Winter Break Community Engagement Program

• Participating students commit to the completion of 50 hours of unpaid community-engaged volunteering with a non-profit or municipal organization.
• Work is to be completed during winter break (December 20 to January 22), along with a mid-break survey check-in
• After winter break, awardees will summarize their experience in the form of a photo, description of their work, and reflection essay on their experience. Students who complete this reflection and survey on-time will receive a $750 reflection stipend.

Students must receive financial aid from Bowdoin to be eligible for this program. If there are more requests than funds available for the reflection stipend, the selection committee may consider factors including whether students have received funding previously and the strength of the case made in the application.

International students on F1 visas are eligible to volunteer with a non-profit or municipal organization. International students should reach out to Dean Khoa Khuong with any questions about their status and eligibility.

Application Process:

• Information Session: Students are required to attend an information session prior to completing the application. The session will include guidance on how to identify and communicate with a potential community partner site and best practices of community engagement. A recording of this session is available for students who did not attend the information session in person.
• Find a Community Partner: Students must secure an offer from a community partner before applying. Please refer to our Outreach Email Templates for ideas on how to do email outreach.
• Application: Students apply via the 2023-24 WBCEP Application. Rolling Admissions will close when the program’s reflection funds are committed or on December 4, 2023 at 12p. 
• Application Review: Applications are reviewed by a committee of McKeen Center staff in the order they are received, starting on November 15, and continuing until reflection funds are fully committed or the December application deadline.

Application Materials:

An application consists of the following:

• Personal Information
• Volunteer Organization Information: Both their location and where you will be residing over break
• Offer Letter: Email or Written Confirmation of Volunteer Offer from your Partner Organization (PDF only)
• Personal Statement: One page or less (single-spaced), answering the following:
  • Why have you chosen this organization for your project?
  • How do you plan to volunteer with the organization during your 50 hour commitment?
  • What do you hope to learn from this experience? 
  • How do you plan to bring your experience back to the Bowdoin community?

Should the volunteer work be remote or in person? Either! The needs of community organizations vary greatly and we want you to find the role that best suits your interests. Many organizations may have projects that can be completed virtually while others may have work that can only be done in-person.  The key is to communicate clearly with your potential partner site about what you are comfortable with and what their specific needs are.

Where can I volunteer? You can volunteer with any non-profit organization or municipal agency (such as a town office, planning department, or K-12 school).

Can I do an independent project on my own? No. There should be a community partner that hosts you in some way to ensure that you are providing a needed service and that your work will benefit local communities. If you have an idea for a new project related to work of an existing organization, approach that organization to find out if they are interested in working with you.

How does the hours commitment work? You must complete 50 hours of volunteer work and it is up to you and your partner site to decide how you want to divide those hours up over winter break.  Your community partner may be asked to verify the number of hours you complete.

When can I start my volunteer hours? You can begin as soon as you are approved by the McKeen Center. We recommend waiting until after your finals end, and many organizations may prefer you to wait until after the New Year holiday.

I'm an international student. Am I eligible to apply? International students on F1 visas are eligible to do volunteer with a non-profit or municipal organization. International students should reach out to Dean Khoa Khuong with any questions about their status and eligibility.

When will the reflection stipend be paid and are these funds taxable?  Taxes will not be deducted from your fellowship payment; however, you may be required to report the amount when you file your annual tax return.  You will receive a letter from the Controller’s Office detailing the amount of the fellowship payment and in-kind support you have received. You may need that letter when preparing your annual tax return. More information about taxation will be provided to award recipients.

Additional Questions? Contact Tom Ancona (tancona@bowdoin.edu or schedule a meeting)

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