The Nightingale Society strives to help Bowdoin College students de-stress and connect through writing, reading, and sharing poetry. During the Society's thirty-minute-long weekly meetings, members can choose to free write—taking inspiration from prompts, the real world, or their imaginations—or for leaders to distribute poems to them based on their individual interests. Toward the end of meetings, members can share their impromptu and selected pieces in a safe environment. At the conclusion of each semester, members may contribute to an anthology and a poetry performance that features musical guests. Complimentary snacks are available to members at all Society-run events.