1. February PD Meeting Updates & Announcements
Phoenix Charter Academy Network
February 15, 2017

2. Agenda Program Presentation PD Open Mic* Grants Process
Compliance Site Visits
AmeriCorps Week
Conferences
AmeriCorps Alums
Calendar Updates
After Lunch: Training Update from Lisl

3. 2017-18 Grants Process Timeline- Competitive
Competitive Timeline shifted earlier by CNCS
Clarification for Continuations: March 2nd - March 10th
Clarification for New/Recompeting: March 20th - March 27th
Results of the competition announced: by April 7th
Resolution for all successful applicants (New/Recompete and Continuation): April 28th - May 22nd
For programs recompeting next year
Late July/early August grants process will begin with the MSA RFP release for concept papers

4. 2017-18 Grants Process Timeline- Formula
Formula timeline
Holding additional Formula process this year
RFP will be released soon
Notifications in May or June
Formula continuations due to PO in spring, check with your PO for draft deadline (March/April)

5. Compliance: NSCHC Updates
Taken together, MSA’s programs are not anywhere close to 100% compliance again this year
Only a few 100% compliant
OIG Report on CNCS
Very concerning, background checks at forefront of agency issues according to report
IPERIA (formerly known as IPERA)
Of all improper payments, only one(!) file was not background check related
Disallowance
Your PO will calculate amount in March, we will be using most recent Member Tracking document, please review last submission
MSA is looking into levying fines beginning in
We will keep you updated on this once the process has been determined

6. Compliance: Member Eligibility
This year, one AmeriCorps program accidentally provided a member stipend to an ineligible member
Very serious issue, fiscally and otherwise
Extreme example of something that has happened in previous years
Remember to stick to written processes for documenting member eligibility and enroll them in eGrants within 30-day window
Let your Program Officer know if you have any questions about eligibility for AmeriCorps service

7. AmeriCorps Week AmeriCorps week is March 4 - 11th
Invite partners or those you’d like to be your partners to serve with you for a day 
Share posts with the #AmeriCorpsWorks and #IamAmeriCorps as your hashtags
Thank the partners and funders that make your service possible 
Use AmeriCorps facts (see links below)
Share your AmeriCorps Week plan with your PO
CNCS resources:
AmeriCorps Week basic info:
AmeriCorps Week landing page: members/americorps-week/americorps-week-2017
Marketing guide: de_lowres_0.pdf

8. MSA Updates FY18 State Budget Update Mid-year Progress Report
- Level funding in Governor’s FY18 budget proposal for the MSA’s line item
Mid-year Progress Report
Link to form will be sent mid-March, due on 4/15
PER/FSR also due 4/15

9. 2017 Atlantic Cluster Conference
Save the dates: June 4-7th in Baltimore, MD
Programs should have funds in their budget to attend
Registration will open in late March, MSA will share updates
More information here:

10. MA Conference on Service and Volunteerism
MSA’s biennial conference
Monday, June 12th at the Sheraton in Framingham
Call for Presenters RFP still open, due by February 28th
Workshop Guidelines and the link to the online RFP can be found here.
Nominate someone for the Service and Volunteerism Awards, categories are:
Getting Things Done Award: Service Corps members or alums
Working Together Award: An Outstanding Collaboration in Service & Volunteerism between two organizations  
Making A Difference Award: An Outstanding Impact in Service & Volunteerism
More information on awards here

11. FY16 Site Visit Season Risk Assessments being completed now
Site visits typically March-May
All programs: one visit during three-year cycle
New programs: site visit in first year
Administered according to risk level determined in Risk Assessment
Programmatic and Fiscal
To hold MSA and programs accountable to the AmeriCorps grant provisions
To strengthen the field by sharing best practices between programs
To identify the fiscal and programmatic compliance issues programs may not be aware of and to offer technical assistance

12. Site Visits Site Visit Agenda Meet organization and program staff
Systems 1–10
Discuss your processes
Review your documents
Member Interviews
Member file check
Site Partner Interviews (if applicable)
Informal feedback
Preparing for site visit
Start with the Binder, Desk Systems and Objectives
Use the MSA monitoring tools as a guide
Ensure eGrants 30 day compliance (enrollment and retention, etc.)
Talk to your Program Officer!

13. Common Compliance Findings
Last Year’s Findings to note:
Position descriptions do not fully identify positions as AmeriCorps service, missing AmeriCorps in position title, logos, etc.
Documentation of data and data collection tools unavailable
Employment/work terminology in materials rather than service
Members do not receive personal/professional development beyond training for activities
Formal member supervision not occurring
Stakeholders not involved in continuous improvement
Member time sheets (dates and signatures), or non-compliant electronic time keeping system
Returning members supervising other members

14. Site Visit Follow-up
Program Officers written report to program within 30 days
Program has 30 days to respond to compliance issues
Best Practice and Continuous Improvement sections are for future reference
When all compliance issues are resolved, the site visit process is complete

15. Upcoming AmeriCorps Alums Events
Current Member Game Night: Thursday, 2/23 at Knight Moves Somerville (1159 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144)
Free for current AmeriCorps members!
Round Robin/Higher Ed. Event: April at City Year
Date/time TBA
For registration information and other event information, follow AmeriCorps Alums on Facebook: or feel free to Elizabeth at

16. Calendar Updates March 5 -12: AmeriCorps Week
March 2 -10: Clarifications for Continuations
March 20-27: Clarifications for New/Recompeting
March 31: Provide independent financial audit to MSA
March/April: Formula Continuations
April 7: Competitive decisions
April 15: Mid-year Progress Report Due; FSR Due
April : National Volunteer Week
May 17: PD Meeting (AmeriCorps Cape Cod hosting!)
June 2 - 5: Atlantic Cluster Conference, Baltimore MD
June 12: Mass. Conference on Service and Volunteering

17. Wrap-up QUESTIONS? We’ll see you next on May 17th
at Barnstable County AmeriCorps Cape Cod!
Before introducing Gretchen mention the program evaluation requirements:
New program – N/A
Recompeting for a first time – evaluation plan
Recompeting for a subsequent time – eval. report and eval. plan