POWER's Rally to Stop Medicaid Cuts, Portland, Maine
Photo courtesy of POWER member Bryan Bourgoin

Upcoming Events | Past Events | Special Events

 *Last updated: 19 Jan 2012* 

• TWO UPCOMING EVENTS to oppose Governor's
  proposed cuts to basic human needs
• Candlelight Vigil
  Tuesday, January 24, 2011, at 6:00pm
  Outside at the State Capitol,
  between the State House & Cross Office Buildings, in Augusta, Maine
  For more information visit www.mejp.org
  
  Candlelight Vigil:
  to oppose the Governor's irresponsible proposed cuts
  to health and human services, and
  to promote a more fair way to balance the budget.
  Please join us for a candlelight vigil an hour before the Governor's State of the
  State address. This vigil will take less than an hour.  Candles will be provided.
   You can go into the State House to warm up and walk around but remember that you
  will have to go through security if you want to go beyond the entrance.  We are
  also trying to get an indoor space in case of bad weather but do not have one yet
  --please see Maine Equal Justice Partners website for updates: www.mejp.org and please refer to this website for any updates and/or if you have any questions.
  
• Press Conference
  Wednesday, January 25, 2011, at 10:00am
  Welcome Center - State House, 1st floor*, in Augusta, Maine
  For more information visit www.mejp.org
  
  Press Conference with Engage Maine (This event will take less than an hour)
  Come to Augusta to tell the governor and legislators that Maine people support critical health and human services programs that help Maine people through tough times, and that we expect them to find a fair way to balance the budget. Help get the word out!  Share this information, invite family and friends, organize a car pool. Thanks for standing up for Maine values!!!
  --please see Maine Equal Justice Partners website for updates: www.mejp.org and please refer to this website for any updates and/or if you have any questions.
  Note:
  *New security measures at the State House.
  In order to get into the State House, you must now go through a metal detector,
  empty your pockets, and have purses, packages, backpacks and the like scanned. 
  Signs with sticks are not allowed. (Signs are not needed for either of these two events.)
  
  
• 18th Annual Changing Maine Gathering
  “Visions and Strategies for the Occupy Movement in Maine"
  Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9:00am-4:30pm (Snow date: January 29)
  Randall Student Center, U/Maine, Augusta
  For more information, please call Larry Dansinger: 525-7776.
  
  Why this day to examine the Occupy Movement?
  These are unprecedented times. We’re in the midst of an awakening 
  of People Power, a speaking out, an uprising of actions. There’s a 
  paradigm shift going on, a cultural change—thanks to Arab Spring and 
  now the Occupy Movement.
  Occupation campaigns in Portland, Augusta, and Bangor and support 
  groups and actions in all corners of Maine have brought new optimism 
  to those who have worked for months, years, or decades to promote 
  democracy and economic and social equality locally, statewide, and 
  beyond. Rarely have movements caught on as the Occupy Movement has, 
  not only with activists but also with the public and the media.
  Concepts like People Power, “We are the 99%,” democratic and 
  consensus-based decision-making, the physical occupation of 
  government-owned land, nonviolent action as a foundation, and 
  strategies that focus on transforming our society are unique and 
  exciting.
  The Occupy Movement has experienced camp closures, but its potential 
  is still huge. How can we utilize the Occupy Movement to help create 
  a vision and a strategy for social change in Maine?
  Goals for the Day
  This day-long gathering is NOT intended for decision-making (altho 
  agreements are encouraged/helpful) but primarily for brainstorming, 
  networking, information exchange, and broadening the potential for 
  the Occupy Movement in Maine. This includes encampments in Portland, 
  Bangor, and Augusta and support groups/actions in other parts of Maine.
  Some questions that will likely be addressed:
  *Why have people joined Occupy?
  *Are there historical precedents for our current occupation actions?
  *How can we use Occupy to build a long-term movement for change?
  *What are or might be some goals for the Occupy Movement?
  *What are OUR hopes and visions?
  *What are strategies Occupy campaigns can use to achieve our goals?
  *Should we renew 24/7 occupations?
  *Should some Occupy actions be coordinated statewide or regionally?
  *How can we work with other groups to achieve our goals?
  *How can different Occupy groups stay in contact with each other?
  (Thanks to UMA and Women, Work and Community for arranging the space)
  
  

  Schedule for the Day
  (This agenda is flexible and may be changed during the day or before)
  Morning—Where we’ve been, where we are now, where we want to go:
  8:30-9: Register and gather
  9-9:30: Introductions + agenda
  9:30-10:30: History of Occupy actions, why have people joined, occupy and social change
  10:30-10:45: Break
  10:45-11:30: Visions for the Occupy Movement in Maine
  11:30-noon: Strategy Brainstorm (continued during lunch)
  Noon-1:30 PM: Lunch (please bring your own food/place-setting if possible; simple lunch provided also)
  Afternoon—How we can get where we want to go:
  1:30-2:45: Small groups based on various Occupy strategies and tactics
  —what’s worked, what hasn’t worked, what’s next.
  2:45-3: Break
  3-4:15 Review/discuss strategies and tactics for Occupy Actions—Where 
  do we go from here?
  4:15-4:30: Wrap up (but space to stay longer is available)
  
  Registration Form (OK to register by email)
  Name_______________________________
  Address_____________________________
  City/St/Zip__________________________
  Phone_______________________________
  Email ______________________________
  Organization (if any)__________________
  
  ___Enclosed is a donation (any or no donation is OK) for the day  $_______
  ___Enclosed is a registration to hold a space (make payment, if any, on January 28)
  
  ___I need a ride; contact me re: carpooling
  ___I can offer a ride; have riders contact me
  ___I need childcare, register by January 24
  
  Directions and handouts will be sent to pre-registrants. The location 
  and bathrooms are fully wheelchair accessible. For special needs/
  requests, please state below or on a separate sheet:
  
  Return this portion of the form to:
  Resources for Organizing and Social Change, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951,
  Questions? Call Larry Dansinger, (207) 525-7776.
  
  
  

• Rally Against Devestating DHHS Cuts!!!
  Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at 10:00am
  Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta, Maine
  For more information visit www.mejp.org
  Unprecedented DHHS Budget Cuts Would Devastate Working Families, the Elderly, People with Disabilities and Maine Communities 
                                                                 *DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services
   
  Yesterday the Governor released proposals in a 2012-2013 Supplemental Budget targeting DHHS that would decimate programs and services across the State. Below we have summarized many of these proposals (the summary is long because there are so many proposed cuts).
   
  PLEASE JOIN US TO OPPOSE THESE DEVASTATING CUTS:
  RALLY to Collectively Stand up in Opposition to these Proposals:
  When: Wednesday, December 14th at 10:00 am
  Where: Hall of Flags, at the State House in Augusta
  Public Hearings are scheduled for next week as well: Wednesday, December 14th, Thursday, December 15th and probably Friday, December 16th. (We will share more details on the hearings once we have them. See www.mejp.org for updates) These will take place in Room 228 at the State House in Augusta.
   
  Proposals in the Supplemental 2012-2013 Budget
  (We understand that some of these proposals may change. This preliminary analysis is based on the language of the printed supplemental budget presented December 6, 2011.)
   
  Proposed Cuts to Eliminate MaineCare Eligibility for Multiple Groups:
  
• Working Parents (21,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of eligibility for MaineCare for approximately 21,000 parents between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL). (This proposal would also give DHHS the authority to lower parent coverage to 51% FPL without going back to the Legislature in the future.)
• Childless Adults (approximately 18,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of MaineCare coverage for non-disabled adults between the ages of 21 and 64 without children living at home living under the federal poverty level (known in the Program as so-called non-categoricals).
• Young Adults (over 7,000 Maine people): The complete elimination of MaineCare coverage for over 7,000 young adults (age 19 and 20) under 150% of the federal poverty level.
   
• Prescription Drug and Health Care Assistance for People over 65 and People with Disabilities: Approximately 72,000 seniors and people with disabilities would lose some or all assistance they currently receive to pay for Medicare and/or prescription drug costs. Of the 72,000, over 20,000 (with incomes between 135-185% FPL) will lose all assistance they currently receive through the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to help pay for Medicare premiums, co-payments and deductibles, prescription drug costs, and coverage through the so-called "donut hole". The remainder, approximately 52,000 people, will lose some assistance with Medicare and/or prescription drug costs.
• Prescription Drug Assistance for Certain People over 62 and People with Disabilities: Approximately 5,000-6,000 low-income older adults (over age 62) and people with disabilities who do not have Medicare will lose all assistance they currently receive to afford their prescription medications through the Drugs for the Elderly program (DEL). These are individuals with serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and Lou Gehrig's Disease.
   
• Services for all MaineCare adult members: The elimination of a significant number of services for MaineCare members including the following services:
• Adult Family Care;
• Ambulatory Surgical Center;
• Chiropractic;
• Consumer Attendant Services;
• Dental;
• Occupation Therapy;
• Physical Therapy;
• Podiatry;
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinics;
• Targeted Case Management; and
• Vision.
• Services for Extremely Vulnerable Populations: The closure of all Private Non-Medical Institutions (residential homes or boarding homes) leaving approximately 6000 people, including seniors and adults with severe and persistent mental illness, without a place to live and needed personal care services.
• Other cuts to MaineCare services including:
• Limit out-patient hospital visits to 15 visits a year regardless of health status;
• Limit in-patient hospital stays to 5 stays a year regardless of health status;
• Limit coverage for brand name prescription drugs from 4 to only 2 per month; and
• Limit on Suboxone for the treatment of opioid dependency to coverage for a two-year period.
   
• Young Children and their Parents: The elimination of all state funding for the Head Start Program, which will force programs across the state to cut a total of 235 children off the program. Head Start provides early care and education, as well as health, nutrition, mental health, social and family support to low-income families with children from prenatal to five years old.
• Working Parents: Cuts almost half of all funding for the Child Care Subsidy Program. This will lead to a deep cut in the availability of child care vouchers for families with incomes below 250% FPL. The child care subsidy program helps parents with low income to afford the child care they need in order to work.
• Other cuts to services for children and families including:
• Cut the Family Reunification Program that keeps families intact and housed;
• Cut the funding for Wrap-Around ME that assists children (ages 5-18) with serious emotional or behavioral issues;
• Cut the Alternative Response Program that provides case management for children at risk of abuse or neglect;
• Cut Crisis Services for people experiencing mental health-related crises; and
• Cut services for children with serious emotional or behavioral issues living in residential settings.
  
    
• Stop Wage Theft!!!
  Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 12:00pm Noon
  Monument Square, Portland, Maine
  11:00am - assemble at Lincoln Park Occupy Encampment
  and march to monument square just before 12pm (noon).
  Download flyer (pdf format)
   
  Presented by the Southern Maine Workers’ Center in solidarity with Occupy  Maine.  
  Co-sponsored by the Southern Maine Labor Council and P.O.W.E.R. -
  Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights.
  
  What is Wage Theft?
  Not getting paid for all the hours you worked, or not getting paid for your overtime hours,
  or not even getting paid minimum wage! In what has been described as “the crime
  wave no one talks about,” billions of  dollars worth of wages are stolen from millions of
  workers in the United States every year—a grand theft that exceeds every other
  larceny category. Even the Economic  Policy Foundation, a business-funded think tank,
  has estimated that companies annually steal an incredible $19 billion in unpaid  overtime.
  Please join us for part of a nationwide series of actions around the issue of Wage Theft.
  It’s a crime that directly threatens the 99%!
  
  DOWNLOAD THE FLYER AND SPREAD THE WORD!
  Click here to download the flyer (in pdf format).
   
  
• Film Screening of "Living Broke in Boom Times"
  Sunday, November 6th, 6:30pm
  Mary Low Coffee House, Colby College, Waterville, Maine
  Sponsored by the Oak Institute for Human Rights
  Directions to Colby College | Map of Colby College
  
  Living Broke in Boom Times: Lessons from the Movement to End Poverty, follows an epic movement of poor Americans in the 1990s organizing to end poverty. The film contains commentary from key movement leaders Cheri Honkala, Willie Baptist and Liz Theoharis, who discuss the strengths and weaknesses of organizing and reflect on lessons learned from hard-won experience. Lessons learned that are ever more relevant today in the midst of the current economic crisis.  This intimate look at the realities of poverty in the United States is an eye-opening experience.
  
  For more information about this and other Oak Institute events:
  http://web.colby.edu/oak/events
   
  
• Talk by POWER member Jesse Leah Vear
  "Poverty in American: An Economic
  Human Rights Perspective"
  Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00pm
  Diamond 122 , Colby College, Waterville, Maine
  Sponsored by the Oak Institute for Human Rights
  Directions to Colby College | Map of Colby College

  “In the U.S. today, 44 million people — about one out of every seven Americans — live in poverty. How can this happen in one of the richest countries on earth? Why do we allow it? This talk, presented by someone who has coped with hard times, will make the case for basic economic security as a fundamental human right. Jesse Leah Vear is a poverty rights activist who lives in Portland, ME.”

  For more information about this and other Oak Institute events:
  http://web.colby.edu/oak/events
   
• Serious Threats to Safety Net Programs:
  NOW is the time to SPEAK OUT!
  Maine Can Do Better
  Citizens Lobby Day!
  Wednesday May 11, 2011, 9:30am -12pm noon
  at the Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta, Maine
  www.mainecandobetter.org
   
  
• If you have any questions, call Maine Equal Justice Partners (TOLL FREE) at
  1-866-626-7059, contact Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods
  leaders Tammy Trask at 968-2009 & Barbara Rankins at 513-6291.
• To reserve a (FREE) seat on a bus from Portland or Bangor (see below for bus schedules),
  call Greg at 776-6302.
• Click here to RSVP for this event.

• A 5-year life time limit on TANF - with no exemptions.
• Set a 2-year life time limit on General Assistance (proposed by legislators).
• Cut low-wage working parents from MaineCare (incomes between 133% and 200% of poverty).
• Stop providing seniors and people with disabilities with help paying for drugs, and Medicare co-pays and premiums (Medicare Savings Program).
• Stop certain legal immigrants from getting help from these programs.
  

• Get information about the proposed cuts,
• Learn how to talk with legislators about them,
• Write to your legislators if they aren't available to meet you,
• Take concrete action to stop harmful cuts to these effective and important services, and
• Stand with hundreds of other Maine people as we take a stand in favor of priorities
  

• Bangor:
  Odlin Road Park and Ride
  Boarding 7:30am
  Depart Bangor: 7:45am sharp
  Depart State House: 2:15pm
    
• Portland:
  City of Portland SS Lot, 196 Lancaster Street
  Boarding: 8:00am
  Depart Portland: 8:15am sharp.
  Depart State House: 2:15pm sharp.  
                                                                       *Note: All busses have lavatories

• To find your legislators' contact information, go to:  www.congress.org. Type your zip code into the space in the right hand column. Follow directions from there. It's very user friendly.
• For more information about the proposed cuts: www.mejp.org/PDF/budget.pdf  
  

• Affordable Housing Replacement Rally!
  Friday, May 6, 2011, at 3:00pm
  Congress Square - (Corner of Congress and High Streets) in Portland, Maine
  Sponsored by Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ).
  Note: Rally to be followed by a Collaborative Art Exhibit from 4-6pm at the First Friday Art Walk..
  For more information, contact Amy Regan at 775-0026.
  Please join a coalition of neighbors, community organizations, and housing advocates who are again rallying for the replacement of affordable housing. Beginning with the closing of the YWCA in 2006, 660 Congress Street in 2009, and the upcoming transition of 54 apartments to hotel rooms at the Eastland Park Hotel, we say enough is enough. It's time for the City of Portland to uphold it's commitment to replacing affordable rental housing, and end this cycle of ordinance redrafts as over 100 homes are lost in the process. We need to engage neighbors and developers in a conversation that frames affordable housing as beneficial to our entire community's economic stability. We care about housing. Please join us.
  Sponsored by: Homeless Voices for Justice, League of Young Voters, Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods, Maine People's Alliance, Preble Street, NAACP Portland Chapter.
   
  
• Rally & Public Hearing:
  Time to speak out against proposed budget cuts!
  Monday March 7, 2011, at the State House in Augusta, Maine
  Rally: at 9:30am in the Hall of Flags - 2nd floor of the State House;
  Hearing: at 10:00am in Room 228 of the State House.
  Come to Augusta to speak out against the governor's proposed budget cuts to public benefits!
  Some of the programs threatened by these cuts include:
  
• Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF), 
• General Assistance (GA),
• MaineCare (Medicaid), 
• Medicare Buy In
• DirigoHealth
• For more details, see: www.mejp.org/PDF/budget.pdf  

• Maine Can Do Better: 
  www.mainecandobetter.org 
• Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods:
  www.peacebreadjustice.org 
• Maine Equal Justice Partners:
   www.mejp.org
• Read MEJP's Legislative Update:
  www.mejp.org/PDF/rally.pdf
• Read the Preliminary Analysis of Selected Items
  in the Proposed Biennial Budget, prepared by MEJP:
  www.mejp.org/PDF/budget.pdf  
  This analysis covers budget items that affect Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), MaineCare, General Assistance, assistance to legal immigrants, Medicare Buy-In and Dirigo Health.
  

• Gathering to learn more about
  legislative threats to public benefits
  Monday, February 28, 2011, 10:00am - 2:00pm
  At Hope.Gate.Way Community, 185 Congress St, in Portland Maine.
  Located on the ground floor of Gateway Parking Garage, adjacent to Eastland Hotel.
  For further information, contact Grace Braley at 774-1995.
  Are you living on a low income? Will you or someone you care about lose benefits?
  Learn more about proposed cuts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
  MaineCare, General Assistance, & more.What changes are proposed in Augusta now?
  How will they impact you, your family, & your community?
  Come learn the facts & find out what you can do.
  This event is sponsored by: Maine Equal Justice Partners (MEJP),
  Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods (MAIN),
  Maine Council of Churches, State Street Church, UCC,
  Mission Board, Hope.Gate.Way United Methodist community,
  Preble Street, Homeless Voices for Justice
  More Resources:
  Download a copy of the flyer for this event: Word | PDF
  Read the Preliminary Analysis of Selected Items in the Proposed Biennial Budget, prepared by MEJP:
  http://www.mejp.org/PDF/budget.pdf  
   
• International Human Rights Day:
  Rally for Economic Human Rights!
  Friday, December 10, 2010, 12:00pm (noon) - 2:00pm
  Rally in Congress Square in Portland, Maine
  Congress Square is located at the corner of Congress St. & High St.
  Sponsored by the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition.
  For more information, please call Laurel Merchant at 207-761-7936.
  Supporters of economic human rights in Maine will celebrate the 62nd 
  anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Rights with a 
  rally at "Congress Square Park" at the corner of High and Congress 
  Streets in downtown Portland from noon to 2 PM. For more information
  on the rally, contact Laurel Merchant at  207-761-7936, especially
  between noon and 6 PM.
  ...more details...
   
• Whose House? Our House!
  Moving Forward to Gain Economic Justice!
  2010 MAIN Conference
  Friday, November 5, 2010, 8:30am - 4:00pm
  Maine State House, Augusta, Maine
  Sponsored by Maine Association for Interdependent Neighborhoods
  www.peacebreadjustice.org
  For more information, please call Chris, TOLL FREE, at 1-866-626-7059 ext 204.
  ...more details...
   
• Poverty Free Maine Convention:
  How Maine can end poverty by
  establishing economic human rights!
  Saturday, October 30, 2010, 8:30am - 4:30pm
  Jewett Hall, University of Maine at Augusta
  46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine campus map | directions
  Sponsored by the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition.
  For more information call Jan: 207-453-2353, or Larry: 207-525-7776.
  schedule | registration form | bill of economic human rights
  This event is free & open to all, with donations highly appreciated.
  Help with travel expenses is available to those who need it.
  Advance registration is encouraged but not required; if you
  decide to come at the last minute, you can just show up!
  If you are low income, we especially want you to come and speak
  up. If you are not low-income, we welcome your support as an ally.
  ...more details... 
   
• Help send a Maine delegation to the US Social Forum! 
  The US Social Forum is from June 22-26, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.
  Donations and help with transportation are needed to help send a 
  delegation of low-income Mainers to this amazing event. If you can
  help in any way and/or if you would like to join this delegation,
  please click on the link below for more information. Thank you! 
  ...more details...
   
• STATEWIDE MEETING of the Maine Poor 
  People's Economic Human Rights Coalition 
  Saturday, May 8, 2010, 11:00am - 3:00pm
  Pleasant Street Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant St, Waterville, Maine
  Please come & help us put economic human rights on everyone's agenda here in Maine!
  Potluck lunch. For carpooling or if you need a ride, call Larry Dansinger: 525-7776
  For more information about the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition:
  http://maineeconomichumanrights.blogspot.com. 
  
  
• Special Event:
  March for Immigration Reform!
  Saturday, May 1, 2010
  2:30pm march, 3:30pm - rally in Congress Sq, Portland, Maine
  We march for unity and dignity for all Maine families and workers!
  Sponsored by our friends at Maine People's Alliance & other allies in our community.
  ...more details...
   
• STATEWIDE MEETING of the Maine Poor 
  People's Economic Human Rights Coalition 
  Saturday, March 27, 2010, 11:00am - 3:00pm
  Pleasant Street Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant St, Waterville, Maine
  Please come & help us put economic human rights on everyone's agenda here in Maine!
  Potluck lunch. For carpooling or if you need a ride, call Larry Dansinger: 525-7776
  For more information about the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition:
  http://maineeconomichumanrights.blogspot.com. 
  
  
• Special Event:
  It's ANTHEM vs. MAINE, and Maine needs your help!
  March 18, 2010, 5:00PM - RALLY & PROTEST!
  March 19, 2010, 8:00AM - PACK THE COURTHOUSE!
  Both events will take place at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland, Maine
  Sponsored by our friends at Maine Peoples Alliance and other allies in our community.
  ...more details...
   
• STATEWIDE MEETING of the Maine Poor 
  People's Economic Human Rights Coalition 
  Saturday, February 27, 2010, 11:00am - 3:00pm
  Pleasant Street Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant St, Waterville, Maine
  Please come & help us put economic human rights on everyone's agenda here in Maine!
  Potluck lunch. For carpooling or if you need a ride, call Larry Dansinger: 525-7776
  For more information about the Maine Poor People's Economic Human Rights Coalition:
  http://maineeconomichumanrights.blogspot.com. 
   
• Discussion about the Maine Poor People's
  Economic Human Rights Coalition
  Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 5:30-6:30pm
  Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress St, Portland, Maine  
  Come share your thoughts and ideas about how to help build this exciting new coalition!
  Hosted by POWER members Grace Braley & Nikki McLean.
   
• Special Events: Commemorating
  National Memorial Day for the Homeless
  Vigils in Portland & Auburn:
  
  Portland’s Homeless Persons Annual Memorial Vigil
  Monday, December 21, 2009, 4:00pm 
  Meet at 18 Portland Street in Portland, Maine
  (home of the Preble Street Resource Center, located at the corner of Preble & Portland Streets)
  for a procession to Monument Square, where the vigil will take place.
  For more information, contact Preble Street Resource Center: 775-0026 / www.preblestreet.org
  ...more details...
   
  Vigil in Auburn, Maine:
  National Memorial Day for the Homeless
  Monday, December 21, 2009, 4:30-6:00 pm
  At the corner of Court & Turner Streets in Auburn, Maine
  For more information please contact Robert Rowe,
  Chair LAASH Vigil Committee: 795-4077
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  Self Development of People Workshop in Portland!
  Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009, 3:00-4:30PM
  United Way of Greater Portland
  400 Congress St, 4th Floor, in Portland, Maine
  Need a grant? Grants for Grassroots Groups are available from The Presbyterian
  Committee on the SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE for groups who:
  -- Are oppressed by poverty or social systems
  -- Have a project that will address the problems they are facing
  -- Will control this project themselves and benefit directly from it
  -- Have decided that what they are going to do will bring long-term improvements
      to their lives and communities
  COME TO OUR FREE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
  To RSVP please contact Mary Lewis: (502) 569-5791 | email address posted on flyer below
  ...download the workshop flyer... [ pdf ] 
  For more information about the Self Development of People, please visit: www.pcusa.org/sdop.
   
  
• Special Event:
  Maine Assoc. of Interdependent Neighborhoods (MAIN)
  Annual Conference: 
  Whose House? Our House! Back to Basics
  Friday, Nov 6th, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. (lunch provided)
  At the State House in Augusta, Maine
  For more information please visit MAIN's website: www.peacebreadjustice.org.
  ...more details...    
    
• Special Event:
  Maine Assoc. of Interdependent Neighborhoods (MAIN)
  Statewide Monthly Meeting to be held in Portland!
  Thursday, Sep 10th, 10:00AM - 2:00PM. (lunch provided)
  Woodford's Congregational Church, 202 Woodford St. Portland, Maine
  For more information please visit MAIN's website: www.peacebreadjustice.org.
  ...more details... 
    
• Special Event:
  GROW New England's Grassroots Organizing Workshops!
  September 18-20, 2009
  Tanglewood 4-H Camp, Lincolnville, Maine (near Camden/Belfast)
  For New and Experienced Grassroots Organizers in Maine, NH, and Vermont to
  Learn More about Creating Grassroots Social Change
  For more information or to register, please contact Larry Dansinger: 525-7776.
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  Poverty Scholars Program Leadership School!
  From Aug 9-15, 2009 in Charleston, West Virginia
  Organized by the Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary & Direct Action Welfare Group.
  For more information: www.povertyinitiative.org
    
• Special Event:
  Building the Unsettling Force: A National Conference to Abolish Poverty! 
  Jul 16-19, 2009 at Spaulding University in Louisville, Kentucky
  Organized by the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) & 
  the Social Welfare Action Alliance (SWAA).
  Contact the PPEHRC: (612) 821-2364 | www.economichumanrights.org
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  Health & Justice: March for Healthcare Reform!
  Saturday July 18, 2009, 1:00PM
  Monument Square, Portland, Maine
  For more info, to help out, or to RSVP: http://action.seiu.org/page/s/healthandjustice
  Organized by: SEIU Change that Works, Health Care for America Now, AFSCME,
  Maine People's Alliance, the League of Young Voters, and MSEA-SEIU 1989.
  *ps: BRING YOUR SINGLE PAYER SIGNS!
  ...more details...
   
• Special Event:
  Help Organize Economic Human Rights for everyone in Maine!
  Local Report on National Conference to Abolish Poverty!
  Saturday, July 25, 2009, 11:00AM - 1:00PM 
  Pleasant Street United Methodist Church,
  61 Pleasant St., Waterville, Maine
  For more information contact Jan or Marlene, 453-2353 or Larry, 525-7776
  ...more details & updates... 
   
• Special Event:
  Meeting to help organize the Maine Economic Human Rights Coaltion!
  Saturday, Jun 27, 2009, 9:30AM - 12:00PM
  At the Maine Equal Justice office, 126 Sewall St, Augusta, Maine
  Contact Larry Dansinger: 207-525-7776
  ...more details...
   
• Special Event:
  National PPEHRC Organizer Cheri Honkala visits Maine!
  Week of April 2-8, 2009
  Contact Larry Dansinger: 207-525-7776
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  Action Plan for Economic Human Rights Organizing in Maine
  Saturday, Apr 4, 2009, 9:00AM-4:00PM
  Pine Tree State Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., Augusta
  Contact Larry Dansinger: 207-525-7776
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  POWER members participate in Poverty Initiative's Strategic Dialogue #3!
  From Mar 26-29, 2009
  At Union Theological Seminary, New York City
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  2nd Annual Maine Symposium on Poverty & Economic Security
  Monday Oct 27, 2008, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
  At the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine
  Organized by Maine Community Action Association: www.endingpovertyinmaine.org
  ...more details...
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday July 21, 2008, 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
             10-15 MINUTES EARLY (by 6:20pm) so meetings can start & end on time.
  More about POWER Meetings | Meeting Framework
   
• Leadership Council
  Tuesday July 15, 2008, 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]
   
  
• Video Committee
  Tuesday July 1, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
  More about POWER's Video Committee / Contact us to join this committee!
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday June 17, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday June 16th, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday)
  644 Congress Street in Portland, ME
   
• Leadership Council
  Sunday June 15, 2008, 4:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
  
• Special Event:
  Sound Ecology Host Karen D'Andrea Interviews POWER members
  Wednesday June 11, 2008, 7:30 - 8:30 PM
  On WMPG Community Radio: 90.9 FM & 104.1 FM / www.wmpg.org
  For more information about Sound Ecology, please visit: www.soundecology.org
  ...more details...
   
• POWER's Healthcare Truth Commission!
  Tuesday June 10, 2008, 6:00-8:30PM 
  Community Public Access, 516 Congress St, Portland, Maine
  Co-sponsored by POWER & MSEA-SEIU Local 1989
  ...more details... | Flyer: PDF | Word  Handout: PDF | Word 
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Monday June 9th, 2008, 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday June 3, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
        
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday May 27, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday May 20, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday May 19, 2008, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  644 Congress Street in Portland, Maine
   
  
• Leadership Council
  Sunday May 18, 2008, 4:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday May 13, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday May 6, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday April 29, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday April 21, 2008, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday)
  644 Congress Street in Portland, Maine
    
• Leadership Council
  Sunday April 20,2008, 4:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Truth Commission Planning Committee
  Tuesday April 15, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to TCP Committee member
    
• Special Event:
  Worship Service & Conversation
  Sunday Apr 13, 2008, 10:00 AM 
  First Congregational Church, UCC, South Portland, ME
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  POWER member Faith "Nikki" McLean appointed to Maine
  State Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners!
  Wednesday Apr 9, 2008, 2:00 PM 
  Room 208, Cross Building, 58 State House Station, Capitol St, Augusta, Maine
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  POWER participates in CTN's Annual Begathon
  Sunday April 6, 2008, 8:00 - 9:00 PM
  Community Television Network Studio, 516 Congress St, Portland, Maine
  ...more details... 
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday March 17, 2008, *NEW TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  644 Congress Street in Portland, Maine
    
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Sunday Mar 16, 2008, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M. *Open to EHR Taskforce members
   
• Special Event:
  Rally to Stop the Budget Cuts
  Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 11:30 AM
  Hall of Flags, State Capitol, Augusta, Maine
  Organized by the Maine Can Do Better Coaliton: www.mainecandobetter.org
  ...more details... 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday March 10, 2008, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Sunday Mar 9, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to EHR Taskforce members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday March 4, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Video Committee
  Monay Feb 25, 2008, 5:30 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Special Event:
  Public Hearing on US Free Trade Agreement with Columbia
  Hosted by Maine's Citizen Trade Policy Commission
  Wednesday Feb 21, 2008, 6:00PM, 
  South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road, South Portland, Maine
  ...more details...
   
• Special Event:
  POWER members on Sound Ecology Radio
  Wednesday Feb 20, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00PM;
  On WMPG Community Radio 90.9FM & 104.1FM
  ...more details...
   
• Special Event:
  11th Annual National Homelessness Marathon
  From 7:00PM Feb 20, 2008 - 9:00AM Feb 21, 2008
  For more information: www.homelessnessmarathon.org
  ...more details... 
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Feb 19, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
  
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Feb 18, 2008, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  *NEW LOCATION: 644 Congress Street in Portland, ME
    
• Leadership Council
  Monday Feb 11, 2008, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Feb 5, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Jan 22, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Promised Land: looking back at Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign
  Monday Jan 21, 2008, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  *NEW LOCATION: 644 Congress St, Portland, Maine
  Free pizza & snacks (feel free to bring snacks &/or chip in for pizza if you can)
  In honor of Martin Luther King Day, at this month's POWER Meeting, in place of our regular monthly meeting agenda, we will be sharing & discussing THE PROMISED LAND, a 55 minute program from the award-winning EYES ON THE PRIZE series documenting Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign of 1968. We hope you will join us for an evening of discussion,  inspiration, reflection, & hope, as we begin another new year in our collective struggles to win economic rights and abolish poverty.
  
   
  
  About THE PROMISED LAND (1967-68)
  from PBS's American Experience/Eyes on the Prize website: Martin Luther King stakes out new ground for himself and the rapidly fragmenting civil rights movement. One year before his death, he publicly opposes the war in Vietnam. His Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) embarks on an ambitious Poor People's Campaign. In the midst of political organizing, King detours to support striking sanitation workers in Memphis, where he is assassinated. King's death and the failure of his final campaign mark the end of a major stream of the movement.
   
•  Economic Human Rights Workshop
  Tuesday Jan 15, 2008 7:00 PM 
  1st Congregational Church UCC, 301 Cottage Rd in South Portland, Maine
  POWER Members will lead a Workshop on Economic Human Rights together with Rev. Elsa Peters and members of the 1st Congregational Church. And, on the evening of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s actual date of birth (though Dr. King's birthday is officially commemorated on the 3rd Monday in January), we will be discussing Dr.King's Poor People's Campaign of 1968, and reflect on how this important campaign relates to the work we are doing today to win economic rights & abolish poverty. If you're interested in attending, please contact POWER & let us know! 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Jan 14t, 2008, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Jan 8, 2008, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special Event:
  Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil
  Friday Dec 21, 2007, 4:30PM 
  Meet at the Preble Street Resource Center in Portland, Maine
  Organized by Preble Street & Homeless Voices for Justice: 775-0026.
  ...more details... 
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Dec 18, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Dec 17, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  *NEW LOCATION: 644 Congress Street in Portland, ME
   
• Leadership Council
  Sunday Dec 16, 2007, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
•  POWER's Public Forum on Healthcare Justice!
  Tuesday Dec 11, 2007, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. 
  Portland's Community Public Access Station
  516 Congress Street, Portland, Maine
  Organized & sponsored by Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights
  ...more details... | press release [Word] | flyer [Word]
   
  VIDEO: Watch POWER's Public Forum for Healthcare Justice! 
  
  POWER Public Forum on Healthcare Justice 12/10/07 [1hr:18mins]
  Watch it on Google Video |  Watch it on Community Public Access TV |  ( TOP )
    
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Monday Dec 10, 2007, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
    
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Tuesday Dec 4, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
  We will be preparing for POWER's upcoming Public Forum for Healthcare Justice 
   
• Leadership Council
  Tuesday Dec 4, 2007, 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
  Special Leadership Council Meeting to discuss the creation of a state-level Poverty Commission. 
   
• POWER's Demonstration for Health Care Justice!
  Tuesday Nov 27, 2007, 4:00 - 4:30PM
  Monument Square, Portland, Maine
  Organized & sponsored by Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights
  ...more details... | photos | press release | flyer 
   
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Monday Nov 26, 2007, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M. 
  We will be doing outreach for the upcoming Demonstration for Healthcare Justice 
   
• Economic Human Rights Taskforce
  Tuesday Nov 20, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. 
  We will be doing outreach for the upcoming Demonstration for Healthcare Justice 
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday Nov 19, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant Street - on the 4th Floor - in Portland, Maine
    
• Leadership Council
  Tuesday Nov 13, 2007, 3:00 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Video Committee
  Friday Nov 9, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special Event:
  Southern Maine Advocacy Conference: Inspiring Effective Advocacy
  Thursday Nov 8, 2007, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM,
  Sheraton Hotel, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland, Maine
  Sponsored by Maine Equal Justice Partners & Nat'l Assoc. of Social Workers, Maine Chapt.
  ...more details...
   
• Election Day!
  Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 - ALL DAY LONG! 
   
• Special Event:
  1st Annual Maine Symposium on Poverty
  Monday Nov 5, 2007, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM,
  Augusta Civic Center, 79 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine
  Organized by Maine Community Action Association.
  ...more details...
   
• Special Event:
  MAIN's Annual Conference:
  "Whose House? Our House! Finding Our Legislative Voices Together!"
  Friday Nov 2, 2007, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, at the State House, Augusta, Maine
  Organized by Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods
  No conference fee, lunch is provided, free childcare (please pre-register),
  ...more details...
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Oct 16, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday Oct 15, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St - 4th Floor - in Portland, Maine.
   
  After this month's general meeting we'll be screening our new 30 minute video documenting 
  POWER's Economic Human Rights Truth Commission - see below!
   
  POWER's Economic Human Rights Truth Commission, 11/30/05 [28:51 mins]
  Watch it on Google Video | ( TOP ) 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Oct 14, 2007, 5:00 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
     
• Special Event:
  Discussion Session: Economic Realities & National Discord,
  Part 2 of First Parish's October Peace Series
  Tuesday Oct 9, 2007, 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
  1st Parish Congregational Church, UCC, 12 Beach Street, in Saco, Maine
   ...more details... 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Oct 8, 2007, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Oct 2, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Sep 18, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday Sep 17, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St - 4th Floor - in Portland, Maine.
    
• Leadership Council Meeting
  Monday Sep 10, 2007, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Sep 4, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• POWER Outreach Day!
  Saturday Sep 1, 2007, 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. [Rain Date is Sun. Sept 2nd, same time]
  Location: Tommy's Park - corner of Exchange & Middle St - Portland, ME
  Join POWER members & friends for a fun afternoon of tabling & discussions!
  Today we'll be passing out information & talking with people about economic
  human rights as well as myths & facts about poverty. At the same time, our Video
  Committee will be on hand to conduct 'man on the street' interviews, capturing the
  reactions, questions, & comments of passersby. Please contact us for more info.
  POWER Outreach Days are a joint initiative of POWER's Economic Human Rights Taskforce & POWER's Video Committee. 
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Aug 21, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• POWER Meeting & Movie Night
  Monday Aug 20, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  POWER meeting from 6:00-7:45 PM, Movie starts at 8:00 PM.
  Free pizza & snacks (feel free to bring snacks &/or chip in for pizza if you can). For the months of June, July, & August, after our regular meeting adjourns, we'll be having a "POWER movie night." For August's movie night we'll be  screening "In Debt We Trust: America Before the Bubble Bursts" - a hard-hitting investigation of America's mounting debt crisis - what some are now calling the debt industrial complex. Consumer debt has doubled, bankruptcies and home foreclosures are skyrocketing, and now for the first time ever, most Americans OWE more than we MAKE. What's going on here? Join us for a special screening of IN DEBT WE TRUST & find out! For more information about this film please visit: www.indebtwetrust.org | Flyer [word] 
    
• POWER Outreach Day
  Tuesday Aug 14, 2007, 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. [Rain date is Wed. Aug 15th, same time]
  Meet in Longfellow Sq - corner of State & Congress St - Portland, ME;
  Join fellow POWER members & supporters for POWER Outreach Day, where
  we'll be distributing POWER leaflets and put up flyers in various local neighborhoods
  on the Portland peninsula. For more information, please contact us!
  POWER Outreach Days are a joint initiative of POWER's Economic Human Rights Taskforce & POWER's Video Committee. 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Aug 13, 2007, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Aug 7, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Video Committee
  Thursday Aug 2, 2007, 7:00 - 8:30 P.M.  *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Video Committee 
  Thursday July 31, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday July 17, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER meeting & Movie Night
  Monday July 16, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  POWER meeting from 6:00-7:45PM, Movie starts at 8:00 PM.
  For the months of June, July, & August, after our regular meeting adjourns, we'll be having a "POWER movie night." For July's movie night we'll be screening "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" - the story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war. Acclaimed director Robert Greenwald takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraq for Sale uncovers the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the decision makers who allow them to do so. For more info visit: http://iraqforsale.org   
   
• POWER Orientation!
  Monday July 16, 2007, 5:30-6:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
   
• Leadership Council
  Friday Jul 13, 2007, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Media College Video Production Intensive
  From Jul 7-9, 2007 in Rhode Island
  3 day intensive focusing on video production hosted by the Media College of the UPoor . 
   
• Video Committee
  Thursday July 5, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• Special Event:
  "SiCKO" Movie Opens in Portland, Maine!
  Tuesday July 3, 2007, RALLY at 6:00 PM! MOVIE at 6:40 PM!
  Nickelodeon/Patriot Cinemas, on 1 Temple St. in Portland, Maine
  More information about this film: www.sicko-movie.com
  ...more details...   
    
• Special Event:
  Portland Speaks Out! FCC Public Hearing
  Thursday Jun 28, 2007, 4:00 - 11:00 PM
  Portland High School Auditorium, 284 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, Maine
  ...more details...
   
• POWER Delegation to the US Social Forum
  From Jun 27-Jul 1, 2007; in Atlanta, Georgia
  ...more details... | photos | about US Social Forum | about PPEHRC 
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Jun 19, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• General Monthly POWER Meeting & Movie Night
  Monday Jun 18, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  For the months of June, July, & August, after our regular meeting adjourns, we'll be having a "POWER movie night." For June's movie night we'll be screening "Health Care Crisis USA" – an incredible 30 minute documentary created by Poor Voices United, a fellow campaign organization based in Atlantic City, NJ, together with the Media College of the University of the Poor. This film documents the organizing efforts of Poor Voices United members with regards to their human right to health care. Among the featured stories is that of a health care provider who can't afford her own medical needs. We hope you'll join us to watch Health Care Crisis USA & reflect on our own efforts to organize around our human right to health care, as well as to create our own video project.  
   
• Leadership Council
  Thursday Jun 14, 2007, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday June 5, 2007, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special Event: 
  Sound Ecology celebrates 10 years on the air!
  Wednesday May 23, 2007, 7:30 - 8:30 PM
  At Luther Bonney Auditorium, USM, Portland, Maine
  ...more details...
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday May 21, 2007, 6:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Orientation!
  Monday May 21, 2007, 5:30-6:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An intro to POWER & economic rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
   
• Video Committee
  Sunday May 20, 2007, 5:00 - 8:30 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special Event:
  POWER member awarded at
  Maine People's Alliance Rising Tide Dinner
  Saturday May 19, 2007, 6:00 P.M., 
  Woodfords Congregational Church, in Portland
  ...more details... 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday May 14, 2007, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
•  Special Event:
  Public Hearing on LD 1538
  Friday May 4th, 10:00 A.M. At the State House in Augusta
  For more information, please contact MSNA: 1800-207-8611 / www.mainenurse.org
  ...more details...
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting
  Monday Apr 30, 2007, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  *Note: meeting was rescheduled from orginal third Monday meeting date due to storm.
  With guest presentation by Kate Brennan of Maine People's Alliance, on MPA's Housing Trust Fund Campaign & other actions to help make truly affordable housing a reality in Maine. Also see "Housing Voices for Change: Join the Gathering Force" a piece by Steve Hoad, as posted on Ability Maine's website (www.abilitymaine.org). 
   
• Special Event:
  Community Forum: to discuss patient & health care issues
  Monday Apr 23, 2007, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.
  At Reiche School, 166 Brackett St, in Portland
  Sponsored by the Maine State Nurses Association, Maine Peoples Alliance, & POWER 
  ...more details... 
   
• Special Event:
  POWER members participate in 
  Poverty Initiative's 2nd Poverty Truth Comission!
  From Apr 12-14, 2007
  At Union Theological Seminary, New York City
  ...more details... 
   
• Leadership Council
  Wednesday April 11, 2007, 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Apr 3, 2007, 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
   
• PPEHRC National Campaign Staff Meeting,
  From Mar 27-Apr 1, 2007; Knoxville, Tennessee.   
  Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
    
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Mar 27, 2007, 5:30 - 8:30 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Video Committee
  Tuesday Mar 20, 2007, 5:30 - 8:30 P.M.  *Open to Video Committee members
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting (every 3rd Monday)
  Monday Mar 19, 2007, 6:00 - 7:30 P.M. (Membership Council at 7:45 P.M.)  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  With guest presentation by Vanessa Sylvester of the Maine State Nurses Association. 
   
• POWER Orientation!
  Monday Mar 19, 2007, 5:30-6:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An intro to POWER & economic rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
   
• Special Event:
  POWER members on Sound Ecology Radio
  Wednesday Mar 14, 2007, 7:00 - 8:30PM;
  On WMPG Community Radio 90.9FM & 104.1FM
  ...more details...
    
• Leadership Council
  Monday Mar 12, 2007, 5:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• General Monthly POWER Meeting:
  Special Movie Night & Holiday Celebration!
  Monday Dec 18, 2006, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
  Join us for a movie night & potluck holiday party! 
  Movie: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised! Follow this link to watch the entire film for FREE on-line: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5832390545689805144
  About THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED (link to info)
  
  Directed & Photographed by Kim Bartley & Donnacha O'Briain; Ireland, 2003;
  74 MINUTES About the film: On April 11, 2002, the first coup d’état of the 21st century took place: the democratically elected Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was overthrown. Within hours, top businessman Pedro Carmona had proclaimed himself president, with the support of the United States and the direct complicity of the Venezuelan media. For seven months before the coup, Kim Bartley and Donnacha O Briain had been filming Hugo Chavez as he attempted to put into practice his election promises to end corruption and redistribute oil revenue. They had intended to make a personal profile of the charismatic leader, but current events turned the film into something completely different. The filmmakers were right on the spot at the presidential palace at the moment of the coup and Chavez’s surprise return to power less than 48 hours later. Taking advantage of their full access to Chavez, they filmed the mounting tension, the behind-the-scenes action and the street demonstrations during the whole intense period of coup and counter-coup. ***Biography: Kim Bartley: A freelance producer and director, she has directed documentaries for many humanitarian aid organizations in Africa and South America. In 2002, she produced The Hunt for Roger Casement. Donnacha O Briain: Also a producer and director, he made The Seminary in 2001. He has worked on productions in Russia, Southeast Asia and Australia and is presently completing a documentary on Irish polar explorer Tom Crean. 
   
• POWER Orientation
  Monday Dec 18, 2006, 5:30-6:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
   
• December Leadership Council
  Monday Dec 11, 2006, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Nov 20, 2006, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Nov 13th, 6:30 P.M. *Open to Video Committee members
    
• Special Event:
  Benefit for the Peace & Justice Center of Southern Maine 
  w/ Ethan Miller & Kate Boverman
  Saturday Nov 11, 2006, 6:30 - 9:30pm
  1 Pleasant St., 4th Floor, Portland, Maine
  ...more details...  
   
• POWER's 2006 Poor People's Candidate Forum!
  Tuesday Oct 24, 2006, 6:30-9:30pm
  At Portland's Community Public Access Station, 516 Congress Street in Portland, Maine.
  Event is free, with free food & free on-site childcare.
  flyer [word] | press release [word]
  POWER's Poor People’s Candidates Forums offer a space for regular people to address our questions & concerns to Portland's peninsula-area state house & senate candidates. These candidates want OUR vote – let’s find out where they stand on the issues that affect US! All legislative candidates running to represent Portland’s peninsula-area districts accepted POWER's invitation to this year's forum, including:
  
  Senate District 8: David Babin (R), Sen. Ethan Strimling (D), & Kelsey Perchinski (G) 
  House District 118: Rep. John Eder (G) & Jon Hinck (D)
  House District 119: Rep. Herb Adams (D), Jason Lavoie (R), & Matthew Reading (G)
  House District 120: Benjamin Meiklejohn (G), & Anne Rand (D)
  *Click on link for district map (PDF files open with Adobe Reader: free download HERE).
  
  Questions about voting? Need to find your polling place & districts? Check out our new
  Voter Information page, where you can learn more about which your district you live in, which candidates will be on your ballot this November, where your polling place is, & more! 
  
  Some thank you's are in order:
  Many thanks to Portland's Community Television Network for providing the location & coverage of this event, plus all your incredible logistical support. Thanks to Bill, Leslie, Reggie, Christopher, & Tom of Public Access for once again being there when we needed you for the millions of things that had to be done. You folks are incredible! Thank you for continuing to give our community a voice!
    
  Thanks to this year's candidates for your participation!!! We asked you the tough questions (and they were TOUGH questions!) & you answered them. Thank you coming and out, demonstrating that you care about our concerns, & clarify where you stand on matters of economic justice.
   
  Thanks to our good friend Chip Edgar for doing an incredible job hosting this year's forum!
    
  MANY THANKS to all who volunteered your time & energy to help make this year's event a tremendous success. From all who helped paint banners, pick up food, transport tables & chairs, make phone calls, stamp envelopes, & post flyers, to all who volunteered to provide childcare activities & vacuumed the floor after all was said & done: YOU MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE; YOU ARE WHAT COMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT; AND WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!
   
  And lastly, thanks to the following businesses for all their generous contributions of food & refreshments: The Fresh Approach, Flat Bread Co., O'Naturals, Coffee By Design, Big Sky Bread Co., Standard Baking Co., Margaritas, Fern Gully, Little Lads, Hannafords, & Whole Foods - THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY!!!
   
  Let's hear it for FREE FOOD!! FREE CHILDCARE!! FREE SPEECH!!
    
• POWER Forum Committee
  Sun Oct 22, 2006, 6:30 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Forum Committee
  Tues Oct 17, 2006, 6:30 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Oct 16, 2006, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Orientation!
  Monday Oct 16, 2006, 5:30-6:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month.  
   
• Leadership Council 
  Thursday Oct 12, 2006, 6:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• POWER Forum Committee
  Tuesday Oct 10, 2006, 6:30 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Forum Committee
  Thursday Sept 28, 2006
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
  
• POWER Forum Committee
  Monday Sep 18, 2006, 7:30 - 9:00 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Sep 18, 2006, 6:00 P.M.  (every 3rd Monday)  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Forum Committee
  Monday Sep 11, 2006, 7:30 - 9:00 P.M.  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Sep 11, 2006, 5:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Bridge the Economic Gap Day:
  Demonstration for a Universal Living Wage!
  Tuesday Sep 5, 2006, 4:30-6:30 P.M.
  on the Casco Bay Bridge in Portland, Maine
  photos | flyer | FMI about the universal living wage: www.universallivingwage.org.
  -A national day of action for a universal living wage for all, locally coordinated by POWER.  
   
• POWER Forum Committee
  Fri Sep 1, 2006, 5:30 P.M.  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Special Event:
  Acoustic Music & Wine Tasting Benefit for the
  Peace & Justice Center of Southern Maine! 
  w/ Chris Teret & Chriss Sutherland
  Thursday Aug 31, 2006, 8:00 P.M. Admission: $5 - $10 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine
  ...more details... 
    
• POWER Forum Committee
  Monday Aug 21, 2006, 7:30 - 9:00 P.M.  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Aug 21, 2006, 5:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Orientation
  Monday Aug 21, 2006, 4:30-5:00 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
    
• Leadership Council
  Monday Aug 14, 2006, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Sound Ecology radio program on WMPG Community Radio
  featuring POWER Delegation to National Truth Commission
  Wednesday Aug 9, 2006, 7:30-8:30 P.M.
  Listen to Sound Ecology Wednesdays, 7:30-8:30pm,
  on community radio station WMPG: 90.9 / 104.1 FM / on the internet: www.wmpg.org.
  For more information about Sound Ecology, see: www.soundecology.org. 
   
• Special Event:
  Maine Social Forum: Another Maine IS possible!*
  From Jul 28-30, 2006 *event endorsed by POWER.
  At Bates Mills & Kennedy Park, in Lewiston, Maine
  ...more details...
     
  
  POWER Presentation at the Maine Social Forum:
  Saturday, July 29, 2006, 4:30-6:00pm
  In the Porcupine Room, at Bates Mill, in Lewiston.
  POWER's presentation is entitled:
  "Learning as we lead: Building a low-income led movement to abolish poverty." Join us!  
  
     
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Jun 24, 2006, 5:00 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  *Note: Due to a conflict w/ the Nat'l Truth Commission (see above),
  July's POWER meeting was scheduled for the 4th Monday,
  instead of our regular 3rd Monday.  
   

• Special Event:
  POWER participates in 2006 Leadership School
  From Jul 17-20, 2006
  John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio
  ...more details...

• Special Event:
  POWER participates in
  PPEHRC's National Truth Commission
  From Jul 15-17, 2006
  Lincoln Park, in Cleveland, Ohio
  ...more details...
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Jun 10, 2006, 5:30 P.M.  *Open to Leadership Council members
   
• Open House & Office Cleaning Party!
  Sunday Jul 9, 2006, 7:00 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  Fellow POWER members & friends spiffy up our new office space!
  Feel free to bring snacks to share! 
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday Jun 19, 2006, 5:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Orientation
  Monday Jun 19, 2006, 4:30-5pm 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
   
• General Monthly POWER meeting
  Monday May 15, 2006, 4:30-7:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday May 8, 2006, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• POWER Strategy Session II 
  Sunday Apr 23, 2006, 2:00-5:00 P.M.,
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  Special Potluck Supper from 5-6pm, followed by brainstorming & strategizing for future POWER activities!  Bring your bright ideas! Session II will be a more focused follow-up to Session I. 
   
• General Montly POWER meeting
  Monday Apr 17, 2006, 4:30-7:00 P.M. (every 3rd Monday) 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• POWER Orientation! 
  Monday Apr 17, 2006, 4-4:30pm 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  An introduction to POWER & economic human rights!
  Held just before monthly POWER meeting, every other month. 
    
• POWER Strategy Session I 
  Saturday Apr 15, 2006, 2:00-5:00 P.M., 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  Special Potluck Supper from 5-6pm, followed by brainstorming & strategizing for future POWER activities!  Bring your bright ideas!
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Apr 10, 2006, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• POWER Outreach Day
  Saturday Apr 8, 2006, 4:00-6:30 P.M. 
  Outreach door-to-door in teams of 2 in local Portland neighborhoods. 
  Coordinated by POWER's Economic Human Rights Taskforce. 
   
• World Health Day PROTEST! 
  Friday Apr 7, 2006, 12:00 NOON
  Maine Medical Center, in Portland, Maine
  -Millions of Americans are LOCKED out of the healthcare system!
  We demand our human right to healthcare NOW!!!
  
  Watch the POWER World Health Day Movie!
  (note: more videos now available on our Arts & Culture Page)
  
  Larger screen | Watch movie on YouTube | Visit POWER's YouTube channel | ( TOP ) 
   
• Planning World Health Day Action
  Monday Mar 27, 2006, 5:30 P.M. 
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting 
  Monday Mar 20, 2006, 4:30-7:00pm (every 3rd Monday)(every 3rd Monday)
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Mar 13, 2006, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Media College/POWER Video Training #2
  Training II, Monday Feb 27, 2006, 1:00 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  We're learning how to create our own video documentaries! Join us! 
   
• Media College/POWER Video Training #1
  Training I, Sunday Feb 26, 2006, 1:00 P.M.
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  We're learning how to create our own video documentaries! Join us! 
   
• "Poverty Outlaw" Filmscreening!
  Saturday Feb 25, 2006, 6:00 P.M.
  Room 113, Masterton Hall, USM Portland Campus;
  POWER is hosting a special filmscreening with acclaimed director & producer
  Peter Kinoy of New York City. Peter is an organizer with the University of the Poor's
  Media College & a producer with Skylight Pictures.  
   
• Special Event:
  24 hour Homelessness Marathon!
  From Feb 15-16, 2006
  York County Shelters, Alfred, Maine.
  For more info: www.homelessnessmarathon.org 
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting (every 3rd Monday)
  Monday Feb 20, 2006, 4:30-7:00pm  
  1 Pleasant St, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Feb 13, 2006, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members
    
• Special Event:
  POWER Participates in PPEHRC's Delegation to World Social Forum!
  From Jan 23 - Feb 3, 2006; Caracas, Venezuela
  ...more details...
   
• General Monthly POWER Meeting:
  Special Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  Monday Jan 16, 2006, POWER meeting 4:30-7:00pm; Video Showing & Discussion: 7-9pm
  1 Pleasant St., 4th Floor, Portland, Maine.
  Screening "Promised Land" - about Dr. King's 1967-68 Poor People's Campaign & march, which was carried out after Dr. King's assasination. Beginning in Marks, Mississippi, thousands marched with the Poor People's Campaign all the way to Washington DC to protest & demand an end to poverty in the United States. Upon arriving in our nation's Capitol, they erected "Resurrection City" - the aptly christened tent city which was built on the Mall in Washington. Join us to learn more about this historic time & how we are working together to create a new poor people's movement. 
   
• Leadership Council
  Monday Jan 9th, 5:30 P.M. *Open to Leadership Council members