Center for Civic Engagement

08/26/2026

Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!
 
Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:

🗣️ Civics IsU: Raise Your Voices Redbirdsℹ️ This panel discussion with leaders from the Academic Senate, the Staff Council, and the Student Government Association will help demystify how shared governance works.
🗓️ Wednesday, September 2, from 3-4:30 p.m
📍 Stevenson Hall 401

🗺️ Destination Uptown Scavenger Hunt
ℹ️ Discover all Uptown Normal has to offer, including great food, entertainment, community resources, and employment near campus.
🗓️ September 3, from 3-6 p.m.
📍 Start at the Normal Theater

🏠 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
ℹ️ CASA trains and supports volunteers to advocate for children in foster care until each child finds a safe, permanent, and loving home. Volunteers must be 23 or older.
🗓️ Next volunteer training begins September 9
🔗 mcleancountyil.gov/127/Court-Appointed-Special-Advocate-Program

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the volunteer newsletter!

08/26/2026

What is Shared Governance and how does it work?
Join us on September 2, 3-4:30 p.m. at Stevenson Hall 401 for Civics IsU: Raise Your Voices Redbirds. At this panel discussion, campus leaders will demystify how shared governance gives voice to constituents across campus and collaborates on institutional policies. RSVP:
https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/12585550/rsvp

08/20/2026

What is shared governance, and how does it work?

Join “Civics IsU: Raise Your Voices Redbirds” for a panel discussion with campus leaders that will help answer those questions!

🗓️ September 2, from 3-4:30 p.m.
📍 Stevenson Hall 401

Light refreshments will be available. Learn more and RSVP in the link.

What is shared governance, and how does it work? A panel discussion with campus leaders will help answer that question on September 2, from 3-4:30 p.m. in Stevenson Hall 401.

08/19/2026

Welcome to your Redbird Impact Roundup!

📌 Throughout the semester, we will bring you weekly highlights from our newsletter with opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement, the campus, and partner community organizations. Upcoming
opportunities include:

☀️ Festival ISU
ℹ️ Join us for Civic Engagement Day at the Festival to learn about upcoming programs, pick up some swag, and connect with service opportunities from local organizations!
🗓️ Wednesday, August 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍 ISU Quad

🤝 Redbirds Remember: a Saturday of Service for 9/11 Day
ℹ️ Volunteer in projects supporting hunger relief, environmental stewardship, and first responders. RSVP on Redbird Life by August 26 to guarantee a t-shirt!
🗓️ September 12, 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Meet at CVA 147

🌐Student Change Agent Coalitions (SCAC) leaders
ℹ️ SCAC is a student-run community of practice that connects students on shared issues and methods of change. Selected student leaders will co-lead 15-20 peer students and be paid a stipend of $1,000 per semester.
🗓️ Apply by August 28
🔗campuscompact.tfaforms.net/166

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the volunteer newsletter!

08/17/2026

The Illinois Innovation Network has awarded over $250,000 to three new social innovation seed grant projects, bringing the total number of recipients of the IIN’s Social Innovation and Impact Seed Grant program to 10.

Congratulations to the Illinois State University faculty members associated with the newly funded project “Connected Stories: Sustaining Lifespan Digital Literacy in Rural Illinois through Intergenerational Digital Storytelling in Public and School Libraries.” We’re of you!

Learn more at the link: https://iin.uillinois.edu/about-us/news/iin-awards-seed-grants-to-three-new-social-innovation-projects/

The Illinois Innovation Network has awarded over $250,000 to three new social innovation seed grant projects, bringing the total number of recipients of the IIN’s Social Innovation and Impact Seed Grant program to 10.

08/16/2026

Following today’s severe storms, we’re asking Bloomington residents and businesses to report storm-related damage. These reports will help provide a clearer picture of the impact across our community and assist with ongoing response and recovery efforts.

🏠 Residents: Report damage to your home or property here:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/56bafe3b44854af192993d73a2201765

🏢 Businesses: Report damage or other storm-related losses here:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/fb4e9c048835436bb00bcd83429b9b12

Businesses can also report food loss caused by the storm or power outages as part of their damage.

Please share these links with neighbors and local businesses that may have been impacted.

Crews continue working across Bloomington, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as our community begins the cleanup and recovery process.

08/14/2026

Join Redbirds on a Saturday of Service for 9/11 Day! RSVP on Redbird Life by August 26 to guarantee your free event t-shirt.

ℹ️ On September 12, participants will check in at the south end of the Quad at 8:45 a.m. for a light breakfast and welcome addresses. After pre-flection, Redbirds will depart for service sites in the community (transportation provided). We will work with partner local organizations supporting hunger relief, environmental stewardship, and first responder support. Participants will return to the Quad at noon for lunch and group reflections.

This event is supported by 9/11 Day AmeriCorps Student Veterans of America at ISU and the Popeyes Foundation.

08/12/2026

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. Join us for Destination Uptown Scavenger Hunt and discover all Uptown Normal has to offer, including great food, entertainment, community resources, and employment near campus.

🗺️ This self paced event is part of Illinois State’s Welcome Week. Students will get to explore their new community and get freebies as they complete a Scavenger Hunt. Participants can start the game any time between 3-6 p.m. (note that some businesses close at 6 p.m., so we recommend starting by 5 p.m. for the full experience).

👥 Also, learn more about civic engagement opportunities, connect with our staff, and explore resources such as voter engagement tools, Alternative Breaks trips, the Civic Engagement and Social Change Minor, and much more! See you there 😀

08/10/2026

Has your organization partnered with
Illinois State University in the last 3 years? If so, fill out our Community Impact Assessment survey to help us assess community partnerships and inform future programs.

Visit the link in the comments to take the survey.

08/03/2026

Today, Bloomington residents are invited to share their thoughts on vacant properties, how to revive neighborhoods, and talk directly with The Counselors of Real Estate about ideas and experiences to help inform future planning efforts.

Kids can cool off at the Splash Zone, enjoy outdoor activities, and grab a free Kona Ice. More information on the post!

💦 MAKE A SPLASH IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! 🍧

Join us at the Miller Park Splash Zone for a fun evening of conversation, community, and a FREE Kona Ice!

We're inviting residents to share their thoughts on vacant properties, how to revive your neighborhoods, and what makes our community a great place to call home.

Talk directly with The Counselors of Real Estate about your ideas and experiences to help inform future planning efforts.

Bring the whole family! Kids can cool off at the Splash Zone, enjoy outdoor activities, and grab a free Kona Ice while you join the conversation.

📍 Miller Park Splash Zone
📅 Monday, August 3
🕟 4:30 - 6:00 PM

We're especially looking for input from residents of Gridley, Allin, Prickett, Near East, and Dimmitt's Grove, but everyone is welcome to join the conversation!