Community Engaged Learning Newsletter August 2023

Quote of the month:

“We must believe we are worthy of rest. We don’t have to earn it. It is our birthright. It is one of our most ancient and primal needs.”

-Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Highlights:

Community Service Federal Work Study

Is your agency interested in having a work-study student? The Community Service Federal Work-study Program matches nonprofit organizations with Bucknell's work-study eligible students. Student employees are paid from federal grant money and are able to work at specified tasks within your organization, as long as the position benefits local residents or the public good. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Becky Rice at becky.rice@bucknell.edu.

AAC&U Institute

The OCE team (Lynn, Katie and Sarah) participated in the American Association of Colleges and University’s Institute on Integrated and Engaged Learning on July 18-21, 2023 with Jane Grassadonia, Denelle Brown, and Donna Ebenstein. The team used the Institute to work on an action plan for the implementation of the newly approved Community Engaged Leadership minor over the next two years. More to come on this!

Strategic Planning

The OCE team participated in strategic planning with Tina Welch from Welch Performance Consulting to update the vision and mission statement. The team is in the process of finalizing a set of values as well.

Draft vision statement To foster relationships to connect, collaborate and engage Bucknell with communities.

Draft mission statement Our mission is to foster intentional and transformational learning opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community partners to collaborate and positively impact our worlds.

Conference Presentation

Lynn and Sarah presented with Mayor Kendy Alvarez at the International Town-Gown Association (ITGA) conference in Fort Collins, CO in June. They prestented on the rich history of partnerships between Lewisburg and Bucknell as well as the importance of learning local.

Lynn, Sarah and Mayor Alvarez at the ITGA conference.

Get Involved:

If you are interested in being part of a learning community that reads various topics about community engagement, please email Sarah Farbo at sef020@bucknell.edu Logistics are TBD.

Check out the REC’s Summer Camp Grand Finale and Silent Auction. August 11, 4:00-6:30pm

The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency’s Linen Closet (TLC) is in need of paper towels and size 5 diapers. Please consider donating to help the families they serve by dropping off donations to their office (713 Bridge St., Selinsgrove) or going to our Amazon wish list (https://a.co/bmAcP1I).

Food Security continues to be a priority in our region. Click here to lend a hand with local food distribution and at food pantries.

Support the Milton Public Library by attending their 100th Year Gala on August 19, 7-9pm. Purchase tickets here.

Support Susquehanna Valley Mediation, Inc. by purchasing tickets for their Fall Fundraiser. September 9, 6:30-9:30pm.

Professional Development Opportunities:

Webinar: Solving Complex Social Problems with Human-centered Integrative Design, Oct. 18 & 25.Presented by Stanford Social Innovation Review. Learn more here.

Webinar: Making the Case for Open Educational Resources: Evidence-based Tools to Elevate Your Advocacy Efforts, August 20. Presented by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U). Learn more here.

Submit a proposal for Compact24, the annual Campus Compact conference. The theme is Higher Education Civic and Community Engagement as the Way Forward. Conference is in Denver, CO April 7-10, 2024. More details here.

Submit a proposal for the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Symposium or sign up to attend! Event is Tuesday, October 11, at the Albright Center in Sunbury. Click here for details about submitting a proposal. Click here to register for the event.