Being Involved
Welcome to the Bates Parents & Family Association
You have always been involved in the daily life of your son or daughter. And though they are now away, you can remain involved in their lives. There are many volunteer opportunities for you that will help the college, help the Bates community, and help your child. The college is doing extraordinary things for its students, and the support of parents and families is integral to that experience.
All parents and guardians of current Bates students are members of the Bates College Parents & Family Association (BPFA) and are invited to take part in its activities. The association includes volunteer programs in the offices of Advancement, Admission, and the Center for Purposeful Work. These programs are a great way to help the college while staying apprised of on campus happenings.
Volunteer BPFA Committees
Bates Parents Fund Committee
The Bates Parents Fund is a fundraising campaign conducted by the college from July 1 to June 30 each year. It is a critical component of the overall Bates Fund, which raises annual unrestricted dollars from alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations in support of Bates’ educational programs. Contributions to the Bates Parents Fund help to meet current expenses for the essentials that make a Bates education one of the best in the nation.
Parents Fund Committee members work to increase the funds raised each year by providing philanthropic leadership and fostering supportive relationships between the college and parents. Volunteers personally contact current parents and parents of alumni throughout the fiscal year to help the college gain their vital support. The Director of Parent Giving provides all the necessary materials and assistance to reach out to fellow parents. Email parents@bates.edu for more information.
Welcome and Outreach Committee
Welcome and Outreach Committee volunteers make phone calls, send emails, and write letters to families of incoming first-year and transfer students to welcome them to the Bates community. These committee members answer questions and provide helpful tips. The BPFA Office provides briefing materials and attempts to match volunteers to new families in their geographic area whenever possible.
Welcome and Outreach Committee work includes parent involvement in special events such as Orientation, Parents & Family Weekend, incoming student welcome receptions and on campus Admitted Student parent luncheons. Parent volunteers on the Welcome and Outreach Committee may enjoy attending these various events in order to answer questions, educate or recruit new parent volunteers, and welcome these new families to Bates. Email parents@bates.edu for more information.
Additional Programs
Many Bates parents and alumni participate in volunteer programs through the Admission Office and the Center for Purposeful Work. Volunteers from across the country work with the Admission Office by representing Bates at local college fairs and by hosting regional receptions for prospective students. Within the Center for Purposeful Work, volunteers serve in a number of ways including the Career Advisory Network forwarding internship and full-time job information for current students and alumni, sponsoring interns in their places of employment or participating on career-related discussion panels. If you’re interested in volunteering for any of these programs, please contact the Admission Office or the Center for Purposeful Work or call the BPFA Office and we will connect with you with the appropriate people in those offices.
| Office of Admission 23 Campus Avenue 207-786-6000 |
Center for Purposeful Work 207-786-6232 purposefulwork@bates.edu |