Greater Portland Chapter

Chapter Update

Last updated on Nov. 13, 2007

MPA Greater Portland Chapter members have been busy as ever since this spring.

Throughout the legislative session earlier this year, chapter members traveled to Augusta to testify and lobby in support of key bills. Members testified in support of universal single-payer health care, getting DirigoChoice away from Anthem, and banning the flame retardant Deca—for many of them it was their first time speaking or lobbying in Augusta.

For those who can’t make it to Augusta, we’ve also continued with our in-district legislator meetings here at home. Volunteers arranged informal meetings with legislators representing Portland, Westbrook, Gorham, Scarborough, and Windham, and more are in the works this fall. We’ve really enjoyed this way of getting to know our representatives better.

In May, the Greater Portland chapter arranged another successful Rising Tide Dinner celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Our keynote speaker was Congressman Dennis Kucinich, the menu was roasted vegetable stew, and a “rising tide” display showed off 25 years of accomplishments.

Chapter members have attended retreats and trainings both in Maine and beyond, from the MPA member retreat in China (Maine), to the Northeast Action Racial Justice convening in Massachusetts and the Granite State Organizing Project’s Presidential Primary Forum in New Hampshire.

In early August, devoted chapter members John and Artis Bernard hosted our chapter for a gathering at their house on Cliff Island off Portland, where chapter members relaxed and bonded over sailing, kayaking, swimming and, of course, eating!

Greater Portland Chapter members were also instrumental in helping our Portland office move across town in September—emptying out filing cabinets, packing up office supplies, and dusting off years of accumulated work. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we’re now settled into our new space. Come check it out!

Our fall chapter meetings have been as large and busy as always. Recently, members have been working on kicking off the drive for universal health care petition signatures, planning our next Rising Tide Dinner, and discussing upcoming election issues. Candidates for the 1st Congressional District House race have been attending our meetings one-by-one to share information about their candidacy.

New volunteers are joining us every meeting! Join us at our Chapter Meetings, the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 at 565 Congress Street, Suite 200, in Portland. Or, call Greater Portland Community Organizer Jenny Rottmann at 797-0967 to find out how you can get involved!

Maine People’s Alliance—Organizing for a Better Maine!

565 Congress St., Suite 200, Portland, Maine 04101; (207) 797-0967; mpa@mainepeoplesalliance.org
27 State Street, Suite 44, Bangor, Maine 04401; (207) 990-0672; jesse@mainepeoples alliance.org
145 Lisbon Street, Suite 200, Lewiston, Maine 04240; (207) 782-7876; kate@mainepeoplesalliance.org