Peace Talk — Summer 2006

The Quarterly Newsletter of Peace Action Maine
Maine Peace Fund Sponsors Maine Department of Peace

The Maine Peace Fund has agreed to be the fiscal sponsor for the Maine Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence (aka Maine DOP). This sponsorship allows Maine DOP to receive tax-deductible donations under the guidelines of non-profit 501(c)3 status, and to pursue grant funding to assist its grassroots efforts of outreach and education.

The Maine campaign for a DOP, an independent, state chapter, is a nonpartisan effort to inform Maine citizens about proposed federal legislation to create a cabinet level U.S. Department of Peace and Nonviolence. The Maine campaign is working to inform Maine citizens of this historic bill that would hold peace as an organizing principle ­ providing skilled peace building consultation, education and service to every level of American society.

Once established, the Department of Peace will work toward creating a culture of peace by researching root causes of violence and promoting justice and democratic principles to expand human rights and the development of human potential. It will strengthen non-military means of peacemaking ­ promoting existing organizations and creating new ones dedicated to best practices of nonviolent intervention, structured mediation, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

The Department will be proactive and strategic in developing policies that promote peaceful resolution of conflict both domestically and internationally. It will address domestic violence — child and spousal abuse, mistreatment of the elderly and drug and alcohol abuse — as well as matters relating to national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention of, amelioration of, and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.

We are very thankful to Maine Peace Fund for their support of our grassroots campaign. We are pleased that 1% of all money received by Maine DOP will go to support the Maine Peace Fund.

Make your tax deductible donation in support of our campaign to Maine Peace Fund, with the memo line clearly marked “For Maine DOP” and mail to:

Maine Peace Fund
PO Box 3842
Portland, Maine 04104

For more exciting updates of the Maine DOP check out our website at www.mainedop.org and for national news go to the website www.dopcampaign.org.

 
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