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Read about SUFU's History by monthly summary updates. Each page contains monthly summaries covering a 3 year timeframe. Follow the links at the bottom of each page to read about different years.
1993 September: With support from ANCOR, Paige Barton begins holding monthly meeting for self advocates.
1993 October: Maine's Self Advocacy Network begins. Laurie is hired and starts talking to people around the state about self advocacy.
1993 November: Maine's first Statewide Speaking for Ourselves Conference brings 300 Self Advocates and Supporters to Portland.
1994 January: The Project Advisory Panel holds its first retreat in Orono. Members talk about self advocacy and their dreams for a self advocacy network.
1994 March/April: The Network holds a Leadership Retreat for 100 self advocates and supporters at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. The group talks about self advocacy and how to get it going in Maine. Some of the basic material we use about self advocacy in Maine is from this retreat.
1994 July: Two representatives attend the National Self Advocates Becoming Empowered conference in Alexandria, VA.
1994 November: The Advisory Panel holds a retreat at Sunday River and writes a position statement which demands the state close all of its institutions.
1994 November: Maine's Speaking for Ourselves Conference welcomes 430 self advocates and supporters to Sunday River. The position statement demanding the closure of Maine's institutions is read to an ovation from participants and Department representatives.
1995 June: Region One Self Advocates sponsor the first regional self advocacy conference, in Presque Isle.
1995 Maine and New Hampshire Self Advocates join forces to plan a 1997 Northern New England Conference.
1995 Fall: An advisors network begins, to support friends of self advocacy to learn about advising and help supporters stay in touch. Advisors meet quarterly throughout the year for an exchange of information and ideas.
1995 November: Over 430 people come to the November Speaking for Ourselves Conference at Sunday River.
1996 February: The Advisory Panel and Officers for Speaking for Ourselves meet to discuss the future of self advocacy in Maine. They join forces and incorporate as Speaking Up For Us of Maine.
1996 Spring: Regions Two, Four, Five and Six each hold a region wide event, bringing self advocates from their areas together.
1996 Spring: Pineland Center closes. There are more than 20 local self advocacy groups in Maine.
1996 May: The Board and advisors for Speaking Up For Us meet to plan what to do for the future of self advocacy in Maine.
1996 June: The initial grant to support Maine's Self Advocacy Network comes to an end. The group is poised to find a fiscal agent and hire its own advisors.
1996 Fall: The Second Self Advocates Becoming Empowered National Conference is Planned for Tulsa, OK. Maine sends two representatives in the fall.
1996-1997: Speaking Up For Us flounders without the support to carry out its goals. Local groups disintegrate and members lose touch with each other.
Your are on the 1993 - 1996 Timeline, to read more follow the links below: