RESUME

Edward J. Democracy
| P.O. Box 53, Augusta, ME 04332-0053 
| 207-358-9217  
| Ed@Democracy207.com   
| www.Democracy207.com

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Summary

• Leadership & supervisory experience from military, professional, & community positions
• 10+ years of experience in professional customer service in hotels & hospitality
• 30+ years of experience working with diverse groups of people in community organizations
• 8+ years of experience in cooperative business development
• Cargo & Freight Handling (Navy & Commercial), Small Boat Handling & Operation (Navy)
• General: research & analysis, problem-solving, verbal & written communication, teamwork
• Technical skills in communications & information processing include: MS Word | MS Excel | MS Publisher | InDesign | OpenOffice | FileMaker PRO | WordPress | Blogger | basic website design & publishing | basic video production | social networking

 Cooperative Experience

Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative  Warehouse Supervisor 2015 – 2017 North Vassalboro, ME

• receive, rotate & stock Maine food products
• prepare next day’s orders for shipping
• invoice orders using QuickBooks
• ensure warehouse remains clean, safe & orderly
• operate forklift

CooperativeMaine.org Co-Founder & General Cooperator 2007 – 2016 ME

• Organize events, facilitate meetings & agendas, gather resources, recruit members, design & maintain website, maintain social networking presence & activity, coordinate communications & promotions, cultivate organizational relationships & partnerships, and build a network for a democratic economy rooted in community serving as a resource for start-up & existing cooperatives seeking technical assistance.

Works for ME Co-Founder & Co-operative Owner 2008 – 2016 ME

• Developing a new workers cooperative providing cooperative human resources for Maine’s future.

• Serving as a microenterprise development & resource center supporting entrepreneurs mainly in agriculture and state & local food system redevelopment.

Portland Food Cooperative Co-Founder & Vice-President 2006–9 Portland, ME

• Organized meeting locations & agendas; gathered resources; recruited members; helped to develop articles of incorporation, bylaws, business plan, & buying clubs; developed business systems, cash-flow & financial spreadsheets; scouted appropriate business locations.

National Community Service Experience

Americorps VISTA Volunteer 2004-2005 & 2006-2007 Westbrook & Portland, ME

• 2007 | Network Coordinator, Friends of Youth Network, Institute for Public Sector Innovation, Muskie School of Public Service, USM, Portland, ME

• 2006 | Mentor Program Coordinator, Mission Possible Teen Center, Westbrook

• 2004-2005 | Bridging the Gap with Youth & Computers, Portland Hour Exchange

Employment Experience

Maine State Archives Inventory & Property Associate II  10/18- Present Augusta, ME

• Retrieve/Refile records requested by our internal customers across Maine state government. Assist with maintaining the Records Center database in Microsoft Access including preparation of forms required by that process.
• Proud member of MSEA/SEIU Local 1989 2018-Present

Empire Company Vendor Stock Representative 10/18- Present Augusta, Maine

• Stock wood products and assist customers at Lowe’s store in Augusta, Maine.

Sullivan & Merritt Constructors Construction Traffic Controller 04/18-08/18 Augusta, ME

• Ensure safety of pedestrians, motorists, & workers around gas pipeline construction.
  

Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative  Warehouse Supervisor 2015 – 2017 North Vassalboro, ME

• receive, rotate & stock Maine food products
• prepare next day’s orders for shipping
• invoice orders using QuickBooks
• ensure warehouse remains clean, safe & orderly
• operate forklift

L.L. Bean  Customer Service Rep (seasonal)  2015

Maine Beacon Communications Sole Proprietor 1998 – 2015 Portland, ME

• Grassroots communications jack-of-all-trades. Basic, functional, respectable, affordable services for individuals, cooperatives, non-profits, microenterprise, and small business. Writing, blogs, websites, social marketing, email campaigns, graphic design, publication design & production, video production, online fundraising, ecommerce, campaign management, etc..

Works for Progress Canvass Worker October-November 2014 Southern Maine

• Door-to-door canvassing for clients including Environment Maine & NextGen Climate Action | canvassed voters in Gubernatorial & targeted key legislative races | conducted voter ID, persuasion and GOTV using VAN app on IPOD

Home Depot Customer Service Associate 2012 – 2014 So. Portland, ME

• Duties included customer service in the Garden Department a s of April 2014.

• Previously worked from April 2012 as a Freight Team Associate – packing-out freight onto store shelves/displays, up-stock, down-stock, etc. – until the company restructured to reduce Full-Time positions on the Freight Team.

• Operated lift equipment – reach, order picker, electric pallet jack, fork lift, etc..

• Worked full-time observing company SOP & best safety practices at all times.

Aramark (@UNUM) Housekeeper 2013 – 2014 Portland, ME

• Duties included trash, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc..

Munjoy Hill Observer Marketing Director 2007 – 2008 Portland, ME

• advertising sales | advertiser relations | newspaper distribution | copy writing & editing | article writing | column writing | graphic design | website design & management

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Night Auditor 2002 Scarborough, ME

Marriott Sable Oaks Night Auditor 2001 So. Portland, ME

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Night Auditor 1997 – 1998 Scarborough, ME

Hampton Inn Night Auditor 1990 – 1993 So. Portland, ME

• 3rd shift front desk clerk | guest services | security | nightly audit of daily records | closing of systems for business day | starting systems for next day

Employment Times Del. Driver (Ind. Contractor) 1998 – 2001 Gray, ME

• Weekly deliveries of Employment Times (& occasional additional publications) along established routes in Southern/Central Maine

• Build routes & maintain good relations with proprietors of distribution points

Education

BA degree in Philosophy University of Southern Maine 1998 Portland, ME

• Additional coursework:

  Computer Science (6 courses) | Mathematics (6 courses) | Macroeconomics | Accounting | Public Speaking | Communication | Peer Leadership

• Activities: Student Senate | Board of Student Orgs | Philosophy Symposium

Military

US Navy Supervisor 1993–1996 USS California CGN-36, Bremerton, WA

• Supervised personnel while performing: ship’s control & navigation | handling mooring lines | launching, recovering, & operating small boats

• Served as chief assistant to the Officer of the Deck (Operations Manager) who is responsible for security & operation of ship & crew

• Served on 2 Western Pacific Deployments with extensive travel throughout Asia

30-Year Work/Life History Timeline

• 2018-PRESENT Maine State Archives, Inventory & Property Assoc. 
• 2015-2017 Crown O’Maine Organic Cooperative, Warehouse Spvsr
• 2007-2016 Cooperative Maine, Co-Founder & General Coordinator
• 2007-08 Munjoy Hill Observer, Marketing Director
• 2006-09 Portland Food Cooperative, Co-Founder & Vice-President
• 2006 Americorps VISTA, Mission Possible Teen Center, Westbrook
• 2005 family emergency in Ireland for 5 months
• 2004 Americorps VISTA, Portland Hour Exchange
• 2003 daughter is born
• 2002 TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Night Auditor, Scarborough
• 2001 Marriott Sable Oaks, Night Auditor, South Portland
• 2000 Pre-Paid Legal Services, Marketing Director
• 1999 Mainers for Medical Rights, Assistant Campaign Manager
• 1998-2015 Maine Beacon Communications (self-employed, PT)
• 1997-98 Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Night Auditor, Scarborough
• 1997-99 BA Philosophy, University of Southern Maine
• 1993-96 US Navy, USS California CGN-36
• 1990-93 Hampton Inn, Night Auditor, South Portland

Grassroots Community Media

Maine Beacon Communications Sole Proprietor 1998 – 2015 Maine

• grassroots communications jack-of-all-trades | wide variety of services

Munjoy Hill Observer Marketing Director 2007 – 2008 Portland, ME

• advertising sales | advertiser relations | newspaper distribution | copy writing & editing | article writing | column writing | graphic design | website design & management

Munjoy Hill Observer Monthly Columnist 2006-2008 Portland, ME

• CHARTING DEMOCRACY: Navigational Aids for Sustainable Organizing

  ChartingDemocracy.blogspot.com

Portland Commons | Host & Co-Producer 2001 – Present | PortlandCommons.wordpress.com

Portland Commons – common issues for the common good – is a community media project covering current issues at the heart of social change in Portland and throughout Maine. Our goal is to cover issues from the perspective of common people with common sense & common decency. We also try to get beyond ideology – which divides us – to find common ground where we, the people, can gather to unite and make forward progress toward a better future. In December 2001, we began as a monthly hour long show on Portland Public Access (Channel 2). We continued into 2003 until the birth of Democracy, Sophia Eileen Democracy, in December 2003. We always planned to resume the show in some form. In December of 2008, we resumed and aired several new monthly shows then we went back on hiatus having far too many irons in the fire. The shows remain available online at: www.CTN5.org

Community Television Network | Member & Producer, April 1999 – Present www.CTN5.org

Have produced several shows which have aired on Channel 2 & Channel 5. Serve as a volunteer at the station helping with mailings, classes, produced a promotional brochure, work with community groups as a volunteer videographer and producer to help document and publicize events produced by community groups. Helping to organize & develop a community of public access producers interested in doing social activism through the media.

Maine Independent Media Center | Board of Advisors, Writer, Distribution Volunteer 2001 – 2003 | WEB-archive.org

The MEIMC was a democratic open-publishing organization alternative to the corporate media empowering people in Maine communities to use print, the web, community radio and television to report on stories that matter to them. Our slogan: “discover how you too can be the media!” Anyone could freely publish video, audio, photos and text to the website. Because of the digital divide, we published a free monthly newspaper with 10,000 copies distributed statewide called, “The Maine Commons” & planned a Maine Commons TV Show to be distributed to public access cable TV stations statewide.

Political (Democratic Party)

Augusta Democratic City Committee (ADCC) | Vice-Chair 2020 – Present

Elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the ADCC at the Augusta Democratic Caucus in March of 2020. 

Kennebec County Democratic Committee (KCDC) | Member 2018- Present

China Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) | Member 2018-2019

Maine Democratic State Committee (DSC) | Member 1989 – 91, 2010-2012 | www.MaineDEMS.org

• Elected as Secretary of the Caucus of County Chairs in April of 1989, while serving as the York County Chair’s Designee and continued to serve in that capacity at the request of the Caucus of County Chairs after having been elected to the DSC. Served on the Platform & Policy Subcommittee, the Campaigns Subcommittee, and the Information Management Advisory Committee.

• Elected by Cumberland County at 1990 & 2010 State Conventions.

Democratic State Convention Delegate |

1984,86,88,90,92,2000,2002,2004,2010,2012,2016,2020,2022 | www.MaineDEMS.org |

(Jackson 1984 and 1988) (Brown 1992)(Gore 2000)(Dean 2004)(Sanders 2016)(Sanders 2020)

Cumberland County Democratic Committee | Member 1984, 86, 90, 92, 2000, 2002, 2010, 2012 | Program Committee Co-Chair, 2010-2011 | www.ccdcmaine.org

Portland Democratic City Committee | Member 1984, 86, 90, 92, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012 | Treasurer, 2010-2011 | www.PortlandDEMS.org

Democratic National Convention Delegate | 1992 | www.Democrats.org

Elected at 1992 Maine Democratic State Convention as a CD1 ”congressional district – level” delegate for Jerry Brown to Democratic National Convention in New York City.

Maine Democratic Party Platform Committee 1989 – 1992

Chair, Subcommittee On Natural Resources, Agriculture, Energy, And The Environment

York County Democratic Committee (YCDC) 1988 – 1990

Elected to YCDC at the Eliot Democratic Caucus in February of 1988. Perfect attendance throughout tenure. Appointed by Chair, in February 1989, to serve as the York County Chair’s Designee at Democratic State Committee meetings and meetings of the Maine Caucus of County Chairs. Elected by the YCDC, in April 1989, to the Maine Democratic State Committee. Elected to represent YCDC on the Convention Platform Committee of the DSC in November 1989.

Eliot Democratic Town Committee (EDTC) 1988 – 1990

Elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the EDTC at the Eliot Democratic Caucus in February of 1988. Elected to serve as Vice-Chair in August of 1988. Then served as Town Chair until I returned to Portland in 1990.

Political (Volunteer)

PDA Maine | Convenor 2009 – 2015 | www.PDAmaine.org | Helping to mobilize Maine’s progressive vote by convening a state chapter of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) – The NATION Magazine’s “Most Valuable Political Group” of 2008

Maine Progressive Caucus | Member, Board of Directors, 2004 – 2007

A grassroots organization for Maine’s progressive community to strengthen the effectiveness of its members in the political arena, both in terms of issue advocacy and support for progressive candidates and elected officials. The plan was to establish an ADO state chapter of Progressive Democrats of America ( www.pdamerica.org ).

November Elections Coalition | Member, Board of Directors, 1999 – 2000

The November Elections Coalition was a group of organizations and individuals who initiated a municipal referendum to change Portland municipal elections for City Council and School Committee from May TO NOVEMBER. Turnout in May of 2000 was only 5% of registered voters. This was not representative democracy. Polls showed that over 70% of Portland voters would prefer to vote in November to save money, save a trip to the polls, and increase civic participation in city elections. Over the objections of the City Council elitists, we gathered over 5700 signatures to put the question on the ballot for citizens to decide on November 7, 2000. The question passed with 82% in favor of November Elections.

Equal Protection Lewiston | IT & Field Volunteer, 1993

Volunteered for campaign to gain equal rights under the law for gay and lesbian citizens of Lewiston, Maine. Did database management, data processing, voter turnout research and analysis, answered phones, made GOTV phone calls, literature drops, etc..

Tom Andrews for US Congress | IT Coordinator, 1990-1992

• Coordinated data-entry operation consisting of 10 microcomputers and a pool of 30 data-entry volunteers who worked two nights per week for several weeks.

• Designed and maintained databases of volunteers and contributors.

Jerry Brown for President-Maine | Campaign Coordinator, 1991-1992

• Developed campaign management team and statewide field organization.

• Managed daily operations, data-entry, office management, fundraising.

• Produced events, newsletters, and convention plans.

Maine Rainbow Coalition | Vice-Chair for CD1 & Executive Committee 1989 – 1991 | www.rainbowpush.org

This was a state chapter of the National Rainbow Coalition – a populist, progressive organization seeking to promote racial, ethnic, social, and economic justice – advocating that the only way to achieve justice for all is through a democracy which enfranchises all people. Served as Vice-Chair for CD1 and a member of the Executive Committee.

Citizens Of Eliot Recycling Committee (CERC) | Chair, Planning Subcommittee, 1989

Served as Chair of the Planning Subcommittee which conducted a needs analysis and developed a proposed recycling program for the Town of Eliot, Maine. This proposed plan was adopted by the CERC in November of 1989 & then at Town Meeting.

Jesse Jackson For President 1988- MAINE | State Convention Delegate , 1988

General volunteer activities. Coordinated my town at the caucus winning 4 of the town of Eliot’s 9 delegates. Jackson’s 2nd place finish statewide was so far ahead of expectations & Dukakis’ narrow victory so far below expectations that it was, effectively, a win for Jackson.

Jesse Jackson For President 1984-MAINE | State Convention Delegate 1984 | Campaign Coordinator, 1983–1984

General volunteer activities. Designed, produced & distributed fliers & brochures. Volunteered for primary day work in New Hampshire. Coordinated my precinct at the caucus. Won 1 of 2 state convention delegate slots in my precinct out of only 13 bonafide Jackson delegates statewide.

Political (election official)

Town of Eliot | Election Clerk, 1988 – 1990

City of Portland | Precinct Warden, 1986 -1987 | www.portlandvoters.com

Political (paid)

Works for Progress Canvass Worker October-November 2014 Southern Maine

• Worked as a door-to-door canvass worker for clients including Environment Maine & NextGen Climate Action | canvassed voters in Gubernatorial & targeted key legislative races | conducted voter ID & persuasion and GOTV using VAN app on IPOD

Mainers for Medical Rights Assistant Campaign Manager, 1999 | WEB-archive.org

• Recruited over 1000 endorsers from across the state for referendum campaign

• Performed office management, public relations, and data processing

• Promoted campaign at fairs, conferences, and directly to businesses

Mainers for Death with Dignity Referendum Petition Circulator, 1999

• Collected over 2000 petition signatures for referendum drive

• Recruited other petition circulators and fundraisers

Community

Southern Maine Workers Center Member 2015 Southern ME

A member-based organization uniting & organizing working & poor people to ensure all of our basic human rights are met.

We Who Care | President, 2011 – 2012; VP, 2008 – 2010

Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1972, We Who Care was Maine’s oldest advocacy organization promoting law, policy, and economic human rights benefiting ALL Mainers.

CANSO | Organizer, 2002 – 2011

The Community Action Network for Sustainable Organizing (CANSO) was a grassroots organization working to connect the grassroots with existing resources for sustainable organizing and for developing new sustainable grassroots organizations! We helped start-up non-profits with basic websites & hosting on our site.

Portland Tenants Union | Treasurer 2002 – 2011, Organizing Committee 2001 – 2002

Served on organizing committee which saw the PTU through its start-up phase (by-laws, kick-off event, 1st annual meeting, election of Board of Directors and Officers, etc.). Designed & published website and promotional brochure. Elected Treasurer at 2^nd Annual Meeting in 2002. Portland Tenants Union worked to be a united voice organizing and advocating for the highest standards of affordable housing and working to balance the power between tenants and landlords. Among the goals of the PTU were: educating tenants and the public on their rights, lobbying the state and local government on tenant issues, facilitating tenant/landlord and tenant/city issues.

Childrens Healthy Environment Campaign (CHEC) | Coordinator, 2004–2011

CHEC was a grassroots, neighbor-2-neighbor, community health network started by the Portland Tenants Union to promote healthy homes & gardens. Worked on developing organizational capacity, writing grants, developing partnerships, developing network statewide, etc.. Received grants from Community Toolbox, New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, Haymarket Peoples Fund, Maine Initiatives, & the Tides Foundation. Worked with the Environmental Health Strategy Center and United Somali Women of Maine to establish regional network hubs in Lewiston & Bangor as well as Portland.

Americorps VISTA | Volunteer, 2004 – 2005 & 2006 – 2007 | www.americorps.gov

Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization | Member, 2002 – 2012, Web Coordinator 2006 – 2008 | www.munjoyhill.org

Helping to revitalize the oldest neighborhood in Portland – organizational development, website, newspaper, etc..

Munjoy Hill Observer | Marketing Director, 2007 – 2008 | Calendar Editor 2006 – 2008 Columnist 2006 – 2008

“CHARTING DEMOCRACY: Navigational Aids for Sustainable Organizing” (Monthly column) | ChartingDemocracy.blogspot.com

East End PTO | Member, 2004 – 2011 | www.eecs.portlandpto.org

Helped to revitalize a formerly dormant organization at Adams Community School in anticipation of the opening of the East End Community School and an influx of children and parents. Worked to establish a strong link between the school and the neighborhood organization which is a natural partnership.

Bayside Neighborhood Association | Member, 1999 |

Served as a catalyst. Recruited the Center for Consensual Democracy to consult on by-laws shortening the pre-existing calendar for completion by 6 months. We finished the by-laws by July 1999. Edited and published a neighborhood newsletter. Secured donation for printing of first issue (2,000 copies 11×17). Sold 10 business-card advertisements to defray costs of next issue. Recruited distribution team and coordinated the distribution of 2,000 copies throughout the neighborhood and the downtown area. Wrote a successful grant application for $17,000 for a Bayside Neighborhood Empowerment Center (included office rent, PT organizer salary, office equipment, etc.).

Real Men Of USM | Coordinator, 1998-1999

Real Men of USM was a student group at the University of Southern Maine formed following a lecture by Jackson Katz on men’s role in ending sexism and violence against women. While authorized to use the same name as Mr. Katz’ national group, we were not officially affiliated. Held discussion groups and participating in other events to raise consciousness about gender issues and men’s role in ending sexism and violence against women.

Mainers For Democracy In Mexico | Coordinator, 1996 – 1997

Worked to raise awareness of the indigenous rights movement in Chiapas, Mexico. Attended rallies in Boston, delivered message to Mexican Consulate in Boston, delivered message to Senator Kennedy’s office in Boston, delivered messages to Representatives Tom Allen (ME-1) and John Baldacci (ME-2) and to Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. Organized meetings of various groups in Maine interested in working on issues relating to Mexico and Latin America in general. Assisted in organizing a teach-in on Chiapas with medical doctors visiting from Mexico. Wrote letters, fliers, and press releases.

United States Navy | Member, 1993 – 1996

After having worked for peace for many years opposing excessive military spending and the military-industrial complex, was impressed with the military’s new role in humanitarian missions. Read articles in the progressive media on global cooperation between progressive relief organizations and the military including daily joint briefings at USCENTCOM (US Central Command) in Florida. Joined to earn money for college, to see the world, to learn about leadership, and to gain direct knowledge of the military as an organization and of the human beings who comprise it. Initially hoped to participate in Operation Support Democracy to help the Haitian people take back their country. However, having been stationed on the west coast on a 3rd Fleet ship which does western Pacific deployments, saw much of Asia and its peoples, instead, which was most enlightening and enjoyable. While off duty (on liberty), I was able to make many goodwill community connections through which I learned a great deal about community organizing activities across America and around the world.

Peace Action Maine-Conflict Resolution Project | Volunteer, 1992-1993 | www.peaceactionme.org

Was among first group of volunteers to get this project started. Served as Scribe preparing minutes of meetings. This group participated in building a community of alternative dispute resolution volunteers and professionals. We worked with existing groups such as the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) and with schools throughout the state to do educational programs and build peer mediation programs. Peace Action Maine began as the Nuclear Freeze campaign in reaction to the Cold War and global nuclear madness. The Conflict Resolution Project is a proactive effort to think globally and act locally by reducing conflict at the local level hopefully eventually reducing the overall level of conflict on the global level.

We The People Of Maine | Executive Director, 1992 – 1993

The group’s purpose was to promote economic democracy, ecological democracy, safe energy, and political reform; to build community and to speak truth to power.

Greater Portland Martin Luther King Day Committee | Volunteer, 1989 – 1991

This committee holds events annually to commemorate the birthday and the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. and to bring attention to current challenges in the civil rights struggle. My contributions included fundraising, organizing receptions, preparation of organizing documents & applications for IRS recognition as a tax-exempt.

Maine Mandela Reception Committee | Coordinator, 1990

This committee was formed to welcome Nelson Mandela out of prison and to refocus efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. The first event coordinated by this committee was a trip to Boston on June 26, 1990 to attend the Mandela Rally at the Charles River Esplanade — we were able to fill three buses from Maine. My contributions included co-founding the committee, co-coordinating the bus trip, and design, production, and distribution of fliers and commemorative buttons.

Maine Project On Southern Africa (MPOSA) | Coordinator, 1984 – 1990

MPOSA was an educational & cultural organization which worked to educate the people of Maine about Southern Africa, in general, and the Republic of South Africa in particular. MPOSA uncovered many economic links between Maine and South Africa and informed the public of those links so they could make informed decisions as consumers and voters. MPOSA brought many speaker from South Africa to Maine.

USM Student Senate | Member, 1985 – 1987

Served as chair of the USM Student Senate South African Student Scholarship Committee (1986 – 1988) which was a project of the New England Board of Higher Education in which USM participated along with Bates, Bowdoin, Colby and many other universities throughout New England. The program raised money for black students in South Africa to attend universities there. They would be known as, “USM Scholars,” “Bowdoin Scholars,” etc.. During the time I chaired this committee, we raised over $2000 and this was matched dollar for dollar by the administration.

University Of Maine Organization Of Students For Education (UMOOSE) | Organizer, ‘85–‘86

Co-founded this organization in 1985. The purpose of UMOOSE was to serve as a statewide student lobbying, research, and advocacy organization for students at all seven campuses of the University of Maine System. The student body at USM, in a student referendum, approved the UMOOSE Constitution and dedicated student activity fee increase by a two to one margin. From there UMOOSE was to seek students out at each of the other six campuses to campaign for implementation of the same model (adapted to the given campus). After the largest campuses were on hoard, UMOOSE was to open an office, hire a staff, and begin developing system-wide student consensus and begin communicating student concerns in Augusta. UMOOSE was a member and official chapter of the United States Student Association (USSA), based in Washington, D.C..

USM Soviet Delegation Committee | Member, 1985 – 1986

As a coalition of students, faculty, and administrators, we brought a delegation of four Soviet educators to USM in January 1986 through the Citizen Exchange Council of New York City and the USA/USSR Friendship Society of the USSR. It was during this visit that officials of the Soviet Union and the City of Portland first discussed the possibility of arranging for a sister city in the Soviet Union for the City of Portland. While here, the delegation visited classes at USM and at area elementary & high schools; visited the Maine Historical Society Library; and met with local officials of area communities including Portland Mayor Joseph Casale.

Maine Coalition On Undoing Racism (MCOUR) | Organizer, 1985

Co-founded MCOUR with Donna Purdy. We organized a “Workshop on Undoing Racism,” which was conducted by the Institute for Human Survival and Beyond. The workshop was held in October of 1985 in Portland and drew people from all over the state (nearly 100 total). MCOUR continued on and developed a Northern Maine chapter!

Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) | Organizer, 1985

Worked for the University of Southern Maine Chapter of PIRG, an environmental, consumer information, and advocacy organization, based in Washington, D.C.. While I worked for PIRG I researched and wrote a first draft of a publication to be entitled, “Citizens Legal Recourse Resource.” Due to a lack of funding, it was never published. However, I was able to produce a week-long, “Anti-Apartheid Film Series,” with funding from PIRG and several other student groups.

USM Human Rights Coalition | Organizer, 1984-1988

The Human Rights Coalition was a student group which sought to draw attention to issues of racism and human rights. We worked with the Maine Project On Southern Africa to bring Enoch Duma , an exiled black South African journalist to speak at USM. We also worked with the Maine Coalition On Undoing Racism, Minority Student Affairs, Amnesty International, PIRG, UMOOSE, the USM South African Student Scholarship Fund, and the USM Soviet Delegation Committee.

Excellent references provided upon request.