The Connector
Speaking Up For Us of Maine
In This Issue:

  • Leadership Training

  • Jon's Corner

  • Board Of Directors

  • Employment Opportunity

November 2023

Self-Advocates have brought up some great topics to discuss in the last two months. Voting Rights, what is on the ballot, how ideas become laws were some of the discussions at the beginning of November.
Other times we talked about preparing for winter, fall safety, managing crisis situations in our lives. We ended the month reflecting on what we are thankful for and learning more about Native American Heritage Month!

Leadership Training
Speaking Up For Us is excited that we are holding our second leadership training of 2023.
This class met together in October for their first training session. The group members spent time learning about each other and learning about teamwork!
Jon's Corner

I have had a busy two months!
Back in October I was given an award from Disability Rights Maine. This is called the Helen M. Bailey Advocacy Award.  It was given to me for the work I have done not only for SUFU, but also with all our other allies and on behalf of all self-advocates. Shenna Bellows was also there, as the Keynote Speaker and she reflected on the work I participated in on the subminimum wage bill.   
 
I am getting ready for the next Legislative Season and am looking forward to working on LD 1666. It is important that we continue to work on this bill as it addresses SSI and the marriage penalty in Maine for Maine’s portion of SSI.  

Please be sure to join us for our legislative advocacy meetings that start in January. 
It is important that self-advocates participate in these meetings as we can work together to determine our future and what our life is going to be.  
  
 
Board of Directors In Person Meeting
On Wednesday, November 29th the Board of Directors gathered in Augusta for their in person board meeting and training as Board Members. Members worked to go through the training on being a board member and what that entails.
In addition, the board members were able to get to know each other a bit more over lunch.
This year we welcome the following new officers:
Rose Belanger - Chair
Marco Orlando - Vice Chair
Brian Harnish - Treasurer
Georgia West - Secretary
Christopher Heywood - Sergeant at Arms

Board members ended the meeting sharing how excited they are to be working together in the coming year.
We're Growing!
Speaking Up For Us is hiring a Chapter Advisor. This position has been updated to Full-Time for 35 hours. For more information about the position please see the job posting. Questions about this position can be sent to Monique Stairs at mstairs@sufumaine.org
Statewide Meetings Are Back

Our Statewide Meetings have restarted at 1:00 pm on Zoom. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/911978966


Please note the Legislative Advocacy Meetings will begin in January!
Finally

We invite you to check out our website . Read our most recent blog post and subscribe to future blogs. You can also find the list of our chapter meetings, or follow us on Facebook. If you are a SUFU member we want you to join our members only Facebook Group. To do that please email Laurie Coldwell or Jon McGovern. We don't want you to miss anything.
Have an Idea for Something to be in The Connector?
Contact: Laurie Coldwell
Program Manager (207) 956-1004 / Ext. 1
lcoldwell@sufumaine.org
SUFU CONNECTOR
Speaking Up For Us of Maine
207-956-1004

www.sufumaine.org