{"id":5824,"date":"2025-08-13T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/?page_id=5824"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:47:09","slug":"forever-garnet","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/forever-garnet\/","title":{"rendered":"Forever Garnet\u2014A New Way to Volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:221px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Early Sunday morning on Lake Andrews.\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-4022 size-large has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2024\/01\/191027_Campus_0019-900x600.webp)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#6c4638\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome to Forever Garnet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-470baef69868a4ddfe78f44215497d38\"><strong>Forever Garnet is a program for dedicated alumni volunteers who graduated 55 or more years ago, designed to help classmates sustain meaningful connections with the college and each other. Volunteers work to foster this engagement, share campus updates and events, and encourage continued support through annual and estate gifts.<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is\"><strong><strong>What do Forever Garnet volunteers do\u2014what are my responsibilities<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Forever Garnet volunteers help create a sense of community among classmates and strengthen their relationships with the college. Responsibilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246-900x600.webp\" alt=\"The Historic Quad in the spring.\" class=\"wp-image-6392\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/190521_Campus_0246.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make your Bates Fund gift by December 31 and encourage others to do the same.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speak with classmates about the importance of estate or planned gifts; refer them to Gift Planning staff as needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share news from campus and encourage classmates to participate in virtual or in-person alumni programming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend Forever Garnet Zoom calls to connect with other volunteers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thank fellow alumni for their engagement and generosity to Bates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs\"><strong>How are Forever Garnet volunteers different from Class Agents, Officers, or Reunion Volunteers?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-900x600.webp\" alt=\"Lunch for the 50th Reunion Class was held in Commons where members of the Class of 1975 arrived to register, greet each other, and ate.\" class=\"wp-image-6380\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250605_50th_Reunion_Class_Lunch_0392A.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Forever Garnet volunteers have the freedom to engage with classmates and other alumni in varied and meaningful ways. You will have the opportunity to collaborate on virtual programs and join other Forever Garnet volunteers for volunteer-focused Zoom calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bates staff can help you learn to run your own class-specific Zoom calls and send your own newsletters, which are most well-received when they come directly from a classmate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than signing Bates Fund solicitation letters\u2014which are now sent directly from Bates\u2014you have opportunities to share other creative and impactful ways to support Bates, including through endowment contributions and planned gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-900x600.webp\" alt=\"Bates Reunion 2025\" class=\"wp-image-6388\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-900x600.webp 900w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-942x628.jpg 942w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1-200x133.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/files\/2026\/02\/250607_Reunion_Parade_2094-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>As a Class Agent\/Officer, I wasn\u2019t talking about estate gifts\u2014why now?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We find that after the 55<sup>th<\/sup> Reunion, alumni are more interested in exploring planned gifts. For classes in their 50<sup>th<\/sup> year and beyond, volunteers are instrumental in helping educate and encourage their classmates to consider supporting the college through bequests, trusts, or other planned gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-style-diagonal-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resources\"><strong>Volunteer Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/giving\/ways-to-give\/\">Ways to Give<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/giftplanning.bates.edu\/\">Impact of Gift Planning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/giftplanning.bates.edu\/what-you-can-give\">Creative Gift Opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/all-events\/\">Bates Alumni Events<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/news\/\">Bates News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Webinar\"><strong>You&#8217;re Invited!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more at our upcoming Forever Garnet Volunteer events:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"bates-events bates-events-upcoming-events bates-events-list bates-events-style-default  \"><div class=\"bates-events-day-wrapper\"><div class=\"event-in-row bates_events-event\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"event-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/147\/files\/2026\/01\/PS-luncheon-2026-900x506.webp\"  alt=\"Members of the\u00a0Phillips Society,\u00a0Mount David Society,\u00a0Garnet Circle,\u00a0and long-time donors are cordially invited to the Phillips&hellip;\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"date-header\"><span class=\"_weekday\">Friday<\/span> <span class=\"_month\">Apr<\/span> <span class=\"_day-of-month\">10<\/span> <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"event-details\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"event-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/alumni\/events\/phillips-society-luncheon-2026\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPhillips Society Luncheon\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"event-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"event-times\">12:00 pm<\/p> \n\t\t\t\t\tMembers of the\u00a0Phillips Society,\u00a0Mount David Society,\u00a0Garnet Circle,\u00a0and long-time donors are cordially invited to the Phillips Society Luncheon on April 10, 2026.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Phillips Society\nInaugurated in 1998, the Phillips Society honors the&hellip;\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .bates-events-day-wrapper --><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-lightgray-bg has-dark-color has-text-color\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-gray-light-background-color has-background\"><strong>Have questions?<\/strong> Forever Garnet is supported through the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/bates.edu\/giftplanning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bates Office of Gift Planning<\/a>. Your staff liaison is&nbsp;Susan Dunning, Associate Director of Gift Planning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-gray-light-background-color has-background\">Please contact Susan Dunning at 207-786-6246 or <a href=\"mailto:sdunning@bates.edu\">sdunning@bates.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What do Forever Garnet volunteers do\u2014what are my responsibilities? 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