Meeting opened at 7pm, 3/27,25 (Zoom)
Attendance: Adam Toothaker, Madison Coveno, Martha Morrison, Dan Glover, Ruth
Longnecker, Peter Morgan, Kathy Coughlan, Don Fontaine, Lynn Ellis, Doug Rawlings, Peggy
Akers, Rosalie Paul, Dave Larsen, Richard Clement, Martha Spiess, Dan Ellis, John Morris
Moment of Inspiration: Adam profiled Lucy Stone, Massachusetts activist in the 1800’s who
advocated for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.
Martha Morrison reported on the Climate Crisis Conference to be held at the University of
Southern Maine on April 3, 4, and 5. April 4th will feature a one hour panel discussion on the
merits of converting military manufacturing operations to peaceful products.
She also reported on the May 28th Memorial Day event, also at USM, to be devoted to the
commemoration of veterans killed in war and to the efforts to prevent war in the future. The
event will feature the story of Rob Shetterly’s commitment to the abolition of war by means of
his portraits of antiwar activists in his “Americans Who Tell the Truth” project, and also a
documentary on Estonian independence through peaceful means.
Martha expressed hope to be able to also host a similar event in Kennebunk.
Martha also mentioned that VFP could have a table at the May event.
Rosie expressed her wish that the Chapter pay for Martha’s expenses involved with her work
involved in facilitating the USM events.
Peggy suggested that we could cover the cost of the film about Estonia.
Secretary’s report: Minutes of the February meeting accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Lynn reported the following bank balances as of 3/27:
$2,359.05 in checking account
$5,441.49 in savings account
$41,813.93 in Certificate of Deposit
$49,614.47 total
Membership: Lynn reported that we have six new members including Madison and Ruth for a
total of seventy nine, of which twenty five are paid up at the present time. There are seven
honorary members. Lynn will send letters to those members who have not yet paid their dues.
Payments should be sent to Maine VFP, P.O.Box 927, Brunswick ME 04111.
She mentioned a new policy that anyone new joining VFP National who lives in Maine will be recognized by chapter 001 for a year before being asked to pay chapter dues.
Adam reported that seven Maine Veterans Administration employees were fired but
subsequently rehired and that the trump administration still plans to fire some eighty three
thousand employees and to privatize the VA, but has not done so as yet.
Peter reported on the showing of the film “What I Want You to Know” at the Portland Media
Center. Only ten people attended and unfortunately only the audio portion of the film was able
to be accessed although the video returned for the Q&A following the film.
Peter also reported on Abby Martin’s new film on the military-industrial complex, “Earth’s
Greatest Enemy.” He is waiting for more information from the Sierra Club concerning our
possible sponsoring a showing of the film.
Peter reported that he attended hearings at the State Legislature on the dozens of bills related
to gun safety, in particular three bills that are being focussed on by the Maine Safety Gun
Coalition.They are:
1. LD 677 (Rapid Fire Modification Device Ban)
2. LD1126 (Requiring All Firearms to be Serialized)
3. LD 1109 (Large Capacity Magazine Ban)
Peter felt that the testimony given by the MGSC was effective.
Peter reported on the following actions and events:
- Conservation Lobby Day – April 3rd at the Maine State House – sponsored by Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition. The EPC identifies and acts on policy initiatives to combat
the climate crisis and protect Maine’s environment. Contact Peter for more information. - Gaza vigils every Saturday at 1pm at Longfellow Square,Portland.
- BIW vigils Saturdays until Easter, Washington Street,Bath,11:30–12:30.(exception – last
vigil on Good Friday instead of Saturday). - Greater Portland Indivisible demonstrations every Saturday at 11am at Monument
Square,Portland - Hands Off ! – April 5th demonstration against trump administration policies in Augusta at
the Capitol complex from noon to 2pm. Demonstrations also in Portland,Bangor,Brunswick and
several other locations in Maine. - Penobscot Prayer Walk from Indian Island to Augusta – April 22-29. More details will be
posted on the Chapter listserv as they become available.
Rosie reported that a demonstration against the Israeli genocide in Gaza will be held in
Topsham on April 29th at 1:30pm.
Peggy reported that she attended a celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8th) at
Monument Square in Portland. This year’s theme for events which were held nationwide was
“Her Rights,Our Future,Right Now.” Flowers which were provided by Trader Joe’s were
distributed to passersby.
Peggy also reported that she attended a protest with Portland area nurses on March 20th at
the Portland office of Senator Collins against cuts to Medicaid benefits which are included in
the new Republican party budget proposal.
Adam reported that he has been making some provisional revisions to the Chapter bylaws and
has sent them to Carl Pease for his review and recommendations.
Adam reported that he would provide more details about the National Convention as he
receives them.
Lynn reported that she has submitted our application for a table at the Common Ground Fair
and is waiting for confirmation. She has requested a corner location or two tables if the corner
spot is not available. Doug mentioned the possibility of having a theme for the Fair but nothing
specific was proposed. Peter mentioned that we had a lounge area outside the tent last year
and expressed hope of continuing the practice.We are allotted nine tickets for daily admission
and the chapter will pay for extra tickets if there are more than nine volunteers.
Rosie reported that Brunswick will celebrate Earth Day (Tuesday,April 22nd) on the town green
and that children will build kites as part of the festivities. She asked if our sound system could
be used for the event and if someone from the chapter could assist with setup and running of
the system. The Chapter has agreed to be a co-sponsor of the event.
Peter reported that he will request a representative of Moms Demand Action to attend our
next meeting and hoped that we would consider a donation to the group.
Adam proposed that Peggy Akers be elected to the Chapter Board to replace Don Kimball for
the rest of his term of office. She accepted the nomination and was elected by unanimous vote
of those present.
Doug asked new members Madison and Ruth if they would be willing to share their respective
backgrounds with those at the meeting and both readily did so.
Ruth is a former Navy Nurse. She is an advocate for improved health care for veterans. In
addition she works with Moms Demand Action on educating children about gun safety and also
is an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. She is a resident of Brunswick.
Madison grew up in a military family and is herself a veteran of the Air Force.She has been a
social worker in Massachusetts and currently works with children in the Portland area.She lives
in South Portland.
Doug suggested in honor of Int’l Women’s Day to giving T-shirts to all new female members. Everyone agreed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33pm.
Next meeting IN PERSON in Room 206 of the Curtis Memorial Library,Middle Street,Brunswick
from 3pm to 5pm on Thursday,April 24th, followed by dinner at Byrnes Irish Pub,16 Station
Ave.,Brunswick.The meeting will also be available via Zoom.
