WATERVILLE -- Anyone wanting to volunteer on community projects this year is invited to attend a free meal and presentation at The Center on Wednesday as part of REM Rally 2007.

Would-be participants have a choice of two sessions: noon to 2:30 p.m. or 6 to 8:30 p.m., according to REM's executive director, Faye Nicholson. She asks that people sign up by calling 873-4444 or by e-mailing rem@rem1.org.

"REM is a network of community-conscious people working to improve the quality of life in mid-Maine through collaboration, welcoming of diversity and respect for the power of ideas and consensus-building," Nicholson said Friday.

REM, the organization, was formed in 1995 -- the acronym stands for "revitalize the energy in Maine."

It hosts weddings and other events, does catering, organizes an annual pool party to benefit the organization and rents space for various activities, among other things.

"REM believes that the best way to predict the future of this community is to create it," Nicholson said.

Wednesday's event will allow people to sign up for teams that do everything from organizing dinners to writing grants, designing posters and decorating wedding cakes.

Nicholson said she welcomes people of all ages. "We're really focusing right now on the young people," she said. "It's really going to be their future."

Wednesday's events also will serve as a celebration of 12 years of community-building and a recommitment to a vision REM created in 1996, according to Nicholson.

That vision was created at a "community catalyst" held at the Opera House in 1996 and attended by 250 people from all over the country. At the time, Nicholson and the catalyst were the subject of a story that appeared in U.S. News & World Report magazine.

At the time participants identified eight goals to be reached by the year 2020, including development of a vibrant economy, excellence in education, and realizing human potential and promotion of arts and entertainment, Nicholson said.

Soup and sandwiches will be served at the noon session Wednesday; Nicholson's husband, Jim, will cook a spaghetti supper for the evening session. Each session will begin with the meal and diners may view pictures on the wall of people involved in the 1996 session. A Powerpoint presentation will include photos of events held over the last several years.

Last year, REM events included a Maine Public Broadcasting Network community forum in the Opera House and the annual meeting of the Kennebec Valley Growth Council, according to Nicholson. She also is planning a professional wrestling match, to be held this spring.

She said that after people sign up for projects (and they will be asked to engage in at least one), participants will learn about a community-building process called "World Cafe."

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com