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| Past Events |
| POWER Meetings Meeting Framework |
Cost
of the
War in Iraq
War in Iraq
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Error)
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| SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT |
HEALTH CARE CRISIS USA: Resources for more information |
| Health Care by the Numbers |
18,000 deaths blamed on lack of insurance USA Today |
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US Health Care Expenditures |
Medical bills trigger half of bankruptcies MSNBC |
|
The Case for a National Health Program |
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We don't need insurance: we need GUARANTEED HEALTHCARE! |
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TOP TEN REASONS FOR ENACTING A SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Click here for: PDF Version |
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Cost of Healthcare: More Americans Priced Out of Care Click here for: PDF Version |
|
UN Human Development Report [PDF] (see page 27!) |
|
World Health Organization Report 2000 [PDF] |
Facts & Sources from Michael Moore's SiCKO movie |
|
'SiCKO' Truth Squad Sets CNN Straight! |
POWER's Rally to Stop Medicaid Cuts, Portland, Maine
Photo courtesy of POWER member Bryan Bourgoin
Upcoming POWER Events
*Last updated: August 11, 2008*
*****IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*****
POWER is taking an organizing break!!!
No regular monthly meetings from now through April 2009,
and/or until further notice.
Looking for past
events? Click
here!
Looking for the next POWER Meeting? Click here!
QUESTIONS? Please contact us!
Looking for the next POWER Meeting? Click here!
QUESTIONS? Please contact us!
October 2008
- 2nd Annual
Maine Symposium on
Poverty & Economic Security
Monday Oct 27th, 9:00AM - 4:00PM (time subject to change)
Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine
Organized by Maine Community Action Association: www.endingpovertyinmaine.org
Have you experienced poverty? The Maine Voices Project wants to hear from you! Maine Voices Project is holding listening sessions throughout the state of Maine to gather input from of those us who are currently poor, or who have been poor in the past. The purpose of these sessions is to gather the input of poor & low-income people -- those of us who are EXPERTS on poverty because we live it everyday -- so that we can have a direct role in shaping and planning the Symposium on Poverty. If you'd like to participate please visit www.endingpovertyinmaine.org.
- Leadership
Council
Tuesday Oct 28th, 5:00 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
More about POWER's Leadership Council
November 2008
- ELECTION
DAY!
Tuesday Nov 4th - ALL DAY LONG!
For more information & resources about voting, please see our Voting Information Page.
March 2009
- Leadership
Council
Monday Mar 9th, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
More about POWER's Leadership Council
April 2009
- Leadership
Council
Monday Apr 13th, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
Don't forget - we need to receive proposed agenda items for this month's POWER meeting by
6:30PM THE NIGHT BEFORE the LCouncil Meeting - contact us to submit an agenda item.
More about POWER's Leadership Council / Leadership Council Handout [Word format]
- General
Monthly POWER Meeting
Monday Apr 20th, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday)
644 Congress Street in Portland, ME
*Note: POWER Meetings start promptly at 6:30PM: PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE
5-10 MINUTES EARLY (by 6:25pm) so meetings can start & end on time.
More about POWER Meetings | Meeting Framework
May 2009
- Leadership
Council
Monday May 11th, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
Don't forget - we need to receive proposed agenda items for this month's POWER meeting by
6:30PM THE NIGHT BEFORE the LCouncil Meeting - contact us to submit an agenda item.
More about POWER's Leadership Council / Leadership Council Handout [Word format]
- General
Monthly POWER Meeting
Monday May 18th, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday)
644 Congress Street in Portland, ME
*Note: POWER Meetings start promptly at 6:30PM: PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE
5-10 MINUTES EARLY (by 6:25pm) so meetings can start & end on time.
More about POWER Meetings | Meeting Framework
...MORE INFORMATION...
MORE ABOUT POWER's MONTHLY MEETINGS:
*****IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT*****
POWER is taking an organizing break!!!
No regular monthly meetings from now through April 2009,
and/or until further notice.
from *6:30-8:00 PM. Monthly POWER Meetings are a time when POWER members & supporters
gather to share updates, reports, & discussions relating to POWER's mission, goals, & activities.
All those who support POWER's mission and goals are welcome to attend!
more about monthly meetings | meeting framework | meeting agenda | contact us.
Please note that agendas for monthly POWER Meetings are drawn up & approved by POWER's Leadership Council on the 2nd Monday of the month. Please submit any proposed items before then in order to be considered for that month's agenda. For more info see: More about meeting agendas
*Note: POWER Meetings start promptly at 6:30PM. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early (by 6:25pm) so meetings can start & end on time. Meeting setup starts at 6pm.
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MORE ABOUT POWER'S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL:
POWER's Leadership Council (LCouncil) is the organization's core leadership and oversight body. Its members consult on a regular basis to address any and all matters related to sustaining the organization. In addition to responding to any problems and concerns as they arise, LCouncil responsibilities range from considering and approving monthly meeting agendas to developing long-term organizational planning and strategy. POWER members are welcome and encouraged to contact the Leadership Council with proposed agenda items, ideas, & suggestions, or for help resolving problems or concerns. Consistant with POWER's mission of low-income leadership, LCouncil members are all self-declared low-income POWER members in good standing, and each has demonstrated a certain level of commitment and dedication to the organization.
Leadership Council meetings occur regularly on the 2nd Monday of every month and are
open to members of POWER's Leadership Council ONLY (call for exceptions).
Any proposed agenda items are due the night before the Leadership Council meeting, by 6:30PM.
If you miss the deadline, send your item in anyways, just keep in mind that we may not be able to
consider it until next month. For more info see: More about meeting agendas
For more info please see our Leadership Council hand-out [Word format].
(Includes information on joining POWER's Leadership Council)
To contact POWER's Leadership Council
* Call 207-650-5092
* Send an email via POWER's contact form.
* Write to POWER, Attn: LCouncil, Po Box 4281, Portland, ME 04101
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MORE ABOUT POWER'S ECONOMIC HUMAN RIGHTS TASKFORCE:
POWER's Economic Human Rights Taskforce is our outreach & education committee. Taskforce members get together periodically for activities like going door-to-door in local neighborhoods, leafletting in various public places, etc. The Taskforce also coordinates educational events, presentations, and trainings. Currently meetings are held on an as-needed basis, and when possible planning is done over email & phone. To join the Taskforce or if you'd like more info, please see below for contact info.
Contact the Economic Human Rights Taskforce:
* Call 207-650-5092
* Send an email via POWER's contact form.
* Write to POWER, Attn: EHR Taskforce, Po Box 4281, Portland, ME 04101
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MORE ABOUT POWER'S VIDEO COMMITTEE:
POWER's Video Committee uses video to help accomplish POWER's mission of building a low income led movement to win economic rights for all and abolish poverty. Its members also conduct periodic trainings & hands-on field practice geared at continually developing and enhancing video-making skills. To see some of the committee's video projects, please visit our arts & culture page. Or you can also visit POWER's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/povertyontrial. Currently the committee is hard at work producing its newest video project - a movie all about POWER and the work that we do. Stay tuned!
POWER's Video Committee meetings are held at least twice a month, usually on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, and are open to current committee members only (see below).
To join POWER's Video Committee, please contact us in advance to arrange for a required orientation. Please also note that committee approval is required for anyone who is not a POWER member in good standing.
Contact POWER's Video Committee:
* Call 207-650-5092
* Send an email via POWER's contact form.
* Write to POWER, Attn: Video Committee, Po Box 4281, Portland, ME 04101
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*A special note about testifying & speaking out
--from your fellow POWER members
First of all, we strongly encourage each and every person who has experienced injustices relating to their right to healthcare to consider testifying and telling their story in person. That said, we also want you to know that you are welcome to send us any testimony you have anonymously. We're a low-income led organization, and many of us have been through very similar struggles, & we understand. Trust us - we really understand.
However, we really do hope you'll consider testifying. We say this knowing how hard it can be to speak out about what are often very painful, personal experiences. Many of us have struggled for YEARS to find the courage to tell our stories publicly. We know first-hand how scary it can be. But we also know what can happen when we overcome these fears. Many of us have found that speaking out about your story can be a life-changing experience. When we stood up & exposed these injustices, we turned what used to be our fear, isolation, & shame into a new sense of courage, power, & pride - and we found out that we are far stronger & more powerful than we ever imagined ourselves to be. And that, friends, is something that money just can't buy, and better still, it's something that lasts a lifetime.
But more than that, many of us have also come to realize that it is far scarier to do nothing, to say nothing. Because the fact is, the longer we refuse to speak out about these injustices, the longer these injustices will continue. And that's what the 'enemy' wants - in this case, the insurance industry, the pharmaceutical companies, the HMO's, & all of their paid-for lobbyists, debt collectors, & politicians. They rely on our fear. These enemies of justice depend on us remaining quiet, isolated, & ashamed - that way we never challenge them. Nothing would make them happier than for us to continue to quietly accept the status quo and keep on suffering under this broken healthcare system that is literally billing us for killing us.... Yes, we have the right to remain silent, accept the status quo, & we lose what little we already have. But we also have the right to speak out & demand change - and it's up to us to choose. We already know that complaining under our breath and in private conversations isn't getting us anywhere.
Millions upon millions of are suffering these injustices. We're really the majority and we really do have power - it's just a matter of us recognizing this power & gathering the courage to use it. We live in the richest nation the world has ever known - we shouldn't be dying for healthcare! The choice is ours: we can agree to remain silent & let these profiteers (and the politicians they pay for) keep stealing both our dollars & our rights out from underneath us. Or we can find our voices, make some noise, & demand some justice.
Last of all, we want to end by saying this: to all of our brothers and sisters out there with a story to share - we want you to know that above all, we will support whatever decision you make. If you're not ready right now, that's ok. Just know that we will be here for you when you are.
In solidarity,
Your friends at Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights
WHEN WE UNITE TO CLAIM OUR RIGHTS TOGETHER WE HAVE POWER!
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Note: protected email script by Joe Maller: www.joemaller.com.
Portland
Organizing to Win Economic Rights = POWER!
Contact POWER
Winning our economic rights;
Putting poverty on trial;
Building a Maine that truly is the way life should be - for ALL of us!!!
Contact POWER
Winning our economic rights;
Putting poverty on trial;
Building a Maine that truly is the way life should be - for ALL of us!!!