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MAINE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
>
> P.O. BOX 17533, PORTLAND, ME 04112
>
> WWW.MAINEBLUEPRINT.ORG
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> August 1, 2007
>
> CONTACT: Sarah Standiford 207-622-0851 (office) 207-837-2609 (cell)
>
> Honorable Benjamin Dudley hired as Executive Director of Maine Civic
> Engagement Project
>
> Dudley Takes the Reins of Growing Collaborative of Non-profit
> Organizations
>
> Augusta, Maine - Leaders of the Maine Civic Engagement Project (also
> known as Maine Blueprint) announced with great enthusiasm the hire of
> Ben Dudley as Executive Director. Dudley will begin his duties on
> August 13th.
>
> "Our partners are tremendously excited about Ben Dudley's leadership of
> this collaborative," said Sarah Standiford, committee chair. "Ben's
> leadership skills, his impressive track record in public policy, and his
> ability to unite diverse people and organizations will ensure the growth
> of our movement for positive social change."
>
> Ben Dudley comes to the position with a strong background. Ben served
> for eight years in the Maine Legislature representing Portland's East
> End. During his term in office, Dudley served on the Appropriations,
> Banking and Insurance and Health and Human Services Committees. He also
> served on the Property Tax Reform Committee and the 2003 Select
> Committee on Health Care Reform.
>
> While in office, Dudley was a leader in the passage of legislation
> mandating comprehensive mental health coverage in insurance plans;
> providing access to health insurance for domestic partners; expanding
> the enrollment in the low-income property tax relief program; promoting
> the use of clean vehicle fuels and repealing Maine's statute of
> limitations for civil prosecutions of sexual abuse of a minor.
>
> "I'm thrilled to be working with so many effective Maine leaders and
> their organizations," said Dudley. "Their joint commitment to establish
> the Maine Civic Engagement Project signals an exciting new level of
> collaboration to shape public policies to the benefit of all Maine
> people."
>
> Dudley most recently served as Chairman and CEO of the Maine Democratic
> Party. He has also worked with the Maine Legal Services for the Elderly
> as their MaineCare Outreach Specialist to boost enrollment in Maine's
> Medicaid and drug assistance programs, and was the Political Director
> for Chellie Pingree's U.S. Senate race.
>
> Launched by leaders of 40 Maine organizations one year ago, the Maine
> Civic Engagement Project was born out of deep concern for democracy and
> a belief in the progressive community's potential to work together more
> effectively for sustainable social change. The Maine Civic Engagement
> Project is a non-partisan, long-term strategy to advance public policies
> that will bring a better future for all Mainers.
>
> The Maine Civic Engagement Project is creating a stronger, more vibrant
> non-profit community in the following ways:
>
>
>
> 1. Sophisticated research and analysis to ensure that civic engagement
> work is driven by strategies ground in sound research including
> targeting analysis, a comprehensive state-wide civic participation voter
> file, and polling data.
>
> 2. Strategic communications and policy programs to articulate a
> compelling vision for positive change and an ambitious series of
> coordinated training and media campaigns that will advance that vision.
>
> 3. Civic engagement and organizing that will dramatically expand the
> numbers of citizens actively engaged in policy change.
>
> 4. Building strong organizations and recruiting new leadership by
> providing training and technical assistance to identify and groom new
> leaders.