The Maine Islands Coalition (MIC) is a collaboration of island communities, facilitated by Island Institute staff, that discusses and, when possible, reaches consensus on issues brought forward by its appointed community representatives.
Initiated at a meeting hosted by the Institute in the fall of 2002, and formally organized in 2003, the Maine Islands Coalition sets its own agenda and schedules meetings four to five times a year. The purpose of the group is to provide a consistent—if not always unified—voice for islands in Augusta, to the press, and to outside groups. Since islands are generally sparsely populated, this provides a group of citizens with common interests and problems a stronger voice at the state level.
Maine Islands Coalition representatives are selected by town officials in order to make sure that the representatives are somehow accountable to the people they represent. A term of appointment lasts three years, and there are no term limits.
MIC Representatives
MIC representatives and alternates are appointed or elected by the governing officials of the town or in the case of non-municipal islands, a local association or civic group of the community.
Bob Earnest—Chebeague, MIC Member
Beverly Johnson—Chebeague, MIC Alternate
Roger Berle—Cliff Island, MIC Member
Cheryl Crowley—Cliff Island, MIC Alternate
Ingrid Gaither—Cranberry Isles, MIC Member
Rachel Bishop—Frenchboro, MIC Alternate
Jan Keiper—Frenchboro, MIC Member
Kate Ford—Great Diamond Island, MIC Member
Tracy Sommers—Great Diamond Island
Kendra Chubbuck— Isle au Haut, MIC Co-Chair
Peggi Stevens—Isle au Haut, MIC Alternate
Nancy Alexander—Islesboro, MIC Member
Mike Nelson—Islesboro, MIC Alternate
Janice Avignon—Long Island, MIC Member
Mark Greene—Long Island, MIC Alternate
Eva Murray—Matinicus, MIC Member
Laurie Webber—Matinicus, MIC Alternate
Carley Feibusch—Monhegan, MIC Member
Jim Buccheri—Monhegan, MIC Alternate
Ellen Mahoney—Peaks, MIC Co-Chair
Faith York—Peaks, MIC Alternate
Laurie Farley—Swan’s Island, MIC Member
Olivia Jolley—Swan’s Island, MIC Alternate
Marjorie Stratton—Vinalhaven, MIC Member
Catherine Haley—Vinalhaven, MIC Alternate
Gabe McPhail—Vinalhaven, MIC Alternate
2025 Meeting Schedule
Dates could be subject to change depending on speaker availability.
- January 7th (Jan 9th alternate date)—in-person in Augusta, all day
- March 13th at 5:00 PM—Island EMS/EMT services and transport (hosted on Zoom)
- May 15th, 5:00pm-6:30 PM—Materials Management (hosted on Zoom)
- September 19th, 10:00am – 2:00pm—in-person in Rockland
Meeting Notes
2024
2023
- November 17 – Substance Use Disorder
- October 20 – Planning
- September 22 – Island Transportation
- May 19 – Water Quality
- March 29 – GOPIF/Island Updates
- January 20 – GLIA Summit Learning and Lessons
- February 24 – Lobster, Mid-Winter, and More
2022
- November 18 – Fellows
- October 21 – Lobster
- September 22 – Creative Housing and Workforce Solutions
- May 20 – Emergency Services
- April 22 – Electrifying Ferries (Casco Bay Lines Presentation)
- February 18 – Island Stores
2021
- November 11 – Housing
- October 29 – Succession Planning
- September 17 – Island Broadband
- May 21 – Maine Won’t Wait Climate Report
- April 23 – American Recovery Act
- February 19 – Vaccine Prep
2020
General Meetings
- October 16 – Great Lakes Islands Alliance
- September 18 – Education and Community Support for Schools
MIC Coronavirus Response Meetings
2019
2018
For more information about the Maine Islands Coalition, please contact:
Kate Tagai
Senior Community Development Director
Island Institute
Email: ktagai@islandinstitute.org
Phone: (207) 594-9209, ext. 116
