April 2021 Newsletter – In Bloom with MaineShare

April 2021 Newsletter – In Bloom with MaineShare

Maine is in bloom and we’re racing to get everyone vaccinated before variants can set us back. We hope efforts to reach every person in Maine are effective including the reopening of the Maine CDC’s Health Equity Office; a recent set of grants made to groups like our member, Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN), to support community outreach; free transportation; and mobile pop-up clinics and mass vaccination sites

MaineShare is also in bloom! We just hosted a virtual member meeting with over 50 participants from our 41 member groups. During this meeting we were able to: celebrate strong financials, and a successful Fall 2020 Workplace Giving Campaign – in spite of the pandemic; welcome new board officers & say good-bye to two fabulous board members; and discuss and engage with our members about our talks with Maine Initiatives to acquire the MaineShare programs.

MaineShare is doing well, but during times of transition, it is always good practice to explore if strategic partnerships can improve the meeting of mission. Last Fall, we approached Maine Initiatives to begin discussions about a potential partnership. We felt that we have a lot in common and they agree. We both work to provide long-term unrestricted funding to Maine’s collection of nonprofits working to promote social, economic, and environmental & animal justice.

Talks are going very well and we are exploring the possibility that Maine Initiatives acquires MaineShare which will continue to run as a significant program of Maine Initiatives. Now we want your input! MaineShare member groups have already participated in a survey and many will also participate in focus groups and one-on-one interviews.

If you are a donor, represent one of our workplaces, or are another interested party, we want to hear from you. Please email me at bpeluso@maineshare.org for more information.

Please enjoy the following updates from some of our member groups. Good things are happening. Please consider supporting MaineShare & our incredible members. Read more.

2021 Changing of the Guard

2021 Changing of the Guard

Will Sedlack

Tracy Harkins

It was a bittersweet member meeting this April as we said good-bye to our Board Chair & Vice Chair.  Outgoing Board Chair, Tracy Harkins, Owner of Harkins Consulting, joined the board in 2017 and quickly assumed a leadership position.  She worked with the board and staff at the time to begin a deep exploration of the organization’s operations, mission, and finance.  Shortly thereafter, Will Sedlack, Civic Engagement Manager for Maine Conservation Voters, joined the board and took the Vice-Chair role.

Together with staff and new and existing board members, these two worked tirelessly and greatly improved MaineShare’s sustainability.  They also led the board through a thorough investigation of potential paths forward.  We are grateful to Tracy & Will for their incredible service to MaineShare and for leaving the place better than they found it.

Ryan Martin

Jodie Lapchick

Tracy & Will passed the torch to MaineShare’s new Board Chair, Ryan Martin, Executive Director of member group, Viles Arboretum, and our new Board Vice-Chair, Jodie Lapchick of Lapchick + Co.   Ryan is excited to lead the board in strategizing for the future and Jodie will continue to apply her talents to growing and improving our workplace giving program.