ENCorps eNews - July/August 2014 - In This Issue:
ENCorps Members Take to the Summit

 

The 2014 Encore Leadership Corps Annual Summit was held at the scenic Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg on May 21- 22. The view of the rugged coastline welcomed ENCorps members as they arrived on Wednesday to learn, network, be inspired and reconnect with friends.

 

Kristen Miale, president of the Good Shepard Food Bank, started the day by sharing some statistics about food insecurity in Maine. She went on to explain that, not only are one in four Maine children going hungry, but there are also very real economic costs linked to hunger and poor nutrition. Finally, she encourage those in attendance to help feed the hungry in their communities by participating at a food drive, volunteering at a food back or serving food at a soup kitchen. Her passion was evident and she inspired the group to take action.  For more information go to their website.

 

Ed Anderson

John Jemison and Esperanza Stancioff from the UMaine Cooperative Extension followed with a discussion about climate change and its effect on Maine's agriculture, coastal waters and marine life. They offered strategies for adaptation and food production, on land and at sea. For more information, visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension website.

 

ENCorps members then learned about the local area by choosing to attend a presentation on historic Malaga Island, tour Downtown Bath, visit Maine Maritime Museum, or tour the Bath Area Food Bank and Edgewater Farm.  Cocktails and a delicious dinner followed.

 

Thursday morning began with tai chi led by Barbara Steller, yoga, a scenic walk with Patti, or an ocean-side cup of coffee. Then ENCorps members learned what some of their peers are doing around the state to alleviate food insecurity. Dale Flewelling spoke of volunteering with Friends of Aroostook to grow food for the hungry in his community; David Stansfield explained about the many jobs available at food pantries and told us about his work at the South Berwick Food Pantry; and Wendy Harrington shared stories of shared meals and community building at the Downeast Table of Plenty dinners served on Sundays. Many members came away with new ideas to implement in their own communities.

 

After the panel discussion, ENCorps members participated in informative workshops: Succession Planning, with Karin Anderson; Communicating to Advance Effective Engagement, with Laura Lindenfeld; When Generations Collide, with Mandy Schumaker; and Using Cultural Resources to Lead Change in your Community, with Kathleen Mundell.    Senator Roger Katz led a discussion about the best ways to communicate with local politicians and Caragh Fitzgerald from the UMaine Cooperative Extension explained how to lengthen one's growing season. Available handouts and links are available by clicking here.

 

The Summit closed with a Good Bye to Mia. She graduated in May and will leave ENCorps at the end of June. We will all miss her, but wish her the best in her new endeavors! 

 

Thank you to all the ENCorps members who attended the Summit. We hope your time was well spent -learning, connecting and seeing good friends, and that you are inspired to continue your good work in your communities. 

 

To view photos from the Summit, visit our Facebook page.

Nancy Teel
VOLUNTEER IN ACTION

REMEMBERING NANCY TEEL 

 

A beloved Encore Leadership Corps member, Nancy Teel, died on June 4, 2014, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington, from breast cancer. She was 55.

 

As Volunteer Center coordinator for the United Way, she spearheaded many grassroots programs, including the Community Energy Challenge for Greater Franklin County, a program that trains volunteers to make interior storm windows and then teach others. So far, the CEC has created 1,800 window panels in 283 households and 16 public buildings, saving $75,000 in energy costs. This past May, Nancy's work was recognized by the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry with its Salt & Light Award.

 

Nancy was also an artist and had planned to live in Boothbay this summer and concentrate on art and healing. We are grateful that she was able to join us at the Summit.   We will miss Nancy's great can-do attitude and gentle spirit.  

 

Tributes can be posted at www.nancy.teel.muchloved.com.

 


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

 

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AUGUSTA needs your help!
  • Tutor a student
  • Volunteer in a Literacy Lab
  • Work at Fundraisers (Scrabble Tournaments and more!)
  • Become a Board Member
  • Write Grants

Contact LVA today to change a life!

[email protected], 207-626-3440, www.lva-augusta.org

 

MAINE CONSERVATION CORPS 

welcomes volunteers to join their members on projects throughout Maine. For more information: Call 207-624-6085, email [email protected],  or visit our website. 

 

 

THE DEMPSEY CHALLENGE 

will need over 900 volunteers collectively before, during and after the event. Registered volunteers will receive an official Dempsey Challenge t-shirt, and, most importantly, will be a vital part of this meaningful, fun and exciting event! 

Click here to access the Volunteer Registration site or visit our Dempsey Challenge website.  We look forward to welcoming you to be a part of our Volunteer family!

The Dempsey Challenge Team

   
STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING ENCORPS
EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER


OTHER MAINE EVENTS

MAINE FOOD STRATEGY BRIEFING

July 16, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Northern Maine Development Commission
11 West Presque Isle Road, Caribou

Do you know that food insecurity affects as many seniors in Maine as kids? People in Maine are going hungry. Maine Food Strategy is holding free community briefings to spark conversations about the food systems in Maine. Registration is free but required. To reserve, email [email protected].

 

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL'S 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Join ENCorps member, Norma Simpson, at the Woodfords Church, Portland, for Heifer International's special event on Sept. 27, 2:00 - 4:00 pm. You may showcase your organization's work with an exhibit, represent Encore Leadership Corps, or you may attend to learn more about other organizations in the area. For more information, contact Norma at 207-773-1135.

MEMBER HOURS
ENCorps members have volunteered 48,610 to date! Keep up the great work!
Encore Leadership Corps

207-262-7928

[email protected]

www.encoreleaders.org

 

ENCorps is a program of the University of Maine Center on Aging in partnership with the Maine Community Foundation and with the cooperation of local, state, and national organizations. Funding in support of ENCorps has been provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Aging Initiative, The Atlantic Philanthropies, The Maine Community Foundation, Jane's Trust, Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, Davis Conservation Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundaiton, and the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.

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