December 3, 2009

Hi everyone....

As many of you know, I am a leader of BonaResponds and would like to propose an annual BonaResponds alumni day throughout the country (indeed world!) where SBU alumni chapters all hold a service day. But you do not need to be an alum to host one of these events (so if any of our board members who I am blind copying want to, it would be great :) )

It can be something as simple as going to a soup kitchen and "taking a shift" or as complex as running an entire volunteer "day" with hundreds of volunteers.

I realize that you are all busy and that many of you (and your alumni chapters) already have service days planned etc, but please at least consider it before dismissing the idea. :)

And if you can not this first year, it is something that we could "grow" into and you can join in later (but you would miss out of this year's fun)

Our workdays follow the general idea given to us on our first trip to Biloxi. The entire group gets together in the AM (not too early as we sort of have a tradition of not being great "morning" people ;) ), then breaking up into teams that go to various work sites, work for 5-6 hours, then get back together and have a meal/meeting where each team tells the others about the work they did (sort of takes on some reflection characteristics and we have even had volunteers cry when saying the work they accomplished (hey there is a new slogan, "let's go make them cry!"))

Tom Cullen (the Chicago alumni head) has already been planning a day like this and it was his push that led me to suggest we make this national. Ideally this could also get more alumni involved in our trips (trust me, they are absolutely a great experience!).

DO NOT be concerned with the size of your event, one work site is great, you do not need to shoot for the sky, any help is better than none!). Honestly, one of our sayings is always "better not perfect". If we waited till we got perfect plans, nothing would ever get done.

As a date, I propose March 27th this year. That is when we are having our 3rd annual BonaResponds-Buffalo Day (FYI the Buffalo alumni also have other service days throughout the year and we'd love to coordinate a bit on those too). In Buffalo we will be working out of Villa Maria for the second year and working at many locations in the Buffalo area. (We have averaged about 100 volunteers a year in each of the first two years we have been there. See http://bonaresponds.blogspot.com/search/label/Buffalo%20sevice%20day

If March 27th does not work, my second choice would be in conjunction with our annual Spring Local Service Weekend (3 days of volunteering the week before Spring weekend). But given we will be in Buffalo March 27th, it seems an easier fit for alumni.

As a means of collecting stories and making it more meaningful for all, I would love to get pictures/videos from all the sites to put on our web as well as a short report (what we did, how many, etc) and any stories/reflection pieces that the volunteers may contribute.

what do you think? Interested? I really think it could be cool. Thousands of SBU alumni all helping on the same day and then being able to share the experience. It would also be something that once started could really grow and become an anticipated event.

I can get you waiver forms etc. If any of you express interest, we will add a page to our website to facilitate the events and help to advertise them.

If you have any other ideas of how I can (or more generally BonaResponds can) help make it happen, please do not hesitate to let me now. Email is best or call (716) 375-2111.

thanks!

Jim Mahar

BTW also please encourage all of your members to feel free to volunteer with us on any of our local days in the Bonaventure Area. We have volunteer days almost every weekend. (See BonaResponds.org) (for perspective last year 14 of 16 weekends in fall semester, 11 or 16 in spring, this semester we started early with the flooding in Gowanda and have already had over 25 work days since August), so if you are other alumni are back to campus and want to have fun and interact with current students (and others--all BonaResponds' events are open to everyone!) just give me (or BonaResponds@sbu.edu) an email (or follow us on Twitter, check out blog, etc...we are very very transparent lol.)

PPS this is NOT a request for money. We need and want volunteers much more than money. Try hard not to ask the volunteers for money unless absolutely needed. Giving up their time is donation enough.

PPPS I got most of your names from the SBU alumni page, so if you are not the correct person for this email, please forward it or let me know. :)

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