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>Schweitzer-Bluhm led the U.S. Department of State Recruitment Division, building the next generation of U.S. clowns
Husband Todd - Speaker Committee
guest speakers:
Cox - Cancelled
Adm Mike Rogers
About the Forum:
The Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations was organized in 1983 by a small group of area residents with a special interest in the United States role in international affairs. At its first meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following statement of purpose: The purpose of the Forum is to consider all aspects of foreign affairs as they impinge on our national life. Different and controversial views will not be avoided, but Forum analysis will be conducted in a spirit of open, free inquiry, with tolerance for differing views in the best tradition of our democratic heritage. The Forum hopes to contribute to increased knowledge of its members and to a vigorous consideration of foreign policy options facing our nation.
This purpose and the means of accomplishing it were further refined when the Forum was formally established as a non-profit corporation under the laws of Maine in 1988. The articles of incorporation define the purpose of the Forum as: To promote, for the benefit of its members, study and discussion of the development, formulation, and implementation of United States foreign policies by means of a program of speakers, the organization of discussion and study groups, and the production and distribution of relevant materials to the membership.
Membership of the Forum is currently about 300 and the Forum has held more than 445 meetings with invited speakers on all aspect of United States foreign policy and the factors influencing it. The membership includes individuals who have considerable experience in virtually all aspects of international affairs while serving with the United States government, corporations, and private agencies. Writers, physicians, educators, journalists, lawyers, business people, and others seeking to stay informed on international issues are also represented in the membership. Maine high school and university students studying international and foreign affairs are often invited to attend Forum meetings.
The Forum members and their guests meet monthly throughout the year, generally on the second Monday of the month, at the Elks Lodge Event Center Rockland, Maine. Meetings are held over the lunch hour and run from 11:45 AM until approximately 2:00 PM. The format includes a brief social period, speaker’s presentation, and question and answer period followed by a luncheon where members discuss and debate the subject of the presentation with others seated at their table. Speakers typically arrive the day before and are hosted by one of the Forum Directors or by a member who has recommended the speaker.
Forum speakers have included current and former U.S. and foreign government officials, including from the diplomatic corps and the military, representatives of non-governmental international organizations, academicians, working journalists, exchange students, international business-people, and other foreign policy specialists. See the Speakers page for past and upcoming speakers.
The Forum also organizes a monthly discussion group (dubbed the “Lunch Bunch”), which also meets at Elks Event Center. This group provides members a chance to exchange views and information on a foreign relations topic prevalent in the current news. Attendance at this discussion is limited to 30-35 participants on a first-come basis in order to give participants the opportunity to express his or her views in an open and interactive environment. In addition to its monthly meeting and discussion group, the Forum occasionally sponsors other events both for its members and the interested public.
The Board of Directors
Deborah Bedell
Thomas M. Deford, President Emeritus
Tom DeMarco
Cathy Landau-Painter
George Look, President
Ed Neisingh
Sarah B. Rheault, Corporate Secretary
Judy Stein, Comptroller
Matt Storin
Jane M. Strauss
Lee Webb
Ward Wickwire, Treasurer
(See board member bios here)
SPEAKERS COMMITTEE
Matt Storin
Karin Look
Eric Lebson
George Look
Todd Bluhm
>https://www.midcoastforum.org/who-we-are/