RSVP Advisory Council in Rhinelander reports $127,497 AmeriCorps Seniors award and 17,258 volunteer hours

The RSVP Advisory Council met July 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Balsam Room at 100 W Keenan St. in Rhinelander, where staff and members reviewed a newly awarded AmeriCorps Seniors grant and program operations.

Lori Ring, RSVP staff member, told the council that a $127,497 grant award was issued as of June 24, 2026 and that the award is direct federal funding for the local AmeriCorps Seniors project. Ring said the county and United Way will supplement the grant with $23,800, that 96 percent of the grant is designated for outcome-based work, and that certain activities can be charged back to May 24, 2026. Ring also said the county finance department will prepare the final Federal Financial Report and that allocations between the 2023 and 2026 grants still need to be sorted.

Ring reported that volunteers have logged 17,258 hours from May 31, 2025, through May 31, 2026, and said reporting has improved to better reflect the program’s impact; she stated a target of reaching 20,000 reported hours. Ring cautioned that although the award has been made, continuation of funding is uncertain and members should watch federal budget negotiations closely; she added the program has access to the grant award until March 31, 2027, or until funds are exhausted.

The council discussed event planning and member recruitment. Ring led a discussion on a fall volunteer recognition event and council members favored a Friday luncheon in late September or early October; Ring will contact venues and caterers. She also asked members to help recruit to fill two vacancies for upcoming meetings and said she will report back on applicants.

During the meeting’s procedural business, Joan Hauer moved to approve the day’s agenda, seconded by Nancy Brissee; the motion carried with all in favor. Hauer later moved to accept the April 16, 2026 meeting minutes, seconded by Rita Mahner; that motion also carried. The meeting closed with no public comment and was adjourned at 9:34 a.m. by Dawn Winquist. The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 9:00 a.m. in the Balsam Room of the ADRC.

The session packet included the notice of grant award and a justification budget for AmeriCorps; staff noted questions about long-term continuation funding and the need to reconcile expenditures between overlapping grants.