Doing the Deeper Work of Democracy

There are so many different ways to be involved and engaged right now. I am particularly interested in cutting down on the confusion of people arriving at meetings that are not what they were hoping for. Some video calls are primarily for the purpose of fundraising while listening to inspiring speakers. Some are for the purpose of skill building. Some are direct action (phone banking, postcard writing). You will want to feel clear about the intended purpose of a gathering before you attend so you are not disappointed, confused or frustrated.

**Thursday evenings description: reporting on activity and updates, button making
Canvassing, phone banking, and writing postcards are a piece of the puzzle and important work -and there are MANY opportunities, volunteer shifts and supplies through your local Dems Office: www.mainedems.org/volunteer

Leah, however, is hosting an in person group weekly on Thursdays for *Doing the Deeper Work of Democracy*, educating ourselves, overcoming our shortsightedness, making sense of the complex history fueling the breaking news, improving our leadership skills for sustaining real coalitions, and building the muscles of democracy in ourselves and our relationships.
This meeting is neither for fundraising purposes nor phone banking, it is a *STRATEGIZING & SKILL BUILDING* meeting.

Thursdays, for the foreseeable future, in person, in Portland Leah Deragon will host local democracy & coalition building work from 7:00-8:00
**If you are looking for a zoom meeting, there is one on Mondays

1. check on your voter registration status (teach someone else how to)

2. make an early voting plan (teach someone else how to)

3. make a donation (teach someone else how to)

4. volunteer (teach someone else how to)

5. recruit 10 more people to do the same (teach each of them how to)

Leah Deragon was born and raised in Maine, as were her parents, grandparents and great grandparents. On both sides of her family, all European ancestors migrated through eastern Canada and into the US through northern Maine. She resides in Portland with her husband and two children where she is the co-founder and Program Director of a nonprofit organization called Birth Roots, providing wraparound care and support during the vulnerable window of expectant, new and early parenthood. In this role she has spent 20 years facilitating groups; forging trust and relationships that endure. She is a Class III AmeriCorps NCCC alum and has been a community organizer for more than 30 years. Most recently she has collaborated with Trouble Nation and become a Maine-based organizer hosting weekly meetings called: Doing the Deeper Work of Democracy.