Dear MaineShare Community and Friends,

This is a tragic and devastating time. The right words to say don't exist during some of the darkest of days here in Maine. We all have been impacted in a myriad of ways, and I share my deep sympathy to the loved ones of the victims and solidarity with the communities touched by this terrible tragedy.

There is no manual for how to respond to trauma like this, and healing takes time. As we grieve and heal, let's continue to take care of ourselves and each other. I encourage you to take time in community, as well as time of solitude and reflection, as it feels right to you.

Throughout this time of sadness, MaineShare members continue to do what they do best, showing up for their communities. I encourage you to read the response statements from members Maine Council of Churches and Disability Rights Maine.

You also can read on for updates, news and events from these organizations and other members. And if you are compelled, the Maine Community Fund Lewiston Auburn Response Fund is offering financial resources for those most affected.

Yours in support and healing,

Support MaineShare and our members!

Maine's Gender Justice Summit: Envisioning the Future of Care

In 2023, Maine had big wins for caregivers - paid and unpaid, professional and personal. This has a significant impact on women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities, low income workers and all types of families. These wins do not solve the issue of care and caregiving in Maine, but they are a step in the right direction to creating a true care economy.

Join us on November 13, 2023 1pm-5pm for collaborative conversation to celebrate Maine’s care policy wins and to envision a future where policies go even further to support our communities, making Maine a place that cares. Featuring Josephine Kalipeni, Executive Director of Family Values at Work, as the keynote speaker. Presented by Maine Women’s Lobby Education Fund. Location: Maple Hill Farm Event Center, Hallowell, Maine and satellite location at University of Maine Presque Isle. Learn more here.

Election Day News from DRM

Maine’s election is on Tuesday, November 7! On Election Day, Disability Rights Maine’s staff will be visiting polling sites across the state to survey for accessibility. Federal law requires that all polling places be physically accessible to individuals with disabilities. Each polling place must also make the Accessible Voting System (AVS) available to all voters on Election Day, regardless of disability. DRM sends our survey results to the Secretary of State so that they can fix problems in Maine cities and towns.

Question 8 is particularly important to the work of Disability Rights Maine. Question 8

asks voters, “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove a provision

prohibiting a person under guardianship for reasons of mental illness from voting for

Governor, Senators and Representatives, which the United States District Court for the

District of Maine found violates the United States Constitution and federal law?” While

the provision was found to be in violation of federal law, it was never removed from

Maine’s Constitution. Question 8 seeks to align Maine’s Constitution with this 2001 ruling. Read more about Question 8 at DRM’s latest blog post.

From Divinity School to the State House

Maine Council of Churches invites you to a unique opportunity to hear from Maine legislators who hold advanced theological degrees. What led them to attend divinity school? How does what they learned impact their campaigns and/or policy-making work? Is there a spiritual dimension to running for office? What about legislative work?

Tuesday, November 14, 6:30pm join this webinar "From Divinity School to Democracy." Panelists will be Senator Anne Carney (Harvard Divinity School), Representative Charles Skold (Harvard Divinity School), and Representative Mark Worth (Meadville Lombard Theological School). They will reflect on how their theological education impacts their work in the legislature and how their work as a legislator impacts their personal spiritual journey.

To register, visit https://form.jotform.com/232964656613161 and for more info, visit https://mainecouncilofchurches.org/2023/10/from-divinity-school/.

Brush with Nature 2023

Maine Audubon’s annual benefit Art Exhibition and Sale is on view in the Gilsland Farm Gallery in Falmouth and online through November 12, 2023. 

Twenty-eight outstanding Maine artists have each created one new work exclusively for this show inspired by one of Maine Audubon’s eight sanctuaries, mission, or conservation work.

To purchase art, you can visit the gallery in person at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth to browse and shop, or you can view and purchase the art online, for pick-up in Falmouth. Proceeds from Brush With Nature benefit Maine Audubon’s education, conservation, and advocacy programs.  Learn more at https://maineaudubon.org/art/brush-with-nature/.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is hiring a Development Manager!

Do you want to join the movement for safer streets for people walking and riding bikes? Do you want to help educate the next generation of road users how to share the roads safely? A statewide education and advocacy non-profit, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is dedicated to making Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. 

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s (BCM) Development Manager is responsible for maintaining and growing BCM’s donor base. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Manager is responsible for efforts that advance the organization, including communicating about its work and achievements; recruiting and retaining its members at all levels; engaging major donors, foundations, and corporations in its mission; and building the visibility of the organization to grow its capacity. They are responsible for maintaining the donor database, running reports, evaluating success, and recommending improvements to fundraising efforts. This position supervises the Office Manager, who is responsible for processing donations and helping with mailings.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is an equal opportunity employer, committed to growing a diverse staff. We strongly encourage application from candidates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders/gender identities, sexual orientations, and religions. In addition, candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Veg Fest now November 4th!

Maine Animal Coalition 18th Annual Veg Fest has been postponed to Saturday, November 4 at the East End School on Munjoy Hill in Portland. The fest is free and lasts from 11 am to 3 pm. It includes lectures, exhibitors, vendors, live music, a raffle, and a silent auction. The three lectures will be about food waste, fermented foods, and seaweed. Check our Veg Fest website (www.mainevegfest.com) for the latest details!

Join the team at New Ventures!

Do you want to be part of a team that creates an empowering environment for Maine people to

define and achieve their career and financial goals? If so, we have the perfect job for you!

New Ventures Maine (NVME) is hiring a full-time workforce development specialist to join our staff serving York County. Workforce specialists provide and coordinate workforce and asset development training, advising/coaching, and support to individuals in work/life transition. This position also involves working as a team with other local and statewide workforce and asset staff and interacts with community organizations including education, training and employment programs, financial institutions, businesses, and social service agencies. The position offers a flexible work schedule with office hours, some travel, and weekend, evening, and work-from-home hours.

NVME is a statewide education and economic development program of the University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine System. The university offers a wide range of fringe benefits for employees including, but not limited to, employee and dependent tuition benefits and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Learn more and apply here!

Updates and events from Sierra Club Maine

Voting this November will be critical to our energy future, our democracy, and for justice. There are eight questions on the state ballot, and Sierra Club Maine has taken an official position on five of them. You can view their Ballot Initiative Voter Guide here. Don’t forget to vote in person on November 7th - or fill out your absentee ballot!

Sierra Club Maine will be holding their annual celebration on Wednesday, December 6th at Oxbow Blending & Bottling in Portland starting at 5:30pm. They are honored to be partnering with Maine Youth for Climate Justice and the Wabanaki Alliance as they collectively pay tribute to their accomplishments over the past year. There will be a climate justice panel discussion, delicious food and drink, time to network with friends, and champion volunteer awards! Space is limited, RSVP today at bit.ly/AnnualCelebrationSCM. 

Sierra Club Maine’s 30x30 team is excited to launch a new educational podcast called “Redefining Conservation.” The podcast dives into our mission of preserving 30% of Maine's land, water, and forestry by 2030, its impact on Maine, and the innovative strategies behind it. Redefining Conservation will also explore the intersection between conservation and other forms of social justice. Be sure to tune in to stay informed, inspired, and engaged as we redefine conservation in Maine!

Welcoming Seasonal Workers to Downeast Maine

This summer the Access to Essential Services team at Mano en Mano welcomed workers and their families arriving to Downeast Maine for the 2023 wild blueberry harvest. It is estimated that 1,500-3,000 migrant farm workers and their families arrive to this area each year to partake in the harvest. These workers support our community and put food on the tables of families across the country. Services provided help to fill the gaps in support that many migrant workers face when they arrive in Maine by providing access to essential services and resources such as food, clothing and transportation, and welcoming new and returning faces to our community. The team organized 3 site based and 20 mobile Welcome and Resource Centers throughout Washington, Hancock and Aroostook counties. To learn more about these efforts and other programs with Mano en Mano, visit here.

Defend Our Health is Hiring

Defend Our Health is hiring a Director of Development and Community Outreach. Join the fight for public health and environmental justice. Help secure equal access for all people to safe food and drinking water, healthy homes, and products that are toxic-free and climate-friendly. Help empower impacted communities, end racial disparities, prevent plastic pollution, and much more. Learn more about this career opportunity here.

WERU awarded by Maine Association of Broadcasters

On October 14 at the Maine Association of Broadcasters Annual Meeting and Awards Gala in Portland, WERU's own Pepin Mittelhauser, Digital Media Coordinator, was awarded First Place in the category of Locally-produced Radio Program! Congratulations and thanks to Pepin for his great work on the now award-winning NextWave Radio Hour, a program about, for, and by young people, and congratulations to WERU on another MAB award! Pepin joins previous winners Amy Browne (Maine Currents), Ann Luther and the League of Women Voters of Maine (Democracy Forum), Natalie Springuel (Coastal Conversations), and Mariah Dennis (The Only Port of Call). For the complete WERU public affairs schedule click here.

CAHC is here to help Maine with Health Insurance

Open enrollment for marketplace plans through Maine’s state-based exchange, CoverME.gov starts November 1 and runs until January16. Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC) is proud to be Maine's Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program. We provide free, confidential assistance screening individuals and families for eligibility and for enrollment. We also provide help with MaineCare, screening Mainers with employer sponsored health insurance for more affordable options through the marketplace, other health care programs, and appeals assistance.

If you are eligible for Marketplace coverage during open enrollment, you must enroll before January 16^th. Have questions? Call CAHC at 1-800-965-7476. We are here to help.

Film Fest for Casco Bay

Do you like … movies? Popcorn? Casco Bay? If so, you are in luck! Tickets are now on sale for Film Fest for Casco Bay. The celebration features 12 great environmental and adventure films, suitable for ages ten and above. There will be free popcorn and other snacks, and a cash bar. Film Fest for Casco Bay supports Friends of Casco Bay's mission to improve and protect the health of Casco Bay.

When: Saturday, November 4, 3-6 p.m. (doors open at 2 p.m.)

Where: University of Southern Maine’s Abromson Center, 88 Bedford Street, Portland

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 day of the event

To purchase Tickets: https://www.cascobay.org/film-fest/

 Support MaineShare and our members!