The Maine Right to Life Committee (MRLC), is the state affiliate of National Right to Life Committee and is a statewide non-profit corporation. MRLC was founded to protect and uphold the dignity and worth of each human life from conception to natural death. WE seek to uphold the inviolable sanctity of human life from conception to natural death by making abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia socially, ethically, and legally unacceptable and to actively promote positive alternatives.
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MRLC BOARD MEMBERS
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MRLC Staff
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We are people who believe in the sanctity and worth of all human life; challenged to convince others in the truth of this belief and committed to effect life-affirming change. We work to accomplish our goals through:
EDUCATION
Education is the keystone of MRLC's programs. MRLC educates and informs the public about abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.
SOCIAL ACTION
Through its educational programs, MRLC seeks to protect human life and build a caring compassionate society which will recognize the problems of women, children and families and will offer positive alternatives to the destruction of human life.
ORGANIZATION
MRLC identifies, educates and mobilizes the pro-life population of Maine, building an informed community and an effective organization to restore respect and protection for all human life. MRLC strives to involve each member in its vital programs.
POSITION ON NON-VIOLENCE
Maine Right to Life strongly condemns acts of violence or threats aimed at abortion clinics or abortion clinic workers. MRLC does not participate in or promote protests outside abortion clinics. We have consistently condemned violence outside abortion clinics. MRLC bylaws state that membership be barred to those who engage in or promote illegal activity. However, we fully support the First Amendment rights to peaceful, legal protest.
MRLC WEBSITE:
The MRLC’s newly updated webpage provides an essential communication link with MRLC's supporters across the state. The webpage provides accurate, up-to-date news and information about the important life issues as well as positive steps for grassroots involvement. All state and federal elected officials contact information is available. www.MaineRightToLife.com <http://www.mainerighttolife.com/> provides visitors with current state legislative news and action alerts, current stories making headlines locally, nationally and internationally, educational graphic images of fetal development at all stages of gestation as well as graphic images of abortion. The webpage also connects with broadband and dial-up connection so that visitors can view the television commercial being aired all over Maine as part of our educational fund’s activities.
RESOURCE CENTER
The MRLC Resource Center is used extensively by MRLC members, chapters, students, schools, churches, hospitals, and professionals. Many local right to life chapters also maintain resource centers in their communities. The state Resource Center includes the following:
Resource Library encompassing:
- copies of all major books on abortion, infanticide and euthanasia currently in use for distribution to members, chapters and the public.
- a comprehensive book lending library.
- in-depth vertical information file on numerous aspects of the life issues.
- subscription copies of principal publications which deal with the life issue.
Audio-Visual Lending Library:
The Audio-Visual Lending Library is an extensive resource with new items continuously being added. The MRLC Audio-Visual Lending Library is extremely popular and widely used. The collection is utilized by students, churches, chapters and community organizations. The library includes a variety of educational and motivational videos suitable for a variety of audiences.
BOOTHS AND DISPLAYS
MRLC develops, produces and maintains professional displays and staffs them at appropriate major state conventions as well as at a number of church, school and civic functions, and agricultural fairs across the state.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
MRLC develops, publishes and promotes a variety of educational materials for distribution by the state office.
CITIZEN EDUCATION
MRLC educates people on the American system of government and how they can be effective as citizen lobbyists, voters and members of political parties. This continuing education is carried on in the newsletter and website. MRLC also provides information on their website about public officials' voting records on the various life issues and well as candidates’ responses to pre-election questionnaires on current life issues.
DRAFTING AND PROMOTING LEGISLATION
MRLC's statewide structure is uniquely and ideally suited for coordinating support for pro-life legislation as well as blocking legislation harmful to the protection of life.
UPDATE E-MAILINGS AND ACTION ALERTS
Periodic information emails and action alerts are sent from the MRLC state office to MRLC leaders and other pro-life activists throughout the state, apprising them of the latest developments regarding the life issues and enabling them to alert their local groups and members when necessary. This statewide communications network is essential to effective education and action.
LOBBYING
MRLC tries to maintain a presence in the State Capitol by monitoring legislation and lobbying when necessary. MRLC seeks to inform and educate lawmakers about the various life issues and the effect of proposed legislation.
PROVIDING EXPERT TESTIMONY
MRLC arranges for expert testimony at legislative and other public hearings. MRLC representatives participate in hearings and public meetings on all levels of government. MRLC is also available for consultation with government leaders and MRLC representatives have met with numerous national, state and local public officials to discuss the life issues.
MRLC CONVENTION
The MRLC State Convention provides an extensive and intensive pro-life educational experience. The convention brings to Maine nationally recognized leaders and offers a variety of seminars on numerous aspects of the bioethical issues.
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA
News releases are sent to radio, TV and newspaper outlets regularly, providing information and comment on events involving the life issues. News conferences are held when necessary to provide the media with timely comment on important happenings. Newspaper ads are placed in appropriate publications to educate the people of Maine. Chapters also use advertising opportunities at the local level. MRLC spokespeople constantly are called upon for media interviews with local and national journalists and commentators. MRLC leaders also participate regularly in radio and TV programs.
HANDS AROUND THE CAPITOL RALLY AND JANUARY 22 ACTIVITIES
Each year MRLC sponsors a Hands Around the Capitol rally on the Saturday closest to January 22 to commemorate the lives lost as a result of the Roe vs. Wade decision. The rally not only helps pro-lifers renew their commitment to the cause, but also publicly demonstrates that commitment to the news media and the general public. Local chapters participate in and sponsor a variety of events.
MRLC also sponsors an annual bus trip to Washington,D.C. for participation in the national March for Life on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Each year MRLC is joined by more and more teens joining us in the public witness and pilgrimage for life.
MRLC STATE OFFICE AND STAFF
A central office and professional staff are essential to generate, maintain and expand effective programs to successfully educate and coordinate grassroots action on the life issues. The office serves as a clearinghouse for pro-life information in Maine. Staff and volunteers respond to countless written and phone requests for information by individuals and organizations around Maine and across the country. The small but dedicated staff and many loyal volunteers spend a great deal of time providing this essential service. The office is also the center for all of MAINE RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE'S service programs for the local members and chapters as well as the MAINE RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATION FUND, and the MAINE RIGHT TO LIFE PAC and their activities.
COOPERATION WITH SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
MRLC cooperates with and assists social service groups such as Birthline, CareNet, Hope House, pregnancy support centers, and adoption agencies by publicizing their presence, providing forums for their message, and maintaining a referral listing. MRLC encourages its members and chapters to become involved in a variety of projects aiding women with stressful pregnancies and assisting the handicapped and the elderly.
MRLC FUNDING
The bulk of MRLC's budget comes from modest donations from individual contributing members. Chapters help fund statewide activities by contributing monies raised through projects at the local level. MRLC also gratefully accepts donations from other groups which share our philosophy and wish to support our work.
MRLC has been a success because thousands of dedicated pro-lifers have been willing to support it with their funds and their active participation. The diverse and far-reaching activities sponsored by MRLC require continuing and broad-based financing, as well as the best efforts of every citizen concerned with protecting the inherent human rights and dignity of each human being.
The Maine Right to Life Committee Educational Fund (MRLCEF), a statewide non-profit corporation, was founded to educate the general public of the facts concerning abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and now stem cell research and human cloning.
PRO-WOMAN AND PRO-CHILD
Let's Love Them Both
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