Leaders and Luminaries

Game Loft treasurer recognized as ‘Emerging Leader’

Thu, 12/27/2018 - 5:30pm

BELFAST — This October, Camden National Bank recognized six outstanding nonprofit board leaders with their 2018 Leaders and Luminaries Awards and $22,000 in grants to the winners’ respective organizations.

Honorees are selected for a successful use of passion, innovation and resourcefulness to help Maine communities thrive.

In 2018, The Game Loft nominated Treasurer Steven Bishop, acknowledging his exceptional leadership employing these very distinct traits, according to a news release. Bishop first discovered The Game Loft as a kid where he witnessed first-hand their mission to promote Positive Youth Development through non-electronic games and community involvement, according to the release.

As a young adult, he learned bookkeeping and used those skills to help The Game Loft succeed through a time of financial hardship. At the age of 22 he joined The Game Loft board. 

Using his newfound skills, Bishop went on to secure a junior accountant role at Harvard University, where he is also enrolled as a student. He is the first in his family to attend college, and he will graduate from Harvard in May 2019.

Now 30 years old, Bishop continues to serve as The Game Loft treasurer remotely from his home in Massachusetts and remains an inspiring advocate of The Game Loft, and has brought energy, leadership and greater sustainability to the organization.

Since the Leaders and Luminaries Awards began in 2011, Camden National Bank has given $130,000 to 37 Maine nonprofits through its private charitable foundation, The Bank of Maine Foundation.

This year, more than 65 nonprofit board members were nominated by the community, and Camden National Bank’s Leaders and Luminaries independent selection committee chose two Emerging Leaders receiving $1,000 each, including Game Loft nominee, Bishop, along with four Grand Prize winners receiving $5,000 each for their respective organizations.

“The Game Loft is proud to see this outstanding young contributor recognized for his work and dedication to the Waldo County community,” The Game Loft said in a news release.

Other honorees recognized this year serve as board directors at Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, Milestone Recovery, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Maine Inside Out, and Hardy Girls Healthy Women.