In this Issue
  • Board Elections
  • Chapter Chatter
  • Where to find Chapter Meetings
  • How to Zoom
  • Survey
Welcome to the July 2020 Newsletter
Greetings to our friends around the state. It is the end of July and we are continuing to work hard on self-advocacy here. Here is the July Newsletter.
Board Elections

As many know each September at our Annual Statewide Conference Speaking Up For Us members vote on Board Candidates. This year we have had to be a bit creative in order to elect candidates to the Board of Directors.
A Nomination Application is available on our website for people interested in applying to be nominated for open positions on the Board of Directors. All applications for new candidates or those up for re-election will need to be turned in to Laurie Coldwell by August 14th.
The Nominations Committee will be on August 17th to review candidates and make their recommendations.
On September 1st, at our Statewide Call we will have a candidate forum where all candidates will be asked to share about themselves, and why they should be elected to the Board of Directors.
Voting will begin to take place after this point by SUFU Staff attending chapters virtually for people to vote.
On September 22nd we will be hosting an online mini-conference, and our annual meeting where the results of the election will be revealed.

Please mark these dates down in your calendar, and stay tuned!



Chapter Chatter


Our chapters have been busy online finding new ways to interact with each other, discuss topics and learn each week.
Meghan Ryan-Rolfe from Disability Rights Maine has been joining our chapter meetings to answer questions about the Rep-Payee Program, and what her role is. This time has proven to be very helpful for self-advocates.

Chapters attendees have been encouraging each other through this difficult season. Whether it has been sharing positive or encouraging thoughts, or thanking others for helping talk through a difficult moment.

The Houlton Chapter has been working through a relationship series. Relationships are important to self-advocates. Building strong relationships is important to everyone!

Some of our chapters have been watching "Crip Camp" as a group over Zoom, and then discussing what inspires them, what they can identify with and more. Tucker Conley from our Portland Chapter shares his review of Crip Camp on our blog .


In addition our chapters have been able to view and discuss many helpful presentations. These presentations have been on a variety of topics such as How to Avoid Scams or Reviewing the Discussion Tool for Accessing the Community.

Coming Up, Jon McGovern and Kile Pelletier will be sharing a presentation How to Talk to Your Doctor.
In addition, Marco Orlando will be joining Disability Rights Maine and others for a Reasonable Accommodations Training on August 5th at 12:00. To register for this you can check out their website .

Where do I find a chapter meeting?
We miss seeing you at chapter meetings, but we are still meeting over zoom. If you want to drop in on a chapter meeting, or join our statewide meeting you can find all the information on our website. Our Stuff For Us Page is loaded with all sorts of information specifically for you!
How to Zoom

During this time at home many have learned to use new technology - including how to use zoom!
Speaking Up For Us has created a document to help you or someone you know connect to others using zoom.
We have posted this on our website to share with others. We hope that people find this tool useful.
Survey Regarding Telehealth

Speaking Up For Us, is asking self-advocates to participate in a survey regarding Telehealth and their services during COVID-19/Corona Virus and the shut down. This is an anonymous survey, and the results will be shared with the Office of Aging and Disability Services to help make decisions about what worked well, and what should be kept as an option for Telehealth in the future. To participate in this please click here .
Finally

We invite you to check out our website . Read our most recent blog post and subsribe 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
Administrative Assistant (207) 956-1004 / Ext. 4
SUFU CONNECTOR
Speaking Up For Us of Maine
207-956-1004

www.sufumaine.org