Winter's a-comin'!

Happy Halloween!

We have had a busy time of it these past few weeks! The VISTAs were at a training at Rockcraft lodge in Sebago, Maine; people became aware of the Acholi plight; houses were winterized; dinner was cooked at Ronald McDonald House; and everybody made it out smiling!

Election day is coming QUICKLY, and the Office encourages you to get out and vote: Come on people, shake your booty, vote and do your civic duty! If you need to find your polling place, Google has an awesome tool!

No matter what you believe, this week has a lot of celebrations happening. I hope you were able to enjoy one of the many festivites!

Welcome, November!

Amanda

Harvest on the Harbor!

Hello, Fall-Loving people!

Harvest on the Harbor is having its FIRST wine and food tasting here in Portland! This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland is hosting this event at Portland's new Ocean Gateway on Commercial Street in the Old Port!

They are looking for last-minute volunteers for a Saturday shift from 1-5:30. You would be pouring wine, taking tickets, handing out programs or selling water to guests.

Benefits include tickets to a future event, and free early admission on Saturday OR free tickets to one of the many food lectures being given on Friday! This is a HUGE event; over 4000 people are expected to attend!

All interested volunteers must be 21+ and personable!

If you are interested, please write avickerson@usm.maine.edu NO LATER than 9PM Wednesday.

Happy foliage!
Amanda

Top o' the Thursday to ya

Hey blog friends,

This week is a crazy week! Fall break + Fall Fest = whoa.

Since we had such a short week, we decided to back off a bit. We have some big things coming up at the end of the month, which I described last post: Acholi Awareness, Dress for Success, PRYSM, voting, Winterization, and more!

It's almost time to do dinner at the Ronald McDonald House again!
Monday, October 27th, I'll be headed over there around 4 to make a meal for the guests staying there. Please email if you want to join!

I hope that this weekend's beautiful weather was as splendid for you as it was for me!

Peace out,
Amanda

HEYO!

It's October, it's beautiful, and we have opportunities!

Acholi Awareness 2008
Help Us Help Women

Fall Clean-Up
Winterization Kits
Equality Maine Poll Help

Mentor Opportunity with PRYSM

Ongoing Opportunities

Acholi Awareness

Join us the last week of October to raise awareness of the plight of the Acholi people in Northern Uganda, Southern Sudan, and around the world. Documentary flims, a walk around the Bay and a Cultural Fair will all be happening this month! It looks like it will be a fantastically wonderful experience!

Help Us Help Women

Dress for Success of Southern Maine is sponsoring a clothing drive right here at USM! The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

They are looking for gently worn work wear like suits and separates, blouses, shoes and accessories, winter dress coats, and ESPECIALLY clothes size 18 and up.

Contact LyndsayS@usm.maine.edu for more information!

Clothes must be in mint condition, on hangers, ready-to-wear, and no more than three years old. Please bring them to the Women’s Resource Center in Woodbury until October 17^th!

Fall Clean-Up

In conjunction with the Southern Maine Agency on Agency, we will be sending teams of students out into the Greater Portland area to rake leaves and do general yard clean-up for our elderly neighbors. If you have an afternoon to wield a rake and trash bag, please email us at community@usm.maine.edu!

Winterization Kits

On October 24^th, USM is partnering with United Way of Greater Portland to install winterization kits in the community. We will be sending three teams into the homes of community members who need help getting their homes ready for winter. Please email us if you want to be on one of the teams!

EqualityMaine

EqualityMaine is looking for volunteers to help protect equal rights in Maine. They would love it if you could donate four hours on election day! A record number of voters is expected at the polls this fall, and EqualityMaine is taking advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to talk with Maine voters about equality. They have set an ambitious goal: identify 10,000 pro-equality voters, so we can move into 2009 with a powerful base of support.

If this strikes your fancy, email sparker-holmes@usm.maine.edu!

Mentor Opportunity with PRYSM

PRYSM provides a safe and positive space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied (LGBTQA) young people that offers social support, leadership development and community education. Volunteer opportunities include being an adult advisor to youth, advisory committee participation, and more! Please email Amanda for more information: avickerson@usm.maine.edu

Ongoing Opportunities

We’re always looking for mentors and tutors! If you missed our two info sessions this week, don’t hesitate to contact me! avickerson@usm.maine.edu

Civic Leadership Series

The Civic Leadership Series happens every week on both campuses, and we help students learn more effective ways of communicating, recruiting, and maintaining their projects. If you are a student leader of ANY kind, you are welcome to attend our sessions!

Our next session is the week of the 20^th and will be on Planning Projects and Running Meetings. We will have Bill Vickerson, Dale Carnegie instructor and attorney, as a guest speaker!

That’s all for this week! Wee!

Enjoy this glorious weather!

Amanda