Bobcats Give Back!

Service Saturdays

Service Saturdays are local service projects held on the first Saturday of the month offering a great way for community members and students to create relationships while working to enhance Bozeman. They are coordinated and sponsored by MSU’s Office of Student Engagement. Projects will vary from month to month, so please check back for upcoming project details.

 

Upcoming Service Saturday

March 2nd, 2024

Join the Office of Student Engagement for our March Service Saturday - this month we are offering two projects, both located in the SUB from 9am-Noon!

 

 

How to Volunteer

Meet: Strand Union Building near the Ask Us Desk. 

When: First Saturday of Every month during the academic year (except January).

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm. Must RSVP beforehand on Catsconnect. Check-In begins at 8:45am, plan to arrive around this time.

Transportation: Is provided if the service site is not within walking distance of MSU. Students may be driving university insured vehicles, walking, or taking public transportation to their project. 

What to bring/wear:

  • Comfortable clothing that can get dirty.
  • Closed-toed shoes as some projects may be manual labor.
  • Water/snacks or other items you may need.

Note: If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian sign our Liability Waiver before participating. Please contact us.

 

The Office Student Engagement will make reasonable accommodations for known disabilities that may interfere with an individual's ability to participate. Persons requiring such accommodations should make their requests to [email protected] as soon as possible before the meeting/event to allow adequate time for special arrangements.

Click Here to Apply!

While volunteering as a Service Saturday Leader, you will be in charge of gathering the other volunteers and making sure they get to the project site safely. Once you get to the project site of your choice, you will be responsible for checking in and helping those who are volunteering with getting settled with the duties that the project involves. Contact information will be provided if any questions arise while you are volunteering. Once the event is over, check back in with us and make sure everyone that went with you made it back safely. 

Service Saturday Leader Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Arriving 15 minutes prior to with check-in and assisting with check-in process for all volunteers.
  • Gathering all volunteers, and making sure the group makes it to the project site safely.
  • Leading the group in some icebreakers at the start of the day.
  • Checking in with service site once you arrive and helping those who are volunteering with getting settled with the duties that the project involves.
  • In the case of an emergency – contacting the appropriate staff at MSU to alert them. Contact information will be provided if any questions arise while you are volunteering.
  • Making sure that all volunteers arrive back to MSU safely – all volunteers must travel to and from service site with leaders.
  • Checking in with Service Saturday Staff in person once you arrive back on campus.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

  • Previous volunteer or leadership experience strongly preferred.
  • Comfortable speaking in front of a group of up to 30 people.  
  • Valid Driver's License preferred but not required (some sites require the group to drive rental cars to them).

Service Saturdays are service projects coordinated by the Office of Student Engagement to provide students with opportunities to get out and explore different ways of getting involved in the Bozeman community! Students meet on the first Saturday of every month during the academic year for coffee and donuts and then head out to various service projects on campus and in the community. These projects are a great way for community members and students to create relationships while working together to enhance Bozeman.

FAQ's

What are the benefits of being a leader versus a participant in Service Saturday Projects?
Being a Service Saturday Leader gives you the opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience and training as well as earn double hours towards VIM funding if you are a member of a club on campus! 

What is the training like for a Service Saturday Leader?
All Service Saturday Leaders will  go through a one hour training prior to leading their first service group to prepare them to lead their groups. 

What is the time commitment of a Service Saturday Leader?
Service Saturday leaders can expect to attend a 1 hour training prior to leading their first service group. Day of Service Saturday they can expect to volunteer 4 hours of their time - 3 hours leading the group and participating in the service project and 30 minutes on each end.

 

How to Host a Project

If you are interested in hosting a group of Service Saturday volunteers on the dates listed above, please contact [email protected] or 406-994-2933.