CAMDEN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine is looking for community minded volunteers to serve as school coordinators at its school-based mentoring sites this fall.

Coordinators are adults from the community who can dedicate an hour and a half for one day each week from October through May (except school vacation weeks) to be at the match meetings of high school aged "Bigs" and elementary and middle-school aged "Littles." The meetings take place after the school day, which varies by location.

Every school mentoring location has one to two coordinators who attend each week to oversee and supervise the weekly match meetings to ensure match quality and child safety. School coordinators are interviewed in person and screened and trained by a professional BBBSMM staff member. The initial orientation and ongoing professional support for all new and returning volunteers is provided by BBBSMM staff.

Jessie Campbell has volunteered as a school coordinator at Rockland's South School for the past two years. She said, "What I have loved most about my experience with BBBS is seeing the confidence and social skills both the elementary Littles and the high school Bigs gain from this program. There is a lot of mutual respect and trust that is built within the year and it is always wonderful to witness the relationships that are formed. Being a school coordinator allows you to bear witness to a lot of special moments and you can't help but feel so proud to support the work these students do."

Successful School Coordinators like Campbell are responsible, dedicated, love working with and coaching youth of all ages and backgrounds, have great listening skills, are willing to learn, love to play, have patience, flexibility and a sense of humor. Coordinators arrive early to greet the Bigs and Littles. They help set up and clean up meeting supplies and snacks, facilitate group match activities if appropriate, and coach Bigs as they navigate their relationships with their Littles. Coordinators have regular weekly contact with BBBSMM staff to discuss match meeting and site logistics, attendance, successes, issues and concerns.

Coordinators spend time with each Big and Little, observing interactions, and coaching Bigs as they learn more about their Littles and the adversities they may be facing in their lives. Coordinators help Bigs and Littles discover more about themselves through the match experience. Bigs in the program see the huge impact they make in their Little's life by being there each week, and the Littles benefit from having an older, positive role model and a friend they can count on.

The agency is looking for School Coordinators for the 2015-2016 school year to volunteer at the following sites:

Five Town CSD:
Appleton Village School, Camden-Rockport Elementary School, Lincolnville Central School and Hope Elementary School

SAD 40:
Miller Elementary School and Warren Community School

AOS 93:
Great Salt Bay Community School

RSU 20:
Edna Drinkwater Elementary School

If you are interested in learning more about this role and would like to set up an in-person interview, please contact Sarah Woodman, school-based manager, at 236-2227 or email sarah@bbbsmidmaine.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo counties