LEWISTON – The Board Network and Maine Association of Nonprofits is holding its third annual conference Oct. 27 and 28 at the Ramada Conference Center on Pleasant Street.

A feature will be a presentation titled, Enhancing Board Effectiveness: Responding to the New Reality.

The landscape of nonprofit board governance is changing rapidly, with increased regulatory and media scrutiny raising stakeholder accountability.

As a result, the largest governance challenges facing Maine nonprofits are increasing board engagement and enhancing board effectiveness.

This annual board governance conference co-sponsored by the The Board Network and the Maine Association of Nonprofits will provide nonprofit leaders with new resources and ideas to address these critical nonprofit issues.

Keynote addresses are How Maine Nonprofits Can Increase Board Engagement with Judith Miller-Millesen, professor of political science at Ohio University and member of the advisory board for BoardSource; and Nonprofit Boards as Strategic Assets by Thomas Raffio, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Delta Dental, and current board member of many nonprofit organizations.

Session topics include fund raising and board strategies and performance.

Attendance will be limited.

Further information as well as registration forms, fees and information on overnight accommodations may be found at www.nonprofitmaine.org or at The Board Network at 874-1000, extension 329, or e-mail: [email protected].

Real estate group plans seminar about L/A

LEWISTON – The Maine Real Estate & Development Association is presenting a seminar titled “L/A It’s Happening Here!” on Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Bates Mill Complex in Lewiston.

A talk titled “The New Lewiston/Auburn, What’s Happening Here!” will be presented by Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce President Chip Morrison.

There will be a round-table discussion on business partnerships, moderated by Steven Richardson of Androscoggin Bank, with Lewiston Assistant City Administrator Greg Mitchell, Auburn Director of Planning and Permitting Services Lee Jay Feldman, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Executive Director Robert Thompson and Coastal Enterprises Inc. housing developer John Egan.

The president of the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council, Lucien Gosselin, will also speak on the Pine Tree Zones and Free Trade Zones.

There will also be a real estate component, with a residential market presentation by Sharon Millett, owner of Coldwell Banker Millett Realty, and a commercial market presentation by Kevin Fletcher of Coldwell Banker Millett Realty.

The afternoon will wrap up with tours of the Bates Mill and a cocktail hour.

The seminar will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m.