A new season of CISV Pittsburgh begins NOW!
Don't miss out on all the FUN!
NEWSLETTER                           SEPTEMBER 2015 




thisMONTH

W e l c o m e   N e w   S u b s c r i b e r s !

CHAPTER MEETING, RETREAT & BBQ
September 12, 2015
10am-10pm

September's chapter meeting will take place along with our annual planning retreat and family BBQ. All members and friends are encouraged to attend! The chapter-wide meeting will begin at 10:30am, with planning sessions starting at 12pm, including lunch. A casual BBQ will take place nearby, so please make sure to join us. We need everyone's help in planning the upcoming year, to continue our growth with resources and support. It's free to attend the meeting, but planning sessions and BBQ have fees which cover the cost of food.

  REGISTER NOW!

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!
We will once again collect backpacks and school supplies for refugee families resettled in the Pittsburgh area by AJAPO. Please check out the supplies list and help support local students in need. Please bring all donations to either the chapter retreat or our October 4 chapter meeting. Contact Elaine Hyder if you have any questions. 

MERCHANDISE CONTEST
It's time to design this season's chapter merchandise! Designs can be for clothing, stickers, water bottles...anything! Email your submissions to Nancy Golio by Friday, September 11. Designs will be determined at the Chapter Retreat.

New this year!
The JB board will be designing an exclusive JB Pittburgh t-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the JB, so be on the lookout for the design at the retreat!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
JB Soccer Game with Children of Shangri-Lost

Date: September 19, 2015
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location: Phillips Park Community Recreation Center
201 Parkfield Street, Pittsburgh 15226 


Your Junior Branch has organized a soccer game with Diwas Timsina's organization, Children of Shangri-Lost. Diwas attended our May 2015 meeting, and shared his story along with testimonials from refugee families. Please support your JB and join us as we get to know new members of our Pittsburgh community! We need players and adults willing to help referee. If you have any questions, please contact Max Rogow.

Register now to play or volunteer!

YOUTH MEETING - SUMMER 2016
Staff applications are being accepted!

CISV Pittsburgh is hosting a summer Youth Meeting next year for 16-18 year old delegates. Youth Meetings bring small groups of participants together, from different countries within a region. They will explore aspects of peace education related to the 2016 theme, Sustainable Development. Participants will share their perspectives and take a more active role in the planning and organizing of the program, and will also think about how they can apply what they have gained from their experience within their own community.

We are currently accepting applications for Program Director and Program Staff. Applicants should have an understanding of CISV's purpose and principles, and must be age 21 or older. This program will NOT include delegates from CISV Pittsburgh.

Please check out a more detailed job description and how to apply! 

WINTER PROGRAM DELEGATE NEEDED
Youth Meeting - Philadelphia, PA

We have ONE position available for a male delegate, age 15, to attend our winter Youth Meeting from 12/27/15-1/3/16. Please check out the Youth Meeting Program, or contact us for more information. Deadline to apply is September 31.

TRAVEL SURVEY FOR 2015-16 PROGRAMS
Deadline is October 1, 2015

It's important that we know if you are planning on applying for programs in 2015-16, and what motivates your decision process. Please fill out the following SURVEY to help guide us into choosing programs that are appealing to you and your family.
getINVOLVED

JUST SAYING...HOW TO SHARE CISV 
When it comes to explaining CISV, there can be many complicating details to describe who we are and what we do. The best way to do this is to TELL YOUR OWN STORY! We are looking for all chapter members, adults and JBers, to help share the CISV opportunities that are available. Find the best contact at your school, make a personal introduction, and ask if you can offer more information! The chapter is preparing materials to help you get started. Join us at the chapter retreat to learn more or contact Amy Raslevich if you have questions.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES  
Giving back to your local chapter, is a critical component of how CISV works. It's important to give back when you've benefited from the volunteer efforts internationally, so that others can have similar experiences here in Pittsburgh. Please be aware that part of the selection criteria for delegates is that ALL families participate and volunteer. There are a few more options available for the 2015-16 season:
  • Incoming Local Interchange Chair (assisting Sally Nava year, solo start 2016-17)
  • Regional Mini Camp Parent Coordinator (assist in checking forms and coordinating travel)
  • Merchandise Committee
  • Youth Meeting Committee (support for Planners, Director and Staff, summer 2016)
  • National Mini Camp Committee (assisting chairpersons with planning, May 2016)
  • Village Program, Coordinator (working with new families to prepare for Village 2016)

Please contact Amy Raslevich for more information! 
comingSOON                                         

CHAPTER MEETING
Sunday, October 4, 2015
3:00pm - 4:30pm
East Liberty Presbyterian Church
116 S. Highland Avenue, 15206

All participants and newcomers are welcome!

CISV IN MOTION
CISV USA Annual Conference and National Meeting
October 15-19, 2015
Covington, Kentucky

Each year, CISV USA chapters come together to attend workshops, share best practices, and select the upcoming year's programs. All adult and JB board members are encouraged to attend. Contact Amy Raslevich or Charlie Wolfson for more information.

ANNUAL PASTA DINNER AND PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Friday - November 6, 2015

More details are coming, but we need your help to obtain silent auction items. Various items are needed for the auction, including: tickets to sporting events/shows, gift cards, gift baskets, bottles of beer/wine, or general item donations. Please contact Alicia Klein with ways you can help or to make a donation.
inTHANKS
This was a particularly busy summer, as most usually are! We are so thankful to those of you who attended the Welcome Back Picnic. It was so rewarding to hear from each of you about your experiences with programs. We appreciate your feedback!

If you haven't already filled out your online evaluation, please do so quickly!  
Thank you to ALL the volunteers that showed up on a very hot day, to help wash some cars and support the Junior Branch! We raised $815 and the JB will be donating $410 to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank! It was an amazing success, THANKS TO YOU!
helpfulLINKS  
yourCHAPTER 

Junior Branch Board:
Adult Executive Board:
Charlie Wolfson
president & national jr board of trustees
Amy Raslevich
president
Drew Klein
president elect
Gina Wynn
vice president, operations
Max Rogow
treasurer
Nonie Heystek
vice president, programs
Lydia de la Parra
secretary
Dawn Gull
treasurer
Ilana Hollifield
historian
Alison Wolfson
risk manager
Nancy Golio
adult advisor &
national jb advisor
Dighan Kelly
secretary