<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Please spread the word about this gathering, via email, facebook, twitter, and any other way you can. PREREGISTRATION (see below) FOR THOSE PLANNING TO COME IS A BIG HELP ALSO (for planning, ride sharing, space use). Thanks.<div><br><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 19pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">18</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">th</span><span style="font-size: 19pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> Annual </span><span style="font-size: 19pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Changing Maine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; font-size: 25px; "> Gathering</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 28pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdItMS; "><b><i>“Visions and Strategies for the Occupy Movement in Maine"</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; font-size: 32px; "><b>Saturday,</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>January 28, 2012<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.25in; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>9 AM-4:30 PM<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.25in; text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>(Snow date: January 29)</b></span><span style="font-size: 28pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>Randall Student Center, U/Maine, Augusta</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; font-size: 27px; "><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>Why this day to examine the Occupy Movement?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 17px; ">These are unprecedented times. We’re in the midst of an awakening of People Power, a speaking out, an uprising of actions. There’s a paradigm shift going on, a cultural change—thanks to Arab Spring and now the Occupy Movement.</span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">Occupation campaigns in Portland, Augusta, and Bangor and support groups and actions in all corners of Maine have brought new optimism to those who have worked for months, years, or decades to promote democracy and economic and social equality locally, statewide, and beyond. Rarely have movements caught on as the Occupy Movement has, not only with activists but also with the public and the media.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">Concepts like People Power, “We are the 99%,” democratic and consensus-based decision-making, the physical occupation of government-owned land, nonviolent action as a foundation, and strategies that focus on transforming our society are unique and exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">The Occupy Movement has experienced camp closures, but its potential is still huge. How can we utilize the Occupy Movement to help create a vision and a strategy for social change in Maine?<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 18pt; "><b>Goals for the Day<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">This day-long gathering is NOT intended for decision-making (altho agreements are encouraged/helpful) but primarily for brainstorming, networking, information exchange, and broadening the potential for the Occupy Movement in Maine. This includes encampments in Portland, Bangor, and Augusta and support groups/actions in other parts of Maine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; "><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">Some questions that will likely be addressed</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*Why have people joined Occupy?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*Are there historical precedents for our current occupation actions?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*How can we use Occupy to build a long-term movement for change?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*What are or might be some goals for the Occupy Movement?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*What are OUR hopes and visions?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*What are strategies Occupy campaigns can use to achieve our goals?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*Should we renew 24/7 occupations?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*Should some Occupy actions be coordinated statewide or regionally?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*How can we work with other groups to achieve our goals?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">*How can different Occupy groups stay in contact with each other?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; ">(Thanks to UMA and Women, Work and Community for arranging the space)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; "><b><br></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 20pt; "><b>Schedule for the Day<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>(This agenda is flexible and may be changed during the day or before)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; "><b>Morning</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">—Where we’ve been, where we are now, where we want to go:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">8:30-9: Register and gather<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">9-9:30: Introductions + agenda<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">9:30-10:30: History of Occupy actions, why have people joined, occupy and social change<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">10:30-10:45: Break<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">10:45-11:30: Visions for the Occupy Movement in Maine<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">11:30-noon: Strategy Brainstorm (continued during lunch)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">Noon-1:30 PM: <b>Lunch</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; "> (please bring your own food/place-setting if possible; simple lunch provided also)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; "><b>Afternoon</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">—How we can get where we want to go:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">1:30-2:45: Small groups based on various Occupy strategies and tactics—what’s worked, what hasn’t worked, what’s next.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">2:45-3: Break<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">3-4:15 Review/discuss strategies and tactics for Occupy Actions—Where do we go from here?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; ">4:15-4:30: Wrap up (but space to stay longer is available)</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 20pt; "><b>Registration Form</b></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 16pt; ">(OK to register by email)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Name_______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Address_____________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.25in; "><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">City/St/Zip__________________________</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Phone_______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Email ______________________________<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Organization (if any)__________________ <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">___Enclosed is a donation (any or no donation is OK) for the day $_______<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">___Enclosed is a registration to hold a space (make payment, if any, on January 28) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">___I need a ride; contact me re: carpooling<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">___I can offer a ride; have riders contact me<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">___I need childcare, register by January 24<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Directions and handouts will be sent to pre-registrants. The location and bathrooms are fully wheelchair accessible. For special needs/requests, please state below or on a separate sheet:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Return this portion of the form to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanBdMS; "><b>Resources for Organizing and Social Change, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951, <a href="mailto:rosc@psouth.net"><span style="color: rgb(28, 0, 240); ">rosc@psouth.net</span></a></b></span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: TimesNewRomanMS; ">Questions? Call Larry Dansinger, (207) 525-7776.</span></p></div>
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