[MHTF] Consumer Council development - time sensitive

Mon Oct 22 07:32:00 PDT 2007

Hello to All,

You may already know about this development of the Consumer Council System of Maine.  There is a due date for applications from Region 1 Thursday, Oct 25 if you are interested in participating on the council.  There is an informational meeting tomorrow in Portland and a regional meeting will be held in Old Orchard Beach on Nov 2 (overlaps with our MHTF meeting but it is important to have this representation.)

Deb

Did you know that the Consumer Council System of Maine is now up and running?

The Statewide Consumer Council has met twice already and folks attending the Regional Meetings are working towards development of Local Councils.  You may be asking:

Ø  "What the heck is this Consumer Council System anyways?                                                                                         How can I get involved?"

Simply, come to the next Regional Meeting in your area to find out more, or, invite our Outreach Worker, Vickie McCarty to speak to your group or organization to tell you more. Dates and locations of Regional Meetings are listed below. There will also be a free informational Soup and Sandwich gathering at Amistad in Portland in Region 1 to be held  October 23rd. Details are also listed at the end of this email.

You are an important voice at the Regional meetings and will be instrumental in helping to develop the Local Councils.  

Ø  "So what are these Local Councils and why should I be interested?" 

The Local Councils will work to address the specific needs of consumers of mental health services in your area.  Imagine a Consumer Council System that gives YOU, a consumer of mental health services, a strong voice in the issues that effect your recovery. That is what this is all about! 

Remember, this is YOUR council system and you can now choose to be the change you want to see.  Be a part of the solution by getting involved in the Consumer Council System of Maine!

You are cordially invited to join us at the next Regional Meeting in your area. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Details on dates and locations are listed at the end of this email.

And, thank you, in advance, for helping spread the word to others. Tell everyone you know about the Consumer Council System of Maine meeting in your region. Be a part of the transformation! 

Are you interested in running as a candidate for the Statewide Consumer Council System of Maine to represent consumers in your region?

The purpose of the Statewide Consumer Council is to Influence public policy and address community issues affecting the lives of consumers of mental health services as prioritized by the Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM). The Statewide Consumer Council will organize agendas and meetings, assure staffing and oversee the implementation of the decisions of the full Consumer Council System of Maine. The Statewide Council will ensure that communication flows to and from the Statewide Consumer Council and Local Councils.

There are a few more seats to be filled. If you are from a county listed below, and identify as a consumer of mental health services, then you are eligible to run. 

Seats still to be filled include:

Region 1:  

CSN  6 - Cumberland County 

CSN 7 - York County 

1 At large representative (This person can be from either Cumberland or York County)

Region 2: 

CSN 4:  Sagadahoc, Waldo, Knox, or Lincoln Counties

Region 3: 

CSN1 (Aroostook County) 

CSN 1 (Hancock, Washington, Penobscot, or Piscataquis Counties) 

1 at large representative (This person can be from Aroostook, Hancock, Washington, Penobscot or   Piscataquis Counties)

If you are interested in running for one of the above seats in your region, call (207) 699-6011 to request a copy of the application form.  You may also request an application via email by writing:  info at transformationinme.org. 

All candidates will have the opportunity to speak for 5 minutes to consumers attending the upcoming Regional Meeting.. This will give you an opportunity to tell why you are the best candidate to represent consumers in your region.. You also will have time to meet and greet people at the Regional Meeting.  Elections will take place at the Regional Meeting. If you know others that may be interested in running for the Statewide Consumer Council, be sure to tell them about the elections and the application deadline. Applications must be received no later than October 25th, 2007

Questions?      Call Vickie McCarty at (207) 393-7095 

 REGIONAL MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS:

Please join us for the Regional Meeting in your area:

Region 1:  

Friday, November 2, 1 to 4 PM at the Old Orchard Beach Town Hall, Old Orchard Beach 

Directions: The Older Orchard Beach Town Hall is located at 1 Portland Avenue in Old Orchard Beach. Take Exit 36 off I-95 toward Saco/Old Orchard Beach. Follow for about 3 miles. I-95 E becomes ME-5 E/Ocean Park Road. Turn left onto Me-5E/Saco Ave. Follow 1.7 miles to the Old Orchard Beach Town Hall. The phone number at the Town Hall is 934-5714.  

Region 2:

Wednesday, October 31, 1 to 4 PM at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, Augusta, 

Directions: The Pine Tree State Arboretum is located at 153 Hospital Street in Augusta. It is across from the AMHI campus (Riverview). Take Exit 109 off of 95 onto Western Avenue towards Augusta. Follow Western Avenue to second rotary/roundabout.  Take the first right off the rotary onto Stone Street/ME-17/Route 9. Follow Route 9 about 1.2 miles to the Arboretum which will be on your left. A map is available on their website www.pinetreestatearboretum.org/map.html  For more specific directions, you can call the Arboretum at (207) 621-0031

Region 3:

Thursday, November 1, 1 to 4 PM at the Bangor Motor Inn, Bangor

Directions:  The Bangor Motor Inn is located on Hogan Road in Bangor.  Take exit 187 off of I95 head toward the mall.  The Bangor Motor Inn just beyond the mall on the right hand side, directly across the street from K-mart. The phone number for the Bangor Motor Inn is:  (207) 947-0355

Consumer Council System of Maine Informational Gathering:  

Free Soup and Sandwich informational gathering Tuesday, October 23rd, 5 to 7 PM, at Amistad, 66 State Street, 2nd floor. Meet Statewide Consumer Council Representatives. These consumers were voted in by consumers to represent YOU!  They will tell you more about the Consumer Council System of Maine and answer your questions. For more information, call 207-773-1956. Ask for Simonne Maline, Chuck Veit or Charlene Stafford.  If you live in York or Cumberland counties, be sure to join us on Oct. 23rd. 

Watch for upcoming details of a Region 3 Informational Gathering in Aroostook County.

For further information about the Consumer Council System of Maine contact:

Vickie McCarty (207) 393-7095    e-mail: vmccarty at transformationinme.org   

www.TransformationInMe.org

Funding for the Consumer Council System of Maine is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adult Mental Health Services   

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