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Green Power Buyers Provide Solar Mini-Grants

2006-04-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

…or How Green Kilowatts Beget More Green Kilowatts

BRUNSWICK, Maine – A recent survey revealed that half of all Mainers know that clean electricity or “green power” can be produced by the sun. But did you know that buying green power can bring MORE solar energy to Maine? Thanks to a new PV Reinvestment Fund, nonprofits and others can apply for grants of up to $3,000 to help offset the initial cost of a photovoltaic (PV) system.

The PV Reinvestment Fund has been created by a collaboration of clean electricity buyers and sellers. Together, Interface Fabrics (IF), Maine Interfaith Power and Light, Inc. (MeIPL), and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) have launched the fund with contributions totaling $20,000, derived entirely from sales of clean energy products. The Maine State Energy Program (MSEP), a division of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, provided funds for project staff and Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC) is managing the Fund. The program targets Maine nonprofits, which can utilize Maine solar rebates but not the available federal tax credits.

“We know that clean electricity helps clean up Maine’s air”, said Erika Morgan, program organizer, of the Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC). “Now, by plowing some of their clean electricity sales into new solar systems, these organizations are helping more Mainers make the clean energy switch. They want to show more people how beneficial and available these new, clean technologies are.”

Interface Fabrics stated the ball rolling in 2003, with a major purchase of BEF “Green Tags”. A small amount of revenue from this sale was set aside to encourage more clean energy production in Maine. “While Interface Fabrics has long been on a mission to reduce its own environmental impact, the company also wants to create a clear path for others to follow,” says Paul Bennotti, director of strategic marketing for Interface Fabrics. Interface and BEF jointly made a substantial contribution to get the Fund started.

Maine’s most active green power retailer has contributed as well. Harry Brown, Executive Director of Maine Interfaith Power and Light, Inc., added, “We’re putting our money where our mouth is. For every sale of clean electricity we’ve made since 2003, we have set aside a portion of those revenues to help put solar power on Maine roofs”.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation was one of the country’s first retail marketers of renewable energy credits (RECs), which it calls Green Tags. The foundation launched its Green Tag products in 2000, and has since become one of the most widely supported national green power options. “We have a particular affinity for our partners in Maine,” said Tom Starrs, BEF’s vice president for marketing and sales. “Interface Fabrics liked our emphasis on supporting local projects, and both MEIC and MeIPL have been very innovative and collaborative in creating the PV Reinvestment Fund. We look forward to getting more new, renewable power generation on the ground in Maine with this program.”

About the PV Reinvestment Fund
The Fund will provide small installation grants for solar electric systems on Maine nonprofits organizations and small businesses. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $3,000, at the rate of $1 per watt of new solar capacity and may combine these grants with applicable State and federal solar incentives. Information is at www.RenewMaine.org/DSC under “PV Reinvestment Fund”.

About Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC) www.RenewMaine.org A Brunswick-based nonprofit, MEIC conducts public education and market development programs on a range of clean energy technologies, including green power, biodiesel and solar. The PV Reinvestment Fund is one of its solar offerings, joining other solar efforts “Downeast Solar Co-op”, “Solar for Maine Builders” and “SolarCents” solar projects.

About Maine Interfaith Power and Light (MeIPL) www.meipl.org
MeIPL is a faith-based non-profit working to help Maine people and congregations take actions against global warming. MeIPL helped create Maine’s clean electricity market in 2003 by offering the first green power products.

About Interface Fabrics (IF) www.interfacefabrics.com
Interface Fabrics is a subsidiary of Interface, Inc., a global leader in sustainable commerce with a “vision to show the entire industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions: people, process, product, place and profits by 2020, and in doing so, to become restorative through the power of influence.”

About Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) www.b-e-f.org
BEF, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for green power certification and trading.

About Maine State Energy Program (MSEP) www.maine.gov/msep
MSEP serves as a point of coordination for many renewable energy projects in Maine funded by the U. S. Department of Energy. A sister program to Efficiency Maine, MSEP also provides support for the “Clean Energy Maine” campaign and the Maine Solar Rebates program.

MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information
Erika Morgan, Executive Director
Maine Energy Investment Corporation
Phone: (207) 729-9665
Fax: (207) 721-0384
E-mail: erika@RenewMaine.org
Web: www.RenewMaine.org

GrowSmart Maine & The Brookings Institution Schedule Regional Town Meetings to Discuss Links Between Maine’s Economy, Quality of Life, Taxes and Spraw

2006-04-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

The public is invited to offer their ideas at meetings next week in Aroostook County, Downeast Maine, North Central Maine, the Western Mountains region, Central Maine, the Midcoast area, Cumberland and York County. (see details below)

>CLICK HERE< to go to the complete Online Press Kit from GrowSmart Maine.

STATEWIDE -- Last fall, GrowSmart Maine, a statewide non-profit organization supporting a sustainable future for Maine and to reduce unplanned growth and sprawl, hired the Brookings Institution to undertake a major study of the relationship between future economic prosperity, the character and quality of Maine’s communities and environment, the cost and design of Maine government and the dispersal of Maine’s population into the rural countryside (sprawl). That study, together with a series of recommendations constituting a ‘Blueprint for Action’, is expected to be released this fall.

The Brookings Institution, widely considered one of the country’s leading and most respected think tanks, has engaged nine economists and researchers on the project, to add to their extensive internal capacity. Seven of those researchers are in Maine and include two former state economists. Together, they are reviewing much of the data that has been produced over the last two decades about trends in Maine, as well as producing new research in each of their study areas.

One of the key steps to producing the report is input from Maine people. Over the last six months, Brookings and GrowSmart Maine have been reaching out to groups around the state, holding over thirty informal ‘listening sessions’ with representatives of businesses, elected and appointed leaders at the state and local level, sportsmen, economists, foundations, environmentalists and many others. “We have learned an enormous amount by reaching out to people around Maine’, said Bruce Katz, VP of the Brookings Institution. ‘This is an extraordinary state with unlimited potential, if it takes the right steps and builds on its unique competitive advantages’, he added.

Alan Caron, President of GrowSmart Maine, encourages the public to attend the sessions. ‘We are working to engage Maine people in a discussion about our future’, he said. ‘We want to connect the dots between some of the challenges we face in the economy, the environment, the health of our communities, taxes and the shifting population of the state. One step we can take, as a state, is to move beyond talking about those things as though they’re all separate’.
The work of producing the report, and reaching out to Maine people, is funded and supported by a broad cross-section of the state’s businesses, foundations and conservation organizations, as well as from prominent individuals such as former Governor Angus King.

For further information, the public is encouraged to go to the GrowSmart website at www.growsmartmaine.org Attached below: Listening Sessions Schedule Brookings Report Summary

About the 'Regional Town Meetings':GrowSmart Maine & The Brookings Institution Invite You To:
A REGIONAL TOWN MEETING
ENVISION MAINE'S FUTURE
How Can We Build Prosperity Without Losing Our Unique Character?
• How can we grow in a sustainable way that protects our quality of life? • What are the connections between Maine’s economic competitiveness, our environment and quality of life, government fragmentation, and unplanned growth and sprawl?• Can Maine people work together on new approaches and a new spirit of cooperation and creativity to move the state forward toward a more hopeful future?

Come and share your ideas in a Regional Town Meeting

Northern Maine: Caribou, Houlton, Fort Kent, Caribou Regional Technology Center, Fort Kent & Houlton High Schools April 25, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Downeast: Eastport, Institute on Key Street April 25, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Northern Central Maine: Dover-Foxcroft, Penquis Higher Education Center April 25, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Western Mountains: Farmington, UMF Olsen Student Center April 26, 7:30 - 9:00 am Central Maine: Waterville, Colby College, Roberts Union April 26, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Mid-Coast: Camden, Camden Opera House April 26, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Greater Portland: Scarborough, Scarborough Public Library April 27, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Southern Mid-Coast: Brunswick, Curtis Memorial Library April 27, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Western York: Alfred, Conant Chapel April 27, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

The Brookings Institution is reaching out to people across Maine for their ideas and suggestions. Their report will be released in September of 2006 and will include a ‘Blueprint for Action’ for Maine. The work of producing the report, and reaching out to Maine people, is funded and supported by a broad cross- section of the state’s businesses, foundations and conservation organizations, as well as from prominent individuals such as former Governor Angus King.

>CLICK HERE<>

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Caron, President
(207) 847.9275 x307
acaron@growsmartmaine.org

Shoestring Creative Group Opens Office in Lawrence, Kansas – the hometown of the company’s founder

2006-04-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

Portland-Based and Nationally Recognized Marketing Communications Firm Returns to its Midwest Roots

Lawrence, Kan. -- During his non-profit career, Dan Ward made two important discoveries. One was a passion for marketing, and the other was the realization most nonprofit organizations need a lot of help in their marketing efforts.

“People usually get into nonprofits because they don’t identify with the world of sales and marketing. That means that finding creative ways to drive the message home doesn’t often come naturally.”

“But you can’t get better if you neglect your marketing,” Ward says. “Every single ingredient for success – board development, name recognition, program effectiveness, volunteer recruitment, and of course fundraising – all of these become easier when the organization’s marketing is excellent.”

Ward has been in nonprofit marketing and fundraising since 1989, and has worked with organizations in Washington DC, Texas, Pennsylvania, California and Kansas. His marketing efforts have helped groups working in fields ranging from public health to environmental conservation to the fine arts. His most recent affiliation was with the Kansas Wildlife Federation in Topeka.

Nonprofit groups and state agencies in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska will now have the chance to tap into that philosophy as well as a nation-wide network of nonprofit marketing and public relations experts. Ward – who is opening up the Lawrence office for Shoestring Creative Group – will serve as a senior project director and nonprofit marketing consultant. Shoestring is an award-winning, full-service marketing communications firm that provides marketing, public relations, advertising, graphic design and web development services to nonprofits and good causes.

“I’m excited by this partnership because as far as I’m concerned, Shoestring has exactly the right idea,” says Ward. “Far too often, nonprofits have an approach that I call ‘if you build it, they will come,’ with the notion that money and volunteers will naturally appear if you execute your programs well. Unfortunately, real life doesn’t work like that – there’s just too much competition and too little money.”

“Shoestring’s approach is that marketing isn’t an afterthought, it’s at the center of everything you do. We believe that before you do anything else, you identify your audience, and you craft strong, clear, and consistent messages that will call them to action. By teaming up with Shoestring Creative Group, I’m bringing a nationwide group of experts to the table to help our clients do that.”

Shoestring Creative Group was originally founded in Kansas City by Hannah Brazee Gregory who grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and attended the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas and also worked in the university’s Office of University Relations for several years.

“It has been my goal for sometime to bring my business to my beloved hometown of Lawrence, Kansas,” says Brazee Gregory. “Our mission is to provide high-end marketing, design and public relations services to nonprofits at a price they can afford. Combine this with the fact that we only work with nonprofits and have many best practices to bring to the table, and I know we will be able to make a huge difference to the wonderful nonprofits all around the area – many of which I was involved with as a child and college student.”

Shoestring Creative Group has worked with clients across the country. The company’s central office is in Portland, Maine, with satellite offices in Carmel, Calif., Boston, and now Lawrence. The company’s website is www.shoestringgroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Ward (in Lawrence, Kansas)
(785) 249-2165
dan@shoestringgroup.com

Hannah Brazee Gregory (in Portland, Maine)
Managing Director/Founder, Shoestring Creative Group
(207) 582-1345
hannah@shoestringgroup.com

Noah Keteyian of Midcoast Magnet at Johnson Hall Thursday

2006-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

GARDINER, MAINE -- The Kennebec Corridor Cultural Survey Project presents the second in a series of lectures relating to the creative economy 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at Johnson Hall in Gardiner.

"Midcoast Magnet: attract, retain, connect" is the title of the discussion that will be lead by Noah Keteyian, Executive Director of Midcoast Magnet.

Now that we’ve caught on to the creative economy, what do we do with it? That’s a surprisingly common question these days. It’s also a question that drove a grassroots movement from discussion group to innovator in Maine economic development.

Midcoast Magnet is an organization that’s at the center of a regional effort to fire up the economy in the coastal and inland areas surrounding Rockland, Camden and Belfast. Keteyian will tell Midcoast Magnet’s story, touching on developing community support, confronting practical challenges and future expansion. For more information call Johnson Hall at 207/582-7144 or visit www.discoverkennebec.org

Cultural Plan for Saco-Biddeford Area to be Presented to the Public

2006-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

SACO-BIDDEFORD -- The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee is pleased to announce the completion of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan. This plan lays out a bold vision for using arts and cultural resources to promote the growth of a creative economy in the Saco-Biddeford area. A public presentation of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.

The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee, comprised of more than 15 arts, cultural, educational, civic and business leaders in Saco and Biddeford, gathered a great deal of public input during the planning process. The Committee held public forum discussions, surveyed more than 60 local artists and craftspeople and more than 100 members of the general public, and staged "Milling About," a local arts and cultural showcase event that drew nearly 1,000 people to the North Dam Mill in Biddeford.

Specific recommendations made in the Cultural Plan include forming a "Creative Council" to oversee future events and programs, sponsoring public art projects, working to develop annual arts/cultural themes in the community, working with economic development interests to promote arts and culture as part of the area's appeal and developing a community cultural center. The Committee will now be taking on the name "Twin Cities Creative Council" as it implements the Cultural Plan.

The Cultural Plan has been, from its inception, a partnership between the cities of Biddeford and Saco. Mayor Mark Johnston of Saco comments: "I am delighted to see many groups coming together to showcase the cultural resources which are thriving in the Twin Cities." Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting adds: "The Cultural Plan provides both the foundation and the framework for the collaborative community efforts that will surely lead to fulfillment of our tremendous potential."

The plan will be presented to the public on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 9:00 AM by David Versel, Cultural Plan Project Coordinator, and Andrea Strassner, Director of the Saco Museum. A brief presentation will also be made by Alden C. Wilson, Director of the Maine Arts Commission. The event will be held in the showroom of Kilconn Creations, a custom leather products company located in the Riverdam Millyard at 24 Pearl Street in Biddeford. Following the presentation, Steven Sobol, owner of the Riverdam Millyard, will lead a brief tour of the facility.

To view a full copy of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan, please visit the project website at: www.twincitiescreative.org .

DIRECTIONS TO RIVERDAM MILLYARD, 24 PEARL STREET, BIDDEFORD:
From the South:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 32 (Biddeford), turn left at light onto Route 111 East
-Go about one mile, turn left onto Elm Street/Route 1 North
-Go about one mile, past traffic light at Main Street. Second street on right past Main Street is Pearl Street (just past Dunkin' Donuts on the
left)
-Go straight on Pearl Street all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.

From the North:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 36 (Saco/Old Orchard Beach). Exit puts you on I-195
-Take I-195 to second exit, Route 1 South towards Downtown Saco.
-Follow Route 1 through Saco, over Saco River and into Biddeford
-Pass under black railroad bridge and take first left past bridge on Lincoln Street
-Take first left onto Pearl Street. Go all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David E. Versel, Project Coordinator
Twin Cities Creative Council
Tel (207) 590-8617
dversel@yahoo.com

Maine Philanthropy Center Publishes 5th Edition of Director of Maine Grantmakers

2006-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Directory of Maine Grantmakers, 5th Edition is now available. The Directory contains up-to-date profiles of more than 350 Maine grantmakers, Maine corporate foundations, corporate giving programs and grantmakers located outside of Maine that have a granting history in Maine.

Each listing includes selected information on grantmakers, such as staff contact, principal funding areas, application procedures and deadlines, sample grants, and financial data.
The Directory of Maine Grantmakers is the most comprehensive resource of its kind. It is designed to help public and private grantmakers and nonprofits identify common areas of interest. The Directory also contains a field of interest index and a guide for beginners.
The Directory is available to Maine Philanthropy Center members for $40 and nonmembers for $60.

To order visit MPC’s Web site at www.mainephilanthropy.org.

The Directory is also offered in an online version to MPC members. The Online Directory of Maine Grantmakers is a searchable format and is updated regularly. To learn more about the Online Directory and other MPC’s grantmaker and associate memberships benefits, please call 207.780.5039 or visit www.mainephilanthropy.org.

CONTACT:
General Inquiries
mpc@mainephilanthropy.org
Phone: 207-780-5039

ZOEY'S ROOM OFFERS FREE WEB SEMINAR

2006-04-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

GIRLS & INTERNET SAFETY: QUICKIE LUNCH-TIME SEMINAR EASES PARENTS’ FEARS

Rockland, Maine - Apr 10, 2006 Zoey’s Room, an interactive online community for ‘tween girls, is rapidly becoming a leading expert on girls’ issues stemming from the Internet, including cyber-bullying and the pitfalls of MySpace communication. Starting Thursday May 4 at 12 noon, and repeating every Thursday of that month, Erin Reilly, Executive Director of Zoey’s Room, will conduct a FREE half-hour online seminar titled “Internet Safety for Girls” with a virtual walk through the features of Zoey’s Room that are monitored and protected.

“Lately we’ve been hearing so many horror stories about Myspace and other chat rooms cropping up in the news,” said Reilly, “and parents and educators have admitted they know so little about this technology, they are afraid for their daughters to even use the Internet. I wanted to arm them with a little knowledge so they can teach their girls how to protect themselves. At the same time, I want parents and educators to know more about how Zoey's Room is keeping girls safe. And the way we’re going to do this is so easy and convenient. People can eat a sandwich at their desks while they’re logged into this web seminar.”

Reilly, who has more than 10 years of experience studying girls' issues and multimedia, co-founded Zoey’s Room with business partner Vinitha Nair in 2001. The program, geared to get girls into technology in Maine, has since spread nationally and has expanded to include math, engineering and science. Fewer than a dozen Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) websites are currently available online for ‘tween girls right now. Of them all, Zoey’s Room is the only character-driven website that features a multicultural character “Zoey” who appeals to both rural and urban ‘tweens. The website is being touted as one of the safest STEM interactive communities around. Its unique registration process ensures the identity of every single girl by verifying her identity twice, once with a parent, and second with a trusted school or organization. The chat room, which is the glue to get girls engaged in the site, is monitored every day after school and chat transcripts are reviewed daily by staff.

How do I sign up?Anyone who would like to register for this opportunity may email programzr@zoeysroom.com or call 207-594-1842 to specify which Thursday in May is preferred. Check out the home page of www.zoeysroom.com to see recent articles on MySpace.com and other Internet issues affecting girls.

Can't make this event...but I know a special girl in my life who'd love this program!Go to Zoey's Room and click on Join Now. Register and pay for that special girl online or download a paper registration and mail it in.
Take me to Zoey's Room...

About Platform Shoes Forum
Founded in 2003, http://www.platformshoes.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Erin B. Reilly
Executive Director
email: erin@zoeysroom.com
phone: 207-594-1842

Community Forum April 19: "Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids"

2006-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

(Gardiner, Maine) Healthy Communities of the Capital Area will hold a forum on the built environment and its impact on health, particularly the health of young people.
– Local officials and public health experts will come together on April 19 for an open forum to discuss the many health issues facing children in the capital area that are related to community design.

Attendees will hear from Representative Lisa Miller on state initiatives, from Joan Orr, from the Maine Center from Public Health, on trends and approaches to addressing physical inactivity, from the Safe Routes to School initiative and local success stories.

“Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids” is the theme for this year’s National Public Health Week, April 3 to 9. During the month of April , the American Public Health Association and Healthy Communities of the Capital Area encourage residents to take action to change the built environment and improve kids’ heath.

WHO:
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
WHAT:
Forum on Community Design and Children’s
Health and Annual Meeting

WHERE:
The William S Cohen Community Center
Town Farm Rd
Hallowell Maine

WHEN:
April 19, 2006 3:30 – 5:30 PM

For tips on designing healthy communities, visit the National Public Health Week Web site at www.nphw.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Shed
582-6738
s.shed@healthycommunitiesme.org

Maine AmeriCorps Program Seeks Host Sites for 43 Members

2006-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

PORTLAND, Maine – The Community Resource Corps (CRC) announced today that under its $1.5 million AmeriCorps grant, it is seeking to place 43 full-time AmeriCorps members for fall placement. Applications from organizations that have the capacity to utilize an AmeriCorps member for a 1,700-hour, 11-month position are being accepted through May 5, 2006.

CRC has been granted $500,000 per year by the Maine Commission for Community Service to fund 43 AmeriCorps Members. Each member will serve one year with an organization committed to providing critical needs in the areas of youth service, preventative health care, affordable housing, domestic violence, energy conservation, and many others.

“In previous years the Community Resource Corps has funded 12 AmeriCorps members at youth serving organizations in southern Maine. We are pleased that this grant will allow us to expand our current AmeriCorps project statewide and extend it beyond the scope of youth service to include the many other needs of Maine people,” said Steve Niles, CRC Program Director.

AmeriCorps is a national service program with a large network of members and non-profits who work on meeting the country’s most critical community needs. AmeriCorps host sites typically have AmeriCorps members work on projects that will increase the capacity of the organization. Member activities include recruitment, management and retention of volunteers, community outreach and education, and strengthening the capacity of the organizations they serve. There is a cost share requirement per host site.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring an AmeriCorps member, please call Sarah at 207-775-5891, ext. 448 or visit www.trcme.com/crc for more details.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Brady
AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
Training Resource Center
Phone: 207-775-5891, ext 448
sarah.brady@trcme.com

Improving Economic Opportunities for Maine Businesses

2006-03-30T14:17:00.000-08:00

Next Business Breakfast Series Slated for April 13

WATERVILLE, March 30 — Thomas College, in partnership with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, will hold the April edition of its Business Breakfast Series on Thursday, April 13.

The presentation, titled, “How to Improve Maine’s Economic Opportunities for Maine Businesses Through our State Legislature,” will illustrate how businesses can make a difference at the state level.

Edward McLaughlin, president and CEO of Alliance for Maine’s Future (AMF), will lead the discussion. McLaughlin will discuss MERI’s rating system that holds Maine’s legislators accountable in the business community by tracking their legislative votes. AMF is a get-out-to-vote organization that focuses on the education of workers.

The presentation will be held in the Atrium at Thomas’ Student Center building on the Thomas campus located at 180 West River Road in Waterville. The public is invited to attend. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.

The cost per person is $13 for members with advanced registration, $15 for members at the door and $18 for non-members. Contact the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce at 873-3315 or info@midmainechamber.com for registration information.

The sponsors for the Business Breakfast Series are: Boothby & Bartlett Insurance Company, Kennebec Federal Savings, PFBF Certified Public Accountants, UniTel Inc. and Weeks & Hutchins.

Thomas is a private, career-oriented college that prepares its students for careers in business, technology and education and guarantees employment within 90 days of graduation. For more information about Thomas, please visit www.thomas.edu.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rhonda Morin
Director of Communications
Thomas College
180 West River Road
Waterville, ME 04901
Rhonda.Morin@thomas.edu
Phone 207-859-1221
Fax 207-859-1114
www.thomas.edu

Maine State Troopers BLUE Ribbon Relay to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

2006-03-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

To highlight awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention activities in Maine, our State Troopers will be engaged in the Third Annual “Blue Ribbon Relay” to the State House this Thursday, March 30, 2006. Troopers will arrive at the State Capital at 1:00pm where a rally will be held in the Hall of Flags. Governor Baldacci is expected to declare April as child abuse prevention month and several other key speakers will speak to advocates about the need for and value of prevention. County prevention councils will display their programs throughout the afternoon.

The Hancock County Children’s Council and Maine State Troopers are co-hosting a community rally at the Down East Family YMCA, State Street, in Ellsworth at 10:00am. This year’s theme is “Safe Children and Healthy Families is a Shared Responsibility”. Each rally will last no longer than 30 minutes, and all are invited to attend. In Ellsworth, child care youngsters will meet the State Troopers, invite them for a snack, and each child will receive a book, frisbee and stickers.

Jan Clarkin, Executive Director for the Maine Children’s Trust, said the Troopers will be joined by local child abuse and neglect prevention councils and their community partners who will present the Troopers with a piece of a puzzle. The puzzle, when assembled in Augusta, will form a blue ribbon – the symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. Clarkin said millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons and getting involved in community activities to remind people that they can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

Clarkin said, “The Maine Children’s Trust and the Maine Association of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils are co-sponsoring the relay to bring awareness that child abuse and neglect is preventable and happens at the community level. Prevention efforts build on family strengths. Through prevention activities such as parent education, home visitation and parent support groups, many families are able to find the support they need to stay together and care for their children in their homes and communities.”

Child Abuse Prevention Month in April is an opportunity to focus on “Safe Children and Healthy Families Are a Shared Responsibility”. This is also an opportunity to share our appreciation for the caring efforts by our local and state law enforcement members engaged in assisting local families.

In Maine, the blue ribbon has been adopted as an awareness symbol to Prevent Child Abuse. In 1989, Bonnie W. Finney of Virginia tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked about it, she told people the tragic story of the abuse of her grandchildren, and the resulting death of her grandson. Since then, millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons and getting involved in community activities to remind people that they can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

Ms. Finney originally chose blue to remind herself of the bruised bodies of her grandchildren. In recent years, some organizations have chosen to reinvent the symbol using a strength-based approach to celebrate “blue ribbon parents”, “blue ribbon kids” or “blue ribbon communities” that find new and innovative ways to support families.

To learn more about child abuse and neglect prevention activities in Hancock County, please contact Candy Eaton at the Hancock County Children’s Council, 667-5304 ext. 261 or email: children@downeasthealth.org.

April is National Prevent Child Abuse Month

Museum of Lighthouse History Offers Unique Learning Experience

2006-03-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Just what kind of people served at America’s light stations since 1716?

How did these brave keepers of the light cope with powerful storms, isolation and hardship?

Did you ever wonder what kind of equipment was used to send out the light that helped save ships from the dangers of the sea?

The answers to these and many other fascinating lighthouse questions are waiting to be discovered at the www.lighthousefoundation.org

Foundation 51 Funds Nine Grants Totaling $16,130 for Cumberland/North Yarmouth School District

2006-03-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Grants awarded to arts, music, and literature programs to support all schools in the MSAD 51 school system CUMBERLAND/NORTH YARMOUTH

Foundation 51 has announced the recipients of the Spring 2006 grants cycle, with $16,130 awarded to nine grant applicants within the Cumberland/North Yarmouth school community. Foundation 51 is a non-profit organization founded to promote educational excellence within Maine School Administrative District 51, serving students from Cumberland and North Yarmouth. Teachers, students, parents, and community members are eligible to apply for grants twice a year; the spring 2006 grant recipients are as follows:

Mabel I. Wilson School, for a program entitled "Celebrating the Arts and Literature," which will provide hands-on experiences in the classroom with artists and performers from the community.
North Yarmouth Memorial School, to purchase a tuba for the fifth-grade school band.
Greely Middle School, to purchase two sets of books that were nominated for the Maine State Book Award.
Greely Middle School, to fund a two-day poetry-writing workshop.
Greely Middle School, to fund admission costs for a seventh-grade field trip to the Peabody Essex Museum and Yin Yu Tang House.
Greely High School/Greely Middle School, in cooperation with the PTO, to fund a bullying prevention workshop.
Greely High School, to fund a permanent recording system in the band room.
Greely High School, to purchase personal white board sets for the math program.
Greely High School, Kurzweil software program to aid struggling readers.

"This round of grants allowed us to make some rewarding contributions to arts and music programs in the district," says Anne Graham, President of Foundation 51.

"We also were pleased to provide additional funding to a PTO-sponsored program on bullying prevention, which is not only a worthy cause, but a great way for our two groups to work together on behalf of our community. As always, we are grateful to the generosity of our community to enable us to reach out and fund these important programs for all of the kids in our district."

About Foundation 51
Foundation 51 was established in 1998 to promote educational excellence in MSAD 51 by funding initiatives that improve teaching and learning and by inspiring community involvement for the benefit of our schools. To date, the Foundation has funded more than $206,000 in school activities, learning programs, and supplies to the local Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools. For more information, visit www.foundation51.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Anne Graham
207.846.0049
apg1@maine.rr.com
Alison Harris
207.829.4500
alison@harrismediaservices.com

Maine Library Association Members to Raise Funds for Gulf Coast Libraries Devastated by Hurricanes

2006-03-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

The Maine Library Association (MLA) has announced the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project. Participating Maine Libraries and Library Friends Groups across the state will hold fundraisers the week beginning April 22 and ending April 29, 2006. The list of participating Libraries is posted on the MLA website at www.mainelibraries.org . Maine Libraries and Library Friends Groups are participating in this project specifically to help rebuild libraries devastated by the hurricanes last year. The purpose of this project is to raise money for the affected libraries. The libraries in the Gulf region need money more than anything else right now. Many of these libraries do not even have the basics such as a roof or electricity.

Therefore, MLA member libraries are not collecting books or other goods to be sent to the gulf region but are focusing on raising money that the libraries can use to get back into operation. The funds raised will be divided between the Louisiana Library Association Hurricane Relief fund and the Mississippi Library Association Hurricane Relief fund. Some participating Maine Libraries have “adopted” a Gulf library and will use the money they raise during the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project at their libraries to directly help their adopted libraries. For more information or to register your Library in the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project, please contact MLA President Pamela Turner at pturner@baxter-memorial.lib.me.us or 207/839-5031.

Shoestring Creative Group selected by seeMOMMYrun.com

2006-03-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND, MAINE -- Shoestring Creative Group of Portland has been selected as the public relations and advertising agency for seeMOMMYrun.com – a Virginia-based national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of mothers and children by providing easy access to family-friendly fitness groups. Projects will include a national awareness campaign and high-profile cause marketing corporate partnerships.

seeMOMMYrun.com is an informational Web portal that allows moms to communicate and make their own arrangements for running or walking together in groups. The web site accommodates its members' geographic needs, time restraints, and fitness abilities without having to spend time away from their children because moms in every area or neighborhood can start a group convenient for themselves. seeMOMMYrun.com’s mission is to help moms in every community, no matter their social status, cultural background, or income level build lifelong social networks, maintain active lifestyles and be positive role models for their families and friends. The organization recently expanded its running and walking services to reach across 50 states. Plans are in place to expand services to international locations. For more information, go to www.seeMOMMYrun.com.

Shoestring Creative Group is a Portland-based marketing communications firm that serves nonprofit organizations and the businesses that support them, with special emphasis on cause marketing partnerships and grassroots communications initiatives. For more information, go to www.shoestringgroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Gregory
Shoestring Creative Group
207/582-1345
hannah@shoestringgroup.com

Maine Handicapped Skiing Breaks All Fundraising Records for 21st Anniversary Ski-A-Thon

2006-03-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Maine Handicapped Skiing, Maine’s largest year-round adaptive recreation program for adults and children with physical disabilities, had their best fundraising event in 21 years, raising $316,644 in pledges at their 21st anniversary Ski-A-Thon, Saturday, March 18th at Sunday River Ski Resort and Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center. Over 650 skiers and riders and 110 volunteers from Maine and New England participated in the Ski-A-Thon.
Highlights of the event included free massages all day by the massage therapists of the Maine Sports Massage Team, a fantastic on-slope skiing Obstacle Course, built and operated by the Parrot Head Club of Maine and a Fun Race at Monday Mourning Race Course.

The top fundraising team, Lincoln Loggers, won the grand prize for fundraising with $22,097, earning a 5 day skiing and 4 days lodging package for five at an eastern ski resort. Andrew Pipe, part-time Bethel resident and UK citizen,was the top individual fundraiser at $17,505, earning a RCI timeshare anywhere in the world, donated by Maggie Salter. Mr. Pipe beat out Craig Cooper, the top Ski-A-Thon fundraiser for Maine Handicapped Skiing for the last six years. A special “Take The Craig Cooper Challenge” designed to beat Mr. Cooper in 2006 generated a great deal of publicity. Mr. Pipe, a participant in the Maine Handicapped Skiing program, very generously took the “Challenge” and won this year’s top individual fundraising spot. Marvin Collins, Vice President of Operations at Sunday River Ski Resort, accepted Maine Handicapped Skiing’s 110% Award given to individuals, businesses or organizations who have given extraordinary service to MHS. Sunday River Ski Resort has been the major sponsor and supporter of the Ski-A-Thon for 21 years. Sunday River Ski Resort provided free lift tickets to skiers and riders at the Ski-A-Thon.

Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center, home of MHS’s cross country skiing and snowshoeing program, provided passes for the cross country skiers participating in the Ski-A-Thon. To learn more about Maine’s largest one day fundraising event or to receive information on becoming a volunteer or a participant in Maine Handicapped Skiing’s adaptive recreational program for adults and children with physical disabilities, please call 800-639-7770, email MHS at info@skimhs.org or check out the MHS website at www.skimhs.org .

Joan Klayman and Craig Given Join Youth Alternatives Management Team

2006-03-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Portland, Maine -- Joan Klayman and Craig Given have joined Youth Alternatives, a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine, as the vice president of community and prevention services and director of information technology, respectively.

Klayman Assumes Vice President Role Joan Klayman of South Portland joins Youth Alternatives’ senior management team as the vice president of community and prevention services. With her strong background in program development and clinical services, she will provide leadership and direction to the agency’s many community and prevention programs. She comes to Youth Alternatives from the Center for Tobacco Independence, where she directed the development, implementation and delivery of the statewide, evidence-based tobacco treatment and training programs for healthcare professionals.

Prior to that she was a program manager at Ingraham. Given To Direct Information Technology Efforts Craig Given, of Scarborough, will lead and oversee the information and technology strategy for the entire agency. An experienced IT manager, he comes to Youth Alternatives with more than a decade of experience helping non-profit organizations identify and implement new technologies to enable greater productivity and efficiency. Most recently, he was the director of information technology for VSA arts, Inc., in Washington, D.C. “These two hires represent an important investment in our agency’s ability to create opportunities and transform lives for Maine’s most vulnerable children, youth and families,” noted agency president, Michael J. Tarpinian. “Joan and Craig bring the clinical, strategic and technical expertise we need to create innovative new programming and to deliver and track more impressive outcomes for the kids and families we serve.”

Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; provides substance abuse treatment; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 6,100 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year. Youth Alternatives relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

Contact
Stacy Karp Mosher at Youth Alternatives (207) 874-1175 ext. 223

Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) Holds Aroostook County Regional Meeting

2006-03-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) will hold its Regional Meeting for Aroostook County MAR members on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Northern Maine Community College (Reed Commons Cafeteria) in Presque Isle, Maine. The speaker for this meeting will be Sergeant Joe Seeley of the Presque Isle Police Department, and the topic will be Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft. A $2.00 fee will be received from all attendees at the door. A wonderful luncheon will be served. All Aroostook County MAR Members are encouraged to attend for valuable information, the social interaction of seeing old friends and acquaintances, and a well-prepared meal.

Contact
Florence Hoover
Maine Association of Retirees
(207) 582-1960

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Supports Effort to Unite U.S. Nonprofits

2006-03-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (March 20, 2006) – The Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA), is awarded $75,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to unite America’s diverse nonprofit organizations. The Maine Association of Nonprofits is a member of NCNA.

The grant fulfills a $75,000 matching grant from the Nonprofits’ Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC) and Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group (ANI-RRG).
“Nonprofit organizations play an irreplaceable role in our society and democracy," said David Lane, Director of Foundation Advocacy for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We are proud to support the Nonprofit Congress’s efforts to help the nonprofit sector speak in a clear, booming voice about the vital needs it is addressing in our communities—and the vital partnership it requires from the public and private sectors.”

The Nonprofit Congress seeks to organize and empower nonprofits of all sizes and stripes, particularly the small and midsize charitable organizations that comprise almost 80 percent of the nation’s nonprofits.

“We are delighted that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has matched our contribution. The Nonprofit Congress will reenergize and refocus the social sector and renew our appreciation of the power of working together for the greater good,” said Pamela Davis, president and CEO of NIAC and ANI-RRG.

Specifically, this funding will support the initiative’s efforts to gather input from the many Town Halls that are planned across the country that will inform the national meeting and result in a public policy platform for the nonprofit sector.

The Nonprofit Congress is seeking the input of U.S. nonprofits in identifying common bonds and priorities for the nonprofit sector. Individuals and organizations can get involved by signing the initiative’s Declaration for America’s Nonprofits, participating in local Town Hall meetings across the nation, attending the Nonprofit Congress national meeting in October 16 – 17, in Washington, DC, and by providing their input online through discussion forums and a blog on the Nonprofit Congress website.

“It’s clear from what we’ve heard so far that nonprofits are affirmed when they discover the commonalities that link us all together,” said Audrey R. Alvarado, Ph.D., executive director of NCNA. “Their common ideals and concerns – which we’re uncovering now in our Town Halls – create the foundation that will ultimately create the vision and aspirations we have for the sector’s future.”

There are a total of 837,027 charitable nonprofits in the U.S. today, according to the United States Nonprofit Sector, a report recently published by NCNA.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Congress, visit www.nonprofitcongress.org.
The Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Association, seeks to unite America’s diverse nonprofit organizations. In the best spirit of democracy, the Nonprofit Congress is helping nonprofit leaders and allies in communities across the country come together to forge a common identity based on shared values, develop a unified vision and message, and exercise a collective voice.

Founded in 2000, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation promotes greater equity in four primary areas: global health, education, public libraries, and assistance for vulnerable children and families in Washington state and greater Portland, Oregon. The foundation joins local, national, and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is led by co-chairs Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and William H. Gates Sr., and by CEO Patty Stonesifer.

TO GET LOCAL REACTION TO THIS NEWS, CONTACT:
Scott Schnapp
Maine Association of Nonprofits
(207) 871-1885

seeMOMMYrun.com Helps Moms in Maine and all 50 States Make Fitness A Family Priority

2006-03-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Washington, D.C. -- seeMOMMYrun.com, an Internet-based non-profit organization has now expanded their running and walking services to reach mothers in Maine and across 50 states. seeMOMMYrun is a free service that provides a family-style social and fitness outlet via the Internet. Outlets such as seeMOMMYrun provide universal ways for moms of all ages and stages to meet other women and build a strong support network. It is the mission of seeMOMMYrun.com to help moms in every community build lifelong friendships, maintain active lifestyles and act as positive role models for their families and friends. Most importantly, the groups demonstrate healthy habits to children starting at a very young age – teaching them dedication, positive body image, and even mind/body balance. Children who watch their mothers’ weekly motivation and dedication are much less likely to lead sedentary lives, thus avoiding the nationwide childhood obesity epidemic.

“Not only do walking and running groups provide important social interaction for mothers and their children, group fitness for new mothers also helps fend off post-partum depression. Mothers are the first and most important role models to start healthy habits for their children. I have witnessed first-hand the amazing effects participation in seeMOMMYrun groups has on the kids. Some of the children play their own seeMOMMYrun games while pushing dolls in strollers. Other children try to strap on mommy’s running shoes or fetch daddy’s running shoes when they see him putting on his workout clothes. Many of them even ask mom which day they will be meeting with the running ladies,” explains Andrea Vincent, found of seeMOMMYrun.com. “Because seeMOMMYrun involves physical exercise, you know for certain that the moms you meet will at least have one thing in common – they want to stay healthy! Most moms who are active provide their families with a healthy balanced diet as well.”

seeMOMMYrun first launched its web site in the metro D.C. and northern Virginia areas in July 2004 and due to demands from moms everywhere now has 12,000+ members participating in 1,200+ groups across 50 States. Andrea Vincent, founder of seeMOMMYrun.com had recently moved to a new state and become pregnant. She had no social network or running buddies, so she built a web site in hopes of meeting a handful of running moms. The web site accommodates its members’ geographic needs, time restraints, and fitness abilities without having to spend time away from their children because moms in every area or neighborhood can start a group convenient for themselves. The seeMOMMYrun.com web site is a free service built by a first-time mom who found it difficult to find other moms interested in running regularly while pushing their children in jogging strollers, or (on a really good day) not having to push the added 35+ pounds in a stroller!

About seeMOMMYrun.com
seeMOMMYrun.com is an informational Web portal that allows moms to communicate and make their own arrangements for running or walking together in groups. The site provides interactive schedules, group sign-ups, local race schedules, and advice for active moms who want to include baby in their workout routines. The site helps women stay motivated and dedicated to staying fit while also forming like-minded friendships for mom and baby. Visit us online at http://www.seemommyrun.com/ for more information about groups in 50 states in the U.S. with remaining states, Canada, and South Africa currently in development.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Gregory
Shoestring Creative Group
hannah@shoestringgroup.com
207/582-1345

PLANET DOG FOUNDATION LENDS A PAW

2006-03-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

$10,000 in Grants Unleashed in First Cycle

Portland, ME (March 2006) - The Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), Planet Dog's non-profit arm, is proud to announce the recipients of their first grant cycle. Chenny Troupe, the National Education for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS), Puppies Behind Bars and Western Montana Search Dogs have each been awarded $2,500 by PDF to support their efforts.

The mission of the Planet Dog Foundation is to promote and celebrate programs in which dogs serve and support their best friends. "We received over 100 proposals from non-profit organizations all over the country that share our mission and are in need of funding help," says Kristen Smith, PDF's Executive Director. "It is clear to us that there is a need for philanthropic outreach in this arena and we are excited to help fill the void," adds Smith.

Launched in 1991, the Chenny Troupe (www.chennytroupe.org) is a Chicago-based network of dedicated volunteers and their certified therapy dogs that offers rehabilitative therapy to people with physical and emotional challenges. Chenny Troupe provides interactive, Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), a goal-directed intervention in which a trained, certified dog is an integral part of a rehabilitation or treatment process. Their structured visitation schedule includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers for victims of serious trauma and programs for at-risk youth and recovery centers.

"The grant from the Planet Dog Foundation will help enable our volunteers and dogs to restore health and hope to our clients," says Janet Rosen Eaton, the Executive Director of the Chenny Troupe. In addition to the grant, PDF will also donate Planet Dog products for their Heeling Hearts benefit and other fundraising events.

For 30 years the National Education for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS)/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans (www.neads.org) has been helping children and adults who are deaf or physically disabled live more mobile, social and independent lives through partnership with a dog individually trained for their lifestyle and assistive needs. At their Puppy Nursery and Early Learning Center in Central Massachusetts, puppies from age 8-16 weeks live and learn obedience and basic training skills, embark on frequent field trips to enhance socialization skills, and do therapy visits at a wide variety of facilities. Part of the PDF grant will also be used to sponsor a puppy in training. PDF's long-term goal is to create a self-sustaining puppy sponsorship program at Planet Dog funded entirely by employees to sponsor a puppy in training each year.

"The puppies in our Puppy Early Education and Training Program and the children and adults they assist will all benefit from the grant from the Planet Dog Foundation," says Joyce Schmitt, the Director of Resource Development. "And both will enjoy the Planet Dog product donation - leash and collar sets for all graduates (about 50 a year)," adds Schmitt.

Since 1997, Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) (www.puppiesbehindbars.com) has been training prison inmates to raise guide dogs for the blind and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. Because the puppies also need to be socialized to city life and acclimated to urban environments, puppies spend weekends with volunteers in New York City where PBB is based. These volunteers couple city socialization trips with visits to the often forgotten homebound elderly as part of the “Paws and Reflect” Elder Visitation Program which the PDF grant will be used to support.

"As the inmates raise their puppies, they work to benefit the outside community and in addition, towards their own rehabilitation," says Gloria Gilbert Stoga, the President of Puppies Behind Bars. "This grant will help spread the unconditional warmth that the pups bring to their inmate puppy raisers to the homebound elderly," adds Stoga. PDF will also make product donations to PBB.

Western Montana Search Dogs (WMSD) (www.westernmontanasearchdogs.org) is a volunteer, nonprofit organization based in Gallatin County Montana that provides trained search dogs to requesting agencies. Their handler/dog teams are specially trained and certified in avalanche rescue, air-scenting, trailing/tracking, water recovery, article/evidence retrieval and human remains recovery. WMSD works in conjunction with many other special search and rescue resources, including ground and air search teams, divers, and oversnow rescue.

"Because we are a volunteer organization with no paid staff and all our services are free of charge, we rely entirely on the efforts of our handler/dog teams as well as financial support from organizations such as the Planet Dog Foundation," says Bonnie Gafney, a member and one of WMSD's certified teams along with Smokey and Auggie (her canine partners). "The PDF grant will be used to purchase standardized GPS Units for our active handler/dog teams and to purchase bear spray for wilderness protection," adds Gaffney.

Planet Dog is a socially responsible designer, manufacturer and retailer of award-winning products for dogs. A percentage of every Planet Dog purchase goes directly to PDF to support the grantmaking program.

"As a small company doing big things, we are supporting like-minded organizations that will most benefit from our support," says Alex Fisher, Planet Dog's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. "From the beginning, we knew we wanted to build a socially responsible company that not only enhanced the lives of dogs and their people, but one that also improved the world around us by giving back," adds Fisher.

To learn more about the Planet Dog Foundation, please visit www.planetdogfoundation.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Katie LeBel
Planet Friendly Public Relations
207-563-7695
katie@planetfriendlypr.com

Finance & Risk Management Essentials for Nonprofit Leaders 2006 Regional Conference

2006-03-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Finance & Risk Management Essentialsfor Nonprofit Leaders
June 14-15, 2006
The Colony Hotel
Kennebunkport, ME

Brought to you by the Maine Association of Nonprofits and the Risk Management Center

This conference will focus on how your nonprofit can integrate sound finance and risk management principles into your day-to-day operations. Learn what steps are needed to achieve a greater measure of accountability and harness practical tools to strengthen your mission. The conference offers a time and place for the sharing of ideas, the opportunity to acquire information for informed decision-making and a welcoming environment for champions of effective financial management in the nonprofit sector. The conference is designed for nonprofit CFOs, finance professionals, CEOs, program managers, board members, department heads and professional advisors serving nonprofit organizations. Veteran nonprofit professionals, as well as new managers, will feel at home at this challenging, information-packed educational event.

This Training Is for:
- executive directors
- chief operating officers
- chief financial officers and treasurers
- fiscal managers
- professional risk managers
- program managers
- board members
- advisors to nonprofits

If you are responsible for finance or risk management or have volunteered as your nonprofit’s treasurer or risk management champion, don’t wait to reserve a place at this upcoming seminar. Click here to enroll today.

Keynotes:
Nonprofit Accountability & Federal Regulation of Nonprofits
Risk Management: What, When How and Why Me?
Conference Workshops
Volunteers = Risk + Reward
Contracts: What You Need to Know but Have Been Afraid to Ask
The Employment Battlefield: Avoiding Minefields
A Review of Recent Changes of A-133 and the Yellow Book
Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing Update
Form 990 as a Public Document—Your Opportunity to Tell Your Story
Maine Uniform Accounting and Auditing Practices Act for Community Agencies (MAAP)
Ask the Experts Panel

Maine Association of Nonprofits to hold annual conference in May

2006-03-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) is pleased to invite Maine nonprofits to join us for our 11th Annual Conference, "Managing Towards Mission in a Turbulent Environment", which will once again take place at the beautiful coastal setting of Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg on the evening of May 11 and May 12. The focus of this year’s event will be on how nonprofits can continue managing towards mission related goals in an environment that presents them with multiple challenges to achieving that goal.

This conference brings together a distinguished group of national, regional and local leaders to share information regarding some of the issues facing nonprofits, and practical ideas for addressing organizational challenges. It will also include a “Town Hall Meeting”, an opportunity for Maine nonprofit leaders to share their thoughts on the biggest challenges they are facing, which will be the Maine nonprofit sector’s opportunity to add input to a national educational and advocacy effort that will culminate in a Nonprofit Congress in Washington in October. We hope that through the many formal and informal resources and ideas that are shared at this event, nonprofit leaders will leave with the information and inspiration to help them build a more sustainable future for their organizations.

Please join your nonprofit colleagues in a beautiful coastal location to learn new ideas for operating your organization in these challenging times.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Schnapp
Executive Director
Maine Association of Nonprofits
(207) 871-1885

River Tree Center for the Arts announces volunteer opportunities

2006-03-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

Kennebunk, Maine -- River Tree Center for the Arts has volunteer opportunities available for all ages, interests and availabilities. Opportunities include Gallery Greeter/Docent, Special Event Task Masters, Clerical/Office Assistants, Artist Apprentices, and Summer Concert assists. Your help is vital for RTCA to continue educating and exploring the arts! Training and some benefits are available! For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

River Tree Center for the Arts, with the Chappell School of Music, the Irvine School of Art and the Irvine Gallery of Art, is a nonprofit organization providing accessible opportunities in the arts for everyone, is located at 35 Western Avenue in Lower Village Kennebunk. For more information please call 207-967-9120, email clabadie@rivertreearts.org, or visit www.rivertreearts.org.

The 55th Annual Colby Institute for Leadership

2006-03-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

Waterville, Maine -- Please join us on Wednesday, April 5 for this year's Institute which focuses on the Creative Economy, and it's affects on job creation in Maine. John Rohman's keynote address will feature case studies of businesses in Maine and their successes in the creative economy. A morning panel features Maine business people who are intimately involved in moving the creative economy forward in our state. Once again, Governor Baldacci will present the Governor's Awards for Business Excellence at the noon luncheon. Attached to this message is this year's brochure. You can also access the brochure and register on-line at http://www.colby.edu/leadership

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CONTACT:
Staci Warren
Administrative Secretary
Special Programs
4730 Mayflower Hill Drive
Colby College
Waterville ME 04901
Please note new numbers:
Tel: (207)859-4730
Fax: (207)859-4734