2007-2008 Annual Report

I.                   Forward by Director

As we constantly embark on new journeys in our busy lives I am always reminded that one of the most important things that we sometimes forget about, is reflection. As an educator and leader of students through service opportunities this an exceptionally crucial experience. It is the point when you work through assumptions, grapple with contradictions, and hopefully find some meaning for yourself that can be transferred into a better way of living and contributing in our world. While the last year in the Bodwell Center was an extremely fruitful one, it was just a first step toward becoming great. As a new academic year approaches quickly, sitting down to reflect on the past year is one of the key elements in making it even better than the last.

Through my own reflection on the direction of the Bodwell Center in the past year and the year to come, I found many conclusions (and also left several topics open for discussion). The most important thing that I have concluded is my new found sense of urgency in creating positive impact on each student we work with. This will be the theme of the 2008-2009 academic year in the Bodwell Center. We have worked on a solid foundation over the past year that will be greatly beneficial as we begin to revise our operations to be more efficient, effective, and impactful. In an ever changing global economy we as individuals and organizations need to be more aware of how we use our time, energy, and resources. I anticipate working with the complex social issues that face our state, nation, and globe everyday is only going to increase in difficulty in the years to come. With the downturn in economies, rising food and gas prices and an always increasing global population we will need to be at our prime operating capacity to address these social issues while creating a more meaningful experience for our students; a meaningful and impactful experience that creates a sense of responsibility in our students, and everyone in our University community.

Impact to me is the turning point between being self-involved and driven to being community-involved and driven. Service coupled with guided reflection is the easiest, most effective way that I have found for students to find this realization. Upon reaching that point they are set free with this new found responsibility, and most want to help other students find it as well. With so much success being seen around the globe with service-learning the Bodwell Center strives to reach new heights of impact with UMaine students. Over the next year we will assess and revise each program and our department as a whole to offer exceptional, meaningful experiences for our students. We have reached maximum capacity for our current staff in the amount of things we offer now we need to strive to excel at each and every aspect of our department.

I hope that as I write this forward in next year’s annual report, we look back on a year where it can be said that each student we touched was truly impacted. To have each student walk away with the ability to take another look at our world with a fresh perspective and new found responsibility for themselves and their actions, to see the interconnectedness that we all share. 

Audra Grady

Coordinator for the Bodwell Center

“When you love people and have the desire to make a profound, positive impact upon the world, then you will have accomplished the meaning to live.” –Sasha Azevedo

II.                 Highlights of 2007/2008

Q     A base budgeted Coordinator position was the first official university position to head the Bodwell Center. The new Coordinator began working in August 2007 and proceeded to hire a new Assistant Coordinator with external anonymous funding. Having two fulltime professionals in the Bodwell Center has been the key to reaching the past years accomplishments. With new employees and positions it can be a challenging task for any organization. We accomplished it smoothly and look forward to an upcoming year with experienced leaders.

Q     With a total of approximately 50 students completing 6 projects with 4 hours of volunteer time per project, UMaine Cares 2007 was bigger and better than ever. We hope to double the efforts for UMaine Cares 2008.

Q     Alternative Spring Break has successfully complete the First Annual Art Auction raising nearly $10,000! They have also returned from the first ASB International trip to Nicaragua in May 2008.

Q     Up ‘Til Dawn was a year in the making after an initial meeting with President Kennedy, Vice President Dana, an esteemed alum of UMaine, two representatives from St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, and the Coordinator of the Bodwell Center. Next fall Up ‘Til Dawn will be an official student organization and will embark on the first year of fundraising to end childhood cancer.

Q     The Bodwell Center has embraced and new presentation of itself with a prominent logo display at all locations, with all staff at events, on our new information card, and our revised website. For the first year we truly embraced the Bodwell name and worked hard to be known as the Bodwell Center.

Q     The Bodwell Center has received two annual donations again for the 2008-2009 academic year from Russell and Barbara Bodwell and our gracious Anonymous Donors. These two couples have supported us in so many ways to help us achieve the success we have over the past year. We wholeheartedly extend our warmest appreciation to both of them, thank you!

Q     We became an active member of the AmeriCorps SERVE program with awards student members with an education award for 300+ hours of service. During our first year we had 3 student members that will complete there hours and receive their awards of a $1,000 or more in early fall 2008.

III.              Department Description

The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism is a multi-faceted department within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Maine, in Orono. Our mission is to create civic mindedness by building an engaged campus through the promotion of service-learning and volunteerism to students, faculty, and staff in order to strengthen our local, national, and international communities.

Located within the strategic heart of the campus, the Memorial Union, our office is on the 3^rd floor. Individuals or groups can learn more in our office 314 Memorial Union, by phone 207-581-3091, or on our website: www.umaine.edu/bodwellcenter. One of our main areas of operation is being a resource and networking center. As we gather ourselves together to begin another academic year we will begin a journey of improving everything we do, to provide for the needs of our campus community. Our other main areas of operation are our programs and organizations, education, and support for anyone interested in positive social change, here in Maine or anywhere!

Every day we strive to reach our vision of an engaged campus of productive global citizens in which every member has the opportunity and access to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. We attempt to complete this grand task through our various programs and community partnerships listed below.

Our Programs:

Q     Adopt-An-Elder (Renamed for Fall 2008, Elder Connection)

            Volunteers: 4

            Hours Served: 96

                  Coordinated by Graduate Assistant

Q     Alternative Spring Break

ASB has reached new heights this past year with the success of hosting the First Annual Art Auction bringing in close to $10,000 this year. ASB also completed the first international trip to Nicaragua in May 2008. Learn more in ASB’s End of Year Report, Appendix A.

                  Volunteers: 72

                  Direct Service Hours Served: 3,040

                  Advised and coordinated by Coordinator, Student Coordinator, and Officers Board

Q     AmeriCorps Eduaction Award Only Program, SERVE NNE: Students Engaged in Redefining a Vision for Service, Northern New England

Student AmeriCorps Members: 3          

            Joshua Bernstein, Lauren Cappuccio, and Rossi Kinney

Hours Served as of June 30, 2008: 900

Advised by Coordinator

Q     Black Bear Mentors

                  Volunteers: 51

                  Hours Served: 1,320

Coordinated by Graduate Assistant for Black Bear Mentors in collaboration with River Coalition and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Maine.

Q     Black Bear Volunteers

                  100+ students involved throughout the year in various projects on and off campus

                  Coordinated by student workers

Media Recognition: Channel 7 News, The Maine Campus, Bangor Daily News, WEMH 90.9

Q     Blood Drives

September and November 2007, February and July 2008

                        Volunteers:

                        Hours Served: 200

                        Coordinated by Graduate Assistant

Q     Clean Sweep (To be discontinued in 2009)

                  June 2008

                  4 day yard sale after clean-up of campus

                  Coordinated by Assistant Coordinator

                  Media Recognition: Channel 7 News, Channel 5 News, Bangor Daily News

Q     Maine Day

May 2008         

Volunteers: UMaine students, staff, and faculty

                  Hours Served: 2,517

                  All staff participated

Q     OATS

                  August 2007

                  1 staff member and 7 students camped and worked in Acadia National Park for 5 days

                  Hours Served: 162

                  Coordinated by Graduate Assistant for Black Bear Volunteers

Q     Service-learning and service education

Several new connections and initiatives were taken on this year and much progress was made. As we approach a new academic year, service-learning will be in the forefront. See Section VII.

                  Presented at UMaine’s Annual Leadership Conference

                  Participation in Maine Campus Compact Steering Committee

                  Participation in Faculty Senate Committee on Service and Outreach

                  Participation in Carnegie Classification on Community Engagement Application

                  Staff involved: Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, Graduate Interns, student workers

Q     UMaine Cares 2007 (Newly expanded, hoping to double in 2008)

                  October 2007

                  6 Projects with student volunteers

                  Coordinated by Graduate student intern

                  Media Recognition: The Maine Campus

Q     Up Til’ Dawn

                  New partnership initiated after several meetings and a visit to St. Judes Hospital

                  New student organization developed to support fundraising and awareness

                  Staff Involed: Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, student workers

Q     Volunteer Fair

October 2007

11 organizations present

Coordinated by student worker

Q     Volunteer Recognition

Black Bear Mentor Dinner held at City Park Grill in Old Town on April 24, 2008

Volunteer Appreciation Night held at Wells Commons on April 27, 2008

Servant Heart Scholarship awarded at Volunteer Appreciation Night

The scholarship fund will be enhanced to award more students per year

External donations supporting the scholarship fund are pledged for an additional 3 years

Q     Holiday Sharing Program

December 2007 in collaboration with Maine Christian Association and Crossroads Resource Center of Old Town

300+ children, 155 families served

Volunteers: 10

Hours Served: 65

All staff participated.

Our Community Partners:

The field of service in higher education is an ever broadening and complex one. As we work diligently toward national trends and creating higher impact with everything we do, we need to be constantly improving ourselves. This can be accomplished through building networks and resources, increasing capacity to educate on these topics, and building a skill set that is multi-dimensional. Explaining the difference between service, volunteerism, service-learning, civic engagement, etc. is a difficult task for anyone, but we also need to create an environment at UMaine around these topics. Therefore, staff development is a key element toward growth in quality of what we offer through the Bodwell Center. Below you will find a listing of development opportunities that were attended by staff and students over the past year. Some we were involved in only for learning, while others we were involved in making possible. The Curriculum Development Institute is a prime example of something that was made possible through the Bodwell Center and our relationship with other campus entities and Maine Campus Compact. 

Staff Development Events:

            Alternative Break Citizenship Schools (ABCS)

            July 2007, New Orleans, Louisiana

            Attended by ASB Officer’s Rebecca Workman and Mariah Marks

Maine-New Hampshire-Vermont Campus Compact Student Conference

Students as Global Citizens: Ideas into Action

November 3-4, 2007 Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont

Attended by Coordinator, Audra Grady, and Student Employees: Kristen Sutherland, Joshua Bernstein, and Lauren Cappuccio

Maine Bound Challenge Course

December 5, 2007 with Renee Lavin, Campus Recreation

Attended by Coordinator, Audra Grady, Graduate Assistants Kevin Taschereau and Lexie Delong, Graduate Intern Lauren Hayden, and Student Employees Joshua Bernstein, Jessica Blum, Lauren Cappuccio, and April Davis

Curriculum Development Institute: Problem Based Service-Learning

June 2-3, 2008, UMaine Innovation Center

Attended by Coordinator, Audra Grady and Assistant Coordinator, Kevin Taschereau

Live Learning Educator Training

International Service-Learning: Learning through Experience

June 21-29, 2008 Rio Limpio, Dominican Republic

Attended by Coordinator, Audra Grady

IV.             Participation Information

Due to the shear volume of students that we encounter through our various programs and opportunities we have omitted the majority to save paper, and have highlighted the student leaders that have led or initiated programs or have been recognized for their valiant efforts.

Q     Alternative Spring Break

Student Coordinator: Eric Martin

International Trip Coordinator: Rebecca Workman

Treasurer: April Snow

Secretary: Sarah Anderson

Fundraising: Craig Deforest and Katherine Lumino

Historian: David Kujawa

Q     AmeriCorps Eduaction Award Only Program, SERVE NNE: Students Engaged in Redefining a

            Joshua Bernstein

Lauren Cappuccio

Rossi KinneY 

Q     Awards and Scholarships

Servant Heart Scholarship

Joshua D. Bernstein

Danielle Brady

Brett Brayley

Samantha Burrill

                        Active Citizen Award

Nicole Kennard

                        Black Bear Volunteer Award

                                    Penney Lary

                        Community Partner Award

                                    Acadia Health Education Coalition

                        Dean Lucy Award

John Hwalek

                        Barbara Bodwell Award

                                    Sigma Phi Epsilon

Q     Up ‘Til Dawn

Student Coordinator: Lauren Cappuccio

V.               2008 Survey

Our annual survey was complete in spring 2008 with an 150% increase in respondents.

The following is a condensed version of the results found:

70 % have volunteered on while being a student at the University of Maine

Of that 70 %: 35 % do 1-5 hrs of service per semester 11% do 6-10hrs, 7% do 10-25hrs, and 16% do more than 25 hrs.

64 % would be more inclined to participate on “on campus” projects

50 % had never heard of the Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism

75 % are interested in volunteering more often

The types of projects interested in were

49 % in one time projects

2 % in course projects

28 % in on going projects

20 % in international projects

98 % believe that volunteer projects are worthwhile endeavors for their future.

40 % have planned a community service project

60 % have not planned a community service project

27 % were involved in fraternal service organizations

73 % were not

56 % were involved in fundraising

44 % were not

VI.             Progress on 07/08 Goals

Goal One

New positions to fill: Student web/computer specialist, Student service weekend coordinator, Two student project coordinators

Four students were hired and positions were adjusted due to lack of need for certain positions once a new Coordinator was hired and established. There were continuously 5 work study students in 07/08.

Goal Two

New FYRE hall programming

Hall programming for FYRE was accomplished with several events including Bodwell Center information sessions, Alternative Spring Break information presentations, and creating dolls for Rag Dolls 2 Love. We also completed our first event for a new series called Awareness and Advocacy which brought in 2 professionals working with Child Voice International upon their return from Uganda, Africa.

Goal Three

Development of an International Travel Policy in coordination with the Provost’s committee and student affairs staff

Guy DeBrun of Maine Bound was placed on the committee for the Division of Student Affairs due to his previous experience with international travel.

Goal Four

Increased statewide service projects especially in the southernmost part of Maine

2007-2008 proved to be a challenging year for the Bodwell Center with new leadership beginning in fall 2007, see future goals for an extension on this goal.

Goal Five

Continuation of developing partnerships with UMaine departments and community agencies/businesses

Ongoing partnerships with community organizations were very successful over the past year. We have enhanced old partnerships and struck up new ones. Refer to community partnerships listing to see all of the relationships that are now ongoing.

Goal Six

Increase collaboration with Maine Campus Compact, SOLT committee, and Faculty Senate as the Bodwell Center strives to become pivotal service-learning resource for faculty

The partnerships between Maine Campus Compact and the newly established Faculty Senate Service and Outreach Committee have truly blossomed over the past year. Emphasis on service-learning at UMaine is anticipated to be exponentially increased over the next year following the groundwork that was laid in 07/08.

Goal Seven

Explore possible collaborations with Camp Susan Curtis located in Stoneham, Maine and the affiliated Match School located in Boston, Massachusetts

With the placement of a new Coordinator in the Bodwell Center the connection between these organizations was lost when the previous employee departed.

VII.          08/09 Goals

         Goal One

To increase external funding to the Bodwell Center in order to hire more staff to work on a larger scale

Goal Two

To enhance all current programs to be more effective, efficient, and reach a broader student base through further marketing, networking (specifically Greek Life, Student Organizations, and faculty), and staff training

Goal Three

To revise forms, systems, and objectives for all programs and organizations under Bodwell Center supervision in order to reach maximum time and capacity management of staff

Goal Four

Increased state service projects especially in the downeast and southernmost parts of Maine

VIII.             Conclusion 

In conclusion, the past year in the Bodwell Center has been an extremely eventful and successful one. Over the next year we hope to improve on everything we do and create impact with each individual we work with. We aim to offer high quality, meaningful programs and education to the UMaine campus and its students. We hope to grow our relationships within the Division of Student Affairs as well as other departments on campus. Training and development of staff will be crucial to be fully equipped to implement programs in a more educated way.

 With a recent reorganization within the Division we will be moving under the auspices of Campus Activities & Events. This merger will be a new way to reach more of our student populations through a greater connection with Greek Life and Student Organizations among others. This link will not only mean greater access to our students, but a greater presence on campus and in the community. We are sure this will be a dynamic duo.

 Please proceed to Appendix A to view the End of Year Report for Alternative Spring Break.

____________________OFFICER’S BOARD_____________________

 Advisor:  Audra Grady

Coordinator:  Eric Martin

Fundraising / PR Chairs:  Craig DeForest & Katherine Lumino

Secretary:  Sarah Anderson

Treasurer:  April Snow

Historian:  David Kujawa

Membership Chair:  Mariah Marks

_____                                _  SITE LEADERS_______________________

 Cape Hatteras, North Carolina 

Nikki Kennard & Stephanie Peer

 Chicago, Illinois

Megan Lyons & Courtney Knight

 Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Sarah Anderson & Mariah Marks

Homestead, Florida

Rebecca Workman & Laura Wood

 New Orleans, Louisiana

Craig DeForest & Katherine Lumino

 Pensacola, Florida

April Snow & Nicole Rogers

__________________SITE LOCATIONS & MEMBERS___________________

Cape Hatteras National Park:  Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Cape Hatteras National Park

Site Leaders:           Nikki Kennard & Stephanie Peer

Advisor:        Gustavo Burkett

Members:     Brock Sanborn, Ty McBreairty, Walter Duy, Bethany Brown, Renae Meserve, Sarah Cyr, Katelyn Romano, Katherine Hodgdon, Marissa Caminiti, Michael Cronin, Garrick Brown

Boys & Girls Club:  Chicago, Illinois

 Site Leaders:           Meghan Lyons & Courtney Knight

Advisor:        Matthew Dube

Members:     Andrew Gerke, Harry Hayes, Benjamin Freedman, Kelsey O’Neill

Samantha Hansen, Erin I. Kelly, Victoria Miner, Siobhan Arey, Jaimi Clifford, Alissa Goff, Ashley Doughty, Candice Avery

________________________________________________________________

Habitat for Humanity:  Fort Walton Beach, Florida

 Site Leaders:           Sarah Anderson & Mariah Marks

Advisor:        David Zelz

Members:     Kimberly Putterman, Rhiannon Sawtelle, Meghann Varnum, Morgan Cooper, Thomas Myers, Kate Chambers, Alyssa Radmore, Jessica Hutchins, Kimberly Campbell

________________________________________________________________

Biscayne National Park:  Homestead, Florida

Site Leaders:  Rebecca Workman & Laura Wood

Advisor:        Audra Grady

Members:     Marshall Holmes, Krystal Carmichael, Shayna Shackford, Anna Snow, Allison Rusk, Samantha Jewell

________________________________________________________________

New Orleans City Park:  New Orleans, Louisiana

Site Leaders:           Craig DeForest & Katherine Lumino

Advisor:        Adam Vidoni

Members:     Bradley Coons, Joshua Bernstein, Nathan Lavoie, Amanda Chamberlain, Francesca Thompson, Casey Dunn, Koreana Chanterelle, Kristi Berthiaume, Elizabeth Tyler, Chelsey Williams, David Kujawa

________________________________________________________________

 Florida Trails Association:  Pensacola, Florida

 Site Leaders:           Nicole Rogers & April Snow

Advisor:        John Hwalek

Members:     Jonathan Erde, Jessie Daniels, Shelby Levasseur, Helen Pottle, Kaitlyn Stitt, Casey Williams, Jillian Young

_____________________ASB INTERNATIONAL_______________________

 Project Chacocente: Masaya, Nicaragua

Coordinator: Rebecca Workman

Advisor: Audra Grady

Members: Chiara Amendola, Judi Azevedo, Caitlyn Benn, Amanda Chamberlain, Aimee Guy, Samantha Jewell, Katherine Lumino, Nicole Marden, Laura Wood

 __________LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED BY ASB_____________

 Knights of Columbus

Crossroads Ministry

 Salvation Army

 Big Red Redemption Center

 Ronald McDonald House

Manna Ministries

The first annual Art Auction was held at Buchanan Alumni House on May 3, 2008. After several months of preparation the event paid off with a profit of nearly $10,000! This event wouldn’t have been possible with out the help of several organizations including Buchanan Alumni House, Muddy Rudder, and Division of Student Affairs. Over 50 pieces of art were donated, and several departments on campus purchased tables. It was a celebratory event through and through.

__________________OTHER SIGNIFICANT FUNDRAISERS___________________

 Dues

Amount Raised:  $8,675

 Adopt-A-Breaker

Amount Raised:  $6,315

 Fall Silent Auction

Amount Raised:  $735

 Bottle Drive

Amount Raised:  $586

 Corporate Sponsors

Amount Raised:  $3,500

 A Cappella Concert

Amount Raised:  $1,076

 Dodgeball Tournament

Amount Raised:  $205

 Calendar Raffle:

Amount Raised:  $2,850

 Spring Silent Auction:

Amount Raised:  $2,150

 Anonymous Supply Donation

Amount Raised: $6,000