Membership Has Its Privileges … & Responsibilities!
by Barbara Rankins, MAIN Leadership Team
Most of us have heard the commercial that
says, “Membership has its privileges.”
Certainly, this rings true if you are a member
of MAIN!
MAIN membership makes us all part of an
awesome team of people. MAIN brings the
voices of those who are not heard - as
often or as loudly as they should be
- on issues that affect people with low
income. Members get action alerts about
legislation and ideas on how to best
respond. They also help to decide MAIN’s
position on proposed legislation or other public
policies.
MAIN is represented by an expert team of
advocates at Maine Equal Justice Partners.
MEJP is MAIN’s eyes and ears at the State
House in Augusta. MEJP tells us what’s
going on so MAIN members can help make
decisions that are best for people with low
income.
MAIN members assist each other in so
many ways. Your donations help remove
the financial obstacles of child care or gas to
get to meetings. We share information about
resources and offer opportunities to improve
skills that make it easier to be involved.
Members work to improve MAIN’s strong
network of individuals and organizations.
Reading just one issue of the MAIN Update
newsletter will show you what a strong team
we have working with us. Throw in the very
low cost of membership dues (whatever
amount you can afford) and I think you will
agree that it is a valuable membership.
These are some of the many privileges MAIN
members enjoy. However, my point in writing
is to remind members of our responsibilities
too.
In order to get the most out of membership, we
must carry the messages forward!
Here’s what members can do:
- Share action alerts with others in your
organization, neighborhood, or wherever
people meet.
- Respond to the action alerts yourself if the
issue affects you.
- Encourage people to testify at hearings or
to send in written testimony.
- Pass your MAIN Update newsletter on
to a co-worker or friend or put it in your
local library.
- Attend MAIN monthly meetings to get
informed and to help make decisions.
Bring a friend.
- Sponsor someone to attend a conference
to learn more skills, such as MAIN’s
Conference on November 6th.
- Make those quick toll-free phone calls to
legislators when needed and ask others to
do the same.
- Make regular visits to the MAIN
and MEJP websites.
MAIN members need to rely on each other in
order to be the best organized force we can be!
We must stand together. A single voice may
not be heard, but an entire room full of people
is impossible to ignore!
Please make use of your MAIN membership
and enjoy its privileges. Please also remember
that you are part of the team, and that team
needs YOU!
Fill out the MAIN
membership form. Make a donation in whatever amount is best for you. Whether
you can donate or not, choose ways listed above to be part of MAIN’s growing
team!
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