This is the AOC Bulletin; the place to keep up with all things advocacy in Aroostook County

The AOC Bulletin:

Veterans Day

Honoring those who served

+ our story, some changes and reminders

Veterans Day

Aroostook Organizers for Change honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We express our deepest gratitude for their courage, sacrifice and dedication to our freedoms.

A statue of soldiers holding a flag on top of a hill

Celebrations from around the area:

101-Year-Old in Bangor Parade

Fort Kent

Presque Isle Elk's

AOC was honored to be featured by Wayside Media LLC

I sat down with Mikaela Henninger, Melanie Tompkins, and Janel Underwood-Charette, co-founders of the Aroostook Organizers for Change to talk about the beginnings of AOC and their goals for the future. From advocating for the preservation (and restoration) of women’s rights to organizing food drives and local deliveries, these women are making sure their voices, and those of everyone else in Aroostook County and beyond, are heard.

This video is the first in a series featuring my interview with these progressive activists where they share their thoughts and feelings about the current state of affairs in local and national politics and how they intend to galvanize change starting with grass-roots movements in Aroostook County.

Stay tuned for more videos featuring my interview with the AOC crew!

https://lucdaigle.net/

Local Democratic Committee goes Inactive

Over the past few months, there has been growing discontent with party politics. Folks who drive the community organizations have become frustrated with playing by the same old rules and losing. It is clear that rulebooks have been thrown out the window and to save our democracy, freedoms and sanity things had to change.

The committee leadership questioned their loyalties. They searched for guidance and support. They asked for others to step in to fill the void. They pushed back on the levers of power.

But in the end, they had to make a tough decision. And they chose their soul; their integrity.

The Presque Isle Democratic Committee unanimously voted this past weekend to go inactive.

The group has emphasized the importance of showing up for the Aroostook Democratic County Committee. The Aroostook Dems will be where our power can be consolidated and utilized to it's fullest force. (Join the next meeting Saturday November 15th at 11am at the Presque Isle Public Library on the 3rd floor)

The Presque Isle Democrats also emphasized their desire to stay engaged, to build community, to support our neighbors, to recruit candidates, and to win elections. They asked Aroostook Organizers for Change to host monthly meetings where brainstorming, strategizing and organizing can continue. And since their purpose aligns well with our mission, we agreed.

AOC is a grassroots organization looking to build online community that sparks real life change. Founded in April 2025 by three moms who were tired of the status quo and feeling alone. Through organizing and sharing local calls to action, peaceful protest demonstrations and hosting social events we have built an inclusive collective that unites rather than divides. At AOC, we are a community where all are welcome and we aim to make all feel heard and seen. AOC supports ALL humans. The only thing we do not tolerate is intolerance. We hope to show that community is power, people are power; and together we can be the change we want to see in the world.

Beginning Saturday December 13th at 10am, AOC will host monthly gatherings to meet this mission. We hope you will join us if these aspirations align with your own.