Dear Friends,
I don’t know if you’ve been losing sleep about the state of current affairs like I have, but I hope you continue to find sparks of optimism in your days.
I have been thinking about the story of the little boy who is walking along the beach with thousands and thousands of dying, beached starfish. He is picking them up, one at a time, and throwing them back into the ocean. A man tells him not to bother. His efforts don't matter. He will never save all the starfish. The little boy says, “It matters to the ones I can save.”
There are lots of charitable & religious organizations, government programs, and individuals focused on helping animals, the planet, and people when they are suffering. This work is critical and I am grateful for all these efforts.
MaineShare organizations are groups that are trying to stop whatever it is that is causing those starfish to end up dying on the beach (as well as a myriad of other suffering.) This work is equally critical, but results take time and at times like these, it may seem like all we can do is throw a few starfish back in the ocean.
However, hope springs eternal when we stay connected to others who are doing this long-term work. I attended the retirement party for the long-time leader of Friends of Casco Bay, a MaineShare member, this week and I was reminded about how important good leadership is to building the relationships, strategies, and movements that create long-term, positive change. Cathy Ramsdell was lauded for her commitment to building broad coalitions and empowering staff to become leaders in their own right. Because of the diverse groups of individuals Friends of Casco Bay was able to attract to their mission, they have been incredibly effective in moving public policies over the past 30 years that protect and improve the health of the Bay.
Another MaineShare member group, MOFGA, just celebrated their fiftieth anniversary. Because of their leadership, Maine has had an outsized role in the organic movement. MOFGA is preparing to host their iconic Common Ground Country Fair in-person September 24-26. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time to reduce congestion and they are monitoring the COVID situation to ensure a safe environment. We encourage you to take MOFGA’s advice and “Visit Maine’s most extensive agricultural fairgrounds – complete with a working organic farm, sustainably managed woodlot, organic orchards and demonstration gardens – and hundreds of exhibitors, activities, dances, music and Maine organic foods that make this fair unique.”
But as you know, MaineShare members work on many fronts. These are just three examples of MaineShare members making a difference for the environment. MaineShare’s five areas of focus (Economic Opportunity; The Environment; Safety & Health; Education, Arts & Culture; Social Justice & Peace) feature 40 organizations working to make Maine a more just, equitable, and healthy place.
Read more from our fabulous members below & get involved if you can. I guarantee, you WILL FEEL BETTER!
Gratefully yours,
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Brenda Peluso (she/her/hers), Interim Director
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Save the Date: Oct 21, 2021 - 4:00-7:00 PM
Join MaineShare in celebrating 30 + 1 years of service to Maine.
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September & October Events Worth Your Time |
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September 4th - Rally: Peace Action Maine will join several other groups at the Brunswick Landing Main Gate at 10 AM on Sept. 4, to rally during the Blue Angels Airshow. Join in and protest the largest users of climate changing fossil fuels. According to Peace Action Maine, the US Military is the largest institutional consumer of fossil fuels and a major greenhouse gas polluter. Peace Action Maine is asking that this pollution no longer be exempted from the COP26 negotiations in Glasgow. Climate, Community, Conversion!
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September Evening Walks in Portland Area
Join Sierra Club Maine's Outings Team for weekly Tuesday evening walks as a farewell to summer (Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28). These walks will begin at 5:30pm, go about 2 miles (plus or minus depending on conditions, terrain, views, etc), and finish by 7pm. Each walk will take place in the Greater Portland area and will feature at least one conservation element to discuss on the route.
This series is designed so that almost anyone can join! They will go at a moderate pace; you do not need to be a Sierra Club member to join them; all participants must sign a waiver.
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What Maine Borrowers Need to Know About Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Managing Their Student Loans |
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Join the Student Borrower Protection Center and the Maine Center for Economic Policy for a webinar highlighting what Maine public service workers (such as government and non-profit employees) need to know about managing their student loans, accessing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and getting involved in a campaign to restore the promise of loan forgiveness.
The webinar will feature a presentation by advocacy experts from the Student Borrowers Protection Center about getting the most out of the loan forgiveness program, and an opportunity to ask questions.
When: September 15, 2021
What Time: 12:00pm
Where: Zoom
To register for the event, click here
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“Brush With Nature”
Maine Audubon’s Inaugural Plein Air Painting Event
Artists have long been inspired by nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors and Maine has long been an ideal setting. This September, the eight Maine Audubon wildlife sanctuaries will serve as inspiration and provide creative sparks for plein air painters and the public in the inaugural Brush with Nature event. ( What is plein air painting?)
Twenty-five plein air painters will be painting between September 9 and 12 at the sanctuaries across the state. Farnsworth Art Museum curator Jane Bianco and artist Scott Kelley served as jurors for Brush with Nature, selecting the artists in June.
The public is encouraged to come watch the artists at work and are invited to create their own works—paintings, poetry, drawings, movement—during their visit.
Between September 17 and 26, these special original works of art will be available for bidding in an online auction, with proceeds benefiting Maine Audubon programs. Bidding (online here) will close on September 26 at 5 pm.
For more information and full list of participating artists and sanctuaries: click here.
Maine Audubon works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation, and action.
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Announcing the Maine Women's Summit for Economic Security |
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Every other year, the Maine Women’s Summit on Economic Justice brings people together for training and networking to explore policy, politics, and social change. The Summit connects people to the tools and change-makers in their own communities.
The 2021 Summit will be a community-focused conversation on the connections between civic engagement and economic, gender, and racial justice. The event will feature LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, and will include workshops, live performance, and local community-level discussions.
To register and learn more about the 2021 Summit, head to the Summit website.
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27th Annual Recycling and Solid Waste Conference & Trade Show: October 18th-19th.
For over two decades, Maine Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) has brought you Maine's only integrated conference for the Recycling & Solid Waste Management Industry. This year's 27th annual conference will be a hybrid conference of virtual and in-person attendees and speakers held in Rockport, Maine at the Samoset Resort on October 18-19, 2021, with a vendor set-up.
MRRA invites you to network with 200+ private and public-sector leaders and decision makers from:
- Recycling Centers, Transfer Stations, Organics Processors, Landfills and Incinerators
- State, City, and Town governments
- Business and Industry
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Maine is in the midst of a PFAS contamination crisis. Dairy farmers, like the families that own Stoneridge Farm and Tozier Farm, have seen their livelihoods destroyed due to PFAS contamination. Additionally, more than 160 wells for neighbors surrounding the Tozier Farm as well as wells in Presque Isle, Houlton, and Trenton, are contaminated with PFAS.
Defend Our Health is proud to have worked with legislative champions this session to pass laws that protect all Mainers from further PFAS contamination and provide them with avenues to seek justice for the damage done to their land and livelihoods. Support the fight as they defend their new laws against the chemical industry!
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New Hires at Maine initiatives
Maine Initiatives welcomes their newest staff members: Julian Rowand, Desiree Vargas, and Joanna Clarke! Julian and Desiree are coming on board as the Co-Directors for Grants for Change, their radically participatory grantmaking program centered around racial justice. Joanna is stepping into a brand new position at Maine Initiatives as the Finance and Operations Manager. Join them in welcoming them and check out their bios in Maine Initiative’s June eNews here.
Maine Hospice Council is Awarded a Systems-Improvement Grant:
The Maine Hospice Council (MHC) was one of fourteen organizations awarded a Systems Improvement and Innovation Responsive Grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation to be funded over the next two years. (SIIRG) program. Fourteen organizations’ projects will be funded over the next two years.
MHC will use this funding to develop a framework for innovations in palliative care service delivery within Maine’s rural communities. For more information please contact MHC at 207-626-0651 or email info@mainehospicecouncil.org.
Through this partnership, HHRC's resident Holocaust Scholar and Education Coordinator, Erica Nadelhaft will represent the HHRC and serve as one of the two team leaders who will develop Holocaust and other genocides curriculum for Maine.
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This is just a small sampling of the critical work MaineShare members do to build a better Maine. Please join us in supporting and learning from the great work of ALL our member groups.
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