Service News
The McKeen Center's Service Newsletter is regularly updated with information and updates regarding volunteer opportunities, events, educational and professional resources, and other opportunities to participate in community engagement and public service within the Bowdoin community, Greater Brunswick area, and beyond.
Bowdoin Opportunities
Bowdoin and the Common Good Symposium
Thursday, May 9, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Morrell Lounge, Smith Union
Join the McKeen Center and departments across Bowdoin to celebrate student engagement with communities through service, courses, and research! Through posters, presentations, photographs, and video, students will share what they have learned and achieved while exploring the common good at Bowdoin and beyond. Treats from Cafe Creme and Gelato Fiasco will be available, and from 3:00 – 4:00 PM we’ll be joined by a team of therapy dogs!
Join the Inaugural Bowdoin Powwow!
Saturday, May 4, 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Main Quad
Join the inaugural Bowdoin Powwow this Saturday! The Native American Students Association, with support from members of the Bowdoin community and members of the Ashkenazi/Anishinaabe and Cherokee Nation, will be hosting this inter-tribal event.
A powwow is a community celebration that is open to all walks of life. It is a time to connect; a time to celebrate; to come together in ceremony; and to honor traditions that have been passed on through generations with dancing, singing, and drumming. All are welcome to attend. This is a family friendly event. Learn more, including details of Powwow etiquette, here.
Dance Marathon Spikeball Tournament
Sunday, May 5, 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Ryan Field
Come and join Dance Marathon for an afternoon of spikeball and food! Price is $20 per team ($10 per person) to register. Winners will receive gift cards to local businesses ranging from $25-50! Register via this link: https://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=70118
Advocacy Discussion with Maine Students Vote
Monday May 6, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
McKeen Center Common Room
Are you curious about ways to make your voice count on important issues beyond just voting? Or are you curious about how bills get created and passed in the Maine State Legislature? Join Maine Students Vote and Bowdoin Votes for an informal discussion about how to advocate for issues that you are passionate about!
Apply to be an Upward Bound Summer Guide!
Apply to be an Upward Bound Summer Program Guide!
June 17 – August 6
40 hours/week, $14.80/hr
Summer Program Guides work closely with high school Upward Bound students to support them in their academic and social experience during the different sessions of the 6-week Upward Bound Summer Program. Guides act as mentors, teaching assistants, plan and facilitate activities, and support students on their path to college readiness. The 2024 summer will be primarily residential with some regional components requiring overnight travel. Summer Program Guides are responsible for: helping students move into and out of dorms during arrival and departure days, monitoring students in residence halls, to and from class and other programs, mentoring students, guiding students through conflict, providing support to students on their higher education exploration, designing and teaching a workshop, leading students during off campus trips, and taking initiative when directions or expectations may be ambiguous or unclear. Learn more and apply here! Contact Keith Reinemann with any questions.
Rachel Lord Center Summer Book Club
Join the Rachel Lord Center for a summer book club! Each of the three books being offered invite us into new ways of being in relationship with ourselves and our neighbors.
You can sign up to read one, two, or all three books. Offerings include:
Sign up online here. There will be opportunities in August and September for online and in-person discussion groups. Questions? Email Oliver Goodrich.
Community Opportunities
Tedford Housing Benefit Concert: Jud Caswell & Friends
Friday, May 17, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
UU Church of Brunswick (by Curtis Library, 0.6mi from the Polar Bear)
Wind down at the end of finals and support Tedford’s homelessness prevention and shelter programs! Three of Maine's most celebrated singer/songwriters - Jud Caswell, Nancy Sferra & Giff Jamison will light up the stage as soloists, duos, and a trio. Tickets $35 here - all proceeds benefit Tedford.
Sign Up for the Gift of Life Marrow Registry!
Gift of Life Marrow Registry is seeking volunteers to assist in growing and democratizing the registry. Gift of life facilitates lifesaving transplants for people battling blood cancer, sickle cell and other blood disorders. Campus volunteers will join an elite group of students nationwide who are making a difference every day. To learn more visit https://www.giftoflife.org/programs/cap.
Volunteer with Coastal Landing Retirement Community!
Ongoing, Flexible
Coastal Landing Retirement Community is seeking volunteers to help with programming such as bingo, crafts, ice cream and drink socials, and other community events. Please contact Paige Tenney at 2075045742 ex. 2207 for more information.
United Way Seeking Bus Ambassadors for New Mainers
Ongoing, Flexible
Are you passionate about public transportation? Enjoy helping your friends and neighbors? Have a love for bus maps and want others to too? Then being a bus ambassador is for you! The Brunswick Link is free for a year and United Way of Mid Coast Maine is seeking volunteers to help riders be more comfortable navigating our public transit system!
Duties include helping riders navigate the Brunswick Link, plan trips, answering questions about the Brunswick community, providing directions, and more. Training will be provided by United Way. Learn more at this listing on VolunteerME, and contact Maggie for more information.
Professional Opportunities
Email Avery Friend to set up individual or group meetings with any of the McKeen Center staff to learn more about ongoing events and programs, seek resources, discuss ideas, and have questions answered. Please also email Avery with any items that you would like to see included in Service News.