October 28, 2015
The Spectrum Center held its annual Volunteer Retreat to welcome our student volunteers (old and new) to the Spectrum Center team September 27 from 9am-4pm at the University’s Challenge Program.
“The morning focused on getting to know each other and the work of the Spectrum Center. We did ice breakers and then focused on our mission, the structure of our work, and ways to get involved. We also did a gender and sexuality 101 session, recognizing that everyone has a different knowledge base around LGBTQ+ identities,” stated Chelsea Noble, the Spectrum Center’s new Graduate Coordinator for Professional Development.
Noble is a first-year Master’s student in the School of Education’s Higher Education Program. She earned her bachelor’s degree in French from Bowdoin College in 2012. After college, she moved across the country to work in the Office of Admission at the University of Puget Sound.
In her current role as the Graduate Coordinator for Professional Development, she provides onboarding and continued training for the Spectrum Center staff, and facilitates workshops offered by the Spectrum Center. For the Volunteer Retreat, Noble specifically coordinated the logistics for the day with Tynishia Walker, the Education & Leadership Program Manager.
“I am new in the office, so I was particularly grateful for the warm welcome,” commented Noble. “It was rewarding to see staff and volunteers pull together to accomplish tasks and to share their passion for working with and for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Overall, the retreat was a resounding success. Participants were able to begin the process of getting to know each other in order to create a sense of community. Last, but certainly not least, participants were able to learn more about the various volunteer opportunities available this year.
“It has truly been great to see volunteers connecting with our programs since the retreat,” stated Noble.