PTPI Blog


Posts Tagged ‘Student Chapters’

Haiti: How You Can Help

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

The people of Haiti continue to remain in our hearts.  It is vital that we do not forget the tremendous need that exists and will continue to exist for weeks to come.

We have spoken with members who are well informed of the situation in Haiti and they were able to advise on the most effective way to contribute.  After much consideration, PTPI has decided to support Partners in Health with a donation from the International Friendship Fund.

Sending the check to Partners in Health!  Mary Jean Eisenhower and PTPI staff members Paige (who you can barely see!), Kelly, Katherine, Rebecca, Brian and Liz drop the check down the mail chute at PTPI World HQ

Sending the check to Partners in Health! Mary Jean Eisenhower and PTPI staff members Paige (who you can barely see!), Kelly, Katherine, Rebecca, Brian and Liz drop the check down the mail chute at PTPI World HQ

Partners in Health has been providing healthcare in Haiti for more than 20 years.  They are incredibly well equipped to address the immediate needs of the communities they know so well.  Today we send a contribution from the International Friendship Fund and encourage our members to help match this gift.  To donate online, go to www.ptpi.org.  Please make sure to indicate in your note that your donation is for Haiti relief.

The dedication of our PTPI family to humanitarianism is evident in the efforts already taking place around the globe:

  • PTPI’s Sheboygan, Wisconsin Chapter collected $550 at their board meeting to add to the contribution from the International Friendship Fund.
  • Students in the Casablanca, Morocco (Sultans of Peace) Student Chapter are using every penny in their treasury for relief efforts, and are collecting more through money jars around their school and bake sales which they made posters to advertise.
  • PTPI’s Sofia, Bulgaria Student Chapter plans to donate the funds received from winning the Team Peace Challenge Award to help in Haiti.
  • The Kharkiv, Ukraine Student chapter is busy making plans for a supply collection and/or fundraising drive.

We will continue to keep you updated on the relief efforts of both Partners in Health and the members of PTPI.

5 Minutes With Alex Sher and Lissa Leibson

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Big thanks to Alex and Lissa for coming down to PTPI World Headquarters for an afternoon and volunteering their time!  (We always welcome volunteers, and there are ongoing volunteer opportunities at the Operation International Children Warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri USA as well!)  We asked Alex and Lissa a few questions about why they decided to give up their free time to help out around PTPI.

Lissa and Alex at the front desk of PTPI's World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri USA

Lissa and Alex at the front desk of PTPI's World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri USA

1. We know you’re on holiday break from school, so you didn’t come here to get out of class…  Why did you want to spend the day volunteering for PTPI?

Alex: I wanted to volunteer because it sounded like a fun thing to do, I wanted to help out, and also it was a way to have fun with my friend.  We were so relieved to know we didn’t have to miss class to volunteer.  :D

Lissa: I volunteered because PTPI was so much fun so I thought if I got to work at the headquarters, it would also be fun!  (And I was right!)

2. Well, you were a great help.  Would you come back?

Alex: YES!

Lissa: Totally!  It was great to see the headquarters and help out where I could.

3. You both attended the Global Youth Forum (GYF) in Washington, D.C. last month.  What was your favorite part of the GYF?

Alex: My favorite part was probably just meeting all the great people who were all interested in the environment.  I met a lot of interesting personalities and made some great friends.

Lissa: My favorite part was meeting all of the people!  I made so many friends from all over the world.  I will never forget them!  We are like family.

Day Four of the 2009 Global Youth Forum

Monday, November 16th, 2009

The morning started with breakfast, as usual, but there was a special breakfast for all of the GYF Seniors.  As high school seniors, this was their final year at the GYF, however their time with PTPI is not over!  They had a special “graduation” to Young Generation (YG) and an opportunity to learn about the exciting opportunities that await them as YGs.  Each senior received a diploma and was bestowed with a flash drive pre-loaded with a YG Action Kit full of information on how to stay involved.

In the final Delegation Group session, the students talked about how to create a just and humane world for themselves and others.  They identified what their ideal futures would look like, formulated a plan to address local and global issues and discussed how to implement their vision through personal action in their home communities.

Delegation leader Shannon tries out the landmine detection gear

Delegation leader Shannon tries out the landmine detection gear

PTPI’s Youth Coordinator Kristine Knutter got into her gangsta gear for lunch to introduce a presentation on how to stay involved with PTPI throughout the year.  After lunch students could learn about some of PTPI’s programs such as the Global Landmine Initiative, Operation International Children (OIC), the Global Book Club and Student Chapters.

Later in the afternoon, group leaders Rod Hister and Steve Ferringer hosted the GYF Wrap Up.  Next up was the ever-popular open mic session – a chance for delegates to share anything at all with each other.  There were personal stories, thank yous, songs, lots of laughter and a few happy tears.  Oh, and some rain.  More rain.

There was plenty of free time before dinner, for new and old friends to spend time together, without leaders or lessons.  The students arrived looking fabulous in their green gear for the PTPI Student Chapter Awards dinner.  Congratulations to the amazing chapter members who were recognized for their accomplishments.  Dinner ended with a video by delegation leader Steve Ferringer, filled with photos from throughout the week…then everyone headed to the dance floor for the Green Gala, the final GYF event.

View more photos from the GYF on PTPI’s Facebook Page.