Articles of Alliance.

Mission: What We’re Doing

Create a working alliance that depolarizes Maine, and is a movement for reducing political polarization and restoring civic trust.

Voluntary agreement with and adherence to these articles, particularly our core values, are key to honest, value-added participation and, ultimately, the success of this alliance.

Core Values: Our Compass

We are only as good as the values we hold and the actions they guide...

• Integrity and honesty to build a shared foundation of trust and confidence

• Courage to engage with those who have different viewpoints

• Respect and humility to accept other viewpoints

• Commitment to work toward responsible citizenship

• Service toward achieving common good

Vision: What Success Looks Like

• Create an environment in Maine politics that:

  • Defends and strengthens democratic values and principles

  • Recognizes civic responsibility

  • Supports unifying civic engagement

  • Encourages contribution to resolving community challenges

  • Adheres to our core values

• Create a voting coalition/block sufficient to insist upon and drive collaborative behavior and principled conduct in politics and by politicians

Goals: What We Must Accomplish to Achieve the Vision

• Change Maine political dynamics to mirror our core values, vision, and goals

• Break the cycle of polarized behavior

• Principled conduct is prized and rewarded above personal benefit

• Strengthen and build upon areas of common ground

Bridging the Divide: Conditions Necessary for Success

• Shared desire to do so (shared sense of the same problem)

• Shared values and principles

• Common goals and vision

• Shared commitment to factual understanding

• Balanced representation of red/blue viewpoints (sense of fairness and inclusion in spite of differing opinions)

Guiding Principles: Methods We Use to Accomplish Our Mission

• Country before party

• Core values guide our conduct

• Be brave - engage with those with whom we disagree

• Create a safe space/forum for a respectful exchange of viewpoints and ideas

• Build a foundation of trust

• Actively work to identify and develop areas of common ground

• Every member has an important voice to be heard

• Every member is a leader:

  • Lead from where you are comfortable in each situation – the front, beside, or from behind

  • Be accountable and hold others accountable

• Communications skills for bridging and relationship building (learn, practice and share):

  • Seek understanding - curiosity to understand the other

  • Actively listen with an open mind - make sure everyone concerned feels seen and heard

  • Actively show respect - body language, tone of voice - reflection before reaction

  • Speak from experience ( instead of information or ideas)

  • Aim for a sense of connection and understanding, not changing minds or convincing

  • Enjoy the process - make space for humor and personal sharing on light-hearted topics

• Develop and support political principles that unite rather than divide us