates, including returning members and staff
Be kind to your PO: please do not put additional characters in cells, use the notes column instead

12. IPERA Update Improper Payments Evaluation and Recovery Act
Still processing previous submissions
Will begin requesting transaction information in early summer
Very quick turnaround: If fiscal staff are away, ensure you have a back-up person available to respond to IPERA requests
Indication at conference may be requesting fewer transactions, working on normalizing process and making it continuous/flexible

13. Other CNCS updates
Harkin Award application for AmeriCorps members, alums, AND programs due June 6, 2016
In the news: OIG investigation of National Direct in New York
Found that members were engaging in Prohibited Activities related to abortion services
Received advice from counsel rather than CNCS– so always ask your PO if you have questions about PA’s!

14. AmeriCorps Alums Volunteer with AC Alums at Run for Recess!
May 21st 8:00AM-12:00PM
Franklin Park Playstead, Pierpont Road
Summer Social
June 1st 6:30PM-8:30PM
American Fresh 301 Canal Street, Somerville, MA 02145

15. Evaluation Update
Happy to announce that Bee’s Knees Consulting will continue to work with programs through the next program year
First cohort to work with Gretchen selected based on responses to survey, beginning now
MOU’s went out last week
Second cohort will likely get started in late summer/early fall
We have been using surveys to guide topics for Gretchen’s presentations, please let us know if there are any topics you would like us to cover in the near future

16. Service & Volunteerism Day Recap
Event was a great success, thanks to all who attended!
MSA is still waiting to find out our state funding level
House budget has us at $1.4m and Senate budget will be released soon
Conference committee meets to reconcile bills in June
Lindsay will be sending out action alerts soon– please share!
No update on FY16 Federal budget

17. Atlantic Cluster Conference Report-back
We were glad almost all of our AmeriCorps programs joined us
Highlights included Reception/StorySlam at Basketball Hall of Fame
Props to Miguel!
Any highlights or important takeaways you all want to share?

18. Upcoming Events: Kick-off!
Will be July 27-28th at Northeastern
Thanks to Colleen and MPF for hosting
Accessible by MBTA via Orange and Green Lines, parking nearby
New and newer staff will attend both days of training; more experienced staff may be eligible for one-day streamlined
Brand new staff must attend full first day, newer staff afternoon of first day
Remember, it is mandatory for at least one representative of your organization to attend
If you would like to lead a 15 minute mini-session, let us know before we start nagging you!

19. Calendar Updates July 27-28th – Kick-off
Late July/Early August – MSA releases RFP for concept papers
November 4th – Opening Day (Friday)

20. QUESTIONS? Wrap-up Next meeting is Kick-off!
July 27-28th at Northeastern