Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Registration is now open for Island Readers & Writers’ Conference for Rural Educators & Librarians, Dear Teacher 2024, on October 10 & 11, 2024 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME. Dear Teacher is a two-day professional development conference designed for Maine’s rural educators and librarians working with grades pre-K through grade 8. Featured speakers and workshops will focus on writing & narrative, arts & humanities, and rural, place-based education. Download a flyer to share.
Todd West, Operations Director and Collaborative Project Coordinator for the Maine Rural Aspirations Project, will be giving a mini presentation on the Washington County Youth Leadership Challenge to attendees at CCC’s in-person-only Work Group on June 5th from 1 — 2:30 pm at SCEC’s Machias office at 7 Ames Way. The Youth Leadership Challenge is a hands-on, community-based civic engagement project bringing together students and teachers from middle and high schools across Washington County to explore relevant civic issues facing their local communities. Community partners and municipal leaders will work with school teams as they research an issue, gather feedback and input from other community members, and present possible solutions to local decision makers, working together to co-design a vibrant future for their community and the region. After presenting an overview of the Youth Leadership Challenge, Todd hopes to tap into the wisdom of the Work Group as it relates to both relevant civic issues facing local communities and partnership with youth in the region, including:
- Are there regional/community issues or topics that you or your organization are working on that might benefit from youth voice/input?
- Are there any spaces you work in where youth “have a seat at the table” or have historically had input into important issues?
- Are you aware of any organizations/groups that do a good job collaborating with youth and/or bringing youth to the table?
There is no fee to attend this meeting of front-line services providers, teachers, admins and community volunteers. Download the meeting agenda.
Please join Maine’s Essential Care & Support Workforce Partnership as we gather for the Future of Maine’s Care Workforce Planning Summit, June 18th, 9 am — 4 pm, Harraseeket Inn, Freeport. Tickets $35. This event is focused on generating the action steps needed to grow this workforce to meet Maine’s current and future demands. The Planning Summit will begin with level-setting presentations by:
- Jess Maurer, Executive Director, Maine Council on Aging,
- Garrett Martin, Executive Director, Maine Center for Economic Policy, and
- Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist
More information and registration here.
Register to Play in the 20th Annual EdGE Tennis Tournament on Saturday, September 7, at the Northeast Harbor Tennis Club. The Tournament benefits EdGE, the Mission’s signature education program. Taking place from 8 am to 3 pm, the Tournament is composed of men’s doubles and women’s doubles playing at advanced and intermediate levels with eight-player teams competing throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all registered players. Players can register as a team of eight players or as an individual. An organization, business, or person can also sponsor a team or individual. Single player participants will be assigned to a team by the Tournament directors. Interested players can contact Development Operations Associate Devin Mack at dmack@seacoastmission.org or (207) 801-6010 to register.
CEI Women’s Business Center invites you to join Cameron Monaghan, Associate Program Developer, for a virtual information session on Maine’s new mandatory retirement savings program, MERIT: Maine Retirement Investment Trust, June 4th, 1 – 2 pm. Tailored specifically for small businesses, this session aims to guide you through navigating this new state law. Businesses with 5 or more employees must register by the end of June, so now is the best time to learn about this program and prepare your business for its implementation. Learn more and register.
The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) has issued proposed rules interpreting the Paid Family Medical Leave Act, and it’s crucial for employers to stay informed and engaged in this process. Key Points for Employers:
- Review and Understand: The proposed rules contain extensive information that may impact your business.
- Provide Feedback: Identify areas of concern or suggestions for improvement and submit your comments by July 8, 2024.
- Stay Informed: Our Employment Team at Rudman Winchell is reviewing the proposed rules and will keep you updated on any developments.
Your voice matters! Click here to read the full article and find out how you can participate in shaping these regulations.