FARMINGTON – Community-based organizations needing help or just starting out will once again have the opportunity to take a training program offered by the Western Mountains Alliance.

The alliance will present Lead Western Maine, a program in support of community projects, commencing in November. The program, in its third year, conducts six daylong sessions over six months and is self-designed by participants. Its purpose is to assist community leaders working on a start-up project, or to improve existing programs.

Topics covered in past years included fund-raising, marketing, grant-writing and incorporating a non-profit organization. Teams of at least two from each organization attend workshops in Farmington. Past participants have included diverse projects and organizations including Tri-Valley United Way, Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, Western Maine Paper and Heritage Museum Project and Rumford Diabetes Community Education Initiative.

Last year six teams participated including ORGRO Cooperative Enterprises of Canton and the Franklin County Children’s Task Force along with SAD 9.

Lauri Ackley and Michael Small own Fare Share Garden, Greenhouse and Bakery in Canton. They were interested in cooperatively marketing and producing locally grown goods through a non-profit organization – ORGRO.

Ackley said that they were “delighted to take part” and that they learned some valuable information that added to the clarity of what they wanted to do.

“Deb (Burd, executive director of the alliance) did a wonderful job putting the program together,” she said.

Steven Russell of the task force said he had heard good things about the program from past participants and asked Mary Frank, a speech pathologist from SAD 9, to join him to continue their efforts for a pre-kindergarten program for area children.

He cited the advice given about fund-raising as the most valuable learning he gleaned. He changed his annual membership campaign letter to be more concise and direct as a result.

As a result of their experience, Ackley and Small were able to start farmer’s markets through their organization, the River Valley Farmer’s Market Association. In two weeks, their small group wrote a grant and received $2,000 in seed money from the Harvest Fund of the Maine Initiative program. The funds were used for marketing and signage for two markets in Dixfield and Mexico, both of which started in May.

Both Russell and Ackley recommend the program to those looking for some guidance.

“Even for those who just have a rough vision of what they want to do,” said Russell.

“I would recommend it to anyone who needs focus or clarity or someone who’s already established,” agreed Ackley.

People working on community projects in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis and northern Androscoggin counties are eligible to participate. Cost is $250 per person, $500 for groups of three, $750 for groups of four. Application deadline is Oct. 8. More information or an application may be obtained by calling Deborah Burd at the alliance at 778-7274.

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