Western Maine Active Communities Conference
Help to transform your town! Active Communities integrate physical activity opportunities into community planning, transportation, and land use decisions. They enhance health and well-being, economic prosperity, public safety, and academic performance. Learn more about how we can change our towns into Active Communities and bring these benefits to western Maine.
Why should you attend?
- It's free! We're happy to be able to offer free registration and share the valuable information covered in the conference sessions with anyone with the time and interest to attend.
- Continuing Education Units! Professionals in need of CEUs will be assisted by conference organizers in obtaining credit for attending.
- Connect with resources and partners! Educational displays and partners will be on hand to share information on funding sources, helpful programs, and potential partners for active community work.
- Build on what you learned last year! If you attended the 2013 Conference, many more learning opportunities are available for you this year. Conference sessions are designed both for people who are already involved with active community concepts and groups as well as thosewho are just learning about active communities.
Who should attend this event?
- Business owners
- Town managers, planners & councils
- Elected officials
- Students, school board members & faculty
- Professionals in the fields of economic development, public health, transportation, parks & recreation, public works, and public safety
- 2013 Conference Attendees
- Anyone interested in improving their community in western Maine
Conference Agenda
11:30am – 12pm – Registration and Lunch
12:00-12:50 - Keynote: The Oxford County Moves Campaign
1:00-1:50 – Breakout Session One
ACE Team Recruitment & Sustainability - South Dining Room. Panelists: Doug Beck, Jim Tasse
The Process of Decision-Making - Gibson Room. Panelists: David Holt, Gabe Perkins, Dan Stewart, Peter Southam
2:00-2:50 - Breakout Session Two
Funding Sources - South Dining Room. Panelists: Dan Stewart, Chris Wolff, Mick Rogers
Assessment Tools - Gibson Room. Panelists: Alex Miller, Jim Tasse, Laurie Bailey
Pedestrian Audit Session 1 - Outside (Meet in Lobby). Walk led by Darcy Whittemore
3:00-3:50 - Breakout Session Three
ACE Teams 101 for Municipal Officials - South Dining Room. Panelists: Mark Stevens, Doug Beck
Youth Engagement: Biking and Walking Programs, Skills, and Safety - Gibson Room. Panelists: Andrew Greif, Jim Tasse, Darcy Whittemore
Pedestrian Audit Session 2 - Outside (Meet in Lobby). Walk led by Joan Walton
4:00-4:50 – Breakout Session Four
Low-Hanging Fruit for New ACE Teams - South Dining Room. Panelists: Doug Beck, Abby King, Darcy Whittemore
Single-Track Trails - Gibson Room. Panelists: Jim Tasse, Pete Toohey, John Harvey, Mike Cooper
5:00-5:30 Plenary: ACE Team Success Stories
Featured Speakers: Angela Harvey, Rachel Follansbee, Dave Bean
More about Active Community Environments
Active Community Environments (ACEs) are places where people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to live, work and play in a safe and inviting place which enables physically active recreation and transportation, particularly walking and biking. These places:
- Support and promote physical activity for all people
- Have sidewalks, safe roads for biking, multi-use paths and trails, parks and open spaces, and facilities for recreation
- Have quality connections between homes, stores, workplaces, schools, downtowns and/or village centers
- ACEs help people to be more physically active. They create a vibrant community atmosphere that enables healthy lifestyles, social interaction, environmental quality and economic prosperity.
Who is organizing the conference?
This event is brought to you by a collaborative effort between the Oxford County Active Community Environment Team (ACET), and the Western Maine Community Transformation Grant (CTG) Program. The ACET group, a part of the Oxford County Wellness Collaborative, is a dedicated core of individuals from across Oxford County who are working to improve opportunities for active living. The Western Maine CTG Program, funded by the CDC, is a public health partnership that is also devoted to increasing physical activity in Oxford, Franklin, and Androscoggin counties.
Lead coordination for this event is being provided by The Bicycle Coalition of Maine.