Blueprint explains plans
As members of the Steering Committee of the Blueprint Project, we were disappointed that Lance Tapley’s portrayal of the project ignored the positive goals, strategies, and vision of Blueprint. (See “The Left is Reorganizing”).
To clarify, Maine Blueprint is a strategy for increasing the scale and sophistication of progressive organizations while advancing public policies that mean a better future for Mainers: affordable health care; a clean and healthy environment; equality; a strengthened education system; and, innovative tax equity and economic development.
As a strategy rather than an entity, Blueprint is designed to strengthen existing organizations and promote collaboration among social-change advocates. An open, nine-month planning process which included over 100 people and 40 organizations resulted in an ambitious plan which included:
1. Strategic communications and policy. We’re putting a team of experienced communications and policy coordinators on the ground to support Maine organizations, and developing collaborative media campaigns on key issues.
2. Civic engagement and organizing. We’re investing in building a long-term state-wide coalition that is supported by community-based organizing efforts to dramatically expand the numbers of citizens actively engaged in social change.
3. Strategic research and analysis. We’re using sophisticated public-opinion polling and demographic data to guide all strategies.
4. Leadership development. We’re recruiting new leadership and providing training and technical assistance to advance nonprofit-sector leadership.
Blueprint will help us do our work better, together. And in doing so, will have a positive impact on Maine families and communities.
On behalf of the Blueprint Steering Committee,
Mike Belliveau
Tammy Greaton
Sarah Standiford
Kit St. John
MaryAnne Turowski
Joan Welsh
Choose other stories to write
There are hundreds of Maine stories waiting to be told: stories about families choosing between food and health care coverage, stories about our changing communities and collective response in the face of hate, stories about Maine’s transitioning economy and what that means for our children and the future.
So it’s surprising that from among these stories — stories whose telling could have a broad impact on our communities — the Portland Phoenix has instead chosen to tell the story — twice — of disgruntled employees and their quest for publicity. In doing so the Phoenix has attacked — twice — the work of a respected leader of Maine and challenged the integrity of dozens of organizations whose commitment to social change and years of influence far predate the Portland Phoenix.
Joanne D’Arcangelo needs no defense against Tapley’s tepid accusations. Her twenty-year record of respected leadership in this state, across broad issues and for multiple organizations speaks for itself. Her record includes five prominent awards and four executive positions. The foundations and organizations whom you additionally criticize themselves far predate the Phoenix and their histories of achievement are unmatched.
We simply write to remind the Phoenix that your quest for edginess runs the risk of making the paper even less relevant. It discounts the important stories whose telling could have a real impact in people’s lives.
