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Dear John,

The leaves are changing, the candidate signs are going up, and I’m pressing apples and pears for cider and perry.

Fall is here.

We’re hard at work getting you all to pledge to vote absentee [[link removed]] and to volunteer to work at the polls this November 3rd [[link removed]] . As a reminder, you won’t get your ballot right away; town clerks will mail your absentee ballot to you no sooner than one month before the election . For those that have already requested your ballot, your clerk should be mailing your ballot to you this week or next.

We have designed an October Lunch & Learn line-up that we hope reflects both the moment and season we are in. Together, we are going to learn about the rise of texting in political campaigns, solar in Maine, big decisions around Federal Indian Law, Nature-Based Education, and voting rights . And when Election Day has come and gone, we’ll come together for a post-election roundtable .

We hope to see you at one or all of our Lunch & Learns this month!


Friday, October 2nd, 12-1 PM: Why do Campaigns Keep Texting Me? Elections in a Texting Era

Dr. Katherine Haenschen, a professor of Communication and Political Science at Northeastern University, will present on the rise of text messaging during election season. She will cover some of her own experimental research showing how texts are used to increase turnout and engage volunteers. Register here! [link removed]


Friday, October 9th, 12-1 PM: Solar Energy’s Bright Future in Maine

Phil Coupe, co-founder of Revision Energy, will join us to discuss the viability of our solar resource in northern New England and show how switching from fossil fuels to reliable, cost-effective renewable energy reduces carbon emissions and provides energy and economic security. We will discuss the opportunities created by last year's changes to state solar policy, including community solar farms, and learn more about the work we still need to do through the Maine Climate Council and public education. Note: As food insecurity has increased by more than 50% during the pandemic, ReVision Energy will be donating 10 meals to local food banks on behalf of every attendee who participates in this virtual Lunch & Learn. Register here! [link removed]

Friday, October 16th, 12-1 PM: The Supreme Court Case that Upended Federal Indian Law

Who has jurisdiction over crimes committed on tribal lands? The answer has clear consequences for criminal and civil justice -- and much more nuanced implications for tribal sovereignty. Erick Giles, an Attorney with Drummond Woodsum and citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma from the Rekackv (Broken Arrow) Tribal Town and the Katcv (Big Cat/Tiger/Panther) Clan, will present on the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision McGirt v. Oklahoma. In McGirt, the Supreme Court held the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation, as defined by the 1866 Treaty, continues to exist as Indian Country and affirms the Creek Nation’s right of self-government. Register here! [link removed]

Friday, October 23rd, 12-1 PM: Nature-Based Education in Maine

Discover how youth leadership and community collaborations are supporting nature-based initiatives in schools and communities. Amara Ifeji, Grassroots Development Coordinator for MEEA Changemakers and NBEC Climate Education Taskforce Co-Chair and Steering Committee member, and Korah Soll, Founding Director of Rural Aspirations and NBEC Steering Committee member, will talk about the booming state of nature-based education initiatives in Maine.  Register here! [link removed]

Friday, October 30th, 12-1 PM: Advocacy Amid Crisis with the ACLU of Maine

Michael Kebede, Policy Council for the ACLU of Maine, will reflect on the reckoning that the mass movement currently roiling America has meant for established advocacy groups like MCV and the ACLU. He will reflect on the disjuncture, and possible complementarity, between policy advocacy and social movements and upheavals. He will draw on the scholarship of sociologist Nancy Whittier, who argued that social movements don’t disappear but go into abeyance; the political theory of Adolph Reed Jr., a critic of foundation-driven advocacy; the intersectionalism of Kimberle Crenshaw; and the strategic insights of Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrice Cullors. Register here! [link removed]

Friday, November 6th, 12-1 PM: Post-Election Roundtable with the League of Women Voters

Staff from Maine Conservation Voters and the League of Women Voters, will discuss the outcome of the 2020 General Election (if available) — what we saw, what we learned, and what changes we see on the horizon. Register here! [link removed]

Wear a mask, wash your hands, and vote!

--Will
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