In these difficult times, even non-profit directors, their staff and boards need to be proactive in guiding their organizations and leveraging their dollars and resources to their best advantage.　

The University of Maine Hutchinson Center’s Nonprofit Certificate Management program is offering the workshop, "Strategic Planning and Management in the Nonprofit Organization" on June 10th. This day-long course begins at 8:30 am and ends at 4:00 pm. The focus of this workshop will be on understanding the planning, design, implementation, evaluation and maintenance process of a non-profit organization.  This body of knowledge will help non-profit staff and leaders create and build a more effective organization.  Visioning, setting organizational goals and creating or revising the mission statement will also be included in the session.  Each participant will learn the steps required to put together a workable strategic plan for his or her organization.

Historic Artifacts, Contemporary Art Featured at Searsport's Penobscot Marine Museum

Maine's oldest marine museum will open for its 75th year on Friday, May 27, with new exhibits ranging from contemporary art to historic artifacts. Penobscot Marine Museum will host a free reception at 5:30 p.m. on opening day to give visitors a taste of this year's exhibits and a chance to meet some of the exhibiting artists and the museum's new executive director.

On April 30 Senator Christopher Rector,Thomaston, hosted the Midcoast Leadership Academy, Class 4, at the State Housein Augusta for their "Government Day".  Robin McIntosh and Lori Roming, coordinators of the program, lead the group through debates on the Bottle Redemption Repeaquestion in the morning, followed by a State House tour.  Senator Rector gave a bird’s eye viewof the legislature and how both the House and Senate work.  A follow-up debate on the Right to Work question closed out the morning.　The afternoon included lunch in the Cross Café, Committee session observations and a Q & A with Senator Rector.　 Representative Erin Herbig, Belfast, made an unexpecte visit to welcome the MLA class and to share her inspiring experience as first-term state representative.