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132nd Legislative Session: Preparing Your Organization

132nd Legislative Session: Preparing Your Organization

Friday, December 13, 2024
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
18 Seats Remaining

Event Details

This event is hosted in partnership with Maine Philanthropy Center.

What happens in between Election Day and the start of the next legislative session? STRATEGY.

Join us on Friday, December 13th in Augusta to come together with nonprofit organizations, funders, and government officials to think about how nonprofits can impact policy in the 132nd legislative session.

The purpose of this workshop is to:

  • give nonprofit advocates a chance to network and connect
  • convene thoughtful discussions about advocacy prior to the 132nd Legislative Session
  • give funders a chance to hear about where resources are most needed related to key subsectors

Headshot of program presenter, Ninette Irabaruta

Ninette Irabaruta is Senior Director, Community Engagement and Outreach at United Way of Southern Maine. Ninette is also contracted by Maine Community Foundation, where she coordinates the Investing in Leaders of Color program that focuses on building the field of people and organizations working to promote and increase racial equity in Maine. Previously, she served as global manager for The Nourishment Economies Coalition, where she worked on a two-year project with indigenous communities across North America, all while bringing in new business opportunities and donors. She supported research and outreach with the Mental Health & Racial Equity project at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She also developed workshops to help cultivate young talent in U.S. immigrants and underserved communities on leadership, cross-cultural communication, social justice, and civic engagement.

A native of Burundi in Central-East Africa, Ninette moved to the United States in 2012. Ninette holds a B.A. degree in political science from Saint Joseph's College of Maine and an M.A. degree in sustainable international development from Brandeis University.

Headshot of program presenter, Melanie Sachs

Rep. Melanie Sachs is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives, where she chairs the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and serves on the Maine Climate Council's Building, Infrastructure, and Housing Working Group. A native of New Sharon and graduate of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Bates College and her master’s in science and social administration from Case Western Reserve University. She is currently pursuing an MBA in business data analytics at the University of New Hampshire.

A licensed clinical social worker for over 25 years, Rep. Sachs has focused on health and mental health care, leading organizations such as Freeport Community Services and Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine. Locally, she served six years on the Freeport Town Council, including terms as chair and vice-chair, and chaired the Freeport Working Group to Welcome New Mainers. Active in her community, she has volunteered extensively in schools and with organizations like the Freeport Rotary and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Freeport. Rep. Sachs lives in Freeport with her husband, Andrew, and their two children.

Headshot of program presenter, Phoenix McLaughlin

Phoenix McLaughlin is the Director of Strategy Implementation at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. In this role, he oversees the Maine Economic Development Strategy and manages numerous Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan initiatives. Previously, Phoenix led the Department’s business incentives programs, including the development of the Dirigo Business Incentives program, and worked on legislative affairs. Additionally, he managed special projects for the Commissioner and the Office of Business Development, including the creation of the Maine Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub. McLaughlin received a B.A. in International Political Economy from Colorado College and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. He resides in Lewiston.

Participants will leave the session:

  • With stronger connections to other nonprofit advocates within their mission area and across the network
  • More informed post-election for what the 132nd session will look like and what the key issues are likely to be
  • Feeling energized for their own advocacy path and work leading into session
  • More aware of MANP / MPC's advocacy and policy goals

Intended Audience

  • Advocacy staff at nonprofit organizations, or staff members who work on advocacy and policy
  • Funders interested in learning more about critical needs across subsectors
  • Government officials and staff interested in collaborating within the nonprofit sector

For More Information:

Mary Alice Scott, Public Affairs Manager
MAScott@NonprofitMaine.org
207-871-1885

Cost + Registration

  • MANP Advocacy Network Members: $35
  • MANP + MPC Members: $50
  • Nonmembers: $75
  • Scholarships available for MANP members! Prior to registering, email your scholarship request to Learn@NonprofitMaine.org and be sure to include your name and organization.

Agenda:

8:00am - Check-in, networking, light breakfast
8:30am - Welcome and context-setting
9:00am - Panel discussion about critical issues facing our communities as we head into the 132nd legislative session. Facilitated by Ninette Irabaruta (United Way of Southern Maine), featuring Rep. Melanie Sachs (Freeport) and Phoenix McLaughlin (Director of Strategy Implementation, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development)
10:30am - Small group discussions centered around key themes (themes will be decided as a group, but could include: care economy, arts & culture, workforce, climate, etc)
11:45am - Wrap-up and takeaways
12:00pm - Program concludes

  • Participants will receive additional event logistics in the registration confirmation email as well as in reminder emails that will be sent one day and one hour prior to the live event.
  • Substitutions for registered participants are welcome. Please let us know who to expect.
  • To cancel your registration and receive, please email Learn@NonprofitMaine.org no fewer than two weeks prior to the live event. Please note all in-person event refunds are subject to a 20% cancellation fee. Our full cancellation policy can be found here.

Accessibility

MANP is committed to ensuring all participants are accommodated at our events. If you have accessibility needs, please email us at Learn@NonprofitMaine.org with your request no fewer than 10 business days prior to the event.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

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Logo for Maine Community Foundation